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Flying RC helicopters indoors
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
Indoor flying is how most people learn: no wind, no weather, and you can practise for ten minutes after work. The trick is matching the helicopter to the space and making the room safe.
How much space you need
| Space | Suitable helicopters |
|---|---|
| Small room, 3 x 3m clear | Toy coaxials |
| Large living room or conservatory | Micro fixed pitch and small scale helicopters |
| Garage or barn | Micro fixed pitch, careful micro collective pitch |
| Sports hall | Micro collective pitch, even simple aerobatics |
Our best indoor RC helicopters suggests models for each space.
Make the room safe
- Clear the floor and furniture from the middle of the room.
- Ceiling fans off, and keep well clear of light fittings.
- Close windows and doors to stop draughts, and turn off fans and air conditioning.
- Pets out. Cats and dogs are fascinated by small helicopters, and rotors can injure them.
- People back. Everyone else stays behind the pilot.
- Protect valuables. Move anything breakable.
Indoor flying technique
- Fly in the middle of the room. Near walls and furniture, rotor wash bounces back and pushes the helicopter around.
- Mind the ceiling. Rotor wash can suck a helicopter up towards it. Altitude hold helps.
- Low and slow. Practise hover drills; see how to hover an RC helicopter.
- Know your cut. Be ready to cut the throttle if it heads for something.
Sports halls and club indoor sessions
Many clubs book sports halls for winter flying evenings, which is the best way to fly micro collective pitch helicopters indoors. Ask at your local club; see joining an RC club.
Children flying indoors
Indoor flying is ideal for children, with a light toy and an adult nearby. See best RC helicopters for kids, and supervise battery charging using the basics in LiPo battery safety.
Rules
The CAA's registration rules and the Drone and Model Aircraft Code cover flying outdoors. Indoors, there's no Flyer ID requirement, but if you take the same helicopter outside and it weighs 100g or more, the rules apply. See UK rules for RC models. More helicopter guides are on the RC helicopters hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Flyer ID to fly indoors?
No. The CAA's registration and Drone Code rules apply to flying outdoors. Indoors, use common sense and keep people safe.
Why does my helicopter behave oddly indoors?
Air conditioning, open windows and fans create draughts, and flying close to walls or the floor makes the rotor wash bounce back. Fly in the middle of the room, away from walls.
Can I fly a collective pitch helicopter in my house?
Only the smallest micros, and only with plenty of space and experience. A sports hall is much better.
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