Background Learning ?

[sargan]

Looking for some build & learn to fly books.
In one of the guides I came across (Colin Mills Pratical Theories) it details:
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Radio-Control-Helicopters-Handbooks/dp/1854860259/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293540158&sr=1-1"]Learning to Fly Radio Control Helicopters (Radio Control Handbooks)[/ame] by David Day ISBN 1-85486-025-9
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Setting-Control-Helicopters-control-handbooks/dp/0852429754/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293540250&sr=1-1"]Setting Up Radio Control Helicopters (Radio control handbooks)[/ame] by David Day
ISBN 0-85242-975-4

Now I’m new to Helis, just about to start my first build , hence the look for background books. The issue is that the first was written in 1990 and the second in 1998 ............ now I may not know anything about Helis, but electronics has taken a huge leap forward in 20+ years. eCCPM, digital servos, LiPo, Software mixing, etc.
Are there any up to date books out there recommended?

Alternatively if there are up-to-date on line resources – welcome any links.

[MartinH]

Perosnally I used these great sites. Will teach you a huge portion of what you need to know.

RC Helicopters, The Most Fun And Rewarding Of All RC Hobbies.
Radd's School of Rotary Flight

Both were shown to me by bolders when I first started flying. The first site is very in-depth but a really good read.

[derrick]

Finless bob, check out this site , may help.
Finless Bob's Helifreak Tech Room - HeliFreak

[Dave Rand]

Finless bob, check out this site , may help.
Finless Bob's Helifreak Tech Room - HeliFreak

Gota be 90. Rofl the legend that is Finless Bob

[Kozmyk]

I agree with all of the above. T'internet has been the greatest source of info on all things Heli and RC.
I did get a good book as well though: Ray's Authoritative Helicopter Manual - Ray HOSTETLER

It's from about 2001 but most of the info is still current and there's a lot of theory and practical tips in there, also stunt tips.

There's an earlier edition from around 1990 called:Ray's Complete Helicopter Manual but I'd go for the Authoritative.

[sargan]

I agree with all of the above. T'internet has been the greatest source of info on all things Heli and RC.
I did get a good book as well though: Ray's Authoritative Helicopter Manual - Ray HOSTETLER
.

Cheers - looks like I’m only a couple of miles up the road from you ... ‘Jersey Marine’
Thanks to all ... got some reading to do J

[sargan]

Perosnally I used these great sites.
>
RC Helicopters, The Most Fun And Rewarding Of All RC Hobbies.
>
The first site is very in-depth but a really good read.

The site pushes hard the "RC Heli Help E-Books" .... have you bought any of these ? ........ are they any good ?

[MartinH]

I haven't bought any but bolders has purchased the mSR ebooks a while ago and they are very good for getting the most out of your heli.
Its entirely up to you, from what iv'e read of the ebook, he does a good job in writing.

Have a good read through the site first and if you feel you still want to extend your knowledge then purchase away.

What little there is to my knowledge of RC helis ive gained through hours of browsing this forum, asking question and getting practical with the heli (not like that to all your dirty viewers ). And ive done ok so far.

[barney]

Not books but some up to date learning vids with a bit of Humour thrown in by two top flyers. In case you dont realise (I didn't) 101 means Basics in American talk.

Your best port of call is actually joining a good HELI club who can educate you on how/why/what... but more importantly how to do it all safely.

Smack 101 SmackTalk RC

[Kozmyk]

The site pushes hard the "RC Heli Help E-Books" .... have you bought any of these ? ........ are they any good ?

I got the mSR e-book and the Setup Tips. There's some useful stuff in them.
Yes, you can find most of the contained info on this site and out on the net but it's useful to have it condensed into book format.

Cheers - looks like I’m only a couple of miles up the road from you ... ‘Jersey Marine’

and "Howdy neighbour". I predict a meeting in the no-too-distant-future.

I've found three clubs in the area, four if you count Llandough. I've visited Lliw Valley and hopefully they'll let me in next year, next week.

[sargan]

and "Howdy neighbour". I predict a meeting in the no-too-distant-future.

I've found three clubs in the area, four if you count Llandough. I've visited Lliw Valley and hopefully they'll let me in next year, next week.

Do you have any contact details for Lliw ? .... they are listed on BMFA web site but no contact details, and BMFA so far have failed to respond to any emails. Not exactly encouraging anyone to join.
I did see on-line in an old post - that they meet twice a week .... but went there a few times, unable to find anyone there.
I am going to visit Amman valley club on Sunday – they seem a welcoming group.

[callum]

I have used this website:

Learn to fly rc helicopters

and has explained alot in detail.

[Kozmyk]

Do you have any contact details for Lliw ? .... they are listed on BMFA web site but no contact details

Think about it. Would you be telling the marauding hoards of Swansea where you're expensive toys were going to be? ...

[bolders]

The site pushes hard the "RC Heli Help E-Books" .... have you bought any of these ? ........ are they any good ?

I would not bother with the msr e-book as it just covers information that can be found on the web. This is generally true for all his e-books.

However I would recommend the 120 & 140 Degree Swashplate Setup & Levelling E-Book. Again this information can also be found on the web (including the finless bob videos), however, imo the information in this book is presented in a very clear and concise manner that is very logically ordered. I also prefer the setup process in this book, to level the swash at low and high stick, over the method used by finless bob.

120 &140 Swashplate Setup & Levelling E-Book