Start with Helis?

[NewSailFlyer]

Would it be stupid for me to start RC flying hobby in helis? If it is ok, what are some good recommendations for helis and radios?

[dru]

You have asked a small question that has a very large answer.

Depends on who you ask, some will say this brand is better then that brand. The best advice I can give you is to find a gropup in your area that flys helis and talk to them.


If you show up at the field with gear that nobody knows anything about then it will be hard for them to give you any help.

As radios go pretty much any new computer radio will serve you well. I like my Airtronics RD6000. I am able to use any brand of servo or receiver.

If you do not have any one in the area ask more question on this and other boards.

Dru.

[Moishe]

I'm doing the same thing you are. I see a lot of people start with planes and fly em easy. I want a challenge and helis are neat in general, I've always wanted a real pilits license. Everyone says flying a plane first won't help with learning to fly a heli.

Only thing about helis is the cost... (arggh)
but I'm saving for a Raptor probably since that has had a lot of the best comments. A Raptor with an OS32 engine.

http://www.heliproz.com has good info.

Please post back as you get info and a heli too, I'm interested in something other than "been-there-done-that" talk.

[Nate W]

Everyone says flying a plane first won't help with learning to fly a heli.

It will help, but not as much as just starting with a heli in the first place.

I mean, if you spend a month flying a plane, and then a month flying a helicopter, you'll probably be at about the same proficiency as someone who just flew a heli for six weeks or so. In the first scenario, you'd have an easier time learning the heli, but that's only because you spent a month learning to fly a plane. You'll learn to fly the heli in less time overall if you just start with a heli in the first place. (Does that make any sense?)

Anyhow, if helis are what you want to do, start with a heli. If planes aren't something you really want to do, don't bother with them. That's what I did, and I don't regret it one bit.

Just for the sake of completeness, I must point out that when you get to a point where you can fly circuits comfortably with a helicopter, you'll have *no* trouble flying a plane. In forward flight they're a lot like helis, just much easier.

[birdseed]

i started off with helis, the logic being there was aclub nearby who could help me set them up, and its easier to take off and land again it there was a problem initially in control than with a plane.
I flew helis for about 2 yrs before i flew my first plane, a pico stick. After that it was a graupner starjet, then a twinjet, then a brushless pylon racer, then tried a basic trainer. I definitely learned a lot about landing from the trainer, but am able to fly foamies safely and havent crashed one due to a landing problem. ( Trim and CG problems have crashed my aircraft)