New Member from Northwest Indiana!

[Pigs Can Fly]

Hello everyone! I am very glad I found this site as it looks like there is a ton of info available on here and it appears there are a lot of good people in this hobby. I do not own a large helicopter yet but I have my eyes set on a Goblin later this year after I do my research and learn more about them because all of this is all new to me. My son and I have 3 small indoor helicopters that we fly every day but that is all I have experience with. I don't have a background at all in aviation in any way I've grown up farming most of my life until I moved on to the career I'm in now, so I'm sure you will see a ton of newbie questions from me. Thanks again! Chris

[BJ545]

Hi Chris
Welcome to the family. You have yet to experience the camaraderie that happens here. Amazing people that take you by the hand into this world of helicopters. To me the knowledge base is incredible. So much you can read and the learning videos make the journey so much faster. Do explore this site. A good place to start newbies tips and information page. And it just gets better.
Another good place to start is a simulator. You can use the freeware version of heli x. You just need a transmitter and inexpensive cable. There's even a lesson plane that structures what to do. I'm finding it extremely helpful.
And I just started flying a goblin on the phoenix simulator. Sure do enjoy that!
Good luck to you and your son.

[Wargamer]

Hi Chris, welcome to HF -

You don't mention what indoor helis you are flying; most of those are co-axial or fixed pitch. Not to put you off; just be aware that it's a big step from one of those to a collective pitch heli of even the same size. Making the jump to even a small Goblin (380) is likely to be very intimidating.

Depending on your son's age, what you are flying now, and whether you want him to continue flying with you, you might find it easier to go with something a little smaller. The K110 is a great 100-class that can be flown in stability mode or full collective, and won't break the bank to get started.. Because of it's size (about 60g), it rarely takes damage in a crash. If you want something a little larger the 230s is a good option. Either of those can be had as BNF or RTF, whereas any Goblin will require you building the kit and then adding all your electronics.

If your son is old enough to be looking forward to building a kit with you, it's certainly possible to learn collective pitch on a Goblin; just be sure to invest a lot of sim time before you try flying for the first time.
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