Quick Links Parts of a Helicopter Other Equipments needed Choice of Helicopter

Welcome to the world of helicopters, possibly the most challenging radio-controlled hobby available. We hope to give you an insight to this sport with this page, and answer some of the common questions asked. If you need to know more, please give us a call on the above number and we will be happy to assist.

Does it fly, Mister?

Yes indeed, radio-controlled (R/C) helicopters have been flying successfully for over 20 years, and due to technical improvements in radio systems and heli mechanics, can be flown by any adults. They can duplicate the actions of full-size helicopters, and much more, such as flying upside-down, looping and rolling!

How Hard Is It?

No special skill or prior experience in radio control is required to fly a heli, only willingness to learn. Like full size flying, regular practice is required and you would normally expect to take two to three months learning to fly, assuming that you spent at least an hour flying each week. To assist student pilots, we now offer our help in the way of our HIROBO CLINIC which we try to have 1 a month depending on our availability. To make it even easier, fully set-up and test flown new & used helis are also available.

To start, your heli would have the following: The helicopter kit: This includes the main frame which supports the motor, radio gear, skids, fuel tank, rotor head, tail boom, tail rotor and main blades. Most kits are of a pod and boom type, with a removable nose shell which covers the radio gear, and leaves the engine and mechanics exposed for easy maintenance. Whilst you can start with a scale heli (usually a pod-and-boom frame clothed with a plastic or fibreglass shell), we don't recommend this as they can be damaged easily during the learning experience.

Motor: Most helicopters are powered by the familiar two-stroke glow plug engines, as seen in R/C aircraft. However, as there is little airflow inside the frame to cool the engine, special motors with enlarged cooling fins and modified carburettors have been developed. These are usually provided in a variety of sizes now starting form .32, .35, .36, .39, .50, .61, .70, .80, .91 cubic inch. Most heli kits are designed to accept these engines in one form or another. The .32 size being the easiest for beginners as it results in a lighter, less expensive heli. The engines can be started with electric starter-motors via a Hex start system which is generally connected to the clutch, or even better, by means of a pull-start like a lawn mower. Electric powered helicopters are also available, these being powered by an electric motor. They are not as suitable for beginners due to the short flight time (5 mins), and require very still wind conditions.

The radio control system: Current helicopters need at least five functions controlled by the pilot. They are - throttle (motor speed), tail rotor (to counter the torque from the main rotor), roll (to tilt the rotor head left and right), pitch (to tilt the rotor head fore and aft), and collective pitch (controls ascent and descent). The R/C system consists of a transmitter, which allows control of the above functions on two movable sticks, and in the model there is a receiver, power supply (usually a rechargeable battery of 1000 mAh capacity and above), and servos connected to the control linkages. Modern radios usually have computer assistance in the transmitter, which can ease setting up of controls and allow the pilot to control both the throttle and collective pitch from the one stick, and to adjust these in flight. These radios also have the capacity to "memorise" the functions for more than 2 or 3 different models and up to 9 memories, and often allow the pilot to fly fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters from the same transmitter.

Gyroscope: This is an electronic piezo gyro which comes in two version, 1) being non-heading hold and 2) being Heading hold. Most heading hold gyro's can be used in normal mode aswell some being switchable from the transmitter some being switch from the actual gyro. The gyro in the heli works by  sensing and correcting unwanted movement of the tail. When the heli changes it's motor speed or rotor pitch, this affects the torque produced by the main rotors, and causes the tail to move left or right. The gyro senses this movement and commands the tail rotor servo to move in opposition to the unwanted torque. Note that this is not an autopilot, but a means of making the heli more controllable, and it is VERY difficult to learn to fly without one, although it can be done. The amount of control that the gyro has over the tail can be adjusted, in flight if a 6 or 7 function radio is used.

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If you are starting without any gear, you will need: Fuel - approx $ 12 for 1 litres (5 % nitro)

Glow plug Clip - approx $12.00

Starter - for belt/cone starts, from $55. Fuel Pump - electric, from $26.

12 Volt battery - gel cell, from $55.

Power Panel - to suit above, from $49. Training undercarriage - $49. 

We also recommend the new Real Flight G2 flight simulator, if you have an IBM-compatible computer.

The length of your flight will vary depending on the size of the fuel tank installed, but will usually be between 10 and 20 minutes. It is a good idea to land before you run out of fuel, because although helis can land without motor (called autorotation), this is a skill which requires much practice. You will also have to allow for your concentration span, because if your attention wanders, so will your heli. The range of the radio will usually allow you to retain control up to a kilometre away, but you WILL NOT be able to see it that far away. Practically, you will usually fly within 50 to 100 meters from yourself Your choice of flying site will also be important, as you should never fly over anything other than empty ground for safety reasons.

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Ideally, the heli you should choose should be easy to fly, rather than chosen for it's aerobatic capabilities but always keep in mind that you can tame down an aerobatic Heli to suit a beginner so you start and finish with a heli that is going to take you into the world of F3C or the 3D world. Also important is the range and availability of spares for the make of heli, as most crash damage is repaired with bolt-on spares. Ask if the make of heli is popular, as you will have a better chance of getting informed help from fellow flyers if they also fly heli's like yours. Our recommendation for starting out is the Hirobo Shuttle plus or the Hirobo Sceadu 30, a .32 size kit  is well suited for learning on and has wide acceptance at flying fields and model shops. A full listing is in our Helicopter Catalogue .

All the above items are readily available from Wings 'N' Things Hobbies, located at Gladesville, NSW. We have been in the hobby business for over 20 years, and have experienced staff who fly, set up, and repair helis. We also carry an extensive range of new and used helis and spares for the popular Hirobo helicopter, as well the older Kalt helicopter. We also stock Futaba, Hitec radios, OS engines and we are now the Webra Agents for Australia. We have an extensive range of spare parts and accessories. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have, we are open from 10:00am to 6:00pm weekdays, till 8.00pm on Thursdays and 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturdays, until 4:00 on Sundays.

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