Helicopters

I have been involved with radio control helicopters since the end of June 2006. I have found them to be quite challenging to say the least. For the first few years I didn't do much more than tail-in hover several different models. I was overly concerned with making a mistake and crashing and that really hindered my progress. I was frustrated over the fact that several years had passed and I was still doing what I did when I first started.

During the Spring of 2010 I made a decision to start flying my helicopters or give up on them. I set a goal of being able to nose-in hover and to fly circuits and figure-eights with each of my helicopters before the season ended. Before getting started I made sure each my my helicopters was in good flying condition, and I carefully reviewed the radio set ups for each model. I found that they were sometimes quite different from one model to another for various reasons. I made them as similar to each other as I could and really simplified things in the process. I ordered some additional battery packs from Hobby King and was ready to go.

The 2010 season turned out quite well for me. I did meet my goals and even exceeded them just before Winter arrived. I now feel comfortable flying my helicopters in forward flight and even managed to get as far as being able to looping each one. Having broken through some of the mental barriers I put in front of myself I expect to find my piloting skills improve much more quickly.

Below is a list of helicopters I have owned at one time. Each model has a page of its own and includes information on my setups and whatever else I think might be interesting.

• Blade mSR
• Blade mCX S300 (sold)
• T-Rex 250
• T-Rex 450SA
• HK-450 v2
• Swift 16
• Blade CP
• Corona 120 (sold)