10-04-2011, 04:32 PM
We are getting a few new helicopters flyers in to the club which is great. For the newbies I thought I would try and compile some places (on the web) of interest that I have used in progressing through the complexities of learning to fly RC helicopters. This post will be edited many times with new information so for those interested, please check post #1 from time to time for more info.
For the newbies, the first lessons are patience, and practice.. practice.. practice. A rough guide on progression is to allow 6-months just to learn to hover competently, another 6-months to learn to move the helicopter around the ground in your general vacinity doing "figure 8s", and another 6-months to learn to fly "sport style" in larger open spaces where you may learn to fly some of the easier aerobatic manouvers (stall turns, loops and flips). This all may sound like a very long time but trust me, if you are really into RC helis, the reason will likely be because you enjoy a challenge and want to fly RC helis because of the difficulty itself. It is damn hard in those early days so don't lose faith in your flying and do time on the simulator.
Learning to fly RC helis is extremely satisfying as you progress through the many challenges. Trust me, you will not lose interest! My tip? Invest in a few extra batteries as once you are building in confidence and want to fly another lesson back-to-back, having a few extra batteries won't see you heading back home to the Lipo charger just when you were getting the hang of it!
Dave.
Quick mention on the matter of safety: We often hear of safety being overdone but guys, please, safety with RC helicopters needs your utmost attention. RC helis are inherently dangerous. We go from say 450 class which will hurt you to 600/700 class which can kill you. Please have respect for yourself and for others. Want a sampler? Check this link: http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_u...dIlUYiVmnc . You need to be registered with YouTube and over 18 to see what happens. Not for the those who get sick easily. Message? Be ultra safety conscious at all times. These things bite hard!
Some basics:
1. Never connect power to the motor of your heli until you are in the designated flying area. Applying power to the motor behind the flight line is dangerous and shouldn't be done. Disconnect power to the motor after spool down and return back to the pit area with power off to the motor.
2. Always keep 10m from the heli. Do not fly if other people are forward of the flight line or closer than 30m from your heli.
3. Only fly at the PRCAC field or other designated RC model park. Public footy and soccer parks are forbidden by councils. Only sanctioned RC flying fields are useable spaces. For smaller helis, practice in your back yard by all means (not a public space). Keep safety front of mind. No kids or dogs around please. For larger helis, flying in the privacy of your yard is a very bad idea. Save it for the flying field.
--------------------
For the super newbie, check out Radd's School of Rotary Flight. "Radd" is certainly a character from the writing style but the fundamental lessons from day 1 are spot on and the sequence of progression (and rate of progression) are clearly set out for learners. One of the biggest issues facing learners is "what comes first and what do I do next?". This link is very helpful.
Link: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/pre-Flight.html . Look for the links on the left of the screen that show "Flying". Under that heading you will see a series of "Batteries". This is where you need to look as these are the various lessons.
Hovering lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc9ZMKK1gIo&feature=related
---------------------
For the advancing newbie, this link (archeli or Australian RC Helicopter forum) has some great flying education on turning, performing loops, etc.
Link: http://www.archeli.com.au/forums/articles.php?c=664
---------------------
For those of aspiring or actually going to build new RC helicopters, there is a fantastic website forum for RC heli flyers called "Helifreak". The web address is http://www.helifreak.com . The founder of that site, Bob White who goes by the forum alias of "Finless", is acknowledged widely as one of the figureheads of RC helis bringing knowledge and experience of many experts to the general masses of both aspiring and experienced heli flyers out there.
For those interesting in building helicopters, check out the extensive "how to" videos that can be downloaded or viewed free.
Visit Finless Bob's Heli Tech Room: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692
---------------------
For newbies and experts wanting to read-up on forums on all things helicopters:
http://www.helifreak.com (USA)
http://www.archeli.com.au (AU)
http://www.rcrotorz.com.au (AU)
[There are many more but these are the main sites that I use. The Australian forums also have many links to RC Heli vendors. This might help in establishing who can supply spare parts in the event of crash damage. The Australian based on-line vendors are very reputable, competitively priced, and being so visible on the forums nearly always provide outstanding customer service].
---------------------
For newbies and experts, the place to go for tuition on advanced flying videos and general information videos is SmackTalk RC. This site features Bert Kammerer (uber experienced RC heli pilot) and Bobby Watts (another super talented RC heli pilot). They go through many subjects in extreme detail. There are FREE sample videos but the 30 min and 1 hour HD vids are not free but... they are very low priced at a few dollars only (PayPal) and are very high quality. You can download different formats simultaneously for the one charge. This way you can have the same video in HD for the PC and in MP4 format for your Apple iPhone or your Apple iTouch. These videos are HIGHLY recommended to RC heli pilots wanting to know more, or fly like a pro.
Link: http://www.smacktalkrc.com/
--------------------
Auto-rotations
Auto-rotations are the helicopter equivalent of a plane's dead-stick landing. The main rotor blades are positioned so that descending creates a windmill effect and spins the blades up for that one and only flare to set the heli down gently. Used for emergencies or used as a stunt move, being able to competently do auto-rotations will save you money one day.
Big helicopters do them well (due to size and weight of blades) and small helicopters do them poorly (same reason).
A good thread to start with:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=248282
For the newbies, the first lessons are patience, and practice.. practice.. practice. A rough guide on progression is to allow 6-months just to learn to hover competently, another 6-months to learn to move the helicopter around the ground in your general vacinity doing "figure 8s", and another 6-months to learn to fly "sport style" in larger open spaces where you may learn to fly some of the easier aerobatic manouvers (stall turns, loops and flips). This all may sound like a very long time but trust me, if you are really into RC helis, the reason will likely be because you enjoy a challenge and want to fly RC helis because of the difficulty itself. It is damn hard in those early days so don't lose faith in your flying and do time on the simulator.
Learning to fly RC helis is extremely satisfying as you progress through the many challenges. Trust me, you will not lose interest! My tip? Invest in a few extra batteries as once you are building in confidence and want to fly another lesson back-to-back, having a few extra batteries won't see you heading back home to the Lipo charger just when you were getting the hang of it!
Dave.
Quick mention on the matter of safety: We often hear of safety being overdone but guys, please, safety with RC helicopters needs your utmost attention. RC helis are inherently dangerous. We go from say 450 class which will hurt you to 600/700 class which can kill you. Please have respect for yourself and for others. Want a sampler? Check this link: http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_u...dIlUYiVmnc . You need to be registered with YouTube and over 18 to see what happens. Not for the those who get sick easily. Message? Be ultra safety conscious at all times. These things bite hard!
Some basics:
1. Never connect power to the motor of your heli until you are in the designated flying area. Applying power to the motor behind the flight line is dangerous and shouldn't be done. Disconnect power to the motor after spool down and return back to the pit area with power off to the motor.
2. Always keep 10m from the heli. Do not fly if other people are forward of the flight line or closer than 30m from your heli.
3. Only fly at the PRCAC field or other designated RC model park. Public footy and soccer parks are forbidden by councils. Only sanctioned RC flying fields are useable spaces. For smaller helis, practice in your back yard by all means (not a public space). Keep safety front of mind. No kids or dogs around please. For larger helis, flying in the privacy of your yard is a very bad idea. Save it for the flying field.
--------------------
For the super newbie, check out Radd's School of Rotary Flight. "Radd" is certainly a character from the writing style but the fundamental lessons from day 1 are spot on and the sequence of progression (and rate of progression) are clearly set out for learners. One of the biggest issues facing learners is "what comes first and what do I do next?". This link is very helpful.
Link: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/pre-Flight.html . Look for the links on the left of the screen that show "Flying". Under that heading you will see a series of "Batteries". This is where you need to look as these are the various lessons.
Hovering lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc9ZMKK1gIo&feature=related
---------------------
For the advancing newbie, this link (archeli or Australian RC Helicopter forum) has some great flying education on turning, performing loops, etc.
Link: http://www.archeli.com.au/forums/articles.php?c=664
---------------------
For those of aspiring or actually going to build new RC helicopters, there is a fantastic website forum for RC heli flyers called "Helifreak". The web address is http://www.helifreak.com . The founder of that site, Bob White who goes by the forum alias of "Finless", is acknowledged widely as one of the figureheads of RC helis bringing knowledge and experience of many experts to the general masses of both aspiring and experienced heli flyers out there.
For those interesting in building helicopters, check out the extensive "how to" videos that can be downloaded or viewed free.
Visit Finless Bob's Heli Tech Room: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692
---------------------
For newbies and experts wanting to read-up on forums on all things helicopters:
http://www.helifreak.com (USA)
http://www.archeli.com.au (AU)
http://www.rcrotorz.com.au (AU)
[There are many more but these are the main sites that I use. The Australian forums also have many links to RC Heli vendors. This might help in establishing who can supply spare parts in the event of crash damage. The Australian based on-line vendors are very reputable, competitively priced, and being so visible on the forums nearly always provide outstanding customer service].
---------------------
For newbies and experts, the place to go for tuition on advanced flying videos and general information videos is SmackTalk RC. This site features Bert Kammerer (uber experienced RC heli pilot) and Bobby Watts (another super talented RC heli pilot). They go through many subjects in extreme detail. There are FREE sample videos but the 30 min and 1 hour HD vids are not free but... they are very low priced at a few dollars only (PayPal) and are very high quality. You can download different formats simultaneously for the one charge. This way you can have the same video in HD for the PC and in MP4 format for your Apple iPhone or your Apple iTouch. These videos are HIGHLY recommended to RC heli pilots wanting to know more, or fly like a pro.
Link: http://www.smacktalkrc.com/
--------------------
Auto-rotations
Auto-rotations are the helicopter equivalent of a plane's dead-stick landing. The main rotor blades are positioned so that descending creates a windmill effect and spins the blades up for that one and only flare to set the heli down gently. Used for emergencies or used as a stunt move, being able to competently do auto-rotations will save you money one day.
Big helicopters do them well (due to size and weight of blades) and small helicopters do them poorly (same reason).
A good thread to start with:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=248282