Which rc heli should i buy?

[varundbest]

Well i am from india (delhi) and want to buy a rc helicopter or a f-16 would be amazing, as a matter of fact i just want a radio controlled flying thing.
So what should i buy and from where should i buy it?

[sam94]

Well, before anyone starts helping you, we need more info

Do you wanna fly a plane or heli?

How much are you looking to spend on one?

Have you ever flown before?

Do you want a big or small aircraft?

If you could answer these questions, i'd be more than happy to help you

[spitfire]

Well, First off...


WELCOME TO WATTFLYER!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy your stay! plenty of pleasant people here.



alright, now down to business...

I don't really fly helis... but I know a little bit about them, flown in the simulator and such... but like sam94 said, we need more info...

though from the title, you seem to be an absolute beginner?



in that case, I would STRONGLY recommend a flight simulator, you can get them really cheap... then once you get good you can buy a real rc heli, rather than one that just balances itself, because they don't normally do that...

I know a flight sim saved me a LOT of crashes...

so yeah, I hope this helps, its probably the best I could do with the provided information.

SPIT.

[varundbest]

Is a fligh simulator a kind of a software and for how much i can get a heli or any flying thing? Well will an f-16 rc fly like it? (like an aeroplane)

[sam94]

We still need more info!

A flight simulator is a program that you use on your computer, to practice flying on - they help alot, if you looking for a decent flight sim then you're looking at roughly $150.

You cannot leap in and try and fly a f16, you'll crash it on your first flight, you need to make progress, and the only way you can do this is by getting the easiest plane to fly first.

I, and most of wattflyer would recommend the Hobbyzone Super cub, there easy beginner planes, and very durable.

A heli i would recommend would be the Eflite blade cx2, once again, easy to fly and quite durable.

If you were to start of with an F16 then, well, for starters you're going to be spending alot of money on the plane itself, and then more money on crash costs.

Go to www.horizonhobby.com and type in either of the aircraft i mentioned, you cant really get much more easier than these ones.

[MaxAdventure]

You don't know, what you don't know. Rather than throw specific suggestions at you - I think you should go exploring on what it is you want to get into. You stated "R/C helicopter" and "R/C f-16". Try searching online for video on those - make a note of the ones you like, any information given. Like what radio they're using, what motors/engines. what make/model they are.

Then do a search on google.com or here on wattflyer, or RCGroups etc and see what people say about them. It's a fun adventure that may help you pinpoint exactly what it is you want to try, or at least a final goal.

For example, if you fell in love a 1/8 scale F16:

click here to watch the video

then you can find a kit and accessories here: http://www.skymasterjet.com/f16s.htm

you have an idea of your goal. Next you can ask advice on how to get there, as mentioned above the super cub and a simulator is a great start on learning fly R/C

You may progress along these lines:

1. Super cub
2. parkzone t28
3. Phase 3 EDF f16
4. Skymaster turbine

Others may argue another path, but above isn't unreasonable. In there somewhere you would need to invest in a quality nine plus channel radio. Keep in mind I'm assuming the F16 you want is a quality scale turbine powered model, considered by many as the best of the best and requiring $10,000US to $20,000US for the model I described.

You may be happy with the Phase 3 EDF listed at #4 that ends up being closer to $300US - $600US investment including the radio.

Going down the helicopter route is the same thing, only the learning curve is probably steeper and longer.

SO - go out and surf the web, find out what you REALLY want, specifically. Then ask what it will take to get there, and find a path you want to go down.

[spitfire]

Originally Posted by varundbest

Is a fligh simulator a kind of a software and for how much i can get a heli or any flying thing? Well will an f-16 rc fly like it? (like an aeroplane)

for the most part I agree with everything that has been said...

except you CAN get an FMS flight sim for about $60... sure, its not as fancy, nor a polished as say, G5... but I learned on it... and look at how I turned out !

I still want G5 though... *sigh*



but if you just want something to fly in, thats not a heli...

this?:

http://www.electrifly.com/parkflyers/gpma0002.html

that was my first plane... it WAS pretty nice... until I crashed it trying to do stuff it just could not handle because its a trainer


anyways... I would learn on both of the above... a flight simulator to plug into the computer to get comfortable... then a greatplanes tutor to get you flying!

but thats just how I would do it... there are plenty of other people that would recommend something else... but heres my take if you care for it...

SPIT.

[MaxAdventure]

Originally Posted by spitfire

for the most part I agree with everything that has been said...

except you CAN get an FMS flight sim for about $60... sure, its not as fancy, nor a polished as say, G5... but I learned on it... and look at how I turned out !

I still want G5 though... *sigh*

I own realflight and I don't like it -as in I don't think it's worth the money.

FMS is a FREE simulator, and as such is the best value going! http://www.flying-model-simulator.com/ (you supply your own transmitter) Any sim is better than no sim, and in my opinion as essential a tool as a pitch gauge for flying helicopters.

I always suggest FMS. If you want the most realistic for Heli flying, popular vote says it's Phoenix.

[spitfire]

Originally Posted by MaxAdventure

I own realflight and I don't like it -as in I don't think it's worth the money.

FMS is a FREE simulator, and as such is the best value going! http://www.flying-model-simulator.com/ (you supply your own transmitter) Any sim is better than no sim, and in my opinion as essential a tool as a pitch gauge for flying helicopters.

I always suggest FMS. If you want the most realistic for Heli flying, popular vote says it's Phoenix.

yeah, I agree... I bought mine with a serial transmitter... pretty nice, I got the hang of flying helis with it... but I mostly just fly the airplanes in it!

I mostly just want realflight for the more realistic models and stuff... but FMS is defiantly good...

[Larry3215]

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said but I'll add a bit more.

Get a simulator program and practice, practice, practice.....

There are NO F-16 rc models that a beginner can fly - period. You will crash any of them instantly and loose all your investment. Forget F-16's untill your 4th or 5th model.

On heli's - if you get a co-axial heli you will be able to fly that even without a simulator. Something like one of these.

http://www.eboyztoyz.net/index.php?o...item&sku=10523

Note that this type of heli has two sets of main blades that turn in opposite directions.

This makes them very stable and super easy to fly.

However, they dont do tricks and they dont fly anything like a normal RC heli.

You will NOT be able to fly a collective pitch rc heli without LOTS of simulator time and a good instructor helping you. You will crash it instantly.

Anyone can fly a co-axial heli with a few minutes practice. They are tough and easy to fly.

A single blade, colective pitch heli is nothing like the co-axial helis and they are extremely dificult to fly. They are also much more expensive and break easily and crash all the time even after you get "good"

[PaperAirplane]

I have heard that if you have flown an rc plane before than the Blade mSR may be ok. I think I will go down that route once I finish my first plane. Can anyone confirm this? What do you think?

[varundbest]

Well how much a f-16 would cost me, i am in india and i will try to fly it in a park so that there is minimum damage

[MaxAdventure]

Originally Posted by varundbest

Well how much a f-16 would cost me, i am in india and i will try to fly it in a park so that there is minimum damage

Well, anywhere from 50€ for a foam airframe to 50,000€ for a turnkey twin turbine. Did you read through your responses and see the various advice? If you just want to spend your money, try this for an nice basic F16 model:
http://www.nitroplanes.com/fms64fedfrcj.html

or for options try going to www.google.com and using the key words
" f16 edf rtf "

[Insomniac]

I really don't think it's a good idea to get an F-16 as a first plane... unless you spend a LOT of time practicing on the sim, you will smash it into a gazillion pieces on the first flight.

[MaxAdventure]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

I really don't think it's a good idea to get an F-16 as a first plane... unless you spend a LOT of time practicing on the sim, you will smash it into a gazillion pieces on the first flight.

Read back through the thread with some great input and see the OP response? I'd wager they don't care. To each their own, as long as everyone has fun, right?

[Larry3215]

He sounds just like many newbies. They want a fast, sexy plane or nothing at all

Good luck!

[intro]

See next(revised) post...sorry

[intro]

I'm going to assume that you aren't rich. You should have a RC flight simulator first, but if you JUST want to fly, it is possible.
First off: This hobby has a "learning curve". KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Again: IF you "just want to fly" stay away from ARF (almost ready to fly) BUY RTF(ready to fly) and ASK QUESTIONS. If the aircraft you want requires you to buy ANYTHING (except more batteries) be careful. Radios, power, hardware, and tools can put a lot of distance (and newbie frustration) between you and your first successful flight. As a beginner you want as much of a "No brainer" as possible. In my opinion, no matter what you want to fly (planes or helis), E-Flite's Blade MSR is a great heli. IF you take it easy, even with NO experience,you'll be flying it on the first day. It only weighs about an ounce (28.3g) and even if you crash it, it's REAL tough to break. A Blade MSR will get you in the air (and let you STAY there)for around $180.00. One buy...ready to fly! Controller, batteries, charger..the works!
Even if you intend to fly planes, you've still got a lot of basic "ground school" things to learn. This is a great starting point.

Bear in mind: this is a great FIRST bird. It flies, and flies well, even indoors...that's about it. If you want to get fancy, you'll have to up your size, your risk factor, and your price.

But let's not overlook the simulator aspect. In many respects flying a sim can be as fun as the real thing, especially for a beginner. You may find that helis aren't your thing, or maybe gas or electric or gliders appeal to you more. With a sim, you get them all also for under $200. PLUS you get to fly day or night, rain or shine, at a variety of airfields, with MANY different aircraft with no risk (No repair, maintenance or fuel or batteries). Just hit RESET and you're back in the air! Basically it's a great learning tool. I bought a SIM first and NEVER FOR ONE MINUTE regretted the decision!

I believe most of the pilots here started off thinking as you do right now. I KNOW I DID! Thank heaven there were folks here to "Talk me down".
It saved me a TON of grief AND cash.
There is a LOT for fun and learning in basic flight than you might realize right now...shop around and DON'T rush it.
And about the F-16?? Maybe that should be your NEXT bird.

Best of luck. When you have more questions(you WILL) we'll be here!

[singingperry]

The two aircraft that has had the most bang for the money, the kind that are so stable and so easy to fly that they make you look very skilled are the MSR and Superfly's Hyperflea. PERIOD! Superfly RC is going through ownership change and may not be available for a while. You'll never be sorry!

[intro]

I fly two co-axials and a Blade 400, mostly without a lot of crashes. I also fly a Blade MSR. If I could keep only one of these..it would be the MSR. NO DOUBT. It won't do as much as the 400, but it's a TON of fun without ANY of the stress. Isn't that what we all wanted when we signed on? It won't fly inverted, or do real 3d, but as far as having fun racing around your back yard, or landing on various tables around your house, it's fabulous and unlike your larger heli's, the first mistake doesn't end your day.
Don't get me wrong: I wouldn't like to make such a choice, I LOVE the 400, but, once in a while (more often than even I like to admit) it's great to be able to fly without all that risk-charged adrenaline.

It's also nice to be able to fly as hard as you want, CRASH, and do that over and over and over without replacing or repairing ANYTHING.

I'm not (necessarily) saying that the MSR is for absolute beginners; but IMHO it's actually easier to fly than a CX2, or an MCx. SERIOUSLY! SO maybe that's EXACTLY what I'm saying!
Why do I say this? Because a lot of crashes come from the co-axial's UNDER-PERFORMANCE. They are actually too unresponsive. I'd never try to fly a co-ax in ANY wind over about two knots. But because of it's single rotor and the added response, I actually look forward to wind-surfing in winds 5 knots or GREATER in my MSR. Because unlike the CX2 or MCX, the MSR can actually take a crash (or 20) and keep asking for more. Now, I'm not saying that you can just take it out and full-throttle slam it into a wall.(Well...actually, I HAVE) But if you see a collision coming, all you have to do is throttle-off and your one-ounce MSR flutters harmlessly to the ground, the wall or the tree, ready to fly again. I'd keep it away from water, though. Never tried that.
A buddy and I spent last weekend racing through figure 8's, using three hula hoops in my back yard. We've had many mid-air strikes:These can do damage,but NONE has ended the day. In fact, after a couple of blade strikes, we've even kept on racing! I know of NO other heli that can do that. You can literally bend an MSR's blades to about 45 degrees, and they spring right back.
One caviat, though: The MSR is small, which can make it hard to see. SO keep it fairly close to you or you may lose it. Honestly if it got away from you in tall grass it might be a long search and rescue.