New to Helis

[tomatwalden]

Im miffed as to why some members are skeptical about jumping straight to a CP heli even though it's a micro. Like you say you will get bored quickly. A few years ago they weren't even an option.

Why miffed!? If anything frustrates me, it's when you see people giving advice about how to learn based entirely upon the premise "it worked for me, therefore it's the only way". The thing is, everyone is different and what's right for some isn't right for others. I think the best advice you can give newbies is explain the options, discuss the pro and cons and then let them make their own decision based upon what's right for them. Some may relish the challenge of starting with a 450, some may prefer the gentle learning curve of starting with a 4 channel fixed pitch.

Things change mind. Sure, the sim and micro helis are relatively recent innovations, but they do represent a fairly good way for people to get into this hobby these days.

Live and let learn!

T

[Steggo]

Thanks to everyone for all you're replies to my post and the great advice you have given. I have gone with the mcpx and it has arrived, not allowed it until xmas though so getting really excited. Im gonna take my time with my new heli and stay patient while learning, will also invest in a sim some time soon. I have pre warned the wife about being in my fly zone so lets hope i don't shred the curtains or anything otherwise it will be curtains for me lol. Thanks again guys

[450man]

Good luck especially flying indoors as a complete newbie. I am only starting to fly indoors a little now and that is after 4 months!

Let us all know how you get on won't you and have a fantastic Christmas :-)

[SaneAdam]

Lol..... Without wishing to sound negative.... i bet you will have totally destroyed it within hours of getting it if your flying in the house as a total newbie. I think this approach is a bit daft, but as Tom said... everyone is different etc...

It will eat you alive..... just make sure you have a punch bag very close to you for when you snap..... because you will. Its about pushing through all the hardwork before you can really enjoy it sadly. It can be VERY VERY FRUSTRATING. Don't say we didn't warn you

(Now cue all the idiots saying i'm talking rubbish and he is gonna be fine learning on a cp as his FIRST experience with helicopters in a confined space with a particularly feisty heli...

[tomatwalden]

Thanks to everyone for all you're replies to my post and the great advice you have given. I have gone with the mcpx and it has arrived, not allowed it until xmas though so getting really excited. Im gonna take my time with my new heli and stay patient while learning, will also invest in a sim some time soon. I have pre warned the wife about being in my fly zone so lets hope i don't shred the curtains or anything otherwise it will be curtains for me lol. Thanks again guys

Friendly bit of advice - at least while you're practising indoors - stick to learning to hover with the heli facing away from you (tail-in). That way, all the orientations are easier (right is right, left is left, etc.). When the weather breaks - take it outdoors! The mcpx despite being small can handle a fair old breeze without batting an eyelid. The extra space will make a huge difference.

Indoors you'll need to go carefully! The mcpx really can get away from you VERY quickly! Given space, it'll easily accelerate to blooming fast speeds in the blink of an eye!

[450man]

Lol..... Without wishing to sound negative.... i bet you will have totally destroyed it within hours of getting it if your flying in the house as a total newbie. I think this approach is a bit daft, but as Tom said... everyone is different etc...

Well, people are different and people often want to do things their way and why not if that is what they want to do. However I do agree, the chances of him actually getting into a stable hover and without smashing the heli or more likely, damaging the furniture, is very slim. I am sure that there are people out there how say they have done it but there can't be many... perhaps the OP is one of them... he will find out soon enough. Hopefully he will come back and tell us how he got on and if I am wrong I will be the first to hold up my hand and say I was wrong.

I give it no more than 10 attempts, probably less than that, before he realises he needs open space with nothing and no one to hit and with room to make the errors, crash and start again.

Don't get me wrong... I am no expert. I am just learning myself having just got to grips with the MCPX for normal flying after 4 months on a Blade 120 SR but having just gone through that learning pain, and remember it well, would I ever imagine that someone could learn to hover an MCPX in a house as their first heli - never in a million years would I imagine that or that either the heli and/or furniture would come off unscathed. I just hope he doesn't try in the lounge with an LCD TV... if it hits the screen it could be costing him quite a bit!!!

[SaneAdam]

Well, people are different and people often want to do things their way and why not if that is what they want to do. However I do agree, the chances of him actually getting into a stable hover and without smashing the heli or more likely, damaging the furniture, is very slim. I am sure that there are people out there how say they have done it but there can't be many... perhaps the OP is one of them... he will find out soon enough. Hopefully he will come back and tell us how he got on and if I am wrong I will be the first to hold up my hand and say I was wrong.

I give it no more than 10 attempts, probably less than that, before he realises he needs open space with nothing and no one to hit and with room to make the errors, crash and start again.

Don't get me wrong... I am no expert. I am just learning myself having just got to grips with the MCPX for normal flying after 4 months on a Blade 120 SR but having just gone through that learning pain, and remember it well, would I ever imagine that someone could learn to hover an MCPX in a house as their first heli - never in a million years would I imagine that or that either the heli and/or furniture would come off unscathed. I just hope he doesn't try in the lounge with an LCD TV... if it hits the screen it could be costing him quite a bit!!!

IMO, that is totally spot on and true to my experience of learning also. I too will be the first to say well done if he cracks it. But i just cant imagine for the life of me someone being able to get anywhere near actually managing to learn anything with an Mcpx as their fist heli. It will simply get away too quick to even be able to tell which control did what. After the first 2 or 3 hard crashes the tail boom will be split and need replacing. But i sound like the bringer of doom but i'm certainly not doing that with any sort of malice. More playing devils advocate. Small cp helicopters are notoriously difficult to control. Its nice to see new members, but its easy to imagine how many give up the hobby as a result of possibly biting off more than they can chew early on. I think it is right to try and advise people in way that will bring them more success with less pain, especially when they ask for advice.

[Sburv]

New to Helis

Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with starting out with a CP heli, although everyone is different.

It all depends how patient you are, your own natural ability and ultimately how far you want to go with it. If you are type of person that is easily frustrated, inpatient and really just wants something to have a bit of fun around the house the then perhaps the MCPX may not have been the best choice.

On the other hand as long as you take it steady and stick with it you should be ok. Flying a CP heli isn't easy, just prepare yourself for a lot of time spent hopping your new model around on the floor from one end of the room to the other. You have already shown an interest in performing a few tricks and at least you have a model capable of getting you through to this stage.

I bought the misses a Nano CPX having never flown anything before and can now just about hold a hover.

[tomatwalden]

It depends on the person. Somebody who is prepared to take their time, learn tail in patiently and not rush themselves can almost certainly do it. If (like me), you're impatient, prone to pushing yourself and getting annoyed if things just don't click instantly, then maybe not. Personally, I started with a 120SR ... But here's proof that learning with an mcpx is possible (albeit with a few spares required!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15TIrwmAQ10

T

[SaneAdam]

Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with starting out with a CP heli, although everyone is different.

It all depends how patient you are, your own natural ability and ultimately how far you want to go with it. If you are type of person that is easily frustrated, inpatient and really just wants something to have a bit of fun around the house the then perhaps the MCPX may not have been the best choice.

On the other hand as long as you take it steady and stick with it you should be ok. Flying a CP heli isn't easy, just prepare yourself for a lot of time spent hopping your new model around on the floor from on end of the room to the other. You have already shown an interest in performing a few tricks and at least you have a model capable of getting you through to this stage.

I bought the misses a Nano CPX having never flown anything before and can now just about hold a hover.

How long did it take her to just about hold a hover? A Nano might have been better for the op as i think it is more durable than the Mcpx. Especially the tail boom. But again you are also right in what you say. Of course it can be done. But in the case of your misses, she had you to help her learn hands on didnt she? Which will really make a massive difference. Im sure if we all had someone to talk us through stuff we would have all learned a lot faster. Just think it would be even harder on your own. Forum advise is great, but it cant help you when your tiny micro is heading towards delicate ornaments and the "fear" kicks in. Because at that point, its very tough for your brain not to go on holiday for a good few seconds.

[Scotvar]

After the first 2 or 3 hard crashes the tail boom will be split and need replacing.

+1 on that! Carbon rod on stand by and cushions round the wall!

In my infinite wisdom I bought my heli first (beam e4) then after watching a few youtube clips on it decided I needed to scale down my ambitions. Lots and lots of sim time in a realistic manner and when I could hold a good steady tail in hover with the sim did I eventually try the Beam in the back yard. I have to say though due to a realistic approach on the sim it could be done. Training gear on and a few nervous hops then eventually a steady hover. Can't see why this can't be done with the mcpx either but it has to be a very realistic approach which like Adam says can be very frustrating. Practice, perseverance and patience and it'll be achieved!

Paul

[1chris]

Totaly agree on your remarks SaneAdam, he will never do it, and its not often WE are on the same wavelenght

[David Drew]

Lol..... Without wishing to sound negative.... i bet you will have totally destroyed it within hours of getting it if your flying in the house as a total newbie. I think this approach is a bit daft, but as Tom said... everyone is different etc...

It will eat you alive..... just make sure you have a punch bag very close to you for when you snap..... because you will. Its about pushing through all the hardwork before you can really enjoy it sadly. It can be VERY VERY FRUSTRATING. Don't say we didn't warn you

(Now cue all the idiots saying i'm talking rubbish and he is gonna be fine learning on a cp as his FIRST experience with helicopters in a confined space with a particularly feisty heli...

Yep. Inside a house it will get wrecked & do a bit of damage to other things too.

Outside, over longish grass. Much better

[Steggo]

Thanks for the warning. However im not going into this thinking im gonna be able to fly even just a little bit, i fully understand that im taking on a lot with the mcpx, but i have got a lot of patience and i am a very persistent person who enjoys a challenge. Keep your fingers crossed for me that i can even just learn to hover lol. Thanks again

[Sburv]

New to Helis

How long did it take her to just about hold a hover? A Nano might have been better for the op as i think it is more durable than the Mcpx. Especially the tail boom. But again you are also right in what you say. Of course it can be done. But in the case of your misses, she had you to help her learn hands on didnt she? Which will really make a massive difference. Im sure if we all had someone to talk us through stuff we would have all learned a lot faster. Just think it would be even harder on your own. Forum advise is great, but it cant help you when your tiny micro is heading towards delicate ornaments and the "fear" kicks in. Because at that point, its very tough for your brain not to go on holiday for a good few seconds.

She has had it a little over a month or so now, I thought she was doing well but yeah I take your point I have been helping her along the way.

I wouldn't suggest trying to fly in in your front room. When the misses is having a go she will fly in the top bedroom and will push the bed to one side to give her plenty of room to play with.

Still, not bad for a girl whichever way you look at it