Helicopter radios

[bufferoo]

I'm looking at perhaps getting a helicopter sometime in the near future. I do have a question about the radio I'd need. I have a new OS 32 engine and a never used Futaba 6ch PCM radio that I would use. I'd just get a kit for that sized engine.

Would this radio be acceptable for a heli? I've seen the high end 8-9 channel radios and I just can't figure out what the other channels (above 6) would be needed for. Do I even need six?

I want to buy the least amount of equipment as possible and I already have the flight gear for my planes so it looks to be just a heli kit that I would need. No ideas on models yet.

Just wondering about the radio.

Thansk.

Bufferoo

[MikeWz]

You do need six channels. Infact, you're gonna want at least an 8-channel if you plan on doing much with the heli. You need the basic four plus throttle hold and ilde up. The more expensive radios such as 8-9 channel PCM radios have throttle curves etc...which may seem useless now but will be your saving grace as you get better at flying. I recommend getting a 9CHP or JR 8 channel radio. If you buy a 6ch radio and continue flying you'll wind up needing one of the 8-9 ones anyway, so you're at a loss of like $250 because you bought an un-needed radio

[bufferoo]

Makes sense. Thanks for the help. I guess I'll just hold off on the helicopter for while until I can "justify" it with my wife. Meaning get rid of stuff I'm not using right now.

Bufferoo