Thinking of going with a 60 [beginner]

[djfred]

hey guys i wanted to know if its a good idea to start off with a 60/50 for a started
i wuld have to say i have never flown any kind of aircraft but i do own a RC GAS Car
and i know its not the same at all.
Any help is appriciated
Thank You


:p

[vapochilled]

I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions that say many different things, mine is that it's an expensive way to start! When you crash, and you will, a 60 size bird will cost a fair amount to repair. I am starting with a cheap(ish) electric heli, that way, I'm not looking at selling my soul to repair, and it won't stop me from trying new things, whereas with a bigger more expensive kit, it may make me think before I throw the sticks about too much.
Just my $0.02 like I said, others will chime in with their thoughts, whats your budget like? can you aford the same again in spare parts?

[heliry2]

djfred
on the home page go to heli links
then go to redi heli
then hit beginners corner
here there is some good insight on the pros
and cons of what to get and why definitly worth
looking at.

[heliry2]

ready heli
sorry

[tdswan]

I learned on a 50. Although I am one of the miority, I haven't had a pilot-induced (dumb thumb) crash yet. Mine have been mechanical, but I have had crashes and close calls. No need to go with the 60, that's when parts start to get more expensive. A nice 30 or 50 size will be much easier to learn on than a small electric, but there's always the price factor. It really depends on how much of an initial commitment you want to make. Also how much local help you have will make a direct effect on how fast your learning curve will be. Patience is the second most important factor in your learning curve. Don't jump into anything you're not ready for. I noticed this just the other night with a beginner who tried forward flight before he even had hovering down. It ended in tragedy. All-in-all, no matter which way you go it will be much cheaper if you pay your dues in fuel and not parts.

[cbflys]

When I was learning (or more acurately - a beginner; because we're always learning), I started with a fixed pitch heli. I quickly learned that I really wasn't getting anywhere other than hovering and basic forward flight with them. Due to that - In my opinion, that kind of eliminates them for a learning platform.

I then bought a Miniature Aircraft XCell .60. Man, it was expensive for me back then. I treated that machine like a baby, took it slow, and progressed to aerobatics on it. I never pushed myself because in the back of my mind I always knew how much a crash could potentially cost me. That seemd to always kept me in check. Shortly after, but around the same time I also bought a Hirobo Shuttle ZX (.30 size). I flew the pants off that machine. Compared to the XCell, I didn't have the fear of an expensive repair bill. I think having the combination of those two machines sort of balanced out my learning experience.

Like TD, I've never crashed because of pilot error. In fact, the only crash I ever had was with the XCell due to a bearing failure in a blade grip that cause the disc to go WAY out of track. I hit throttle hold and auto'd into some high weeds with very minimal damage. If I remember correctly - only a bent flybar. So practice those autos - they save you money.

What I'm getting at here is that no matter what heli you select to learn on - if you take your time (and it's alot of it); you can progress without a crash. Don't fly beyond your means. Always sneak into your next step, don't take the "Let's go for it" attitude.

I will say that I find the larger helis (.50 on up) a much better learning platform than the smaller ones. On the other hand - if you can fly the little ones (like the Blade CP and such), you'll have absolutly no trouble transitioning to a larger heli.

One thing you have at your disposal today that I didn't is a simulator. I use one now - and I highly recommend using one from the start. Even BEFORE you buy a heli.

[djfred]

wow guys you guys have really shined a light into my world of helis
i am going to take all your different advices think about them for a while and i mean for a while ...then make a big decision..alot of you guys said that start with electric or sim thats prob what i might end up doing just to learn how everythign works on the remote and the heli then slowly grow my way up to the real flight nitros. with 30/50

:D

thank you all for your help what a nice community

[heli-cuzz]

All above are great opinions.

I learned on a sim and a Caliber30, then graduated to a small electric{cp blade} then to a bigger small electric{Trex450} and for the fourth, I have a Caliber50. Whatever your choice, everything is possible to learn on, if you have help from an experienced helipilot, then you should be all set no matter what choice.
The main thing if learning solo, is proper set-up.
An improper set-up will most likely result as a crashed heli.