Build RC helicopter: How Hard Is It?

What kind of mechanical experience do you need to build a RC Helicopter? Minimal: I had never built an rc car, or boat or anything all mechanical before, only an airplane which was all wood. Not at all like this heli. However, following the directions very closely and double checking everything seems to have worked. Nowadays most RC Helicopters come in a easy DIY pack with very clear instructions on how to put your RC helicopter together!

How long does it take to build the RC Heli?
The manual that comes with most RC Helicopter kit is very good and some components are pre-assembled. With a pre-built ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) kit like the Raptor, you're only a few hours from ready to hover when you get it in the box! However, you must be sure that you got your RC Helicopter from a reputable brand in order to ensure that you get the quality you expect.

Are RC Helicopters much harder than planes?
RC Helicopters are more complicated to fly than airplanes, however it is possible to learn to fly a RC Helicopter by yourself which is next to impossible for an rc airplane because with a helicopter you can fly a little bit, 2 inches off the ground and land safely, but with an airplane it's all or none. Helicopters become more complicated because of the fact that there are more ways to fly them, and thus, more orientations you must get used to.

Do RC Helicopters run on gas?
Not so much gasoline, as RC Helicopters do on a liquid fuel made of alcohol and nitro methane. They do make r/c helicopter engines that run on regular gasoline, but they're not as common due to their increased cost, weight, and lower power output. They are however much cheaper to buy gas for and can stay up longer, since the regular 2-stroke model engine gas can cost any where from $13 to $23 depending on the mixture. Model RC Helicopters engine fuel (glow fuel) produces more power than conventional gasoline because of the high contests of nitro methane, which is why it is more popular than gasoline for model aircraft.

What kind of engines do RC Helicopters run on?
Special remote control helicopter engines. They come in 2-stroke and 4-stroke glow burning engines as well as 2 stroke gasoline models. RC Helicopters range in size from .06 cu inches to .91 cubic inches. The most common of these are glow fuel .30 and .60 two stroke engines. The O.S. .32 SXH runs at a peak power RPM of around 18000 RPM with 1.2 horsepower, while the 60 size engines can make 2 to 3 h.p!

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