new rc helicopters

[Chet]

Was shopping yesterday at a local mall, there was this guy flying a
small helicopter around, it was reasonable, so I purchased it for my
grandson, I got thinking about this hobby that it might be fun, so as a
beginner to this hobby, If I wanted to get something that I won't grow
out of too quick and won't cost an arm and a leg to repair when I crash
it ect, I was doing some reading on them and some are highlighted not
for beginners, my buddy has a few and he was saying if I got into this
hobby get a least a 6 channel receiver, so from here I am looking for
some suggestions either a complete package if available with a good
receiver ect or separate pcs on a copter and what ever I need, are the
flight simulators helpful.

thanks
Chet

[Larry Farrell]

Yes, flight simulators are *extremely* helpful, since you can crash
repeatedly and not pay a cent to get the chopper back in the air. You
will be able to practice a wide variety functions necessary for chopper
flying and, as long as you are using something other than the absolutely
bottom line simulator, develop real skills without endangering your
chopper at all.

As far as an introductory chopper is concerned, get a Blade mCx. It is
a coaxial, which makes it easier to fly at the outset, and has a good
heading hold gyro so it is extremely stable. You can get it either as a
Ready to Fly, which includes everything needed, including the
transmitter, or a Bind and Fly, which includes everything other than the
transmitter. Personally, I would not suggest that you buy a stand alone
transmitter at the outset; try to simple systems and see if you really
like it. Then you can think about getting a new transmitter (which,
obviously, you will need for all Bind and Fly choppers/planes).

[Chet]

thanks Larry

I was at a local hobby shop today, the owner was showing me a Blade
XC2 model it is twice the price of the MCX2 any other difference in
performance, battery life, better specs, other than the CX2 is bigger


Chet

[Larry Farrell]

On 12/22/2011 4:48 PM, Chet wrote:
> thanks Larry
>
> I was at a local hobby shop today, the owner was showing me a Blade XC2
> model it is twice the price of the MCX2 any other difference in
> performance, battery life, better specs, other than the CX2 is bigger
>
>
> Chet
>
>

I had the CX2 and have the CX3, as well as the mCX. Both of the CXs are
much harder to fly than the mCX and, being larger, are much more prone
to damage when you crash (Note that I said when, not if. You *are*
going to crash.). The issue is that with the larger choppers, you are
going to suffer more damage when you do crash, and parts are going to be
a bit more expensive. I strongly recommend you start with the mCX (I've
crashed mine many time and only once, when a friend who was flying it
did not back off the throttle when it crashed, did it cause any damage
to it at all. Even then, it required replacement of only one rotor
blade.) or the new Scout CX. The Scout is Ready to Fly and costs only
$50; the latest issue of "Electric Flight" gave the Scout a very good
review, stating that it, "-- brings the same quality, ruggedness and
precise control all its heli-pad mates are known for."

Again, start with a small, solid, stable chopper. Learn to fly it
indoors. When you are really comfortable with it, fly it outside in
little or no wind, since the small weight will be really affected by the
wind. Once you are comfortable there, you might want to consider moving
up to a larger chopper but only if, by then, you are committed to the sport.

[Chet]

Larry & group

Since you mentioned the MCX, the local has both the MCX and the
MCX2, I would like to add a possibly 3rd choice, would the MCPX be any
harder to fly over the MCX2.

Chet

[Larry Farrell]

Advertising for that heli says:

"This helicopter will give transitioning pilots a more agile and capable
collective pitch heli"

I really don't recommend that you start with a collective pitch heli.
It will be *much* more reactive, and therefore more difficult to fly,
than a coaxial chopper. As noted above, the MCPX is suggested for a
pilot who already has the basics of heli flying, most likely learned by
flying a coaxial, and is ready to move up to a more aggressive heli.
Note also that later in the advertising, it mentions learning indoor
aerobatics; in my opinion, you *do not* want to start learning chopper
flying on one that is capable of aerobatics. Start easy and work your
way up, otherwise you will be quickly frustrated (and probably rather
broke from making all the repairs that are required after multiple
crashes that cause damage to the heli).

[Chet]

Larry
Thanks for the heads up. I will probably go with the MCX2. I do now
understand about he collective pitch type heli's, I am no where near
capable of even getting it off the ground.


Merry Christmas
Chet

[Larry Farrell]

On 12/25/2011 10:35 AM, Chet wrote:
> Larry
> Thanks for the heads up. I will probably go with the MCX2. I do now
> understand about he collective pitch type heli's, I am no where near
> capable of even getting it off the ground.
>
>
> Merry Christmas
> Chet
>

Well, it's probably not quite that bad. However, remember that
helicopters really don't fly, they just beat the air into submission
(and they can't do that when the blades are beating the ground).

[Skywise]

Larry Farrell <farr...@isu.edu> wrote in news:ZkRJq.39292$qH4.32401
@newsfe06.iad:

> However, remember that
> helicopters really don't fly, they just beat the air into submission
> (and they can't do that when the blades are beating the ground).

I like the one that says, "Airplanes are flying machines. Helicopters
are machines that fly."

Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?

[Larry Farrell]

On 12/26/2011 7:09 PM, Skywise wrote:
> Larry Farrell<farr...@isu.edu> wrote in news:ZkRJq.39292$qH4.32401
> @newsfe06.iad:
>
>> However, remember that
>> helicopters really don't fly, they just beat the air into submission
>> (and they can't do that when the blades are beating the ground).
>
> I like the one that says, "Airplanes are flying machines. Helicopters
> are machines that fly."
>
> Brian

I like that, too, although I might modify it to something like,
"Airplanes are flying machines. Helicopters are machines that move
through the air by beating the air into submission, but most wouldn't
call it flying." A bit overwrought, I agree, but it certainly reflects
my views of helicopter "flying".

[Skywise]

Larry Farrell <farr...@isu.edu> wrote in news:tZaKq.3097$zj4.1064
@newsfe03.iad:

> I like that, too, although I might modify it to something like,
> "Airplanes are flying machines. Helicopters are machines that move
> through the air by beating the air into submission, but most wouldn't
> call it flying." A bit overwrought, I agree, but it certainly reflects
> my views of helicopter "flying".

hehehehe....

Needless to say, "choppers" are a beast unto themselves. But very
satisfying when you finally learn to miss the ground.