Fun, competitiveness, and community — these are some of the things people look for in a hobby. But beyond these three, there are other factors that you need to consider before pursuing a hobby. RC helicopters are no exception.
Some people have always been fascinated with helicopters. However, it is only recently that technology has paved the way for helicopter enthusiasts to economically and safely enjoy the experience.
There are toy RC helicopter models with simple controls to understand for beginners and older children. As for experienced hobbyists, there are also a lot of different models and types to choose from, depending on their preference.
Below are the factors to consider before pursuing RC helicopters as a hobby.
Structure and design
If not for the pleasing appearance of RC helicopters, it wouldn’t be much fun, which is the whole point of pursuing it as a hobby. Choosing the right model for you should go beyond just how the RC helicopter looks.
Consider how much time and resources it would take to ensure your unit is well-maintained. These would depend on the structure of the model you’re looking into buying.
For instance, people without much time on their hands to maintain the unit can opt to buy simple, lightweight models like Syma S111G. Units with multiple rotors and channels are usually harder and more time-consuming to maintain since they have a complex structure. In turn, you have to be extra careful not to damage the parts in cleaning and reconstructing.
Power sources
Most RC helicopter units have a nitromethane-methanol (NiMH) internal combustion system, electric batteries, gas turbines, petrol, and gasoline to use as a power source.
Battery-powered RC helicopters have the advantage of being more silent in operation and lighter weight than other energy sources. Most batteries used for hobby-grade RC helicopters are lithium polymer batteries. They weigh lighter than regular NiMH batteries but can contain just as much energy.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. When batteries are weakened, you need to wait for them to be fully recharged before you can resume your activity.
On the other hand, petrol or gasoline-powered units can be easily refueled as many times as the user wants them in action without much wait time. However, it’s so much noisier than battery-powered ones.
Gears
You must acquire other essential gears and accessories before starting RC helicopters as a hobby, aside from the unit itself and the radio.
For instance, micro-fixed-pitch RC helicopters usually come with a 4-channel radio that involves throttle, elevator, aileron, and rudder. This can be quite a handful for a complete beginner to handle, so it’s better to invest in an RC helicopter flight simulator first to get used to the controls without the risk of severely damaging the parts.
Here is the list of the other possible gears and accessories you might need upon buying your first RC helicopter:
- Small launchpad
- Training gears
- Extra blades
- Extra batteries
Information sources
While there are a lot of useful articles on the internet about basic things to know before buying your first RC helicopter, it’s still a better investment to get yourself good books explaining everything about RC helicopters, from construction to maintenance and flight safety measures.
Construction
Hobby-grade RC helicopters, especially the large ones, can be quite complex, and they are not to be considered merely toys. Most of these machines work exactly like real helicopters. They are structured so that a complete beginner can’t simply eyeball and understand the mechanics behind the design.
Upon constructing an RC helicopter, it’s important to implement safety measures. Most hobbyists consider the functionalities and aesthetic appeal of the unit and its durability against landing impact, heat, and rotor vibrations. Consider also the materials to choose from.
Controls
RC helicopters’ controls need to be precisely followed. Understanding these controls, from the most fundamental functions to the most complex tricks, is the key to improving your skills as an RC helicopter pilot.
For beginners who are ready to dive into flying their first RC helicopter, it’s best to start with a unit that has a single rotor. It trains you to apply the basic controls of an actual helicopter while providing enough challenge for a starter pilot.
Conclusion
Being an RC helicopter pilot can be a challenging activity. It may be easy to imagine just controlling the movement of the RC helicopter with your fingers from a safe distance. However, it’s not that simple at all.
Some units are built to perform aerobatics and racing and complement the style of its user. Some are built as a miniature version of an actual helicopter, while others are built with personal enjoyment as the main goal.
Regardless of what kind of a hobbyist you are, knowing what you want as a user can be handy in choosing the right unit and engaging in the community of RC helicopter enthusiasts.