Radio controlled models are incredibly fun.  They bring out the boy in most adult men, and give us the opportunity to get our children interested in physics and science.

But before getting into electric rc helicopters or even planes, there is one bit of advice I can pass. Start small and inexpensive.  I had started with the little micro helicopter that is sold by many manufactures that is controlled with an infrared beam. It was durable and crashable to a point and still flies.  The controls are easy enough and will get you used to have a lot to keep track of.  It is a battery-copter and needs about a 1/2–hour charging time to fly.

I have since upgraded to a channel (two sticks that move 4 directions each), and they have two sets of main rotor blade that turn in opposite directions. The helicopter itself is also much larger (about a foot and half long) and runs on a battery. It is a lot more to manage price wise considering fixing up but not as bad as the gas ones. The advantage to starting with an inexpensive model (low risk mind you) is that it’s much easier to deal with a $40 machine crashing into an unforgiving concrete launch pad than a $250 model.  Some of my friends have the larger ones and have much more difficulty and cost trying to learn with theirs than I have (even taking into account the cost of the first helicopter which still works and has never broken over many crashes).

The advantage of the channel models are the counter-rotating props.  These allow for a much more stable flight and will even help you restabalize the vehicle if you happen to get caught in an unexpected side-draft.  Because it’s easier to control, most people attach digital cameras to these models and take aerial photographs of the neighborhood.  The biggest advantage, though, is the cost of maintenance.  In the first year I had spent less than $30 in replacement parts, even though I was out flying for several hours three to four nights a week.

Unfortunately, I’m not flying in the near future as there just isn’t enough time or money to get back into the hobby.  But I think that another trainer-copter will be in order when Reiko and I have children.  Having the opportunity to fly a remote vehicle will fire up a child’s imagination and I’ll be sure to cram as much physics into their head while they’re still interested in the subject :P

If you’re interested in starting the hobby, or you’re in the market for a hobby store with every part and model ever known to man, be sure to check out Hobby Warehouse.  Most of their models are ready to fly right out of the box, and replacement parts are available should there be an “unfortunate incident” while out at the park.

This post was sponsored by Hobby Warehouse.