Once of the big advantages of owning a remote control helicopter over a fixed wing model is it’s flexibility. It can be used in small spaces and even if the weather isn’t great.

Fixed Wing
Generally speaking you will need a steady stream of help when learning to fly a fixed wing aircraft. Usually an experienced  pilot will take you out to a wide open space, climb the plane high into the sky and hand you control. Progress is measured by the  number of times the instructor has to intervene and the altitude he / she will let you take the plane down to. It is only when you can fly with control and mastered safe take offs and landings that you will be able to fly unassisted and on your own.

Helis
Flying a remote control helicopter is a lot different to flying a fixed wing model. Instead of working from a high altitude down, you work from the ground up. The key to mastering your new model and getting into the air is going through the set up proceedure. Even if you
buy a ready to fly model it is always worth having an experienced pilot on hand to supervise the initial set up.

Once everyting is set up and the helicopter is steady in a hover then it is up to you. Learning at your own pace is one of the big advantages of owning a remote control helicopter. You are not reliant on an instructor or the weather. all the basic techniques and manoveures can be  practiced inches from the ground which limits crash damage. Training aids are also available which are a super help.

For those looking for a flexible , quick and relatively hassle free introduction to flying a model aircraft then a remote control helicopter is perfect

Over the past few years the range of toy helicopters available through gadget and electrical shops has seen a massive increase. The choice is now huge. However these toys should not be confused with hobby grade fixed wing aircraft or a real remote control helicopter. Thanks to advances in technology it is now possible to buy “ready to fly” (rft) helicopters but if you are thinking of building your own then there is a difference between helicopters and fixed wing models.

Fixed Wing
These are usually built from a plan or a kit and involve a lot of detailed cutting and painting. Fixed wing modellers tend to be either builders or fliers as the amount of effort required to build a fixed wing model is huge. Having said that not all newbies have to commit to the long slog of building a kit. There  are RFT remote control planes on the market which will certainly give you a taste of what it is like to fly a fixed wing model.

Helis
If you do not opt for a ready to fly remote control helicopter then you will recieve the model in kit form. It is then a matter of assembling it . There will be no cutting, glueing and painting. Building a helicopter will consist of screwing or bolting a large number of components.

The above does not hold true for those who want to build a scale remore control helicopter. There are only a few scale kits available and they can be  very expensive. They are really only for the truely dedicated enthusiast.

As an aside, just from observation, it would appear that those interested in flying a remote control helicopter are mainly interested in getting the model flying. This is no as pronounced with fixed wing enthusiasts. There is no real explanation for this. It maybe due to the fact that helicopters are relatively new to the mass model market and is more focused on action.

For those of you just new to the hobby of flying aircraft getting used to the various terms and phrases can be difficult. One of the first terms you are likely to come across is “fixed wing”, basically this is just another name for aeroplanes. Rotary wing is another term that is used frequently and is used when talking about helicopters.

If you are thinking of getting involved in the hobby of flying model aircraft then one of your first decisions will be the type of aircraft you want to fly, fixed wing or  rotary. In the next few posts we will take a look at some of the factors you should consider when making the decision.

1. No of Models
If you opt for a remote control helicopter then it is possible to get a model that will do you for life. If you start with a collective pitch model chances are you will never need another. The learning curve will be steep but you can be guaranteed that it will keep you interested in the hobby.
If you want to fly fixed wing aircraft then you will need at lease two models. To start you will need a suitable trainer. Learning to fly on a fully aerobatic machine is almost impossible.

As you can see from just one post the decision as to what type of aircraft you are going to fly will need a little thought but don’t worry there is plenty of help. Sites such as skymodels.co.uk are full of useful information.

Buying a remote control helicopter is easy, however getting the right model can be difficult. So what is the  right model ? That is very much up to yourself. Some people want to engage actively in the hobby of flying remote control helicopters on a long term basis whereas others are looking for a toy that they can share with their children. The same helicopter  will not suit both.

It is therefore essential that anyone thinking of spending money on a remote control helicopter informes themselves and gets the  best helicopter for their particular needs. In this blog we will take you through the factors that you should consider and the different types of helicopters that are available.

Once children start attending scho0l parents should expect to host a birthday party every year. First birthday parties are a little different in that it is normally just close family that attend and there is not any pressure from the child but as they get older you should plan for a party that will include family and friends.

In future posts we will take you through the process of planning a child’s party as well as offering tips as to what childrens party supplies to purchase