RC Heli Forums - what do i need to start

tdswan

02-17-2006, 12:45 AM

That's like having a child and asking how to get them into college! ;) Anyway....

Nice choice on the Raptor 50. I learned on one as well.
OK....This is going to be lengthy, but here goes:

Raptor Heli kit (duh)
I do recommend you check with www.heliproz.com for the kit. Everyone who answers the phone there flies helis. They are very good for advice on the components. They've also got the absolute best prices out there and I recommend you get a kit with the O.S. engine the TT (Thunder Tiger) engine is on the finicky side and carbon blades. I don't trust wood blades on 30-50 size birds and up. Just a superstition. THESE ARE THE ONLY UPGRADES YOU NEED TO START. Don't waste a lot of money on all the metal upgrades unless you've got a LOT of money to replace them. They don't make you a better pilot.
-Tools: They also offer a beginner's tool kit that will come with most of the specialized tools that you will need to build it. Ball link pliers, paddle alignment gauges, pitch gauge, and ball link resizer. They're not top quality tools, but they'll do the job.

What won't come with the kit?
-Servos: I recommend something with more than 50 oz.in. of torque for the collective (3X), almost anything for the throttle but comparable in speed(1X).
-Gyro: This will usually come with a tail servo. Make sure it does. A lot of guys go with the Futaba GY401. I like mine on my T-Rex, but I'm running a G500T by JR on my Raptor.
-Remote Glow plug adapter: This is a wire that runs to the glow plug on the engine for starting. You WILL need this and it's only like $7
-Radio: This is completely up to you. Minimum 6 channel and 5 point pitch curves and CCPM mixing will help, the Raptor's not a CCPM heli, but if you are going to stay with the hobby, you'll want it later. Your radio will be with you a long time, get a good one.
-Receiver: This will come with your radio. I recommend a PCM radio/receiver combo.
-Battery: Don't use the little one you got with your radio unless you want to charge it after 2-3 flights. Get a good 2000milliamp+ battery for your receiver in the heil. It runs lots of voltage-sensitive things.
-CA (super glue) and RED Loctite: There are many critical screws that you'll need to super glue. Red Loctite can be found at any auto parts store and is ESSENTIAL for bolting your engine to the Clutch/fan. Take it from someone who tried to get away with using a lower grade loctite.
-Starter, field box, starter shaft, fuel pump, glow plug ignitor, and other misc. field gear. Hey, ya gotta start it. :o

What can't you buy?
-Experience: Get help from someone local who can help you set up the radio to the heli. If you don't know someone, start doing searches for local clubs and JOIN!
-Patience: Flying heli's is probably the toughest thing there is to learn in the realms of RC. Take your time and don't fly outside your abilities until you're ready. Get training gear and hover the heck out of it at all angles and get good before attempting foreward flight. This hobby is nearly impossible to get into without help. Lots of new terms and many little things that need to be learned. If you don't have help, it can be done, but your learning curve will be MUCH slower. Pay your dues in fuel, not parts. Once again, don't do anything until you're good at hovering in all directions and you probably won't need to replace any parts "prematurely". I have not crashed my Raptor yet *knock on wood*, and I learned on it. Crashing is inevitable. Even for the good guys. It happens.

Figure on spending at least $1400 on the heli and Radio and another $150-200 on the field gear.
Anyway...I'm starting to babble.

Good luck and if you have questions, the forums are a great tool for getting past the hump. Welcome to the hobby.