Do You Have the Right Stuff to Fly Gas RC Helicopters?

If you interested in RC helicopters purely for the enjoyment of flying, then you should probably stick with electric RC helicopters. But if you are more interested in pursuing a serious hobby and learning more about the actual dynamics of helicopter flight, you may want to consider developing the skills for gas RC helicopter flying.

Make no mistake about it: gas RC helicopters are on a whole different level than electric-powered models. They require more money to get started, more money to keep going, more focus and concentration to fly and more maintenance to keep them flying.

Gas RC helicopters are not for beginners. If you have never tried flying an RC helicopter and want to give it a shot, your best bet is to join an RC flight club or find a friend who’s willing to hand over the controls for a few minutes. Better yet, buy an inexpensive ready-to-fly electric RC helicopter. These basic models are easy to fly and can give you a quick idea if the thrill of RC helicopter operation is something you want to pursue. Plus, they’ll give you some valuable flight experience that you can build on if you do decide to continue in the sport.

You will spend more for a gas-powered RC helicopter compared to electric models. This is mostly due to the higher complexity of the engine, the control systems and the size of the helicopter itself. Gas RC helicopters are the biggest of the breed and require lots of space to operate.  Of course, this higher cost raises the stakes when it comes to your flight skills. There is so much more to lose if you crash violently into the ground.

I am not trying to completely scare you away from getting into gas-powered RC helicopters. They are not for the faint of heart. But if you decide to take up the challenge, the sport can be very rewarding. So it’s really up to you. Do you have what it takes?