RC Helicopter FAQ

Info hotline: 0917-861-7676 / 211-3320

What is the main difference of RC helicopters I buy at a department store from Xtreme Toys helicopters?

The helicopters at department stores are usually 3 channels or below only. It uses an FM or infrared controller. Most of them are also not repairable. The helicopters sold at Xtreme Toys has 4 to 6 channels, and uses 2.4 ghz frequency hopping radios to assure uninterrupted control when flying. Replacement parts are also available.

How do you control it?

As with full-sized 6 channel helicopters, radio controlled helicopters are controlled with these functions:

• THROTTLE and COLLECTIVE PITCH of the main rotor blades is mixed together. As you advance the “throttle” stick of the radio controller, not only is the engine power increased, but the pitch of the main rotor blades is also added collectively to make the helicopter go up (or down as the “throttle” stick is brought back). Ideally, the proportion of throttle and rotor blade collective pitch is mixed so that the rotor head speed is always the same.
• The TAIL ROTOR BLADES are there in the first place to counteract the torque created by the engine power used to turn the main rotor blades. Without a tail rotor the helicopter would just keep spinning around out of control. The pitch of the tail blades is controlled by you in order to tell the helicopter which direction it “faces.” Technically, the axis about which the tail rotor turns the helicopter is called the “yaw” axis (this would be a line drown straight down through the main shaft).
• The FORE-AFT CYCLIC control changes the pitch of the main rotor blades only at one point around each 360 degree revolution of the rotor blades in cycles or cyclically. When this happens the helicopter will “nose up” or down in order to move the helicopter forward or backward. The axis about which the helicopter “noses up” or down is called “pitch” axis.
• The LEFT-RIGHT CYCLIC is the same as described for fore-aft cyclic except that the pitch of the main rotor blades changes at a different point (90 degrees later) throughout each 360 degree revolution in order to “bank” the helicopter to the right or left. The axis about which the helicopter banks is called the “roll” axis.

If this seems complicated, don’t worry. You don’t really have to understand it because the controls will do their job and the helicopter will fly with or without your technical knowledge of how they operate. You get to do the fun part!

How fast can a radio-controlled model helicopter fly?

Top speed during straight and level flight is approximately 50 kph. However, some fliers using streamlined fuselages designed for aerobatic competition claim that their models have hit speeds of over 150 kph!

How far can a radio-controlled model helicopter go?

The model’s range is limited not by its radio equipment, but by the pilot’s ability to follow and control it. Therefore, you can fly an R/C helicopter as far as your eye can see. The radio will control it from up to approximately one mile away.

If I really want to get into this hobby, how many channels is advisable for beginners?

A hobby grade single rotor helicopter will fly with a minimum number of 4 channels by directly linking throttle and collective pitch on one servo or channel. The minimum number of channels available on a helicopter radio is five: throttle, collective pitch, tail rotor pich, fore-aft cyclic and left-right cyclic. More channels may be used for other purposes: gyro switching, lights, landing gear. A coaxial helicopter is also advisable for beginners.

What are RC coaxial helicopters?

Electric coaxial RC helicopters, sometimes referred to as dual-rotor or contra-rotating helicopters. Coaxial RC helicopters are very easy to fly, and their inherent stability in the air makes them perfect first-time helicopter flyers.  Of course, they’re not limited to new pilots; very experienced RC helicopter pilots are having a great deal of fun with coaxial helicopters too. They are much easier to master than a conventional helicopter that has a single main rotor and tail rotor, and are equally capable of holding a steady hover – steadier

4 channel coaxial RC helicopters are, without doubt, the easiest and safest way of getting into the hobby of flying radio control helicopters, and they’re suitable for anyone, regardless of helicopter-flying experience. The biggest difference between a 4 channel & a 6 channel helicopter is that the 6 channel can fly upside down and do loops.