Instructions on How to Fly an RC Helicopter

RC helicopters are difficult to fly. Imagine all those switches getting reduced down to two joysticks.

Learning to fly a radio-controlled helicopter can be a daunting task; after all, the simplest mistake could cost you hundreds of dollars. The complex controls are very fluid and responsive, so it's important to practice your methods to develop great piloting habits. If you learn how to properly fly your RC helicopter, you will get the most enjoyment out of your aircraft, while saving money by not making the typical mistakes of a novice pilot.

Things You'll Need

• RC Helicopter
• Transmitter

Instructions

1. Turn on the transmitter and the aircraft, then place the helicopter on a flat, wide-open surface. Find an area with minimal wind speed and sparse radio interference. Stay away from high tension wires and radio towers.

2. Gradually raise the left joystick to increase the rotational speed of the rotors, which will lift the helicopter off the ground. Continue to increase the throttle until the helicopter reaches an altitude of about 6 feet. Reduce the lift incrementally to gain a feel for the behavior of the aircraft and to grow familiar with how much you need to move the joystick to see it translated into vertical movement.

3. Maintain a steady hover once you've grown accustomed to the thrust by applying just enough throttle to keep the helicopter hanging steady at a stationary altitude.

4. Move the right joystick horizontally to steer the helicopter, pointing the nose of the aircraft in the direction you wish it to proceed. Slowly slide the right joystick vertically to turn the nose up or down, which will cause the helicopter to move forward or backward. Make subtle movements to maintain altitude and absolute control.

5. Practice incorporating the influence of both joysticks simultaneously to gain an understanding of the helicopter's aerial performance. Fly the aircraft in figure eight patterns to master your ability to navigate predetermined paths. Increase and decrease the altitude while making turns to master the dynamic nature of flight.

6. Land the helicopter by steadily decreasing the throttle until the helicopter begins to descend. As the aircraft approaches the ground, slightly increase the lift to minimize the impact of the landing. Once the helicopter is firmly on the ground, decrease the left joystick to zero throttle. Approach the aircraft once the rotors have stopped spinning.

7. Turn off the helicopter's power before the transmitter, then pack it up or charge it for another flight.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not turn off your transmitter while the helicopter is turned on. It could result in sporadic behavior and accidental damage.

References

• HeliGuy: A Guide To Learning How To Fly Remote Control Helicopters