Scared...

[Slinky]

Hi there,
A few years ago my parents (more money than sense) asked what I would like for Xmas. I said a rc heli.
So this is what they bought me:
SST Eagle Freya .60
Thunder Tiger 60 engine
Futaba FF6.
As you can imagine (not knowing anything about the subject) I was extremely excited. I built the heli in a few months and tried to read up as best I could on the subject. I balanced everything and did a basic beginners setup in order to simply run the engine in.
The day came when I secured the beast to the lawn and started her up. LUCKILY everything went OK and the engine had a good run. What did surprise me though was how scared I was of the thing when it was running! It really did give me an appreciation of the respect you must give rc helis, especially ones this size.
After that experience I have done absolutely nothing with the Heli - we moved house, DIY, wife, etc. etc.
I did at the time get fairly good on an old version of a sim called REFLEX. However I have missplaced the cable now.
Now to the point:
1. I am very very keen to ressurect this hobby and persevier with the Freya. I know it's far too big for a starter heli but I simply cannot afford to get anything else (and my wife would not be impressed).
2. I want to get a new sim. I have seen the new REFLEX XTR which looks good or should I go for the Phoenix that I seen mentioned.
3. Any advise on what the hell I do now would be greatly appreciated.

Look forward to your comments...

[marktigere1]

1. I am very very keen to ressurect this hobby and persevier with the Freya. I know it's far too big for a starter heli but I simply cannot afford to get anything else (and my wife would not be impressed).
2. I want to get a new sim. I have seen the new REFLEX XTR which looks good or should I go for the Phoenix that I seen mentioned.
3. Any advise on what the hell I do now would be greatly appreciated.

Look forward to your comments...

Hi and welcome

In answer to your questions:-

1. You really should join a club and get some first hand help in test flying your Heli and more importantly making sure you are safe. Bigger Heli's are more stable so you may find you get on well with it. DO get some training legs for it and take your time.

2. I believe Pheonix is the one to go for above all others.

3. Contact a local club and have a good read of this forum (the best) and enjoy the hobby.

Cheers

Mark

PS. Ask as many questions as you like also.

[RcHeliwidow]

Definatley gotta be Pheonix for the sim......

[Sao]

1) It's not too big as a starter heli, providing you get some expert advice, the larger they are the easier they are to fly but the bigger the fear wall is

2) Phoenix is the current hot favourite, Reflex XTR is good but Phoenix is better for helis.

3) Join a club & read the forums there are other slightly larger heli forums out there but this one is bar far the best UK one.
Make sure you join up to the BMFA for insurance http://www.bmfa.org/
Bedford Club http://www.aeromodel.org.uk/
Other clubs in the area can be found here http://www.bmfa.org/clubs/clist.php

[Slinky]

Fantastic,
Thanks for your replies. I was afraid that you would say 'sell it and get a smaller one!'
I do intend to join the Bedford club as I think it is the safest way of getting started. Bit pricey at £95 but I bet it will save me money in the long run.
My main concern was having an'expert' to check that the heli was set up right b4 a 1st test flight and hopefully the club will open up opportunities for that.
I had heard in the past that most clubs frown at Heli flyers and consider them as noisy pests that get in the way of their fixed wing flying. Is this generally still the case or has the world moved on. I'd be interested to hear comments on that.

[Sao]

Unfortunately some clubs are run by **** stained gimmers (old men 50 and over who can only fly right hand circuits with diesel powered 1950s planes)
who have a hatred of anything new and particuly of helis.
SOME clubs this isn't an issue at, I fly at a little club in harlington (J12 of M1) and we welcome anyone with any flying thing be it plane or heli. But that might be a bit far for you to travel?... PM me if you want more details on the club

[Oli]

Another club you may want to try is the MK Heli Club, were based near Olney, so not to far from you. Were a dedicated heli club, have some very knolageable members. Feel free to pop down any time, if you did want to join id be quick, think theres only ne or two spaces left this year. If Im thinking of the right club i dont think the Bedford club is overly heli friendly, i might be mistacken though. Have a look at our site www.mkheliclub.co.uk

[David Drew]

All the above is bang on.

Join a heli friendly club
A 60 size is fine. Jusy a bit more pricey to repair
I've got realflight Sim, but Phoenix is said to be the best
Take it easy - you sound as if you've got your head screwed on anyway, so - trainer legs, club advice, set-up & tuition & enjoy.

David

[SRH990]

One guy at our club is learning to fly with an X-Cell Fury Extreme and an X-Cell gasser! To be honest he did get past the sticks and balls stage with a Shuttle first but he's using the X-Cells to progress beyond hovering.

I wouldn't recommend a gasser to a learner but it's actually not a bad way to go, if you can afford the expensive repair costs. It's pretty heavy which makes it very stable in most weather conditions and it's pretty easy to see

We also have another club member learning on a Freya, again this is a good, stable heli for a beginner, it's just repair costs that could be a problem.

[golddust]

Unfortunately some clubs are run by **** stained gimmers (old men 50 and over who can only fly right hand circuits with diesel powered 1950s planes)
who have a hatred of anything new and particuly of helis.
SOME clubs this isn't an issue at, I fly at a little club in harlington (J12 of M1) and we welcome anyone with any flying thing be it plane or heli. But that might be a bit far for you to travel?... PM me if you want more details on the club

I am over 50. Have checked for **** stains, but to no avail. Am I not looking hard enough?? Oh! And I am better at right hand circuits!!!!!!!

[steve b]

all the above coments are spot on 60sieze heli is ok to learn with very stable
join a club and get some help learning yourself can be expensive
not all clubs will buddy you up
i got lessons from noel cross at skid &skills
best of all enjoy

[twopart]

would you say a sceadu Eco 50 is easier to learn to fly than a sceadu Eco 30 ?

[marktigere1]

would you say a sceadu Eco 50 is easier to learn to fly than a sceadu Eco 30 ?

Not especially despite what some would say.

The 50 has more grunt and will get you out of trouble more easily.

It can also get you into trouble more easily as well. (Swings and roundabouts).

The Evo30 and Evo 50 are the same size only different gearing and blades (550mm for the 30, 600mm for the 50)

An EVO 30 could be my natural progression from the Shuttle as I only need to swap engine and electrics.

Cheers

Mark

[Buccaneer]

Lmao, i'm over 50 so i'd better check

[Jamez]

Go one Mark..... you know you want one..... You won't regret it...... can't you hear the voice's, they are saying........ (start this post again from the beginning)

I'm not over 50, but I think I found some stainning...