If you want to buy a remote controlled copter, the first thing to do is find out what you want. There are basically two categories of remote controlled helicopter and each category has two main types.
The first option is, do you want a battery or petrol powered chopper and secondly, do you want to buy the helicopter pre-assembled (ready to fly) or do you want a kit? You could also think of size and price.
Some of the small or mini battery remote controlled helicopters just cost around $30, so you are not taking a lot of risk by buying one sight-unseen.
However, larger petrol or nitro powered models cost $1,000 and more, although there are plenty of models in the $200 – $500 bracket. So, price is an crucial factor in how you continue.
You can purchase a $30 Syma mini battery powered helicopter on the Internet right away, but if you want something more up market you will need to do some research first. As always, the first thing, if you are a beginner, is to learn something concerning the hobby before you go buying anything.
Buy yourself a mini copter and learn some of the skills of flying it. Read some magazines and join a couple of Web forums. Go along to a club if there is one in your area or ask at the local hobby shop whether they know other RC fliers locally.
They may have a few models in the shop that you can look at too, but do not spend hundreds of dollars until you are sure of what you like. As you are formulating in your mind a picture of the RC chopper you would like, note the prices that you see it being sold for.
Ignoring the cheap micro choppers, if you are purchasing your first ‘real’ RC helicopter for, say, $100, get one that is crash-proof. Nothing is really damage proof, when something drops 30 feet out of the sky, something is going to break, so buy a remote controlled copter that is stronger rather than beautiful, because, as a novice, you will crash it.
Because you will crash it, be certain that there are parts readily available in your area or on the Internet. You will probably need to replace the rotors, the skids and the canopy from time to time due to crashes. You may also have to replace the motor (or parts of it) and batteries, if you are using them.
Some firms provide, or sell separately, a flight simulation program for your computer. This is a good idea, because you can practice the more awkward manoeuvres without risking damage to your helicopter in a crash. This is one of the questions that you could pose on one of the forums – whether the flight simulator for your model is worth having.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a variety of topics, but is now involved with the Gyro Helicopter S107. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Smart Toys for Kids.