Confused?

[spunkmyer]

I have read the section in this forum about what to do as a beginner rc heli pilot and have some questions?

What would be a good beginner helicopter other than the Blade cx2, reason I ask is I want to start learning so in the future I can progress in the hobby rather than buy a machine that say is good at hovering but not at forward flight. I have read that some of the beginner helicopters can teach you to hover but as they have twin rotors they do not hover the same as a rear rotor helicopter and makes it difficult to progress.

Michael

[Aidi]

Michael,

There are lots of heli's out there suitable for beginners, I am sure you will get lots of recommendations from the forum. Unless you have done it already, i would suggest you find a club local to you and go and spend a few hours there talking to pilots. Pop onto the BMFA website... http://www.bmfa.org One of the links will take you to the section where clubs are listed.

If once you have been to a club and seen what its all about and find that you really want to get into heli's then the rest of the recommendations should be taken into account.

Rgds
Aidi

[mattydred]

now im confused after looking at aidi's sig

trex 1700???

cheers

matty

edit - 2 x 600's and a 500????

[Mart61]

Could be three 250s, a 450 and 500?

[spunkmyer]

Many thanks for your relpy.
There are two clubs in my area but only one does RCH but have added my self to the waiting list and I will pop down there on there next meet.

Could you possible give me some pointers in which are the best heli's for me as I would like to gather informtion before I go to the club meet.

Im looking to learn to hover at this stage but would like the heli to give the basics of the larger models

Mike

[liambaker996]

hi there mate get yourself joined to a club
for my first heli i got a raptor 30 v2 you can not beat them
my second which is electric is a belt cp tail heavy so not so good for a beginner
let us know how you go on mate also visit www.bmfa.org to find a club near you
thanks regards liam

[Aidi]

now im confused after looking at aidi's sig

trex 1700???

cheers

matty

edit - 2 x 600's and a 500????

Bingo!

[Huskyboy]

Hiya mate,

OK, I got a blade CX3 as a starter heli, so I could learn to hover and control a 'proper' helicopter. I also bought a Blade 400 as a 'proper' heli for when I got bored of the CX3, because someone had tried to run before they could walk and binned the blade within seconds... and then gave up... So...

I've been flying the CX3 round the flat, and this is the sort of stuff I've been up to:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MFVPanQQg[/ame]

Just playing with the CX3 has been invaluable experience in the basic controls, as if you've only flown a 'toy' before you won't appreciate the idiosyncrasies of nose in versus nose out hovering etc. You really, really need to get the hang of that... and I've flown real helicopters and other aircraft (including a Tornado F3) so I've realised how difficult flying a model helicopter is!!!

(it's actually 10x more difficult when you're not sat in it!!!)

I haven't actually flown my Blade400 yet. Instead I've used my DX6i controller through the Phoenix simulator and I'm REALLY glad I did, because it's given me a chance to understand exactly what it means to fly a modern performance helicopter. I'm planning to do the first flight of my Blade400 next weekend after another week of simulator practise.

So... get a CX2 or CX3 and get to a stage where you can fly in your house or flat without hitting a great deal (which took me about 4 sets of blades) and then think about flying a proper outdoor helicopter, starting on a simulator. Believe me (as another newbie) you'll spend £80 on a simulator for your PC and save about £800 in the first few days of not smashing your helicopter in to the ground.. many, many times!

I'm in Twickenham and I'm happy to let you have a go on my simulator and try different models if you don't believe me! Message me if you want to take me up on the offer!



Cheers,

Huskyboy.

[spunkmyer]

Just been chating to raj at the club near me and he has sugested this heli as a good first choice?

Esky Honey Bee LiPo

mike

[spunkmyer]

Many thanks huskyboy for you reply and offer, I will look in these heli's.

P.S when get a chance i will take you up on your offer.

Mike

[Huskyboy]

I flew a Honey Bee on the simulator (which I found to be almost identical to my Blade400), so if you'd like to 'try before you buy' let me know. They're tricky little buggers until you get the hang of them though, and get your controller set-up properly!!! Honestly mate, don't get upset if you buy a decent copter and bin it within a few seconds, because if you don't go through the proper progression that's exactly what will happen!

I'm not trying to be a downer about this mate... I've just had 2 weeks of a very, very steep learning curve!!! Don't be a 'bloke', just accept this new challenge!

[spunkmyer]

Cheers for helping me, ok so the the cx3 looks like a good start and getting a good simulator, will the controller with cx3 work with any of the sims on the market.

Mike

[Huskyboy]

I'm not sure. I've got a LP5DSM which has a similar 'Trainer' plug underneath, but I got a DX6i 'computer' controller with my Blade 400 so I'm using that with Phoenix (the simulator) so I can set my own exponential settings for the pitch curves, throttle response, elevator and airelon etc.


Give me a shout and we'll sort something out, coz there's a ton of stuff you need to know...

[gramey]

I'm sure you can use the TX that comes with the CX3 on the Phoenix flight sim, which is what most on here recommend, and you won't go far wrong with the CX3. You won't be able to adjust things on that TX but it should work ok.
I had a CX2 and the 3 is supposed to be better as it has a tiny heading hold gyro. The CX3 may not give you fast forward flight but it will definetely help you learn the basics, especially nose in hovering, and learning to hover is just about where everybody starts.
Initially I ignored the advice to get Phoenix thinking I could spend that £80.00 better on spares. Once I realised that £80.00 wouldn't last long with the number of times I crashed I soon went out and bought it. This will probably be the best £80.00 you can spend on this hobby, you'll be able to practice cost free and try numerous different models to get an idea of what you'd like next.

[Boggy]

welcome to the forum Mike
the cx controler will work with phoenix.)with the supplied std dongle) you will have to set up keyboard commands for certain items. (throttle hold/ toggle gyro modes etc)

as the guys say the sim will save you ££££s in crash costs and has the added advantage of allowing you to fly many different heli's