Comments for 4 and 6 channel RC helicopters

Comments for
4 and 6 channel RC helicopters

Jan 21, 2009

4 or 6 channel rc helicopter
by: Pete

A 4 channel Fixed Pitch rc helicopter is an easier introduction to flying a model helicopter; you get all the right controls and can fly the heli around normally, hover etc.
6 channel helicopters are more complicated but will give you smoother and better flying characteristics. Quite often the 5th and 6th channels found on more complex helicopters are used for throttle settings and in-air gyro adjusting, for example.
6 ch helicopters have Collective Pitch which gives you smoother altitude control than a 4 ch Fixed Pitch model, which only relies on main motor speed to control altitude.
6 channel helicopters are serious business and aren't a good choice for beginners, unless you intend to be instructed on how to fly by an experienced pilot, or use an rc flight simulator to train on. Even 4 channel FP helis are hard enough to begin with!
The easiest option is a 3 channel co-axial rc helicopter, such as E-flite's Blade CX2. These are very stable and can be flown out the box, but are a bit limited in their abilities.

Feb 28, 2010

4ch
by: Anonymous

I agree. But as far as a 3 channel goes all you're really going to learn how to do is to hover. You can't do very much forward flight with them and try to bank it and it's over. You can't correct out of a bank with a 3ch coaxial. I would say work on the trainer and start with a fixed pitch 4 channel.

Jun 13, 2010

6 to 4 channel
by: Craig

Hi, I am in a similar situation. From what I have heard as the difference from a 4 to a 6, couldn't I disable/remove/fix the blade pitch servo and in essence have a 4 channel helicopter with giro?
From what has been said there isn't really too big a difference. Potentially the 6 channel would be more costly to repair in a crash however.

Jun 14, 2010

Don't do it!
by: Pete

Hi Craig - I wouldn't recommend buying a CP heli and trying to convert it to an FP one, it just won't work. If you don't want the complications of Collective Pitch then you need to buy a Fixed Pitch heli instead.

Mar 22, 2011

How to use 3D mode
by: Michel09xx

I just bought a 6 ch rc helicopter and I need to learn first how to fly one of those. I've been flying 4 ch helis, a coaxial one, and I want to move to a next level.
I'm doing the hovering thing right now and what I need to know is that of 3D mode is set during flight or not somebody please help me. Thanks guys.....

Mar 25, 2011

3D mode
by: Pete

All the helicopter settings need to be programmed in to the transmitter before you fly it - throttle curve, pitch curve etc. Then the Flight Mode switch is used when the heli is in the air (or on the ground) to change between normal settings and 3D mode.
This kind of flying is very advanced and you need to learn the basics first. Two ebooks that will help you are The Beginner's Guide To Flying RC Helicopters and Setup & Tips for 400 Size RC Helicopters.
Forget about learning 3D until you can confidently fly normally, and do some aerobatics without problem.

Also, if you are serious about learning 3D, I suggest buying a good rc flight simulator such as Phoenix.

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4 and 6 channel RC helicopters