Tips for the R/C helicopter beginner

Getting into RC helicopters can be a scary experience for the RC helicopter
beginner, unless you know what tools to acquire to make this hobby fun
and exciting.

Fortunately for the beginner, there are many things,
such as instructional videos, RC helicopter magazines, and RC helicopter
flight simulators to help them prepare and learn.

A good place to start learning the ins and outs for an RC helicopter
beginner is with a RC helicopter flight simulator. Although these seem
quite expensive - the general price is around $200 USD - the experience
you gain with the simulator is invaluable.

With a good simulator, the flying experience closely mimics that of a
real RC helicopter, allowing the you to learn the controls at your leisure.

Experiment all you like - in a simulator, the crashes cost you no time
and money.

By learning to fly and making your mistakes in a simulator, you save
yourself hours of time and hundreds of dollars in repairs. One highly
rated simulator is Real Flight Generation 2, which comes with a USB control
pad that looks like a RC helicopter radio. Avoid RC helicopter simulators
made for game consoles, as these usually do not have controls or physics
that mimic reality.

When you're ready to start looking into purchasing a RC helicopter, investing
in a RC helicopter hobby magazine is very useful for the RC helicopter
beginner. Within these magazines you will find reviews for helicopters
and parts to help you make the best decision on what to buy.

Once you are ready to fly, you must choose your RC helicopter.

As a RC helicopter beginner, you will find that there are many options
for you to choose from - micro, mini, and larger sizes, electric and gas
powered.

While the larger, gas-powered helicopters are easier for a beginner
to control, the can't be used indoors due to the fumes, and they are more
expensive to repair when they break. The smaller, electric powered helicopters,
on the other hand, are more difficult to control but they can be used
indoors as well as outdoors, and cost less to repair.

Before you set up your RC helicopter, you should read and re-read the
instructions so you gain a good understanding of how the parts fit together,
and where they should go.

After you've assembled your first RC helicopter, you should take it
to your local hobby shop to have it checked over by an expert to make
sure everything is in order. Remember, a loose part can mean a lost blade
when you try to fly, damage to the helicopter, and possible serious injury
to yourself or to bystanders.

The main blades of RC helicopters spin at a speed great enough to cut
through flesh and cause serious injury!

Having an expert to 'mentor' you through your first experiences flying
your RC helicopter is very helpful. A mentor is able to give you tips
not necessarily covered in the instructions or magazines, and provide
real-time help with building and flying your helicopter.

Alternatively, you can watch instructional videos, many of which are
made for specific models of helicopters and provide step-by-step walkthroughs
on building the helicopter and getting started with flight. For the RC
helicopter beginner, watching how the helicopter is put together in real
time can clarify any confusing parts of a paper manual.

Using these tools to gain experience and knowledge will help you have
the confidence you need to start your hobby off in an exciting and fun
manner.