Total beginner

[Pink Shades]

Hi. I've always wanted a radio controlled helicopter and I've talked my dad into getting me a small one for my birthday (it should get delivered on Monday). It is only a small electric one (the Dragonfly 004) but I wanted to know what people think about using this to learn on? I know it's going to be a lot of fun for me but if I wanted to get something bigger would I have to learn all over again or are the bigger ones the same to fly?

[marktigere1]

Hi and welcome.

I personally think you cannot beat actually flying a model helicopter in order to get a 'feel' for the controls and orientation.

I don't know your model myself but my advice would be to enjoy it and if you get 'the bug' move onto a bigger and dare I say better model.

Join or visit a club as well. You might find you want a bigger model straight away!!

Cheers

Mark

[Axel40]

In my very limited experience I would say they help, a lot!

It's how I was bitten by the bug

It will teach you the basic control inputs, small, precise movements and loads of em. You are always correcting a heli because these things like to wander off on their own.

Oh yea, we wont mention orientation just yet...


You'll soon want something bigger though

[Pink Shades]

Thanks for replying.

This is the one I'm getting - http://www.rcheli.co.uk/shop/product...products_id/36

How hard are they to fly? Am I going to crash it and break it on the first day?

[David Drew]

Thanks for replying.

This is the one I'm getting - http://www.rcheli.co.uk/shop/product...products_id/36

How hard are they to fly? Am I going to crash it and break it on the first day?

Fair chance But that's learning.

Just enjoy whatever heli you choose.

David

[marktigere1]

Just make sure you fit the training undercarriage and be prepared for a huge adrenaline rush

Cheers

Mark

[Pink Shades]

OK, I'll make sure I do. Thanks

[Biggles]

The part the above have failed to mention is hopefully you have a reasonably large space for you first frights....sorry I ment flights....LOL

Very calm day in the back garden will do me thinks.....

[Ice Man]

You have to make sure the C of G is set just right - it must be spot on the rotor shaft. The battery position is adjustable. Also the paddles have to be set up just right too, they must be facing the right way and level with the rotor. make sure the flybar is set central and balanced. If its set up right then it will fly like in the video... If not it will be impossible to control.

Also try to find a large indoor space. wind and drafts make a big difference to these micro's.

My first heli was an EF Sabre - almost identical to your 004. I found the skids keep breaking. It helps greatly if you can take off from a smooth surface/ The skids dig into tarmac, and there is no clearance for the tail rotor on grass. Laminate flooring is probably the best surface to take off from.

Have fun, take your time to set it up and you'll be on your way to your first hover.

Good luck.

[Pink Shades]

Thanks for the reply. What does the C and G mean though?

My new toy arrived today but I didn't have time to use it at all before I had to leave this morning. I've left dad to charge the battery so it will be all ready by the time I get home. I was a bit confised about how the battery is charged though. There are green batteries strapped to the helicopter and a charger that plugs into the wall but there was also a black box that goes between the helicopter and the charger. What's this for? It doesn't say in the instructions. The instructions didn't say how long to charge the battery for either.

Another thing is how to control the helicopter. I was talking to one of dads friends about it and he said how he though it would be controlled but the instructions say something different. Are different helicopters controlled different? If not then how should they be controlled? He said moving the helicopter up and down and the tail would be controlled from the right stick. The up and down is the forwards and backwards of the right stick but the tail is the left and right of the left stick. Is this right?

[marktigere1]

Hi

C & G is the Centre of Gravity.

Fit the battery as instructed and then put the main blades at 90 degrees to the body (like a plane). Then lift the heli using your fingers close to the main mast via the blade holders. The Heli should hang level. If not, adjust the position of the battery forwards and backwards until it does hang level.

Normally the controls depend on the mode of the transmitter. Mode 1 is as you describe whereas mode 2 has the throttle/collective and rudder on the left and Elevator and Aileron on the right. (Elevator makes the heli move forwards and backwards, Aileron makes it move left to right by tilting the swash plate.)

Don't worry, take your time and ask questions and you will know all the fancy words.

Cheers

Mark

[robgt]

CG = Centre of Gravity.

there was also a black box that goes between the helicopter and the charger. What's this for?

Possibly a balancer?

He said moving the helicopter up and down and the tail would be controlled from the right stick.

Most people in the UK fly Mode 2 transmitters on helicopters. This gives you Pitch/Throttle and Rudder on the left stick, and Elevator and Aileron on the right stick.

Pitch and throttle are usually mixed together in the transmitter (Tx) so they work right - in your case, your helicopter is fixed pitch, so the left stick will control throttle only). Thats the up and down on the left stick.
Rudder is left to right on the left stick, and you steer the nose, not the tail, of the helicopter - so when you push the rudder stick left, the helicopters nose turns to the left.

Elevator (forwards and backwards movement of the helicopter) is up and down on the right stick, and Aileron (side to side movement of the helicopter) is left and right on the right stick.

Cheers,
Rob

[Pink Shades]

So what do you think I should learn with? If most in the UK are using mode 2 then should I use this? I guess it will be possible to change the heli from mode 1 to mode 2 ok?

[jimbob]

You should prbably learn mode 2, which is throttle/rudder left stick and aileron/elevator right stick as that is the most prevalent by far in the UK.

To change from mode 1 to 2 is normally possible in the transmitter.

I would first carefully read the instructions about what the sticks do. You will probably find that its n mode 2 anhow, regardless of what your dads mate suggested.

To check, you can try this. On the transmitter, see if one of the sticks has no spring vertically, ie it can be left in any position without springing back to the centre. Whichever stick it is, this is the throttle. Do this with out anything turned on. I bet you;ll find its the left stick.

[hoverfly]

hi, why don't you consider getting a Flight simulator as well? You can have as many crashes on one of those

I'm a total newbie to this hobby too and I'm just going to keep practising on the flight simulator at this stage. I'm also waiting to join a club, and hopefully later on in the week I'm going to meet someone from this site which is going to be great


PS - everyone recommends the Phoenix flight simulator

have fun !!!!!!!!!!