When it comes to flying a remote control helicopter collective pitch models are the most advanced. The control system and characteristics are similar to those found on the real thing. They are capable of performing aerobatics and will definitely test your flying skills.

Norrowing your search for the perfect helicopter can be a long process but there are two models that you should definitely consider

1. Honey Bee CP3
This helicopter is perfect for those who know they want to get involved in serious flying. You may already have a coaxial model and are  getting bored with it or you maybe new to the hobby. No matter what your motivation is this model will certainly perform. It is made by a  well respected brand, Esky, and can be flown both indoors and outdoors.
2. Trex 250
Produced by Align, another well respected manufacturer, this remote control heli is priced at about $250. This heli is powerfull and is finished to a very high standard. You probably will not need to purchase another heli. To get the most from the Trex 250 you need to be committed to regular practice. It is definitely not a toy.

Flying a collective pitch model is not easy and even if you buy a “Ready to Fly” model you should plan to spend some time making adjustments before you take to the air. You should approach the set up process in a slow and methodical manner. Most CP models leave the factory set up to fly aerobatic routines which may not be ideal for those just getting to grips with the hobby.

For those who really want to get involved in the hobby of flying a remote control helicopter then opting for a collective pitch model is a good choice. It will cost more and the learning curve will definitely be a challenge, but for the committed enthusiast it is the way to go.

However before committing yourself to hours of practice and possibly a great deal of frustration try to get some hands on flying at a model club. You could also get a sim but there is no substitute for flying outdoors with a little wind.

You should also be prepared to get your hands dirty , literally. Remote control helicopters have loads of moving parts and they will break when you crash. You need to be comfortable working on the mechanical aspects of your remote control heicopter as well as flying it.

For those who do not want to get so heavily involved in the hobby there are other options. Micro and coaxial helicopters are stable, easy to fly and perfet for  beginners.

Micro helicopters are perfect for those who just want a bit of fun for 20 mins to 1/2 hour, messing around with the kids or some friends. They usually cost less than $30 and fit in the palm of your hand. Don’t expect to be able to fly 3d aerobatic routines but you will have plenty of fun

Coaxial helicopters are a step up from a basic toy. Models produced by top brands such as e-flite, Walkera and Esky will be be good quality and are supported with a ready supply of spares. Coaxial helicopters are easy to recognise in that they have two main sets of rotor blades, one mounted above the other. This is what makes them stable and easy to fly.

When you are surfing and tring to decide on a particular model we strongly recommend that you don’t purchase a model with less than a 4 channel control.  Anything with two channels only is very basic and you would be better spending a little more.

Anybody who tried to buy a remote control helicopter five years ago would have been faced with a totally different choice to what is available today. The slection available both in the shops and online is now huge. Not only has the selection of helis increased but prices have come down, which can only be a good thing.

Because of the vast array of helicopters that are available it is very important that you clearly identify a couple of things before you purchase one.

1. Budget
The amount of money you have to spend will play a big part in the type of helicopter you expect to purchase. For hobby grade FP or CP helicopters you should expect to pay at least $120. You should also budget for spares and maintainence costs. You should budget for a  fairly continuous level of expenditure.

2. Type of flying
Stop and think about the type of flying you will be doing with the new remote control helicopter. Are you in the hobby for the long haul with the intention of flying 3d or do you just want a bit of fun sitting in the comfort of an armchair. There is a rc helicopter for every preference so think about it before you start the search. You shoulld also decide whether or not you want to involve your children in the hobby. If you do and they are fairly young then maybe a stable coaxial model would be better than a complicated CP model.

By stopping to answer the questions above you will greatly reduce the chance of wasting money on a remote control helicopter that is not suitable.

For those who are certain that they want to get involved in the hobby of flying a remote control helicopter over the long term then there is probably no point getting a toy or coaxial model. Although they are harder to fly and require a lot of practice you will probably be better off getting a single rotor heli.

Having said that there is plenty of choice within the category of single rotor models. There are less “challenging” options.

Coaxial models are specifically designed to be stable and easy to fly. They also require less maintainence. In short, they are fun, realtively cheap and easy to set up Once you start looking at single rotor versions you will geta more realistic flying experience but it will cst more and require quite a bit of practice. However you can still get a decent sinfle rotor model for less than £100 excluding spares
Some example of micro single rotor helis are

1. Honey Bee V 2
Manufactured by “Esky”, the purchaser can be guaranteed that the quality will be good. It is a  micro heli with a 4 channel control and comes with a Li-Po battery. Certainly worth a look and will not disappoint.

2. Blade MSR
An E-Flite heli that is supplied ready to fly. Again you can trust the quality of the build. It is small, light and manoeuverable and can be flown outdoors  on a calm day. If you are a beginner then getting a set of training gear will help prevent damage from hard landings and a loss of flying time. Can be purchased for less than £100. Another quality helicopter.

Before you make a decision as to the type of remote control helicopter you are going to purchase try and get some hands on flying time. Look for a model club in near to you. Members will be more than willing to give you help and advice.

There is nothing worse than going through the excitment of getting your first remote control helicopter, setting it up and taking it for it’s maiden flight only to find that it is not quite what you thought it would be. To avoid such disappointment ask yourself two questions before you visit a model shop or go online.

1. Budget
How much money do you have to spend. Remote control helicopters can be bought for as little as $30 or you can go for broke and  add another two zeros to the price. It is also vital that you factor in the cost of ongoing repairs and spares. yes you will crash the helicopter
and like any working mechanical equipment it will need to be serviced.

2. Type of flying
Stop and think about the type of flying you will be doing with the new remote control helicopter. Are you in the hobby for the long haul with the intention of flying 3d or do you just want a bit of fun sitting in the comfort of an armchair. There is a rc helicopter for every preference so think about it before you start the search.

If you take time to consider the two questions about not only will you save a great deal of time but you will also avoid splashing out on a helicopter that is  not suitable for your needs.

Most gadget , hobby and electrical shops sell some version of a remote control helicopter. They are readily available and can  be priced as low as £20. Like any other toy or  piece of consumer electronics there is a huge selection and the hardest part is  choosing a model that is best suited to your needs.

In this blog we will take you through the buying process and the factors you should consider. Some people just want a simple toy to give as a present while others want a model that is capable of 3 D flight. Whatever you requirements we will offer useful tips and advice

It is also well worth visiting other sites and forums to get an idea of the various models that are available as well as an explanation of the terms used. For example the glossary at skymodels.co.uk