ALUNAN CITRA

Nitro or Electric?

Now you’ll have to decide whether you like nitro or electric. There are some pre-built ready to fly models available from E-Flite. They include everything needed to fly the model. They sell for around $200, and can be a lot of fun. The E-Flite Blade CX2 is one that I recommend if you have never flown an r/c model and are not really sure if are going to enjoy the hobby. Besides learning, the Blade CX2 is a lot of fun in the winter time, when it’s too cold to go outside. It can literally be flown in the living room. It is a coaxial design, which is extremely stable, and simple. It is not really a 3d helicopter, meaning it is not capable of aerobatics. E-Flite also sells the Blade CP, and the Blade CP pro. These models are also available as ready to fly models. They are more conventional in design, meaning they have a main rotor, and a tail rotor. They are not easy to fly, and I usually don’t recommend them as a first model, unless you’ve been practicing with a simulator.

Electric micro helicopters such as the Trex, can be a great first model. These models are typically available as kits, or arf’s (almost ready to fly). Just so you know, an ARF means that the airframe is mostly built, whereas a kit is completely unbuilt, and you will build it. Or if you like, you can call HeliProz and the guys there are usually willing to build a model for you (for a fee of course) though it isn’t really a service that HeliProz provides. In the small electric catergory, this sometimes includes a motor and an electronic speed control. You’ll also need a helicopter transmitter, servos, gyro, battery pack(s) and charger. You’ll need some basic tools to build your model like screwdrivers, and allen wrenches. HeliProz also sells tools that are perfect for building your model. You can expect to spend $800 to $1200 on a model of this size.

Nitro models are another choice. Don’t let the larger size and Internal Combustion engine scare you away. They are easier to work on and build due to their size, and are usually much more stable than the smaller electric models. Some examples are the Thunder Tiger Raptor, Compass Knight, and Hirobo Sceadu Evolution. Nitro models are available in several sizes. 30, 50, 60, and 90 size. The 30 and 50 size are nearly the same size, usually utilizing a nearly identical airframe, and the 60 and 90 size utilize a nearly identical size airframe. If you ask us, a 50 size model is about the perfect size for learning, and when you’re a better pilot, you can do all the 3d aerobatics you can imagine. If budget is a concern, a 30 size model is a decent choice, though it won’t have quite the power for hardcore 3d aerobatics. If you’re not interested in 3d aerobatics, then a 30 is the most economical choice. Some examples of 30’s are the Thunder Tiger Raptor 30, and the Kyosho Caliber 4, and the Sceadu Evolution 30. In a 30, you can usually get away with using cheaper servos, again keeping the costs down. A 60 size heli used to be the largest size of r/c helicopter, and is still a good choice if extreme 3d aerobatics are not what you’re looking to do. They are more stable than the 30, and 50 size models, although only a few choices for 60’s remain. The Thunder Tiger Raptor 60 is one and so is the Miniature Aircraft Fury Expert. The top class of R/C heli’s is the 90 class. Some examples are the Thunder Tiger Raptor 90, The Hirobo Freya Evolution 90, the JR Vibe 90, and Several models from Miniature Aircraft. We don’t usually recommend a 90 as a first helicopter, as they can be quite a bit more expensive than the other sizes, and can be unforgiving if crashed. They also tend to use a bit more fuel than the smaller sizes.