| Flying remote control helicopters is actually harder than | | | | If you take a big step when you are not ready, you |
| it looks. But the good news is, necessary skills can be | | | | may crash your helicopter. Crashing may cause you to |
| learned with a little bit of patience and a lot of practice. | | | | lose your motivation and confidence. It will also cost |
| The following tips are intended to help one in preparing | | | | you money. So make sure that you have learned a |
| to become a pilot of remote control helicopters. | | | | step thoroughly before you proceed. |
| 1. Practice with a simulator first to familiarize yourself | | | | 4. Learn about the basic theory of helicopter dynamics; |
| with the characteristics of RC flight. While a simulator | | | | this will help you understand things better. Remember |
| is not the same as flying an actual helicopter, it can still | | | | that a helicopter is different from a plane. |
| get you acquainted to controlling remote control | | | | 5. Try to pick a large grassy area when flying remote |
| helicopters. In addition, a simulator will help you develop | | | | control helicopters. An area with a lot of dirt or rocks |
| the needed reflexes. | | | | may damage your helicopter in case of a crash. If dirt |
| 2. Seek help from an instructor or experienced flyer. | | | | and rocks enter through the carburetor, the engine |
| Newbies are very unlikely to set up their helicopter | | | | won't be able to "digest" them as easily as grass. |
| correctly by themselves. Remote control helicopters | | | | 6. Practice doing small hops up to 6 inches. Pay |
| that have been properly set up perform better. Also, | | | | attention to how your helicopter is trimmed. |
| with an instructor by your side, you will have someone | | | | 7. Practice hovering from 6 inches to a foot. Gusts of |
| to answer your questions. He or she may give you tips | | | | wind will make your helicopter climb fast. In this case, |
| and point out your mistakes as well. | | | | don't slam it into the ground, but slowly lower the |
| 3. Take baby steps. It is best to learn slowly but surely. | | | | collective and gradually bring it back down. |