Archive for September, 2009

The Walkera 5G4Q3 Airwolf has been expertly recreated

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

The Walkera Airwolf is a top quality RC helicopter with a co-axial design and twin rotor blade system. This brand new Walkera model is really easy for the beginner to fly, yet it still has all the characteristics you would expect of a fully controllable helicopter and every aspect has been wonderfully recreated.

If you remember the series during the 1980s then you’ll be excited to know that this replica aircraft is finely crafted. It has an authentic scale appearance and it really is an excellent micro electric helicopter.

Some of the main features of the Airwolf include 2.4Gz of frequency; this results in a longer flight time and a longer life of your batteries. It is well built and is made from tough helicopter parts. Everything you need is included in the package, apart from the batteries which are required for the transmitter.

This helicopter is not a toy however and should only be used by those over 14 years of age. It can be flown in the house or in the garden if you are feeling a little more adventurous. Be careful when flying this model elsewhere, especially in adverse wind conditions.

So, if you are looking for an introduction into the world of RC helicopters, you wouldn’t go wrong with the Walkera 5G4Q3 Airwolf model.

The E-SKY Co-Comanche is a great intermediate RC helicopter

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

If you have mastered an indoor beginner’s RC helicopter and are looking to purchase the next level up, you could do far worse than opt for the E-SKY Co-Comanche. This 4 Channel RC helicopter is much larger than the beginner 3 Channel models and will allow you to take your hobby more seriously.

These RC helicopters are also a quality choice as a first introduction into the hobby as this model will enable you to develop the crucial skills needed to master and control the even larger and more advanced 6 Channel versions.

With this helicopter you still have very precise control over the aircraft and can fly forwards, backwards, left, right, up, down and also spin left or right on its axis. These models are fantastic quality and very reasonably priced, although they are generally for indoor use.

As well as this model, there are also a range of options to choose from by Walkera, such as the Airwolf and Chinook. These RC helicopters are similar to the E-SKY model and are also for use indoors. If you are confident flying the helicopter and there is very little wind, then you can fly these outdoors as well.

Whichever model you decide upon, these 4 Channel models are certainly more challenging than the beginner 3 Channel models. They are great intermediate helicopters to buy.

Where to get info on flying electric helicopters Part 2

Friday, September 18th, 2009

In the last article we were looking at where to go when you are desperate for info and advice on flying your RC helicopter. We explained that there is a lot of free advice to be obtained from the internet. You can also speak to your regular stockist for advice on parts to buy and things that may aid you in controlling your aircraft.

On the internet there are many buyers’ guides to help the prospective buyer choose their first helicopter to meet their budget and needs. You can make use of forums and fan websites to find out how to solve some of the problems associated with particular models and what to bear in mind when flying. There are all sorts of tips and suggestions as to upgrades and parts to buy.

If you are considering taking your RC helicopter to an event or just want to meet up in person with other enthusiasts you can make use of the many clubs and associations out there. Even if you just typed “RC helicopter clubs” onto Google, there are a whole host of helicopter clubs and web pages to direct you towards finding other hobbyists in your local area.

These days there are no excuses for not learning and being able to find out all you need to know. You just need to know where to look.

Where to get info on flying electric helicopters Part 1

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

If you have recently invested in an RC helicopter and you have had some issues getting it to fly, you may not know where to turn next. It may just be that you are looking for a decent flying club in your area and you aren’t sure if there is one nearby.

Fear not. The internet is a treasure trove of valuable information these days; it is just about knowing where to look. Most RC helicopter enthusiasts are good folk and are only too happy to share knowledge and experiences with beginners and those looking for advice with specific problems.

For most queries, you can get in touch with the RC helicopter supplier who sold you your model. If they are not in a position to advise you directly, they’ll surely point you in the right direction.

Speak to someone who builds and flies these RC helicopters on a regular basis. Chances are they’ll have heard it before. They will remember what it is like to start out and the common issues they faced themselves.

There are plenty of places you can turn to for help and you need never suffer on your own when flying your RC helicopter.

The challenges of flying electric helicopters

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

If you have recently taken up the hobby of flying RC electric helicopters then you’ll certainly have faced your fair share of frustrating and exasperating moments. If you have missed out on the beginner models but have decided to start off with a 6 channel helicopter then you will probably have faced a challenge in mastering the controls.

This is only to be expected. It takes time, effort and patience to fully get to grips with a 6 channel flying machine and this is especially true when flying outdoors in windy conditions.

For the more ambitious enthusiasts, this is the most rewarding part of it all; to stick with it when the going gets tough and finally master the aircraft.

One option, which is not a cop out (but can seem that way), is to invest in a set of training gear to help you get used to flying your RC helicopter. This attaches onto the skids of the helicopter and basically prevents it from tipping over quite so easily, which it can do.

Hopefully this article will have reinvigorated you and you can persevere with flying your RC helicopter. If you have any questions, speak to your trustworthy RC hobbyists who will be able to answer any queries you may have.

When learning to fly a new RC helicopter stick with it

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

When you watch an expert flying his RC helicopter around a field it can look easy, but what you don’t see is the hours of practice spent making mistakes and learning from these mistakes. One of the main things which cause beginners to the world of radio control helicopters to give up is a lack of patience.

There are so many different models of helicopter to choose from it is hard to get a balance between getting a helicopter that will prove a little challenging to fly outdoors and one that just ends up with a person getting more and more frustrated.

If you do your research into an RC helicopter model which is right for you, and learn to be patient and get to grips with it, especially when flying it outdoors, then it can be ultimately a rewarding experience.

If you stick with it and learn to master the helicopter indoors for a while, you will get the hang of controlling its flight and be more confident when going outdoors. If you give it a chance, stick with it and take your time, you’ll get it eventually. This can be one of the most satisfying experiences you can have.

Choosing the right model of RC helicopter for you

Monday, September 14th, 2009

If you have decided to get yourself involved with one of the most exciting hobbies around today, then you may now be looking at the kind of model you want.

You can do your research on all the different models available and select a high quality machine for yourself. However, before you jump headfirst into a purchase, bear in mind that each model has its strong points. It’s just about selecting the right RC helicopter for you.

If you are still a bit unsure, you can speak to someone more experienced with radio control helicopters such as a reputable and well-established RC stockist. They should be able to advise you on which model may be best for you.

Most RC enthusiasts would usually recommend starting off with a small electric helicopter; there are many of these models to be found on the market today. You should do some research and find out if there are any local RC clubs in your area. These organisations are usually willing to help new starters get familiar with flying an RC helicopter.

You can also make use of the many valuable resources to be found on the internet such as RC helicopter forums and fan sites.

Once you have chosen a model, learning to fly your new helicopter can be the most rewarding part of it all. It can be challenging and requires time to get used to it, but stick with it and you won’t be disappointed.

The Don’ts of using LiPo batteries for your RC Helicopter

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

It is important to consider the safety issues when using LiPo batteries to power radio control helicopters. In the last article we looked at the things that you can do with these high performance batteries, so now we will look at the things you should avoid.

Here are some of the things you should remember when using these batteries and in order to remain safe.
If you use a charger that has not been designed for use with LiPo batteries you may cause a fire hazard as the battery cells are liable to explode.

Do not ever fully discharge your LiPo battery pack as if you discharge it beyond its critical minimum voltage level it could cause damage to the battery. However, you will find that some speed controllers do have a cut off point to prevent over-discharge of the battery.

Another thing you should be careful about is if you have a crash, make sure you check the battery. If the battery is damaged in any way, do not bring the battery back into your house. Due to the nature of these batteries, a chemical reaction may have taken place and the damage battery could potentially cause a fire. Make sure you isolate the battery for an hour or more.

Always remember to keep these points in mind when charging and using LiPo batteries for your RC helicopter.

The Dos of using LiPo batteries for your RC Helicopter

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

If you want to utilise the latest in RC helicopter power then LiPo batteries provide the best performance you can get. However, you first need to understand LiPo batteries and how they work as they are very different from batteries that were used in the past.

If you follow these dos and don’ts of LiPo batteries, you will surely get the best performance out of them, keeping yourself safe at the same time.

You can store these batteries when they are partially charged as they will still maintain their performance levels during short periods of non-use. There is no need to cycle them.

If you are storing the batteries for longer periods of time make sure the cells are fully charged and then discharged down to around 50-60 percent of their full capacity.

Only use a good quality LiPo charger which is specifically designed to charge these types of batteries. This will ensure the batteries remain safe, as using the wrong charger could cause a fire hazard.

You can charge LiPo batteries without having to worry about discharging or cycling them as they do not develop the same memory or voltage depression characteristics as the previous NiCd batteries.

Remember there are serious safety issues when using these LiPo batteries. We will look at some of the don’ts in the next article.

LiPo batteries are the power behind RC helicopters

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Lithium Polymer batteries, or LiPo batteries for short, are the latest offerings for generating power in your RC helicopter. These technological wonders are great as they offer a much higher capacity and run time than what were used previously.

In the past, Nickel Cadmium (or NiCD) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries were used to power the previous versions of RC helicopters. Thank goodness you are now blessed with these modern beauties.

LiPo batteries even weigh less and are smaller in size than these old batteries. In addition to all these great qualities, they also have a low internal resistance and are able to provide high amp ratings for powering the top performance and larger scale RC helicopter models.

These batteries are offered by reputable companies in the RC helicopter industry such as E-SKY and Flightpower. You can get batteries of different sizes to fit your helicopter and so the price of these batteries does vary considerably.

If you want to get the best deals on LiPo batteries for radio control helicopters then make sure you visit your preferred stockist and see what they have in stock. If you want a high level of performance for your helicopter, choose to run on LiPo battery power.