Beginner's helicopter wanted - suggestions?

[Mike_Then]

I saw the "we need a sticky FAQ" thread so I thought I would start things out with the typical beginner question.

I am looking for suggestions for a good beginner's helicopter. I've had a few coax helicopters over the years (started with a Hirobo XRB SR, sold it and got an eSky Lama V4, sold it and now have AND LOVE a Blade mCX) but no collective-pitch helicopters. Well, I did have a Piccolo when it first came out but got rid of it less than two weeks after purchase - was way over my head with that one and it was impossible to fly.

I would like a RTF package but that's not a dealbreaker. What is important to me is that it must be somewhat scale in appearance. While I admire the skill it takes to fly 3D, I have no interest in 3D flight for myself. The Thunder Tiger Innovator sparked my interest but $600 is more than I wanted to spend. It has to be beginner-friendly of course. Thanks for the ideas!

[Balr14]

There are a number of places selling a variety of scale fuselages for many size helis. Scale appearance is nothing more than a shell and different skids. Right here in RCG, darthdrk makes and sells many nice models. But, most people avoid buying scale fuselages until they have learned to fly their heli well with the "fish-head" canopy. Aside from adding $50 - $150, that's easy to wreck to the cost of the heli, they add weight. Weight is not your friend in RC helis. It means more mass and requires more headspeed, which changes the flight characteristics, which means more inertia when you crash, which means more damage.

I'm with you 100% and so are many other, with respect to 3D flying. It really requires skill, but something that looks like a half-eaten fish having spasms all over the sky lacks a certain appeal. So, by all means, get a scale fuselage for your heli. But, learn to fly the fish-head first.

So, you need to make some decisions about what kind of heli you are looking for; which, when it comes down to it, means how much money do you want to spend? As a general rule, smaller is usually cheaper to buy and repair than large, but it's lots harder to fly. Fixed Pitch is way cheaper to buy and repair than collective pitch, but it's harder to fly. Belt and shaft drive tails are better than motor driven tails, but cost more. Brushed motors do not last and must be replaced often, or upgraded to brushless, which is not cheap. Of course there are exceptions in every size category and initial cost is not an indication of final cost.

My initial suggestion to anyone that basically has only coax flying experience is the Hirobo SRB Quark. But, it's hard to see past the $330 - $360 price tag. It's not a lot of money when you consider you can fly it indoors or out, it's easier to learn on than any other single rotor heli, it's nearly unbreakable and never needs upgrades. You can get a scale fuselage for it, too.

A lot of people will tell you to buy an HBFP and there's nothing wrong with that to learn with. They are cheap, easy to fix and don't break easy. They aren't easy to fly and require constant upgrades and mods because of crappy motors. (I've got one already modded I'll sell you, cheap). If you upgrade an HBFP to GuruZ frame, belt drive, brushless, Super skids, M24 blades, etc., your $100 initial cost ends up over $300 (ask me how I know).

Some people will suggest a Blade 400 and they have valid arguments, too. It's bigger, it's belt drive tail and it's CP, so it's more stable. It's also expensive when you crash. A related school of thought is that you can buy a Trex 450 or clone for about the same price and assemble it yourself with decent components, where the Blade 400 requires component upgrades. (I've got a clone I'll sell you, too).

This is just some things for you to think about. I'm not trying to make up your mind for you. You are going to have an interesting time no matter what you choose.

[osterizer]

We're already getting started on an FAQ :). Here's my take:

What is the "best" heli depends on your goals and how to meet them- there is no "best" helicopter any more than there is a "best" car or job or anything else complex in life. I completely agree with those who say one of the best first helicopters is a simulator, where you can learn the basics without paying to fix the heli when it crashes, but I also think you need stick time in the real world, too. It's very different to fly a real heli in the air, even if it's just the wind in your face and the fact that you're actually controlling a machine that's really flying.

Some people are fans of the Innovator, but I'm in the same place as you- it has a lot of cool features, but the price tag is still pretty high for a trainer. On the other hand, I'm starting to understand that it also gives you the opportunity to experiment with transmitter programming, monitor the performance and electrical behavior of the heli with its data logging, and a few other goodies that you won't get from a cheaper heli. To do the same thing with off-the-shelf components, well, you'd be spending the same or more, and it's the only beginner's RTF that offers those features that I know of.

To your original points, though- moving up from a coax, and wanting semi-scale appearance, I would like to point out a couple of things. Scale helis are typically significantly heavier than pod-and-boom style, and they are more difficult in some ways to fly; the weight means that you have less breathing room from a power perspective, so it can be harder to get out of trouble and easier to get into it. They can also be more expensive to fix, because the bodies are much more expensive.

I'm one that would recommend the Honeybee FP for a first single-rotor heli if cost is a factor, but I would also strongly advise not upgrading a thing on it. The brushed motors will wear out after a while, but they're easy and cheap to replace, and if you look at the FP as a tool only, just an intermediate step between here and your goal of flying (semi)scale, then you can use it to learn the basics of flying a single rotor heli. The FP as it comes is as simple and durable as it gets- it has nothing from a mechanical or design perspective that is going to wow the guys at the field, but that's not the point. Use it as a trainer and leave it at that. It's one of a very few helis of its size that you can commonly crash, snap things back together and keep flying- that's a huge advantage for a beginner.

If you want to go straight to a CP heli, the B400 is a good RTF path to follow, though it certainly isn't scale, but it does come with a reasonable setup and a radio you can grow with (most RTFs come with basic radios that you will only use with that one heli, but the B400 comes with a Spektrum radio that you can use with more advanced helis, too). It doesn't have the track record of the B400, since it's newer, but the Axe 400 comes with a good radio setup too, and some of its components are higher quality. Putting a scale body on either one would be a hobby project, since you would be adapting a "general" scale fuse to the airframe.

For a good CP heli that can have a scale body, the best choices in small helicopters IMO are the Mini Titan and Align TRex 450. The TRex has many scale bodies made for it, and if you're interested in warbirds, the Mini Titan has an inexpensive AH-1 body made for it by Thunder Tiger that is simplicity itself to install. However, both of these helis are full up hobby-grade kits, and if you don't have a good heli radio setup already, you're going to spend $700 to $1000 to put one of them in the air.

For the above reasons, that would be the way I'd go- the FP first, and once you're comfortable with it, then look at a more complicated, more expensive, scale heli. Considering that the price of the FP is about the same as it would cost to repair the damage in a single crash of a small scale heli, I think you'd be better off that way- you will crash several times as you're learning.

All of the above assumes that you're looking for something small, and that you'll be flying locally and on your own. There's another school of thought that larger helicopters are easier to learn on, and honestly, the bigger the heli, the smoother, slower and more stable. However, if you're by yourself, the larger helicopters can be more dangerous, and they're just as easy to crash, so in that situation I wouldn't recommend them (scale bodies are also much more expensive and complex to install). If, OTOH, you have a local club that you can join, with a field and supportive members who will help you get started and into that first hover, then a nice, big, and forgiving heli like the Swift 16 would be an excellent choice- if you have the disposable income for it. A Swift is one of the least expensive 550-size helicopters around, but it will cost about the same to get in the air as a TRex or Mini Titan. If you have the club support, and cost isn't a problem, something like the Swift will be a fun flier for years.

fixed some grammar I didn't catch before hitting "submit...."

[douglas4]

Well I cant argue with the above posts but I can ad to them. In the beginning for me I wanted something way to complicated and I was literally driving myself nuts trying to decide what was best for me and what I wanted out of this money sucking hobby. Yes you will spend money and yes you will crash no if ands about it. So eventually due to my simple nature and wanting something functional and simple to set up and operate I bought the axe cp. Big mistake, noting but a money pit POS. I used to really like it you know. But I digress. I bought a crashed B400 and realized way to complicated and you have to U/G the gyro..servos and esc. I kept the DX6i and sold the rest of it (gave it away litrally). I use the DX6i for my Cx2 and havnt looked back. Ive u/g'd my cx2 with some bling and other boomtown goodies and it flys the way I wanted a heli to fly from the beginning and what I was looking for from the start. I can fly in all orientations (20x40x10 ft ceiling in my building), without mishap. Okay a few blades here and there due to being to close to the wall but I couldnt be happier now. Im staying in the co-ax arena now and dont care if I ever have a CP heli. Im to simple for something complicated and complex. I found my niche and staying there. The point I trying to say is buy what you want and find your niche and be happy. It doesnt matter what it is you buy its the fact of having fun doing it. Someone once said "keep it simple" or was it "less is more". For me simple is the way to go and less is more. My cx2 hasnt cost me near as much as I had invested in the POS axe cp. You know the cx2 can scoot around pretty good with the right goodies and know how. Im happy with it more than anything Ive had before. I do still have a havoc heli I fly from time to time. Good fun. :)

[Hellraser]

I saw the "we need a sticky FAQ" thread so I thought I would start things out with the typical beginner question.

I am looking for suggestions for a good beginner's helicopter. I've had a few coax helicopters over the years (started with a Hirobo XRB SR, sold it and got an eSky Lama V4, sold it and now have AND LOVE a Blade mCX) but no collective-pitch helicopters. Well, I did have a Piccolo when it first came out but got rid of it less than two weeks after purchase - was way over my head with that one and it was impossible to fly.

I would like a RTF package but that's not a dealbreaker. What is important to me is that it must be somewhat scale in appearance. While I admire the skill it takes to fly 3D, I have no interest in 3D flight for myself. The Thunder Tiger Innovator sparked my interest but $600 is more than I wanted to spend. It has to be beginner-friendly of course. Thanks for the ideas!

A good beginners fixed pitch that is small but scale and very tough - as a trainer is the walkera 4#3Q - if you read up in the micro section you will see there are many good reports on it and very little chritism http://www.walkera.com/en1/particular.jsp?pn=Z64%233Q0104 it is regarded as the most stable of the walkera 4#3 series.

It is usable inside and outdoors in mild conditions and weighs 51g with scale body.

Regards David

[jasmine2501]

I've answered this one a few times, and I think "osterizer" summed up the consensus on this issue pretty well. What I find interesting as these threads drag on is that people do the same thing they do when it comes to planes - recommend what worked for them (or knock what didn't).

The information about various specific helis is very helpful but now I'm thinking along a different line... today, anyway. There are some questions you should answer before deciding on a type of helicopter, and once you answer those, there are further questions before you decide on a specific model.

1. Obviously - what is your experience level? Including simulators.
2. How well do you understand radios and programming? Do you own one already?
3. How well do you understand mechanical systems you've never seen before?
4. Are you generally mechanically inclined?
5. What are your goals? Scale flying, 3D flying, sport flying?
6. Do you have access to a large flying area, like an AMA club?
7. Do you have access to an experienced helicopter pilot willing to help you?
8. Do you have airplane experience? What is your skill level with building and flying them?

These questions will help you decide whether coaxial, fixed-pitch, or collective pitch helicopters are right for you. Some people should be able to start with CP helicopters, and if your goal is to fly 3D, and a CP heli is appropriate for your experience and mechanical ability, there is not a lot of reason to go for FP or CX styles, particularly if your budget is tight. And that brings up the final questions...

1. What is your budget? Don't be ridiculous with this, you're not going to find a Szabo-worthy CP heli for $100.
2. What is your access to parts? Do you have LHS support for a particular brand?
3. Do you already have a radio sufficient for the helicopters you have in mind? CX and FP needs 4-channels, while most CP helis need 6 channels and special programming.
4. What is popular in your area? If you're in an "only Trex" area, you may want to go with that so you can get help with issues that may be specific to that brand.

If you can answer these questions honestly, you should be able to come up with one or two specific models that will meet your needs perfectly. For me it was the Trex 450, followed shortly by the Blade 400 - I have a good flying area, I have mechanical and radio skills, I have access to experienced people, and I also had a ton of simulator practice, so these models made sense for me.

[Mike_Then]

Thanks for all of the responses everyone! A ton of good information in this thread. Let me see if I can answer some of the questions asked of me -

1. My R/C experience is that I've been into R/C since the early 80's and into planes since '99; basically 10 years. I've had a few coax helicopters and feel extremely comfortable with my Blade mCX. I can land with nose-in orientation (for the most part), traverse under my coffee table, etc. I am mostly adept at the orientation of a helicopter but still make beginner mistakes. I have RealFlight G3.5 and can do OK with scale choppers on there; I crash still of course but nothing like I used to.

2. I have a Futaba 9C radio I've had for years. It's 8-channel capable with the FASST module in it. I'm one of the few Futaba guys at our field so I'm extremely comfortable with its programming, and I'm the one that programs other club member's Futaba radios.

3. My father was an aerospace engineer so thankfully that's one of his talents that was passed to me - I have a good understanding of mechanical things and I'm pretty good at figuring out mechanical things I am unfamiliar with.

4. I do have a local club, and I've been a member for as long as I've been flying. One of our members is Robby Wood, who I believe is sponsored by Thunder Tiger. He does a lot of R&D for them, and he's extremely good. The bad news is that he's 3+ hours away and not of much help due to the distance. There's only one other member that flies helis but we're lucky to see him once a month or so. If I'm to do this, I understand I'm on my own.

5. I have no interest in heli 3D flying; I admire and respect this skill it takes to do it but it holds zero interest for me personally. I am interested in scale and/or sport heli flying.

6. I currently have 13 airplanes; from as small and basic as a Kyosho Illusion to as large and maneuverable as a 65" GP Ultimate Bipe.

I understand that I just can't jump into a larger-sized decked-out scale helicopter; I'd rather spend the money on something smaller to get my feet wet. It doesn't have to be perfect in the beginning as I realize my chances of success are greater if I take it slow and be smart. I do have a couple of LHS that are 30 minutes from me (nothing here in town) so it's either them or Internet shopping.

I didn't think about a FP heli first; that's not a bad idea to get used to a tail rotor first and then move up to a CP heli. I'm already used to controlling the altitude with the throttle; that would be only adding one element which would be the tail rotor. Although I'm certainly not against starting with a CP heli, either.

I think what got me so excited was the looks and supposed ease of the Innovator but was turned off by the price. I wouldn't mind spending up to $400 on a beginner heli. I know I said it has to be scale-like in appearance but that's certainly something I can work my way up to. My trainer plane wasn't the sharpest-looking aircraft but it did a fine job of teaching me how to fly. :)

[osterizer]

I didn't have a lot of support either. I have a club local to me, but when I went to a meeting, with the form and check in my pocket to join, I mentioned that I flew helicopters... that was all she wrote (one of the clinchers was the member who literally shouted at me, "Helicopters are dangerous! Man, you lose the tail rotor and you have no control at all!" :eek: ). There are a lot better (better informed, that is) clubs that are further away, of course.

If you have a 9C and existing gear then your options are more open, because a big part of the cost of a CP helicopter is the electronics. I flew a 9C Super for years and would still be flying it if I hadn't run out of memories and channels at about the same time (T12FG now). You could probably skip the FP stage if you wanted to, if you were willing to take a disciplined, one step at a time approach with a 325mm heli, training gear, and a step by step approach like Radd's. The writer is a little method, but he makes good points and if you listen, you'll learn a lot and not spend too much money on crashes.

If you take a focused, cautious approach, like you did learning to fly fixed wing, then you can take on more heli without more risk. Jasmine spent a lot of time learning to fly on the sim before flying a heli for real, another good idea to listen to. You have to accept that you're starting at square one again, though; if you just pop in collective and take off, it will be exactly as successful as feeding in throttle to a .40 sport plane: the takeoff was easy, now let's see you land :D.

[jasmine2501]

I'm not sold on the Innovator - it is a great idea, but it doesn't seem to be mechanically a great helicopter. It shakes, it has plastic where it should be metal, and the proprietary batteries are just... stupid. MD500 canopies are available for 400 sizes and up, and with your experience I don't see a good reason not to go for a Trex 500 or Raptor or something like that. Everyone says the bigger helis are more stable, and certainly they have scale bodies available.

The tail rotor is nothing but a heading control as long as the gyro is working right, and certainly you have experience using rudders, even maybe instinct for rudder movements when inverted. I think you would do fine with any of the 400-size or larger CP helis. I'll be running my "Jazzy's Flight Deck" server tonight, so if you like, go online multi-player with your G3.5 simulator, and join my room and I'll watch you fly and let you know if I think you're ready for a CP, but I think you probably are.

[Hellraser]

good Thanks for all of the responses everyone! A ton of good information in this thread. Let me see if I can answer some of the questions asked of me -

1. My R/C experience is that I've been into R/C since the early 80's and into planes since '99; basically 10 years. I've had a few coax helicopters and feel extremely comfortable with my Blade mCX. I can land with nose-in orientation (for the most part), traverse under my coffee table, etc. I am mostly adept at the orientation of a helicopter but still make beginner mistakes. I have RealFlight G3.5 and can do OK with scale choppers on there; I crash still of course but nothing like I used to.

2. I have a Futaba 9C radio I've had for years. It's 8-channel capable with the FASST module in it. I'm one of the few Futaba guys at our field so I'm extremely comfortable with its programming, and I'm the one that programs other club member's Futaba radios.

3. My father was an aerospace engineer so thankfully that's one of his talents that was passed to me - I have a good understanding of mechanical things and I'm pretty good at figuring out mechanical things I am unfamiliar with.

4. I do have a local club, and I've been a member for as long as I've been flying. One of our members is Robby Wood, who I believe is sponsored by Thunder Tiger. He does a lot of R&D for them, and he's extremely good. The bad news is that he's 3+ hours away and not of much help due to the distance. There's only one other member that flies helis but we're lucky to see him once a month or so. If I'm to do this, I understand I'm on my own.

5. I have no interest in heli 3D flying; I admire and respect this skill it takes to do it but it holds zero interest for me personally. I am interested in scale and/or sport heli flying.

6. I currently have 13 airplanes; from as small and basic as a Kyosho Illusion to as large and maneuverable as a 65" GP Ultimate Bipe.

I understand that I just can't jump into a larger-sized decked-out scale helicopter; I'd rather spend the money on something smaller to get my feet wet. It doesn't have to be perfect in the beginning as I realize my chances of success are greater if I take it slow and be smart. I do have a couple of LHS that are 30 minutes from me (nothing here in town) so it's either them or Internet shopping.

I didn't think about a FP heli first; that's not a bad idea to get used to a tail rotor first and then move up to a CP heli. I'm already used to controlling the altitude with the throttle; that would be only adding one element which would be the tail rotor. Although I'm certainly not against starting with a CP heli, either.

I think what got me so excited was the looks and supposed ease of the Innovator but was turned off by the price. I wouldn't mind spending up to $400 on a beginner heli. I know I said it has to be scale-like in appearance but that's certainly something I can work my way up to. My trainer plane wasn't the sharpest-looking aircraft but it did a fine job of teaching me how to fly. :)

Well thats a good foundation Mike and that will help you - there is a Good chance of you learning on a small fixed pitch for outside the HBFP is a good trainer - inside the 4#3Q would help - both robust models.

You will probably manage a collective pitch - at worst if you got totally screwed up you would have to wait a month for help - some people wait weeks for parts.

But from all you say I do think the model that best fitts is the 4#3Q similar in size to mCX and can be flown in the house or back garden - good backup for when the weather is bad for flying fixed wing - it tics most of the boxes and its very tough.

Regards David

[Balr14]

I'll be running my "Jazzy's Flight Deck" server tonight, so if you like, go online multi-player with your G3.5 simulator, and join my room and I'll watch you fly and let you know if I think you're ready for a CP, but I think you probably are.

What's this? Why haven't we been told?

[jasmine2501]

What's this? Why haven't we been told?

I mention it periodically... it requires RealFlight G3.5 to join, but if you just look in the list and see "Jazzy's Flight Deck" then come on in and say hi. I run the server periodically when I'm not busy doing something else. It's on now actually...

It is also the name of my blog: http://jazzyflight.blogspot.com/

[osterizer]

I tried joining in on RFG4 on a different server a few weeks ago, but my ISP may not be friendly. I may try, though- how often do you come up, Jasmine?

[Balr14]

I tried joining Jazzy's and could not get in. I tried several others and had no problem. this was about 3 minutes ago.

[jasmine2501]

I tried joining Jazzy's and could not get in. I tried several others and had no problem. this was about 3 minutes ago.

Someone came by with an oversize plank and it crashed my server - I was busy and didn't notice for a while. Try again tomorrow night maybe. I may be upgrading to 4.5 for the voice chat feature, which would really help - I have tried to train people on there using the chat, but it doesn't work very well.

Anyway, I think regardless of what helicopters people end up getting, the two most important things are simulators and in-person help at least with the first flight!

[Mike_Then]

Ah, I have seen that server before and wondered if it was you. I'll be sure to check it out the next time I'm on. I'm a big online FPS gamer but on the nights I don't have time to get involved it a game of Quake Wars, I hop on RealFlight multiplayer servers for about 30 minutes or so.

I've heard a lot about the Trex helicopters - is there any preferred vendor out there which I can check out and drool over? See what's available and what's in my budget? I did look at the 400 vs. 500 helis one one site and I think the 500-series are out of my price range at the moment. I think I'd like to start with a nice, gentle 400-sized heli and get a scale body for it once I'm comfortable with flying it. And I'm assuming if I'm after scale/sport flying and not 3D, I don't necessarily have to have the best of the best (servos, gyros, etc.) which will save a little money, is that correct?

[Mike_Then]

I checked helihobby.com and they have a huge selection of helicopters! I see they have customized packages and a lot of accessories. I also noticed that I could further customize the order and save myself some money.

I also went to espritmodel.com and they also have a large selection of helis. I can get an E-Flite Blade 400 RTF for $430. That's definitely in my price range and it getting serious consideration. Are there scale bodies available for that heli?

[Balr14]

^^^^

Many LHS carry TRex helis and parts. You can build an all aluminum TRex SE clone for $300, without a transmitter and receiver. Most of the better clones have no problem using Align TRex parts. I have a GL450 (TRex clone) and it's a real nice heli. There's a nice variety of gyros in the $40 - $60 range that work fine you don't need digital servos for sport and scale flying.

This wouldn't be a bad route for you to go, since you already have the radio gear. You absolutely want training gear and wooden or vinyl blades. With CF blades, a simple tip-over trying to take off can cost you $50 - $75 in damage.

[Balr14]

I checked helihobby.com and they have a huge selection of helicopters! I see they have customized packages and a lot of accessories. I also noticed that I could further customize the order and save myself some money.

I also went to espritmodel.com and they also have a large selection of helis. I can get an E-Flite Blade 400 RTF for $430. That's definitely in my price range and it getting serious consideration. Are there scale bodies available for that heli?

Lots of people like the Blade 400, but you really should read about the issues in the topic in the mini forum. The consensus is it's nicely packaged but uses cheap components that require upgrading. People really like the transmitter deal, which you don't need.

[Hellraser]

^^^^

Many LHS carry TRex helis and parts. You can build an all aluminum TRex SE clone for $300, without a transmitter and receiver. Most of the better clones have no problem using Align TRex parts. I have a GL450 (TRex clone) and it's a real nice heli. There's a nice variety of gyros in the $40 - $60 range that work fine you don't need digital servos for sport and scale flying.

This wouldn't be a bad route for you to go, since you already have the radio gear. You absolutely want training gear and wooden or vinyl blades. With CF blades, a simple tip-over trying to take off can cost you $50 - $75 in damage.

Also Look at the Copter X 450 a ver good rex clone - with interchangability with the original Rex.

I believe it was John Ruskin who said "there is always someone who will make something a little poorer for a little less and he who buys on price ALONE is that mans legal prey" but saying that you should not just pay through the nose for a lable either.

Regards David

[DNO1BULL]

big boyz toyz has the b400 for $399, just got one

[sparky22]

big boyz toyz has the b400 for $399, just got one

I just visited big boys toys (http://bigboystoysnm.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=1324) and I could only find the price at $469. Where did you find $399?

Thanks;
Sparky22

[Blade_Killer]

https://www.bbthobbies.com/product.php?productid=16190&cat=311&bestseller=Y

[sparky22]

https://www.bbthobbies.com/product.php?productid=16190&cat=311&bestseller=Y
Got it.

[Mike_Then]

I'm going to check with one of our club members and see what he can get it for - he's a hobby shop owner and he might be able to get it a little cheaper than Espritmodel.com. I'm excited about the prospect of entering the heli world! The Perry, GA Swap Shop is coming up so I might wait to see what's available down there, and maybe order something when I get back if I don't find anything.

*sigh* Online immaturity is everywhere, unfortunately (no, this isn't new news). I went online with RealFlight last night to see if Jasmine might have started her server. She wasn't online but another server that I frequent a lot was online so I joined up. Picked a heli and was flying around and a few of the folks on there started talking helis. I mentioned that I was thinking of getting into helis and I had my eye on the E-Flite Blade 400 RTF. I received a flurry of "OMG Blade400 sux" and "troo dat" and "lol no way". I tried to explain that I'm not interested in 3D and I just want to do some sport flying, and then I received many replies of "u need a Trex600". I tried to mention that not only is this my first heli, but I also didn't have $1000+ to spend on one. I realized it was falling on deaf, immature ears so I left.

I will have to check out that Blade 400 thread and see if I can understand anything in it. :)

[Greybird]

Mike, I would not start too basic. You have been in R/C for a while. My guess is you will figure out heli's pretty fast. A lot of newbie problems are related to orientation, and basic R/C electronic set-up. You already have that part down. If you keep them moving, and rotor side up, they fly almost like airplanes. At least IMHO.

[Skarn]

If you have your own radio gear, I would not get the B400. As balr14 said, you can get a nice trex clone for pretty cheap.

Good luck,
Skarn

[jasmine2501]

Blade 400s are fine to start out with. There is nothing wrong with doing that - it's not a huge mistake. Trex 450 is a good option too if you understand mechanical stuff and how to wire up receivers, program radios, and you have the time to watch and understand and act upon about 2 hours worth of video watching and forum reading. As far as the flying goes, it's true helicopters do act a lot like airplanes in forward flight, but you don't need a Trex 600 to enjoy that feature - the 400 is just fine.

[Mike_Then]

OK, my Blade 400 RTF has been ordered and I expect to take delivery on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I couldn't stand it anymore so I emailed my clubmate/hobby shop owner and told him to get it for me. Any words of wisdom before ripping it out of the box like a kid at Christmas and take to the air for the first time?

[osterizer]

I'll save Jas the trouble: sim, sim, sim while you're waiting :). When it arrives, even if you think you've been over it well, you'd be wise to have your buddy with heli experience look it over/test it/trim it for you before you spin it. 3 hours is a ways to go, but if you can arrange it, it would be good to have the second set of eyes.

[jasmine2501]

Do I talk about simulators? I don't remember...

Good luck with your new friend! We have been getting a lot of reports lately of Blade 400s not set up correctly out of the box, so please look it over and make sure the swash is level and moving the right directions.

[Mike_Then]

I have been flying helis on the simulator almost daily, and I'm trying to get several daily flights on my Blade mCX as well. When on the sim, I pick all kinds of collective-pitch helis and try to maintain hovers, fly figure-8 patterns (both ways), and land without tearing it up. The only heli I can find that's close to the Blade 400 is the Heli-Max MX-400. It's more twitchy than the others I fly but I do OK with it when it's set to low rates.

Our club has a great relationship with a larger, neighboring club about 45 minutes from here. They have a few heli flyers so I'll see if I can get in touch with one of them and have someone with experience give it a once-over.

[osterizer]

Sounds good, Mike. If you can link up with another heli pilot to get through the first few packs, I think you'll be in tall cotton :).

[poboy62]

century hummingbird v4

[Mike_Then]

Well, my Blade 400 RTF is on backorder, most likely due to the DX6i service bulletin which has now turned into a full-blown recall. Jeff told me he can still get the PNP, but since I don't know doodly-squat about heli programming, I'll TRY to be more patient and wait for the RTF version. :rolleyes: Horizon says early March, so let's hope that's true. It's OK, as it gives me more time to practice on the simulator.

Speaking of simulators, I mentioned before that I'm flying the Heli-Max MX400, as I believe that to be the closest to the Blade 400. I'm having trouble flying patterns with this heli. My patterns (oval, figure-8, etc.) seem to be much more stable when I try not to turn tight. If I make the turn nice and wide, it smoothly goes through the turn. I'm sure I can tighten things up once I get more experience. If I make my turns too tight, the heli will either balloon up or drop down in altitude. All part of the learning process I'm sure. Any suggestions as to how to keep my turns nice and smooth? In other words, what am I doing wrong when the heli goes up or down?

[racin06]

Any suggestions as to how to keep my turns nice and smooth? In other words, what am I doing wrong when the heli goes up or down?

The heli going up or down is due to how you manage the collective. It just takes ALOT of stick time. Just keep practicing. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about matching a heli in the sim that behaves like your B400. You should fly all the helis in the sim...electric, nitro, turbine, scale, stick and pod, micro, minis, 30 size, 50 size, 90 size...just fly them all. Trust me, your flying skills will appreciate it.

[Mike_Then]

That's what I'm going to have to do... the MX400 is extremely frustrating to fly. I have minimal problems with the scale helis on there, and even the bigger nitro helis seem to fly smoother. I can do nice smooth turns with those helis but I keep dorking in the MX400. Like you said, practice, practice, practice!

Been scouring the Swap Pages for G3.5 for a Blade 400 but the only one I can find is for G4.

[jasmine2501]

Been scouring the Swap Pages for G3.5 for a Blade 400 but the only one I can find is for G4.
Do not be concerned with what model you are actually flying - nothing will be the same when you get out in the real world anyway. Learn to fly helicopters 'in general' by switching around between many different kinds, then you will be ready for anything the Blade 400 can dish out. But yeah, do practice with the little ones.

On your turns, it's not all about collective management - some of it is about not being afraid to bank really hard. You can get the helicopter over the 45-degree mark and it won't fall out of the sky, as long as you keep the momentum up. If you don't bank enough and you let the nose come up, you get a "cyclic climb" because of the added pitch from the cyclic, or something like that. I explain this in my video, around 6:00 where I talk about banking turns and keeping the nose down.

http://vimeo.com/2561213

[osterizer]

You also get a balloon effect from just tilting the rotors up, but yeah, you'll climb out at about 110 degrees through a 180 (for example) if you don't start lowering to forward and maintain speed.