If you’ve had a brief look at radio controlled helicopters and think that they look like fun but are definitely too complicated to really try, think again. Yes, it’s true that radio controlled helicopters can be challenging, but it can also be a very rewarding hobby to have. Today’s modern electronics and easy to put together kits have made it much easier than in previous years to get started in radio controlled helicopters.

Getting Started with a Simulator: There are a number of simulators that have made their debut on today’s market. The best one in this category is the Real Flight G4. This Windows-based program connects through your computer?s USB port with an interlinked transmitter. You can see how it works at the manufacturers? website. You will be able to learn the process of flying several different models of radio controlled helicopters with a simulator. This will give you some knowledge of radio controlled helicopters before you actually attempt it with the real thing. (Airplanes and sailplanes will also be included in this program as well). This is an excellent way to practice without having to crash any of your own models when you are first learning (which can be quite expensive in the long haul). This will cause you to empty your wallet to the tune of $50 per crash. That means that you will be able to learn until you feel ready for a real one for approximately $200 instead of having to cough up $50 for every crash while you learn the basics of flying your very own radio controlled helicopter.

Choose Your Model: Nitro or Electric? If you’re just getting started, you might want to choose a lower cost model first. Some of the best are included from Compass Model or Esky, and can be purchased at most hobby shops. The lower cost versions start at round $100. If you want to try something simple, a model called the Esky Lama is very simple and stable, with a coaxial design that can be flown in the living room so that you don’t even have to go outdoors. When you’re ready to get a little more inventive, you can choose Compass Model Knight 50 Sport, which starts at around $300. The Compass Model helicopters are some of the most durable models on the market today. However, don’t try this one until you’ve had a little experience and have had some practice with a simulator at least. Preferably, you should have been learning how to fly with another lower cost model first. Electric micro-helicopters come as both “almost ready to fly” or as kits. If the module is “almost ready to fly” (ARF), then the airframe is largely assembled. If you start with the kit, it’s completely disassembled and you’ll start from scratch. Some companies will build a model for you for a price, although of course the fun of flying helicopters includes building them yourself once you get some experience with them.

Going Electric: With an electric radio controlled helicopter, you will be dealing with an electronic speed control, motor, helicopter transmitter, gyro, servos, battery packs, and charger. In addition to your kit, you should have an Allen wrench and screwdrivers although you can buy these tools specifically intended for your model when you get your kit.

Going Nitro: The nitro radio controlled helicopter is quite different than the electric one because they are larger and the internal combustion engine is what operates it. Working on them is easier than their electric counterparts. They also have more stability than the electric models. You will be able to choose from 30, 50, 60 or 90 sizes. The 30 and the 50 are almost the same when it comes to their airframes, with the 60 and 90 using almost identical airframes as well.

Which Model is best for me? While you are just learning, choose a 50-sized model; again, the nitro is larger and easier to deal with. Therefore, it a good radio controlled helicopter to begin with. It also has greater stability than its electric counterpart. Additionally, when you have become better as a pilot, you will learn to do 3-D aerobatics with this kind of radio controlled helicopter. If you want to stay within your budget, choose a 30-sized model to start, although you will want to have a 50-sized model for doing aerobatics. If you don’t expect to do any aerobatics, then a 30 is both enjoyable as well as economical.

Equipment: Choosing your transmitters, gyros, tail blades, field equipment, servos, main blades and paddles:

? Transmitter: You need a transmitter that handles at least six channels; the new “Spread Spectrum” systems from companies like Futaba operate on 24 GHz and don’t affect other radio systems. This means you won’t have to worry about interference from someone else in a nearby field. You’ll probably spend between $300 and $500, but you literally never outgrow it can use it forever. Seven channels may be best, because this has features not found on six channel models.

? Servos and Gyros: Servos are electronic devices that turn electrical signals to mechanical action (your car has them, too). Different models will have different requirements for servos, which are made by speed and torque. For radio-controlled helicopters, these control the tail rotor pitch, the throttle and the swash plate. Most electric helicopters will need four servos: three to control the swash plate and one to control the tail rotor pitch. In general, you’ll use three identical servos for the swash plate and one high-speed digital rudder servo in addition. They start at about $25 for small electric helicopters, or about 40 for nitro models.

? Tail Rotor Gyros: You also need a gyro to control the tail rotor. The most popular of these is probably the Futaba GY401, with matching servo S9254. You can get the servo and gyro together for less than $200.

? Main Blades, Tail Blades and Paddles: Every radio controlled helicopter must have blades; some kits already have them in the package but for others you will have to buy them separately. If you are just a beginner, it would be best if you use wood rotor blades because if you crash your helicopter they are much less expensive to replace. These are probably one of the first things that break when you crash. This is quite common when you are just getting your feet wet! Fiberglass blades are common, but there are some carbon fiber blades that are more popular since they have become more affordable, too. These blades can also handle most 3-D maneuvers. There are also a few new products that have been introduced onto the market that are manufactured by KBDD. This company currently makes a number of high performance tail blades and dampeners with the soon to be released paddles and blades. This company also makes the composite plastic blades that almost everyone thinks is carbon because of their durability.

? Field equipment: If you choose a nitro helicopter, you’ll need field equipment that consists of a glow igniter, fuel pump, starter wand and starter motor. There are all-inclusive kits sold that can start a 30 to 50 sized helicopter easily.

Learning how to fly helicopters can be very challenging and rewarding. It certainly takes some skill in getting used to, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s truly a fun and addictive hobby.