Completely new to RC helicopters, help required!

[paddy]

i wouldnt have thought ud have needed insurance for an electric heli, theyre not that powerful, but dont take that as gospel, im new to this too. Things are always more complicated than they seem, and more expensive, but if you can save up for an ic heli, i would, even if it means having to wait a few extra months. find a way to earn the money and do something crazy with it (ie buy a very cool looking heli!!!).
However if youre budget is limited, you dont have to buy new, u can buy a secondhand heli, most model shops deal in secondhand helis, and radios and all youll have to get new is the starting gear. Check out some of the prices in the model shop round you.
Happy hunting

[smiggsy]

Hi Amit,

As a suggestion, maybe you should persuade your parents to take you to the Sandown Park Show this coming weekend. You'll see the full range of heli's there on the trade stands and being flown. Good luck.

[antsis]

Paddy

I fly my hummingbird at the leisure centre in Swanley and have to produce my BMFA membership beforehand. Even little helis can be dangerous. I saw what one did to a kit box at my local shop and that was when the battery was losing power. If those rotors hit you at speed, they would certainly do some damage.

[antsis]

Amit

Unfortunately RC modelling is an expensive hobby and heli's are up near the top when it comes to prices. 400 is a rough guide to what you should expect to pay for a complete setup inc. radio. Most shops do mail order and will be happy to advise you on kits, engines, gyro's etc.

2nd hand is the other way to go, but be wary. What may look like a really good deal could cost you extra in parts. Some heli's on the used market can also be out of date and spares for them no longer available. With this in mind it always a good idea to phone dealers to get some background on what to look for and what to avoid.

Lastly, phone or mail the BMFA. They are probably the best source for info on clubs in your area.

Ant

[paddy]

antsis - well i never, i guess they could do some damage. Im new to this you see, so i was just going on what i thought, but thankyou correcting me, it wouldnt have been good for amit to have gone out without insurance when he needed it.

[Amit]

I'll try and make it to Sandown park covering my identity :P .
I've found a model helicopter that I think is reasonable for my first.
With all your help i've found one.

Kyosho Caliber 30 No. 21135
I've found it on www.centrehobbies.co.uk selling for 239.99 brand new!

SPECIFICATION:

Length: 1095mm

Weight: 2900g

Rotor Dia.: 1230mm

Motor: .32~.38

Build Level: ARTF

Looks pretty good. What I want to know is that is everything there in the deal? The radio package etc.? Support with this please

[Stuart]

Good heli for a starter, i'll try and save you some money here

http://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/ac...s_SpecOff.html

This deal includes an engine at 300.00 which is normally 116.99

Saving 56.98

Radio choices are endless if your looking to save on new go for a Futaba FF8 Super

Look here guy's looking for 150.00, not bad:-

http://www.bmfa.co.uk/ads/detail.php?siteid=21680

[Raptorite]

Hi Amit,

I have in the past flown a calibre 30, they are a great model for the beginner, nice and stable and relatively easy to fly, depending on the way it is setup of course.

I also owned a Futaba FF8 Super as Stuart has found in the freeads, they are a nice easy to understand and very function rich radio and great at that sort of price. The new price with a receiver, 4 servos, batteries for the receiver and transmitter, a power switch for the receiver and a set of crystals for the transmitter and receiver was just over 450 about 4 years ago.

There is one other thing you could consider and that is to get all the gear over time, start with a radio and a simulator and fly that for a while as you get together all the other bits and pieces you will need. Its a lot to spend out in one go so it might help to break it down a bit and do it in stages.

Cheers,

Pete.

[antsis]

Amit

I don't want to put a damper on things, but going with the sim is probably the better way to go if money's tight. The other thing to consider is; are you defintely determined to fly heli's? I'm not taking the mick, but in the past I've seen lots of guys coming to the club, seeing a model fly and having the illusion that they can do the same without realising how much it costs in time and money and then giving up. Heli's are a lot harder to master than planes and if you are starting from scratch, you must be prepared for lots of frustration. However, the feeling you get after that first hover is unreal.

At this stage, get a sim, and see how you go. In the meantime you could go with Pete's suggestion and get the gear over a couple of months.

Ant