The 2.4 GHz radio uses spread spectrum technology. Where other radio systems may use pulse position modulation (PPM) or pulse code modulation (PCM) which cause them to operate on their own distinct frequencies, a radio using spread spectrum technology broadcasts it’s signal over a range of frequencies  simultaneously.

So what does this mean for the RC heli pilot? This means that when you use a 2.4GHz radio, you removed from all of the interfering frequencies that are caused by other electronic communication devices. Unlike other RC radios which can be affected by non-radio system interference, the 2.4 GHz radio is immune to this interference, which helps to improve flying.

One of the best advantages of using a 2.4 GHz radio however, is not only that it works to prevent non-radio system interference, but also prevents RC radio system interference as well. You no longer have to worry about radio interference from other pilots, or annoying flying pins at your flying club. Your radio will work perfectly without interference from any other electronic device, which is something that all pilots can enjoy.

Futaba has long been experimenting with 2.4 GHz technology, and now offers a radio that meets almost any pilots expectations. Their radio is available for a full-range aircraft system, and is well worth the price for those looking for a radio that offers the latest innovations and quality. JR also offers pilots a 2.4 GHz radio, in both a 9-channel and 12-channel radio.

There are of course differences between Futaba and Spektrum technology that make their radios different from one another. One popular difference between the two is that the Spektrum radio offers their “ModelMatch” program, which prevents mishaps by not allowing the receiver to respond unless the memory settings that you have selected match the model that you are going to fly.

Another difference is that the Futaba radio offers their “Easy Link” system, which gives the 6EX transmitter a permanent and unique ID code, that once linked with the receiver will only recognize and respond to that specific transmitter. Determining which radio offers the most advantages is difficult, as the type of radio you choose is a truly personal choice. Some people prefer one brand over the other, and would never consider using a different brand, regardless of the features that are offered.

Though the pricing of a 2.4 GHz radio is often more expensive than that of more commonly used radio’s such as a 72 MHz, you certainly get what you pay for. Not only will you get a radio that is practically immune to any interference possible, but you also get a radio that works more efficiently. With a 2.4 GHz, you experience very little lag time in signals like you can experience from a module based system. Your entire response time between your radio and your heli increases, which makes for a better and more efficient flying experience.

One thing that heli pilots may have to adjust to, is the placement of the dual antenna system that a 2.4 GHz radio often has. Some 2.4 radios use two antennas, which help to improve the performance of the radio. There is never a loss of signal, because the antenna system continuously seeks out the best reception between the two antennas looking for the sharpest signal. If the antenna receiving the signal should encounter a problem, the signal will switch to the other antenna, which will immediately seek out the strongest signal. If the thought of having a duel antenna radio seems to bother you, you do have the option of looking for a 2.4 radio that offers a second receiver module in lieu of the second antenna.

The 2.4 GHz radio system is one of the latest innovations in RC helicopter technology that has many helicopter pilots jumping for joy. There are so many benefits to using this type of system, that many pilots feel they are the radio of the future, and soon all other radios will be obsolete. Whether you are looking for your first RC helicopter radio, or are looking to upgrade and purchase a new one, the 2.4 GHz radio is something to consider if you are looking for the best that money can buy.

Radio controlled helicopters are extremely powerful machines. Even a mini electric heli packs a powerful punch that can cause injury to a person if they are hit by one. Larger size gas, nitro and turbine helicopters can cause severe lacerations and break bones. A person hit by one of these helicopters in a sensitive spot, such as in head or a major artery, can even be killed.

Due to the powerful nature of thee machines, it is of the utmost importance that heli flyers always practice the highest level of safety when flying. You often see videos posted on the Internet of people flying their heli’s indoors or performing insane stunts in highly populated areas. These are things that a responsible RC helicopter pilot should never do under any circumstances, due to the high level of risk it involves.

There are certain safety measures that should always be considered whenever you start your radio controlled helicopter. When flying your RC helicopter, you should always follow these guidelines:

• Take off and land at a safe distance, at least 10-20 feet away from you.
• Do not fly your helicopter close to other people.
• Do not fly your helicopter near power lines, trees, buildings or vehicles.
• Do not fly in weather conditions that are beyond your skill level.
• Do not fly by yourself. Always have someone available to help you in case you are injured.
• Always have a cell phone handy, in case an emergency occurs.
• Do not fly indoors.
• Do not let those who are inexperienced (such as young children) fly your helicopter.

When it comes to radio controlled helicopters, there are other safety concerns that you must consider as well that have nothing to do with flying your helicopter. Primarily, you should ensure that you have proper storage facilities for items such as batteries and fuel that your helicopter requires.

If you use lithium polymer batteries in your RC helicopter, you should make sure that you have safe storage for them when they are not in use. These types of batteries have the potential to be quite volatile, and if not stored properly can cause damage should they explode. To ensure the highest level of safety, you should store your batteries in a fire proof container away from anything flammable. Whatever you do, make sure to never, ever keep your battery in your helicopter if you are not flying it. A battery pack can be replaced quite easily. But if it catches fire in your heli, the entire thing can go up in smoke costing you a fortune!

If your RC helicopter runs on fuel of any kind, you should of course also take precautions when storing your fuel. Do not store your fuel in areas where any sparks may occur, such as near a furnace or hot water heater. Furthermore, do not store your fuel near any appliances that produce heat or open flames. For the highest level of safety, you should store any fuel in a cool, shaded location, away from direct sunlight and open flame, as well as out of the reach of children.

Flying RC helicopters is definitely fun and exciting. But it is a hobby that should not be taken lightly. Radio controlled helicopters are powerful machines that need to be taken seriously. They are not toys, and they can seriously hurt you if they are considered that way. However, just by following a few simple safety guidelines, you can have a great deal of fun with very little risk of danger.

Many Nitro (or gas) powered helicopters can be found out there. Some of the benefits to a Nitro RC helicopter includes the the ability to tweak your engine in order to get increased horsepower out of it and (typically) a longer flight time. There are some drawbacks to a Nitro RC helicopter however. The noise that one can produce could be labeled as annoying at best. If you have neighbors living close by then this could be a definite problem. Also, the amount of gear you have to carry with you when you go out to fly can take some of the fun out of it. From extra fuel to adjustment tools and starters you may soon tire of the amount of work involved. Your other option is to choose an electric RC helicopter.

Some of the benefits to electric RC helicopters include the fact that the motors produce very little noise. They can also be a great deal easier to fly since there are no fuel lines to get clogged and no constant carburetor adjustments to be made. These sort of issues can lead to downed helicopters and possibly include damage. With an electric the worst issue possible the shorter flying time that results from loss of power due to drained batteries. Today, however, this is quickly becoming less of a problem. Lithium batteries have begun to level the playing field by highly increasing the flight time for electric RC helicopters.

No matter which you choose, Nitro or electric, keep in mind that there are a few safety issues that you should always keep in mind. Number one is that you should never, under any circumstances, fly your helicopter near any power lines. Number two is that you should always try to avoid contact with the blades of your helicopter. They can cause a good deal of damage if they happen to come into contact with your body. Third is that you should make sure that all the nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened properly. Many of these RC helicopters exert a great deal of force which can loosen connections over time. If one of these were to happen to fall off while in flight then an accident could take place.

The last thing to keep in mind is that flying your RC helicopter should be fun. It may take a bit of practice to get good at flying but you will soon find that it is definitely worth it when you start flying like a pro. Have fun and happy flying!

It can often be intimidating hearing seasoned pilots talk in terms that you just don’t understand. By learning what the basic RC helicopter radio functions are and what they do, you can not only improve your understanding of what others are talking about, but also fine tune them to your flying and fly better.

While there are many different radio functions that you will have to learn, there are some basic RC helicopter radio functions that are most commonly used. It is also important to note, that some radio functions can vary depending on the type of heli you are flying, as well as the type of radio you are using.

The most basic RC helicopter radio functions are:

Trim – A fine adjustment, usually controlled by small levers or buttons near the control sticks on the transmitter. Trim is for fine tuning control surface center points or adjusting engine idle.

Sub trim – A finer division of trim, it is usually adjusted in the transmitters software or control menus.

Expo – Makes the feel of the controls around center stick less sensitive, while still giving 100% travel of your control surface. Expo will help to soften the feel of your helicopter without reducing it’s aerobatic capability. Expo can be assigned to a switch to change the feel of your helicopter to suit multiple flying styles.

Throttle hold – Brings your engine to idle while still allowing full control of collective pitch. It’s always best to start your helicopter in throttle hold to prevent a hot start from occurring. A hot start is when the helicopter starts at a throttle position high enough to engage the clutch. In the event of an inevitable crash, you should always use throttle hold to help cut power to the main rotor blades, which can help to reduce the amount of damage that is incurred.

Throttle Cut – Simply kills the engine. It is normally used for turbine, nitro or gas helicopters and is not applicable to electric helicopters.

Servo Reverse – Reverses the direction of servo wheel travel relative to control input.

Gyro gain – Is used to increase or decease the sensitivity of the gyro. The gyro is a device that is usually used for yaw control, which is the movement around the vertical axis of the helicopter. There is a fine line between setting your gyro gain to sensitive or not sensitive enough, so you will have to experiment to find a setting which best suits your flying style and abilities.

Endpoints/ATV – Adjustments which control the total amount of servo and/or control surface deflection or travel.

Pitch Curve – Controls the degree of collective pitch at each point along collective stick travel. Collective pitch is the angle of attack of the main rotor blades.

Throttle Curve – Governs how much of the engines power is transferred to the main rotor blades at each point in the collective range.

Idle Up – Allows you to maintain a constant rotor speed whether your using positive or negative collective pitch. Maneuvers such as flying inverted would not be possible without idle up.

AFR (D/R) – Allows you to adjust your control deflection to suit your flying style or flying ability. It reduces the total amount of control deflection. It is usually assigned to a switch, so you can change between lower rates, which produces a softer and slower feel, to higher rates which can produce more aerobatic and agile handling aircraft.

By having an understanding of the most basic RC helicopter radio functions, you will greatly increase the amount of success you have when flying. It will allow you to fine tune both your helicopter and your radio to best match both your flying skills and your abilities.

1. Break In New Batteries

Although not as big a deal with newer Li-Po packs as it was when NiMh and NiCad batteries were kings, it is still recommended that you fully charge the battery before first use. Fully discharging and charging batteries a few times before first flight or will also give your battery a little bit extra lifetime and power.

2. Keep the pack clean

This is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of battery operations. It is a good idea to keep the battery pack clean, and this is especially important for the dean connectors. If the dean connectors are dirty, the connection may be obstructed and could result in a mid-flight power failure. The easiest way to clean dirty contacts is simply with alcohol and cotton swaps.

3. Keep up the battery’s health by constant exercise

Leaving the battery inactive for a long period of time shorten its life and decrease its total potential. You should use your battery pack at least once every one to two weeks. Fully discharging then charging the pack will also quell this problem.

4. Take breaks between flights

A fully charged li-po pack has enough power for a 10-minute flight. However, to fly for ten minutes straight on one pack is not recommended. If you have two packs, it’s best to fly a 5 minute flight, switch to a fresh pack, fly for another 5 minute, and then switch back to the old pack. Doing this will greatly increase the life-span on the battery.

5. Do not charge when hot

Never charge the battery pack while it is still hot. Battery pack becomes very hot right after a flight; you must wait until it cools down before charging it again. Charging a still-hot pack is one of the most successful ways to shorten a battery’s life.

6. Store them well

To store the battery for a prolonged period (a month or more), the best way to store them is in a clean, dry, cool place away from metal and heat. Remember also that battery packs loose charge over time even without usage.

7. Avoid hard impact

Individual cells within a battery pack can be damaged upon heavy impact which could cause circuit leaks and can be dangerously unstable. There is also no way to repair a damaged cell. Try your best not to crash, but of course, we all already do.

This is true but once you start learning, you will find it to be a fun and enjoyable hobby. Piloting an RC heli can be a challenge and it takes many hours of practice before you actually figure out all the controls.

Once you are comfortable with the controls and you start maneuvering your RC heli through the skies, you will definitely want to try out some tricks and stunts to impress your friends and family. It is very important to learn those maneuvering techniques properly so that the heli is not damaged and you do not end up hurting yourself or the people watching.

Two of my favorite stunts are the Roll & the Death Spiral

Roll:
First you want to elevate your RC heli to a reasonable safe altitude (around 30-50 feet). Start by moving the cyclical controls to the right. Make sure that this movement is gentle and fluid. Then reduce the unwanted deceleration risk by releasing the controls and watch the heli roll approaching the “Knife Edge” (the heli will be on its side and the rotors will have vertical orientation).

Change the thrust direction up from down by reducing collective pitch and the heli will start flying in an upside down position. Once the heli is upside down, take the collective pitch to 3 degrees negative and wait for the heli to approach “Knife Edge”.

As this happens, move the collective pitch towards positive degrees. This will help in full roll and the heli will get back to the upright position. This is how roll stunt can be performed but it will require a lot of practice and much precision.

Death Spiral:

Here’s an example of a death spiral:

Click here to view the embedded video.

To do that, here’s what you need to do:

Take your RC heli to an altitude of around 30 feet by raising the throttle. Take the heli to the “Knife Edge” position by applying left or right aileron (1/4 in whichever direction you choose).

When the heli reaches that position, the rotor blade tip of your RC heli will have a vertical orientation and the RC heli will lose the standard horizontal orientation found during standard flights. Now start the spiral motion maneuver by applying full backward or forward elevator.

When the helicopter starts descending, then apply the aileron opposite to the one that you applied at the start of the stunt. For example if you applied right aileron at the beginning, you need to apply the left so that the stunt is complete.

There are several other complex stunts which can be performed while flying an RC heli. However, these will require a great amount of control and understanding of the mechanical dynamics.

You need to be really confident and comfortable with the controls while performing these and any other stunts or you may end up damaging your heli or causing serious harm to people of surrounding property.

It is recommended that you practice any stunts and tricks on a simulator first so that you can familiarize yourself with the controls, and the feel.

Day flying your RC Copter compared to night flying differs a bit, you will require some additional practice as well accessories. The technical knowledge remains the same for daytime flying and nighttime flying; however, the set up can be a little different depending on where you are located and what model of RC you are using.

Night Flying Your RC

A proper set up is required for night flying most RC Helis. This means that the area where you intend to fly your heli must be dark and there must be proper lighting provisions so that the heli becomes visible in the dark. Multiple lighting systems is advisable in the event one goes down. Having a back up plan will allow for you to be able to track your copter and land it safely. Imagine flying your copter and losing track of it in the dark of night.

Night blades are a popular choice and many veteran night flyers will say that they are essential for night flying RC helis. LED lights are a more recent accessory that is available they can be attached to the blades with an on-off mechanism. When the blades rotate at night, they make a circle of light so that the heli becomes clearly visible.

The canopy also needs some kind of lighting so that the body of the heli becomes visible. This can be done by attaching LED light strands to the canopy. However, it is important to make sure that driver needs is mounted properly so that the receiver of the heli does not face any interference. During installation, it is also important to ensure that the heli maintains a proper balance.

Before night flying, it is essential to test the heli during the day time so that any problems with the overall lighting, balance and overall operation can be avoided.

Day time flying

There is no difference between day time flying and night time flying. The only difference is the lighting which needs to be properly installed for night flying. Day flying an RC heli will allow the pilot to get a clear visual on the heli and its movements and this will allow proper maneuverability.

Pitch, rotor control, throttle movements are some of the most important and depending on the model most difficult aspects of learning to control your RC heli. Learning the various capabilites can take weeks but once these controls are mastered, RC heli flying is a blast!

The place or venue of flying is important for night as well as day flying. Wind variations, open space, obstructions, people in the area are some of the most important aspects to be considered.

This is because of the fact that while learning the maneuvering controls, the rookies will inevitably crash their helis and this can not only cause serious property damage, but could also physically hurt someone. A fair knowledge of aerodynamics is also important because wind speed and variation play a crucial role in RC heli flying.

This is an important factor when you are looking at taking up night flying. It is of the utmost importance that you are well versed in controlling your copter well in the daytime before attempting night flights. The wind alone is difficult to gauge in the day time and at night the visuals you will have on your copter are not as clear and precise.

Now, before I go into the details, here’s what you CAN do with an accessory like that:

Click here to view the embedded video.

These cameras can be used for entertainment purposes or for spying. Irrespective of the purpose, the thrill of flying RC Helis increases when cameras are used. The best thing about these RC Heli cameras is that they are very small and can be easily fitted on your RC Helicopter.

These cameras are capable of video recording from reasonable heights. Many users utilize the camera option to keep an eye on their property and the surrounding area. Others prefer to utilize them as a spy cam, you need to be aware of local laws governing privacy if you are intending on using them for this purpose.

The RC Helicopter cameras come in different styles and shapes and can have a wide array of technical specifications. Some of these cameras come with huge memory storage capacity and they are capable of recording videos for up to 1 hour.

Equipped with extremely advanced electronic chips, these cameras can capture high quality videos of up to 640×480 pixels. Not only are they capable of recording videos but they can also take high-resolution images when used from proper height. Many government agencies utilize these types of cameras on their military drones.

There are extremely expensive models or for the recreational user cheaper models are available. Keep in mind the lower cost cameras will not have near the memory or capabilities of the higher end styles. Depending on what you plan to use the heli cams for will help you to determine your price range.

Most RC Helicopter cameras are equipped with proper technology so that the recorded video and images can be transferred to your PC. They also will not interfere with the radio frequency of your copter. Typically, these cameras come with USB connectivity so that you can connect your cam to any computer, which supports USB connections.

Most of these cameras are available with free memory chip up to 2 GB, upgrades are possible for some models. Many recreational flyers will bring their laptop with them, this allows for a quick view of what you have recorded. If you miss what you were hoping to capture, you can just complete some more fly-overs and re-record your scene.

The recorded videos by most copter cams are stored in “.av”” format and they are compatible with most PCs and a wide range of mobile devices. RC Helicopter cameras fall in the price range of $40 to $100 for the recreational user. Top end pricing can get into the $1000’s of dollars.

These cameras are extremely lightweight and can be shipped to different places without much hassle or excessive shipping charges.

If you decide to add a copter cam to your RC be sure to check out the numerous sites online to add your video and photos too. There are many active copter video recorders out there.

These helis are extremely popular because they are very stable and easy to maneuver. The bodies of coaxial RC helis are generally made of plastic or sturdy foam and the blades are made of plastic or soft nylon.

The coaxial RC helis achieve their stability from the two rotors. They are stacked vertically on each other. These two main rotors spin in completely opposite direction. The reactive torque which is produced by one rotor is nullified by the counter reactive torque produced by the other.

The two rotors produce an additional gyroscopic effect which is responsible for further increase in stability and control of the coaxial RC heli.

The coaxial RC helis also have separate motors for driving each rotor. Each rotor is responsible for driving the main gear. The two shafts for the main rotor are turned by  two gears. The lower rotor is powered by the outside shaft which is hollow. The upper rotor is powered by the inner shaft. The inner shaft rotates or spins inside the hollow shaft. The lift of the coaxial RC helis is controlled by the two electric motors.

They are also responsible for yaw movement or turning movement of the coaxial RC helis. When one of the rotors is slowed down and the speed of the other is increased, the reactive torque produced by the one spinning faster will lead to the yaw movement which is caused by the tail rotor in case of helis with single rotor.

A special electronic board for mixing controls the yaw movement. The board is responsible for seamless mixing of the two motor speeds which produces the turn rate required.

The best thing about the coaxial RC helis is that they have high degree of agility because of the complete cyclical controlling. Lower rotors of the coaxial RC helis come with swash plates which aids in the cyclical controlling. This allows the coaxial RC helis to hover, move left or right and also fly backward or forward.

The major drawback is that the coaxial RC helis are not capable of acrobatics and hence, they may not be as fun as their collective pitch single rotor counterparts. As a beginner they will provide you with a basic skill set that is needed to learn to fly RC helis.

Here’s a Co-axial RC Helicopter in action:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It won’t be long until you are moving your way up to the bigger and better helis. If you take care of your coaxial copter there are many retailers that will take a trade in if you are looking at moving up. Ensure that you perform proper maintenance and try not to have too many rough landings or crashes.