Fly before you buy

[fliers1]

How many out there would love to be able to fly someone's RC heli without having to worry about crashing or spending the big bucks to buy a heli outfit?

Well, I have been letting anyone hover my heli for many years now and even those who claim to not have any interest in helis (mostly plank pilots) suddenly get very interested once they hover my heli and then realize that it's not nearly as difficult as everyone says.

It is a great way to get people not only interested in helis, but to get them to go out and buy complete heli outfits. I wonder if anyone else offers to let any stranger have the opportunity?

Take care,
CCR
http://www.kites.org/rc_instructors

[hdcchrome]

I really want one. What is a good one???

GOOD ONE = Easy to set up, balance, RTR or ARR.

If not RTR, what radio is suggested.

I want in, but don't want to pay $1000's like I have in my cars/trucks (which I love by the way :D )


I would buy a used setup to, if in perfect condition.

[fliers1]

Everyone seems to like the Raptor ARF. It's almost ready to fly and there are most likely tons of used outfits out there. The problem is finding someone to help you with the setup and trimming. The heli has to be setup and flight trimmed properly before the newbie can learn to hover. I've been told more times than I care to hear that people cannot be taught to hover helis whereas they have to train themselves. I guess I better tell all of the several hundred that I trained to fly helis that it can't be done. :)

Chances are you can buy a used outfit for maybe under $500 but it is best to buy new, for as little as $700 for everything needed to fly. Not to knock surface vehicles, but in the long run, RC helis can be much cheaper than RC gas cars and trucks.

Take care,
CCR
http://www.kites.org/rc_instructors

Argue for your limitations and sure enough they are yours.

[hdcchrome]

Thanks for the advise

[Hairball]

I've been wanting to get into Helis for years, finally bought my first one.

From what I've seen, eBay is a wonderful place to pcik up used complete Heli outfits.

I personally went with a JR Ergo 60, JR XP8103 radio, and all the other gooies (starter, batteries, glow driver, etc). It cost me a pretty penny for sure, but I saved well over $700 versus buying the same gear brand new.

And from what I can tell, IT IS BRAND NEW! The previous owner built it, but never flew it, so I get to break it in personally. :)

[hdcchrome]

Thanks Hairball!

Do you have cats?

[Hairball]

Originally posted by hdcchrome
Thanks Hairball!

Do you have cats?

Do I have cats? I'm gussing your reffering to my handle...

Yes, I have one back home in the states. My in laws are looking after her for me. I had another at one time, but my evil step-mother (not kidding) decided while I was away in boot camp that the cat was a threat to her and got rid of him. B!tch.

Here is a pic of the furball... hanging out on my '66 Chevy panel truck. (Yes, it need work, but when I get home, its getting a full body off restoration, and a BB Chevy 454... hehehe)

So you pick up a Heli yet? Or are you still in the shopping phase? :D

[hdcchrome]

Cool cat....I had a calico like that as a kid.

Still shopping for a heli SOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive.

I have $9000 invested in my RC cars/trucks, so I have to sell something to buy (so my wife says).

You in the service?

[Hairball]

Originally posted by hdcchrome
Cool cat....I had a calico like that as a kid.

Still shopping for a heli SOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive.

I have $9000 invested in my RC cars/trucks, so I have to sell something to buy (so my wife says).

You in the service?

Yes Sir! :)

I'm a US Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan, 3rd Force Service Support Group.

I'm on my last year of 4. Had fun, but its time to move on.

Yes, Heli's are VERY expensive. I've got close to $6000 in R/C cars and trucks, and now that I'm moving onto Helis the wife is ready to kill me. But, it keeps me out of trouble, so she lets it slide. (Good Wife)

I've got about $1650 in my Heli setup now, and about $500 worth of upgrades that I want down the road. www.heliproz.com is a dangerous place for your credit cards. :D

I started with a .60 size Heli only because I got such a good deal on it. Budget wise I'd get a .30 (parts are so much cheaper!), and then later upgrade it to a .46 once you learn how to fly the thing and are sure you want to stick with it.

My Grandfather is getting up there in age and his eyesite is getting pretty bad (sucks getting old). He just emailed me stating that when I get back state side, he wants me to come pick up all his model airplane gear (he has a TON of stuff) because he can't fly it anymore. Deal of a lifetime.

Looks like I'll be flying planks pretty soon too! Me thinks the wife is going to kill me....