As most new pilots of RC helicopters will eventually want to take part in club activities, the Charmouth Fly In has been chosen as an example of what happens at a typical event. It is strongly recommended that all new pilots join an AHA affiliated club. Inevitably, this means you will want to participate in the occasional “fly-in.” As Charmouth is generally recognised as being the biggest and best of these, it makes sense to use it as a key example.

Charmouth is a biannual event, with the next one due in September (details will be posted on the AHA website, www.aha-online.org.uk nearer the time). Although the AHA are the sole representatives for competition sports flying in this country, Charmouth (as with all fly-ins) is most definitely a “family fun fly” weekend – perfect for the novice flyer.

RC electric helicopters are always welcome, as are first timers. However, there are still rules to be followed – especially in a big public event like this - and since AHA events follow the same rules wherever they are, read on.

Charmouth has become an institution, and as such the AHA uses Newlands Holiday Park as its base for pre- and post-flight socialising. It can be regarded as the electric helicopters’ equivalent of the “Nineteenth Hole,” with the slight amendment that accommodation is included. There are preferential rates for heli weekenders – full details on the AHA site.

It is important to know that no flying takes place at Newlands. It used to, but other residents complained - not all chalet owners take kindly to aerobatic teams of petrol driven RC helicopters buzzing their homes at three in the morning!

A general rule of thumb for all events is to have consideration for others. Besides anything else, people have been killed by radio control helicopters. Keep the RC switched off until you reach the official flight line. In this case, it is located in a farmer’s field, just across the road from the Caravan Park.

But what do you do when you get there? Read on to find out…

So, you’ve entered the world of electric helicopters, and decided you’d like to take it more seriously, perhaps with a view to competitive flying?

The first thing to remember is that joining a club is about having fun, not winning competitions. That being said, most radio control flying clubs are affiliated to either the BMFA (British Model Flying Association) http://www.bmfa.org/index.html or the AHA (Aerobatic Helicopter Association).

The British Model Flying Association is the National Governing Body for model flying in Great Britain. It is also recognised as the sole representative for the sport in the UK by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) which is the international governing body for all sports aviation, of which model flying is a part. The AHA is the RC Helicopters “arm” of the BMFA and for the purposes of this article can be considered the same thing.

First off, it’s important to remember that any RC pilot can join the BMFA. You don’t have to be a member of a club. Affiliate clubs usually offer membership to both the club and the BMFA, or you can opt for club membership only. However, opting out of full membership means you won’t be able to take part in many of the rallies and competitions they organise. If you are at all serious about flying RC electric helicopters it really is worth considering becoming a member of the BMFA/AHA.

All official events in the UK concerning RC helicopters are controlled by either the AHA or the BMFA. Affiliate clubs also follow strict guidelines, and personal members are expected to follow the rules in the handbook. The BMFA works in close proximity with the Civil Aviation Authority to check their protocol is rigorously adhered to at all times.

But the BMFA is not “big brother.” They are there to help you. Without them, the rules would be a lot tougher. Believe it or not, there are people who don’t like electric helicopters! Both the BMFA and the AHA have a sole purpose, which is to help all responsible pilots enjoy their sport in safety.

According to the CAA, you are not the flier of electric helicopters. You are a helicopter pilot. Remember that, and wear your badge with pride.

The reason training undercarriages for radio control helicopters have balls on the end is to stop the sticks digging in the mud. For your first lesson, you are going to be flying very near the ground. In fact, you will be hovering just above it. However, soft ground is not generally recommended for low level flying of RC helicopters – at least, not to begin with – so pick somewhere firm, clean and not too uneven. If you are practicing indoors, vinyl flooring is ideal. Outdoors, a large (empty!) car park or tarmac path.

Check there’s not too much wind. Point the model into any breeze there is, as this helps keep the tail straight (this is called “tail in”) Make sure everything is in a nice straight line, you included, and start the engine. Then lift off. Low level hovering may sound simple, but it’s the most tricky thing there is to learn on electric helicopters. However, it’s essential to master this if you are to proceed further. This is especially true of fixed-pitch RC helicopters.

So, lift your model 1 – 4” off the ground (no higher) and then practice hovering on the spot. This is difficult, especially for fixed-pitch! Your first attempt may see you overshoot to 6” or so, so reduce the throttle and try again. Keep going until you can lift your chopper from the tarmac, and keep it suspended with the balls just clear of the ground – about 1” or so. Once you’ve got this, increase the time you hold it there. Now you can maybe lift and lower a few times, say between one and three inches.

Next lesson – moving off the spot!

There are two things to remember before you start flying RC helicopters. One is to make sure you have a securely fitted training undercarriage. If you haven’t, stop right here and buy one! The other is to be absolutely familiar with your RC controls. Various articles here explain what those controls mean, and what they do. But every handset is different, so make sure you are absolutely comfortable with the controls.

This is best done by practicing on a flight simulator program. You may well have been given one of these when you bought your helicopter, but if not FMS has some excellent freeware available on the internet. Or purchase some software (E-SKY have an excellent introductory download). They include everything you need to start flying even if you haven’t bought your chopper yet. The E-SKY costs about the same as a Nintendo game, and is far more useful.

It is best to fly RC helicopters outdoors if possible, especially if your aim is to fly at club level. So make sure it is a rainless day without too much wind. This is especially important in electric helicopters, for obvious reasons.

Although your training kit has anti-sticking balls, it’s best to fly from a firm surface like tarmac. If you must use grass, make sure it is cut really short. Any dirt or gravel must be cleared away. If you need further advice on “prepping” RC electric helicopters for their first flight, there is a separate article for that.

It goes without saying that you have checked your craft over to make sure it’s sound, and that there are no restrictions on using radio signals (if you’ve picked a quiet field near a local flying club, they might not be best pleased if you start interfering with their pick-up!)

Safety is essential, so no pets or little kids nearby. Even though first-time beginners usually start near the ground, accidents are still possible.

Make sure your batteries are freshly charged, and that those in your RC handset are new (if it needs them).

And now you’re ready. Welcome to the heady world of flying RC helicopters!