Electric
Electric RC helicopters are becoming one of the most popular heli’s on the market today. They are the most cost effective and can be the best alternative to flying a real helicopter. With major technological advancements in electric flight, electric heli’s are now much more advanced and are capable of doing things that more expensive gas or nitro models can do, but without the loud noise and messy nitro oil or fuel.
Electric models are also suitable for first time fliers or advanced pilots that are ready for barrel rolls and inverted flight. By upgrading to a brush-less motor and a more powerful Li-Po battery, electric heli’s can have power that can meet or even exceed that of a nitro model. Die hard nitro fans have even gotten hooked on electric flight after flying an electric model only once. With instant power and unlimited capabilities, what’s not to like about the electric models.
Electric models are also suitable for first time fliers or advanced pilots that are ready for barrel rolls and inverted flight. By upgrading to a brush-less motor and a more powerful Li-Po battery, electric heli’s can have power that can meet or even exceed that of a nitro model. Die hard nitro fans have even gotten hooked on electric flight after flying an electric model only once. With instant power and unlimited capabilities, what’s not to like about the electric models.
Sizes
Micro Coaxial
These are for any beginner to intermediate pilot and are perfect for indoor flight. As a matter of fact I don’t recommend flying any of these models outside unless it is a larger model like the E-Flite Blade CX. Even the slightest amount of wind can blow your micro heli around and cause it to go out of control and crash! You can take them to work and fly them in your office when you have a break, then store it in your desk or under a table when you run out of battery. Or you can just fly it at home in your bedroom or through the kitchen. Either way , these heli’s are very fun and if you are a beginner they can practically hover by themselves if they get tuned up right. The first video is of a very small Blade mCX. the second video below is of a large Blade CX-2 which can be flown outdoors. both are very fun and reliable heli's.
Single Rotor
These kinds of heli’s tend to be much larger. With the choice of fixed or collective pitch these are perfect for any intermediate to advance pilot. With more realistic flight characteristics and even the possibility of inverted flight, this may be the one you want to buy. These are generally going to be more challenging to fly due to their size and more sensitive controls, but once you’ve gotten a hang of it they can be a lot of fun. Even with some commercial models weighing in at nearly 20 pounds and having a rotor diameter of close to 80 inches it is clear that electric models are meeting the standards of nitro, if not surpassing them. The first video below is of a fixed pitch Venom Night Ranger II. The video below is of a TREX 600. If you watch this it really shows how advanced and how maneuverable a collective pitch electric heli can be.
