For anyone who’s ever thought about what it’s like to fly a helicopter, the more and more popular pastime of RC (or radio controlled) helicopters is a great solution to experience the excitement associated with flight without actually leaving the ground. From complete amateurs to master fliers, everyone can love this hobby thanks to the ever-widening variety of Radio controlled helicopters available on the market.

Once, nitro Remote controlled helicopters had been the undisputed favorite within the flying community, but the advent of lithium polymer batters have sent electric powered RC helicopters rising in popularity. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to both electric powered RC helicopters and nitro (or gas) RC helicopters; which type is a better choice overall is dependant on whom you ask.

Most people will agree, however, anytime it comes to RC helicopters for first-timers, electric is typically the way to go. This is due to the fact that electric helis are incredibly easy to begin with – you need to simply charge the battery packs, and you can now get yourself started on your first flight! Electric RC helicopters like the 9100 Metal Gyro RC by Double Horse or the Co Douphin 2.4 Ghz by ESky will have you up and flying in no time – both for just $100.

Electric RC helicopters also score points when it comes to their environmental friendliness; they are a lot cleaner compared to their nitro counterparts – and quieter, too. Needless to say, enthusiasts of nitro helis frequently cite the sounds of their crafts as a pro, believing that it adds to the authenticity of the flying experience.

Another good point about nitro Radio controlled helicopters is that often they generally have longer flight times. If you ever invest in a larger, more complex electric system in your helicopter, you can accomplish equal flying time as a nitro model, however electric helis almost always run out of charge before nitro helis run out of gas.

When it comes to picking a RC helicopter most people want to start out with, everyone should take all those factors into consideration, as well as cost. Electric RC helis are usually less pricey compared to nitros, in some cases considerably. For example, a Vibe 90SG 3D Pro Heli Kit (a nitro) will run you $1,499.99, and the less expensive (but still expensive) T-REX 600 Nitro Super Pro Combo is $874.99.

90SG 3D Pro Heli Kit T-REX 600 Nitro Super Pro Combo

If you really want to save your money, anyone can easily get started with an extremely inexpensive mini gyro RC helicopter, which you could get a hold of for less than $30. Many people see mini RC helicopters more as toys compared to hobby-grade types of RC flying – some are even tethered, or connected to another battery by a thin wire – but these mini helis can still be tons of fun. If you decide on a tethered style, your fun may last much longer, since you can use high-capacity batteries and fly for a very long time.

Several well-known mini gyro RC helicopter models include those made by Syma, like the S1076 Mini Gryo. There are also mini gyros that look like specific military-issue planes, like the S0266 Mini Chinook Cargo Transport as well as Syma S108G Marines Force Gyro. All of these models are available for less than $40, meaning they’re great starter RC helis that won’t break the bank.

However, just because an RC helicopter is electric doesn’t mean that it’s going to be inexpensive. The more complex the electric system, controls, and capabilities, the more money you’ll shell out – which is true for nitro RC helicopters, too. Features like two-system mixing control, power saving mechanisms, adjustable flybars, cooling fans, main drive gears, and auto-rotation system can often mean a far more involved and realistic flying experience, but they could also mean a dent in your wallet.

One issue to consider in selecting your RC helicopter is the number of channels it has. Helicopters with 2 and 3 channels are generally geared towards children or individuals who desire to use RC helis as more of a toy. Those of you that want to plunge into the hobby, consider 4 channel RC helicopters, which demand more precise control. The Blade mCX by E-Flite is a excellent selection for a 4 channel electric RC helicopter.

six channel RC helicopters are like the four channel helis, but they also can perform inverted 3D maneuvers. This means that they can not only fly forward, backward, side-to–side, and hover, but they can also fly upside-down. The Honey Bee King by ESky is a popular 6 channel electric RC helicopter. The more channels a RC heli has, the more expensive it usually will be.

For novice fliers, there’s no need to spend money on complicated features or RC helicopters with more than 4 channels – first, get the basics down by having an inexpensive, basic model, and when you’re keen on it, you can always shift on to the more difficult RC helis.

One of the reasons you don’t want to spend an excessive amount on your first RC helicopter is that often you’re bound to encounter an accident sooner or later, and it’s a lot less painful to break a $30 craft than it is to wreck a $1,000 one.

So, how to fly an Radio controlled helicopter? First, you should always perform a pre-check flight. Make sure that your nuts and bolts are tight, linkages aren’t loose, and, if flying an electric heli, that the power packs are completely charged. Select your flying ground wisely. Even though mini gyros and several other electric RC helicopters could be flown indoors, larger models (including nitro helis) should be flown within an wide open area that is free of trees, power lines, buildings, and other obstacles. When flying, always stand at the very least 5 to 10 feet away from your helicopter, as well as don’t fly them near other people or too close to other helicopters.

More complex moves often means higher chances of a collision, so you may want to consider practicing new moves on a flight simulator before you attempt them on your own RC helicopter. Weather conditions could also play a major factor in crashes. If it’s a windy day outside, you may want to postpone your flight entirely, however, if you insist upon flying that day, you must always fly your RC helicopter upwind.

Now that you’ve got an idea of the different varieties of RC helicopters, what to look for when choosing one for yourself, and factors to consider when flying in order to avoid damaging your fun new hobby, you can dive into the high-flying world of RC helicopters with confidence!

Philip Luther is a RC enthusiast writer that has published hundreds of RC related articles. The Beginners RC Helicopter Guide helps RC enthusiasts by learning the basics to flying. You can start by learning more by visiting http://www.xenonproject.com