Tips for a beginner enjoying RC helicopters
Discussion
I bought a syma s107. 3 chan micro heli for indoor use. Superbly easy to fly after a few charges/ flights. Brilliant for indoors. Quiet, fun, stable. Tricky to fly at first, but easily learned.
I ordered a syma S031 a few minutes ago. Same thing, two helicopter blades and that balancing bar, it's far bigger and should be slightly more stable outside.
What is 3 channel vs 4 channels? How does the extra channel work?
Why is a heli with 2 blades more stable than a heli with 2 sets of 2 blades? How are they harder to fly, and why.
I'm enjoying flying and would like to look towards another model, what is big enough not to get blown away, electric and for beginners?
Also, the chap at modelzone suggested flying a 4 chan was supremely more challenging than a 3 chan. Can anyone explain what controls are different and perhaps suggest a virtually indestructible slow flying and stable first 4-chan helicopter to try?
I'd like something feeble and electric to practise with.
Thanks.
I ordered a syma S031 a few minutes ago. Same thing, two helicopter blades and that balancing bar, it's far bigger and should be slightly more stable outside.
What is 3 channel vs 4 channels? How does the extra channel work?
Why is a heli with 2 blades more stable than a heli with 2 sets of 2 blades? How are they harder to fly, and why.
I'm enjoying flying and would like to look towards another model, what is big enough not to get blown away, electric and for beginners?
Also, the chap at modelzone suggested flying a 4 chan was supremely more challenging than a 3 chan. Can anyone explain what controls are different and perhaps suggest a virtually indestructible slow flying and stable first 4-chan helicopter to try?
I'd like something feeble and electric to practise with.
Thanks.
Mobsta said:
I bought a syma s107. 3 chan micro heli for indoor use. Superbly easy to fly after a few charges/ flights. Brilliant for indoors. Quiet, fun, stable. Tricky to fly at first, but easily learned.
I ordered a syma S031 a few minutes ago. Same thing, two helicopter blades and that balancing bar, it's far bigger and should be slightly more stable outside.
What is 3 channel vs 4 channels? How does the extra channel work?
Why is a heli with 2 blades more stable than a heli with 2 sets of 2 blades? How are they harder to fly, and why.
I'm enjoying flying and would like to look towards another model, what is big enough not to get blown away, electric and for beginners?
Also, the chap at modelzone suggested flying a 4 chan was supremely more challenging than a 3 chan. Can anyone explain what controls are different and perhaps suggest a virtually indestructible slow flying and stable first 4-chan helicopter to try?
I'd like something feeble and electric to practise with.
Thanks.
Virtually indestructible? Dont fly em! I ordered a syma S031 a few minutes ago. Same thing, two helicopter blades and that balancing bar, it's far bigger and should be slightly more stable outside.
What is 3 channel vs 4 channels? How does the extra channel work?
Why is a heli with 2 blades more stable than a heli with 2 sets of 2 blades? How are they harder to fly, and why.
I'm enjoying flying and would like to look towards another model, what is big enough not to get blown away, electric and for beginners?
Also, the chap at modelzone suggested flying a 4 chan was supremely more challenging than a 3 chan. Can anyone explain what controls are different and perhaps suggest a virtually indestructible slow flying and stable first 4-chan helicopter to try?
I'd like something feeble and electric to practise with.
Thanks.
The bigger they are the 'easier' they are to fly, however they are also more expensive to repair because as and when they do crash there is more energy and therefore more carnage!
Honestly? The best thing you can do s find a local club that fly's heli's, not all clubs are welcoming of rotary wings. Look on the BMFA site and they should be able to help you find a club close to you. If your anywhere near the south coast then your more then welcome to come and have a fly with me and a mate, (mate is very good with rotary, I'm better with fixed wing but can fly both).
Also look at getting a flight sim for the PC. This will help hugely. Try Phoenix for starters. A long time friend of mine learnt to fly on Reflex, so first flight with the real thing saw him fly circuits and nose in hovering.
Four channel helis are not stable. The other type I think you are talking about have contra rotating blades which negate the need for a gyro as there is no torque effect.
On a four channel heli you have blade pitch control. A control that on cheap heli's is not fitted. This is controlled by the throttle stick, so as you increase RPM's you increase pitch. I, (and most other), heli pilots use a throttle hold switch. This will lock the throttle to, (generally), 100% regardless of where you move the throttle stick. With the this stick at mid position the blade pitch is zero. At what would be 100% throttle the blades are at +12 degree's and a 0% throttle the blades area at -12 degrees. This is linked in to a pre-programmed throttle curve.
It all sounds a bit complicated but in reality all the pilot has to do is spool up the blades to around 20% and then switch to throttle hold for the flight.
Anyway, get yourself a flight sim to start with, either Phoenix or Reflex, Phoenix being the slightly better one, and get yourself to a local club. Or come flying with us for a few hours or so if your in the area.
http://www.phoenix-sim.com/
http://www.bmfa.org/
Having done a search doesn't look like Reflex is around anymore, however Phoenix was the better sim due to having free updates.
Hmm. It does sound complicated. It's most probably a stupid question, but if with a 3 channel heli, I can make it go wherever I want on a horizontal or vertical axis, what is different about a 4 channel. You mention blade pitch control, which I'm imagining relates to speed perhaps. This can be controlled on a 3 channel. Obviously I'm missing something, the experience itself for starters.
I've ordered 2 more 3 channel helicopters and will see where my enthusiasm lies at the end of the summer, before deciding what to buy. TBH, I'm not after a new hobby, especially if it consumes great volumes of time in ordering and then waiting for spares, then fixing the unit (heathen! I should be shot)...
...I'm more after a garden toy. The cheap heli I have now seems to recover from unlimited crashes, it may be this is all I need. The desire is there to learn a out these flying machines though, upgrade and buy bigger.
My ideal would be an easy to fly crash proof helicopter the size of a dog kennel, with a decent top speed, which I could use to chase away the pesky seagulls who keep nesting on our roof, to the point the post lady refused to deliver our post
Question then:
On the 3-channel helis:
Right thumb stick effects left and right rotation.
Also, forward a d backward motion.
Left thumb stick, elevation, based on rotor speed.
How is a 4 channel heli controlled differently?
I read your post several times. Is blade pitch control the forwards/backwards control? It must be. I'd guess
I've ordered 2 more 3 channel helicopters and will see where my enthusiasm lies at the end of the summer, before deciding what to buy. TBH, I'm not after a new hobby, especially if it consumes great volumes of time in ordering and then waiting for spares, then fixing the unit (heathen! I should be shot)...
...I'm more after a garden toy. The cheap heli I have now seems to recover from unlimited crashes, it may be this is all I need. The desire is there to learn a out these flying machines though, upgrade and buy bigger.
My ideal would be an easy to fly crash proof helicopter the size of a dog kennel, with a decent top speed, which I could use to chase away the pesky seagulls who keep nesting on our roof, to the point the post lady refused to deliver our post
Question then:
On the 3-channel helis:
Right thumb stick effects left and right rotation.
Also, forward a d backward motion.
Left thumb stick, elevation, based on rotor speed.
How is a 4 channel heli controlled differently?
I read your post several times. Is blade pitch control the forwards/backwards control? It must be. I'd guess
Blade pitch will allow you to climb or decend much more quickly. It also allows for inverted flight.
If your not after a hobby my friend then drop the idea of a 'proper' heli. You need time and dedication to learn to fly one!! as said before, find a local club and go take a visit, on the whole these people are no different to car enthusiasts, they will be delighted to talk to you. And remember there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!
Spares are easily and quickly available from the likes of Midland Helicoptors, Fast Lad performance and the like.
As regards stick control I fly Mode 1. So throttle control is fore/aft on the right stick, roll is left/right on the right stick. Pitch is fore/aft on the left stick, yaw is left right on the left stick. Mode 2 has throttle control on the left along with Yaw. Pitch and roll are on the right
If your not after a hobby my friend then drop the idea of a 'proper' heli. You need time and dedication to learn to fly one!! as said before, find a local club and go take a visit, on the whole these people are no different to car enthusiasts, they will be delighted to talk to you. And remember there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!
Spares are easily and quickly available from the likes of Midland Helicoptors, Fast Lad performance and the like.
As regards stick control I fly Mode 1. So throttle control is fore/aft on the right stick, roll is left/right on the right stick. Pitch is fore/aft on the left stick, yaw is left right on the left stick. Mode 2 has throttle control on the left along with Yaw. Pitch and roll are on the right
My father in law has a blade mcx which is a four channel coax. That is pretty much indestructible and being a micro can be easily flown indoors. It's rubbish outdoors though and you will get extremely bored with it quickly. I went straight to a blade msrx which is a micro again, single rotor and fixed pitch. Bit more agile and twitchy but again pretty strong if you remember to hit the throttle hold quickly when it hits the floor. This one can be flown outdoors in a little wind. I went from there to an align 250 and blade nano cpx. Those are both extremely twitchy and pretty fragile although not especially by heli standards. The 250 is a finicky beast and I spend faaar too much time tinkering with it. It also owes me about £800 (don't tell the wife).
I would personally stick with the micros - blade mcx and then nano cpx when you get more confident. I'd also advise getting Phoenix and a reasonable (programmable!) tx - dx6i can be had new for less than £100 now and should last you a while.
Bigger is better (more stable, not so twitchy, easier to see) but imo the commonly advised 450 is a really bad size to start with though as they tend to have a lot of power for their size. 500 or 550 is better but you'll need to fly one of those at a club and under constant supervision / buddy box as they are a little bit dangerous!
If you don't intend to join a club - I haven't due to politics in the couple I tried - micros are a blast and significantly safer and cheaper to fix. You can still do damage to furniture and walls with a nano cpx though - ask me how I know
I would personally stick with the micros - blade mcx and then nano cpx when you get more confident. I'd also advise getting Phoenix and a reasonable (programmable!) tx - dx6i can be had new for less than £100 now and should last you a while.
Bigger is better (more stable, not so twitchy, easier to see) but imo the commonly advised 450 is a really bad size to start with though as they tend to have a lot of power for their size. 500 or 550 is better but you'll need to fly one of those at a club and under constant supervision / buddy box as they are a little bit dangerous!
If you don't intend to join a club - I haven't due to politics in the couple I tried - micros are a blast and significantly safer and cheaper to fix. You can still do damage to furniture and walls with a nano cpx though - ask me how I know
Mobsta said:
Question then:
On the 3-channel helis:
Right thumb stick effects left and right rotation.
Also, forward a d backward motion.
Left thumb stick, elevation, based on rotor speed.
How is a 4 channel heli controlled differently?
Ok, this is my understanding of 4+ channel helicopters, there are different 'Modes' of transmitter explained in this video http://youtu.be/LiroXnpghIA.On the 3-channel helis:
Right thumb stick effects left and right rotation.
Also, forward a d backward motion.
Left thumb stick, elevation, based on rotor speed.
How is a 4 channel heli controlled differently?
Mode 2 is the most common, and is setup like this:
Left stick: up/down controls throttle/collective, right/left controls rudder (left/right rotation).
Right stick: elevator (tip forwards/backwards) and aileron (top left/right).
On a 3-channel you don't have a aileron on the right stick, but rudder instead, and the left stick only moves up/down.
I have been flying 4+ channel helicopters for 4 years and got used to the Mode 2 type transmitter, and found it impossible to switch to the 3-channel type with rudder on the right stick.
If you ever plan to switch from 3-channel to bigger models, I would recommend not getting too used to the 3-channel way of flying.
Thanks, for all the comments, to each of you.
As with most things in life, there is so much more to the progressive experience than that which is apparent at the beginning.
My larger 3 channel heli arrived today. I flew it in mild wind outdoors, it was blown all over the show like a rag doll being tossed about by a pit bull. Its electric, I weighed it in at 420 grams. Due to its size and weight, inertia was a problem. Id been accustomed to flying a micro indoors mostly, which comparatively responds like an F1 car, as opposed to an overloaded shopping trolley.
Only one flight. Hard work (lots of tall things all over the garden) plus its ability to shoot up to the height of the roof faster than I expected, and its ability (after cutting the throttle) to stop falling (inertia again) also not as responsive as the indoor micro.
Huge learning curve. Its in one piece, but the blades already have dozens of nicks in them.
I like the fact it cost next to nothing and I can crash it without it needing a helicopter hospital.
Shameless 'perhaps a toy is all I need' post. Not sure yet.
I have a 4th heli waiting at the post office, another micro. I must admit, at the moment I quite like the fact they are so easy to fly, do not have a high top speed, nor the tendency to take off upwards like a pigeon with a rocket up its arse.
The only downside with the bigger helicopter, its its cutting out every 10 seconds (RC not IR) and Im not sure why, which sends it dropping earthwards, followed by height input from myself... so its constantly going up and down, when it probably shouldnt be.
Comments regarding not getting too used to a three channel noted. I'll check out the models mentioned in the post above, thank you.
Whatever you have/wherever you fly, they are great fun though. Nothing like flying a plane at all. Id go as far as to say, the best/most fun gadget Ive ever bought, was my first micro heli this month. Its a shame they dont have slightly more power and triple the battery life.
As with most things in life, there is so much more to the progressive experience than that which is apparent at the beginning.
My larger 3 channel heli arrived today. I flew it in mild wind outdoors, it was blown all over the show like a rag doll being tossed about by a pit bull. Its electric, I weighed it in at 420 grams. Due to its size and weight, inertia was a problem. Id been accustomed to flying a micro indoors mostly, which comparatively responds like an F1 car, as opposed to an overloaded shopping trolley.
Only one flight. Hard work (lots of tall things all over the garden) plus its ability to shoot up to the height of the roof faster than I expected, and its ability (after cutting the throttle) to stop falling (inertia again) also not as responsive as the indoor micro.
Huge learning curve. Its in one piece, but the blades already have dozens of nicks in them.
I like the fact it cost next to nothing and I can crash it without it needing a helicopter hospital.
Shameless 'perhaps a toy is all I need' post. Not sure yet.
I have a 4th heli waiting at the post office, another micro. I must admit, at the moment I quite like the fact they are so easy to fly, do not have a high top speed, nor the tendency to take off upwards like a pigeon with a rocket up its arse.
The only downside with the bigger helicopter, its its cutting out every 10 seconds (RC not IR) and Im not sure why, which sends it dropping earthwards, followed by height input from myself... so its constantly going up and down, when it probably shouldnt be.
Comments regarding not getting too used to a three channel noted. I'll check out the models mentioned in the post above, thank you.
Whatever you have/wherever you fly, they are great fun though. Nothing like flying a plane at all. Id go as far as to say, the best/most fun gadget Ive ever bought, was my first micro heli this month. Its a shame they dont have slightly more power and triple the battery life.
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