There have been some great advancements in technology over the past few years. This has been especially true for those involved with radio control helicopters. The world of micro electronics has noticed a big change, with the introduction of lightweight designs and more efficient power-usage options to choose from.

The price of many of these high-tech and more advanced models of aircraft have now come down substantially. RC helicopters have never been so affordable.

These choppers are also great to fly and there are many models and options for you to choose from. There are beginner’s models which are primarily for indoor flying. At the other end of the scale, you can get the top 6 Channel models from E-SKY and Walkera which will take more time to master.

It is worth taking the time to learn how to control these copters as many of the top models can engage in full aerobatic flight manoeuvres.

If you want to fly straight away, you can opt for the ready-to-fly models but if you fancy more of a challenge there are many kits available to assemble yourself.

Finally, there are a full range of upgrades and replacement parts available to buy.

The world of RC flying has never been so exciting and with all these options to choose from you can get started right away.

In the past, those wanting to get involved with, and enjoy, the hobby of flying radio control helicopters would have had to be very dedicated. It was not just the fact that it was a lot more expensive; flying these valuable contraptions was a highly technical activity and required a certain level of expertise just to work with even the more basic models.

You would need a huge flight are and you would have to make sure nobody else was flying in the same area. The noise and smell these copters generated used to be a million miles away from what they are today.

The technological advancements have meant that most people are now used to walking into their hobby shop, or ordering online, just to pick up their ready-to-fly chopper and before they know it, they are an expert in mastering the controls of the craft.

That is not to say that there are no challenges anymore – far from it – just that the basic models can be flown by just about anyone. They are not toys and you still have to be 14 years or over to fly most models, but you should be thankful; flying RC helicopters can prove to be great value for money and provide many hours of enjoyment these days.

Over the past few articles we have looked at the key differences between the traditionally-used 35MHz radio system and the increasingly popular 2.4GHz frequency. There are a few benefits of the more modern system, which we will now be considering.

Some of these are more obvious, like the fact that it eliminates the risk of interference with RC aircraft as well as other electrical devices. There are also other more unnoticeable benefits such as the high data rate which we looked at in the last article.

There are a few other more benefits to add. This 2.4 GHz system also uses less power than the older system. It generally requires fewer batteries, plus they last a great deal longer. This more efficient use of power actually helps you to save money.

Finally, because the 2.4GHz radio system works on a high frequency, the wave length is shorter and therefore, so is the antenna. This means the antenna is much more manageable and reduces the risk of it catching on something and getting bent out of shape.

As you would expect, the 2.4GHz frequency is a bit more expensive. The actual price can depend on the channel of helicopter. It is up to you which of these you decide to go for, but at least now you can make an informed choice and decide if the additional benefits of 2.4GHz are worth it for you.

In the last article we explained that the main difference between the two frequencies is the fact that with the more up-to-date 2.4GHz frequency, it can be locked onto that frequency. This removes the need to watch out when flying in areas with other models present. With 35MHz, interference can happen and this can affect other choppers in the area. In addition to this, there are other differences between the two.

As well as the interference from other RC devices, the 2.4GHz radio system is also not affected by other electrical devices. This is a big bonus to users as it means you can fly your helicopter anywhere with confidence – and no more glitching!

The new technology offered by the 2.4GHz has meant that its data rate is higher than with the older frequency. This is nothing to get too excited about however, as this makes it only marginally quicker and more responsive over the old system. Most people will not really notice any improvement because of this.

In the final article on the two frequencies we will be taking a look at some of the other benefits of the more modern radio system over the old one.

For those of you who are relatively new to the whole concept of model flying, the whole issue of whether to choose between 35MHz and 2.4GHz may not really seem much of an issue. However, there are a number of key differences between the two.

When put simply, they basically refer to the frequency at which the transmitter and receiver operate at in order to fly radio control helicopters.

The 35MHz frequency, which utilises crystals to determine its precise frequency, has been around now for many years. If you were using your copter in a field with other models together you would have to ensure the two frequencies did not clash or interference may cause a crash to happen.

With the more recent 2.4 GHz transmitter, once it is paired with the receiver, it is actually locked onto its own particular frequency. This eliminates the problems mentioned above as there is no risk of interference between numerous aircraft flying within the same area, all at the same time.

There are other differences between the two frequencies used by RC models. We will look more closely at these in the next article.

If you are in the market for one of the easiest copter models to fly, then you could do much worse than opt for one of the latest Salvation choppers. These 3 channel helicopters are the best way to get to grips with the art of model flying. They may only be suitable for indoor use, but you can still have hours of fun playing with these excellent helicopters.

Salvation helicopters can still be flown up and down, while being able to spin on their axis both left and right; these copters can also fly forwards and backwards giving the user a very precise control over their craft.

These helicopters may be tiny palm size models, but they still have a number of excellent benefits. They are very affordable and all spare parts can be bought at reasonable prices.

There are various different Salvation helicopters to choose from, including the salvation 3, 9 and 12 versions.

The Salvation 12 battle helicopter, for instance, can be taken to the sky for combat. You can master its controls in no time at all; then you can start firing its infrared missiles mid-flight by pressing the red button. It also has top sound effects.

This model is suitable for all the family to enjoy.

If you are looking to get straight into RC helicopters and can’t really be doing with all the time and effort you would need to set up a helicopter yourself, from scratch, you will be glad to know there are a wide range of ready-to-fly choppers on the market.

These RC electric helicopters still come in a variety of sizes and models. You can get great 3 channel models which are great for beginners. You are not required to know anything about flying prior to purchasing these great models. As soon as you have charged up the battery, you are ready to fly!

Once you get the hang of flying these ready to fly versions you never know, you may decide that you want to get even more involved next time with your copter purchase. These choppers are usually offered at low prices and provide hours and hours of fun, so you will certainly get your money’s worth.

Many people start off this way as they do not have the time or the patience at first to set up and master the more advanced craft. However, a word of warning, with this hobby it is very easy to get hooked!

In the past, most hobbyists used to have to visit their local town or city to get specialist parts for their helicopter models, if they happened to break down or to purchase upgrades. These days, you are not restricted to just shopping at weekends or immediately following work to get the things that you need to satisfy your appetite for your favourite hobby.

RC helicopter enthusiasts can now take advantage of and utilise the services of many mail order and online hobby sites which offer unbeatable prices and great deals on all products. This is basically because most of the usual overheads and constrictions which are associated with just running a physical shop have now been removed.

Most of these hobbyists still retain a physical presence in the community, so you can still visit the shop for help and advice on the latest products, but with the added option of ordering your RC helicopters and spare parts online – and at better prices!

This means it is better all round. There has never been a better time to enjoy your hobby, making the most of the latest technology at better value prices than ever before.

If you are looking to buy a 4 Channel micro helicopter then you could do far worse than go for this particular model. The E-SKY Lama is a great choice for beginners and it is an excellent introduction into the world of RC helicopters.

This micro model is already fully assembled and is ready to fly. It may be a basic model but it is still controllable in all directions with a co-axial counter-rotating head design. One thing to remember though, it is mainly suited to indoor use only, unless there are no adverse weather conditions outside.

It shouldn’t take you too long to master as the Lama V4 can be flown like a pro within no time at all. It is extremely stable and gives you precise control and power over all its manoeuvres.

The Lama V4 really is a top micro helicopter and it looks great too. However, it is definitely not a toy though and should be handled with care.

There are many benefits of buying the Lama V4 but its straight-out-of-the-box appeal, easily grasped controls and its precise design makes it one of the best models in its category.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great budget flight simulator these days. They can prove to be an excellent introduction into how to fly a radio control helicopter or plane, and work directly from your PC.

With flight simulators you do not need to worry about the weather outside to learn how to fly your craft. This modern way of simulating the flight of RC models is great as it just plugs into the USB port of your PC. This saves on the need for batteries.

You will feel like you are really flying as the experience from your PC is very realistic. It feels like you are in control of a real transmitter.

There are many different simulators to choose from and you can fly your chopper using a number of different backdrops and landscapes through the software. There are many effects and options to try. These simulators will generally not take up much of your computer’s memory (depending on your hardware) to run, and are great ways of getting to know the RC helicopter and its flight.

The flight simulators are offered by some of the biggest brands in the industry such as E-SKY and RealFlight. As they are easily affordable and provide hours of fun, you should consider their fantastic benefits.