First Helicopter....

[Beansofterror]

I want to get into rc helicopters and am wondering what the best route is ive been thinking about a HBFP to start because its $100 parts are cheap and i can get all parts at my hobby store. However im wondering if you guys recommend something else my main problem is that I have a tight budget (preferably under 400 haha not very i know) and second theres no way im gonna get to use a simulater my house has all macs and theres no chance in switching haha. I have rc experience (cars) and can tune a nitro engine and i have a good lip o charger i want a electric thanks for any help in advance

[pilgrim]

Well, I'll take a stab at this.

I started on the EFlight Blade CX2, it's a great beginner heli and gave me the confidence to move from there to a 400 size heli. The thing is, it is extremely stable (CX2) and inspiring to get it in the air. I have totally blinged it out and still love the little bird. I can fly in my garage without worry and when the weather is bad I still buzz it around and have loads of fun.

A lot of the HeliFreaks recommended the HBFP as my second bird but I went bigger as I said. Probably not the best idea for everyone but I did it anyway and went through quite a few parts just getting a handle on the thing. Got it pretty well under control now but the start up was rough. In retrospect I imagine the HBFP would have been a better choice, but I'm not sure about it as a first, although parts are cheap and it is a good bird from what all say. I would imagine that one could learn on it as I have read that many start on more advanced birds and do well. I'm sure others here will give you great advice on this subject.

I had also ran rc cars for 20 years (raced professionally for 7) and flew planks for about the same amount of time. I do admit I think it helped me learn faster, but with that said, I will tell you that heli's are different. What a challenge! But it is more than worth the investment of time and money. What a blast!

As for sim's, check out the Phoenix sim area here on the freak. Many of the guys run Mac's and use programming to get it up and running. I love my sim and attribute a great deal of the quick advancement I've experienced to it.

Anyway, Good luck, stick with it and you'll find there is no greater thrill than flying heli's!

[StringfellowHawk]

All Mac is not the kiss of death for flight sims. If you have a newer Mac with decent video (MacBook and the MacMini don't qualify here) card you can use most (if not all) of the simulators under Boot Camp.

Check out http://www.alphamacsoftware.com/ for a Mac RC Heli flight sim. Probably not as good as Phoenix or Real Flight but it's better than nothing.

[TheBum]

If you have a newer Mac with decent video (MacBook and the MacMini don't qualify here) card you can use most (if not all) of the simulators under Boot Camp.
I think there are people running Phoenix under Boot Camp on MacBooks with no problem. Phoenix runs better on lower end hardware than Real Flight.

Just for the record, I run Phoenix on my MacBook Pro under Boot Camp with Windows XP Home and it's nice and smooth.

[jgatorman2266]

No sim, Dude If you don't have but 400 for a heli and no sim you might want to stick to RC cars, because you will either take forever to learn how to fly or stay broke replacing crashed parts. Better figure out a way to buy a sim( get Phoenix we all think it is great)

[darkwolf29a]

All Mac is not the kiss of death for flight sims. If you have a newer Mac with decent video (MacBook and the MacMini don't qualify here) card you can use most (if not all) of the simulators under Boot Camp.

Check out http://www.alphamacsoftware.com/ for a Mac RC Heli flight sim. Probably not as good as Phoenix or Real Flight but it's better than nothing.

This is entirely incorrect. I have a Mac mini and run the alphamac software. Works like a charm.

[StringfellowHawk]

This is entirely incorrect. I have a Mac mini and run the alphamac software. Works like a charm.

I never said it didn't work. It's just not as full featured as the others listed. That doesn't mean that with a little work AlphaMacSoftware can't get there.