Electric RC helicopters -
the fastest growing sector of radio control

In recent years, electric rc helicopters have seriously dropped in price, become very widely available and have become much easier to fly thanks to better stability, making them the ultimate 'must have' radio control model.

As a result, they now make up the fastest growing sector of the radio control hobby, and the models shown on this page are fairly typical examples of the helicopters that have been responsible for this massive boom.

One kind of electric rc helicopter that has been so popular with newcomers is the Fixed Pitch (FP) 4 channel model, such as the EF Sabre, shown above. There are several such helicopters available from different manufacturers, all based on the same basic design (the Walkera Dragonfly 4 is one such example).

Sold Ready To Fly, the FP 4 channel electric rc helicopters are great for beginners. They are still a challenge to begin with, but are a good, affordable introduction to multi-channel model helicopter flying.
Also, spare parts for this kind of helicopter are widely available, and cheap. Part of the fun of the helicopter learning curve is buying spare parts, after those not-so-cool landings!

More advanced electric RC helicopters

Succeeding the FP helis in terms of complexity, there are the 6 channel Collective Pitch (CP) helicopters, like the sleek-looking Axe CP (below, left) and Blade CP Pro (below, right) helicopters, which have been marketed with the novice, as well as the expert, in mind.
The Blade CP Pro follows hot on the heels of the tried and trusted Blade CP, one of the most popular electric rc helicopters in its class*, while the newer Axe CP uses electronic CPPM (eCPPM) for smooth and precise control.

Above, the Axe CP and Blade CP Pro are two exellent quality electric helicoters

But even though CP helis like the Axe and Blade Pro are often marketed as entry-level helicopters, it's important to note that they are still serious business. Learning to fly one takes a lot of time and practice, and the purchase of an rc flight simulator such as the Realflight G3.5 is highly recommended as a serious training aid. It's an extra cost, of course, but well worth it if you're even half-serious about the hobby.

Even a simpler FP helicopter, like the EF Sabre, has a relatively steep learning curve and can't be seen as a toy - spinning rotor blades can do a lot of damage, and all rc helicopters have to be treated with a great deal of respect at all times!
The co-axial helicopters, talked about further down the page, are much easier to fly with no experience. Of course, they still need to be taken seriously but they are, without doubt, much more stable in the air and you have a much smaller risk of losing control.

Contra-rotating (co-axial) electric rc helicopters

Most electric rc helis follow the conventional helicopter layout with a single main rotor and tail rotor.
However, there are numerous models around that use two main rotors that turn in opposite directions to each other and a tail rotor is not used.

Examples are the Blade CX 2, the M*A*S*H Rescue Helicopter and the heftier looking HorseFly.
These 3 are shown below, respectively:

The Blade CX 2 is a very sleek looking helicopter, perfect for a first time model and ideally suited to flying indoors, with great stability in the air. Great looks and its 2.4GHz digital radio system puts this one at the top of the list.
[The CX 2 is the successor to the original Blade CX, still a very popular electric helicopter.]

This M*A*S*H Rescue Helicopter is a semi-scale helicopter based on the famous Bell 47, made famous in the opening credits of the M*A*S*H hit TV series based upon the Korean war. A popular subject, and looks cool in the air!

The HorseFly is the largest of these 3 examples, and so is better suited to outdoor flying.
Very stable in the air and realistic looking, being loosely based on the Lama high-altitude gas turbine helicopter (I think...).

Because the two main rotors spin in opposite directions to one another, they cancel out each other's torque and so a tail rotor is not necessary on these kind of helicopters - that's one less channel to worry about when learning to fly!
These contra-rotating helicopters are very stable in the air and can be flown around just like a conventional tail rotor model.

They have the added advantage of being a lot easier to master, and the good ones such as the Blade CX shown above can pretty much be flown right out the box with not much setting up involved.
In comparison, a single rotor/tail rotor RTF electric heli advertised as "Can be flown straight from the box with NO experience!" invariably needs some tweaking here and there, and some sensible practice.

*Fixed Pitch or Collective Pitch?

The term 'pitch' refers to the angle of the main rotor blades (and rotor disc) in relation to the horizontal airflow, but when comparing FP and CP helicopters this pitch name only refers to altitude control - cyclic control has the same method on each type of model [read about that in more detail].

Whether the model is FP or CP is an important factor to consider when choosing an electric rc helicopter, and the choice largely depends on what sort of flying you want to do, as well as your budget.

Fixed Pitch (FP) is self-explanatory in that the blade pitch is, well, fixed. The main blades do not pivot about their longitudinal axis to change pitch angle, (ie change the amounts of lift) and so altitude (climb/descent) must be controlled by motor speed - faster turning blades generate more lift, and vice versa.
Generally speaking, FP helicopters are not as responsive in the air and can be a bit 'twitchy' at first, until the pilot gets used to the feel of it. They are, however, cheaper to buy and marginally easier to master.

Collective Pitch (CP) means that the pitch angle of each main rotor blade can be moved to change the amount of lift generated by them.
The motor is kept at a more constant speed, and the altitude is controlled by changing this pitch angle of the blades. This makes the helicopter more agile, responsive and smoother in the air, but gives a steeper learning curve for the pilot - and they cost more to buy.

Above left a FP rotor head compared to a CP one, right

The bottom line? If you just want an 'entry-level' taste of flying an electric rc helicopter with circuits and hovering, then an FP (or co-axial) model will suit your needs very well. If you can see yourself wanting to fly in a more demanding way, then a CP heli is much more appropriate for your needs.

Regardless of the kind of model that you choose, the important thing is that electric helicopters are now available to the masses, and at very affordable prices. The traditional horror stories of how expensive and difficult they are to fly are no longer strictly true. This is excellent news for the hobby, and long may things continue this way!

With the majority of electric rc helicopters, so long as you are sensible and follow the manufacturer's instructions closely, there is absolutely no reason why you should have any serious problems or difficulties with learning to fly your helicopter safely.

And on a final note, if you are even half-serious about flying rc helicopters, consider investing in an rc flight simulator. Modern sims like the RealFlight G4 are well worth getting, and you can practice safely without worrying about damaging your own helicopter. Highly recommended!

Browse some electric rc helicopters here, if you're looking to buy.

Heliguy.com is a great resource for rc helicopter advice, tips and beginners guides.

Related pages & resources

Mini rc helicopters - see one of the smallest production models available.

Micro rc helicopters - when mini helicopters get a lot smaller.

Toy rc helicopters - low cost, unbreakable fun for all ages.

Gas rc helicopters - if you prefer more noise and smell.

RTF rc helicopters - what to expect with a Ready To Fly heli.

Coaxial rc helicopters - what they are and how they work.

RC flight simulators - if you're serious about flying model helicopters.

My 4 channel FP - what to expect from such a model.

How helicopters fly - read how these machines stay in the air.

RC helicopter controls - a basic look at how a model heli is controlled.

Gas vs electric rc flying - the fundamental points to consider.

Red Rocket Hobby Shop - for a good selection of electric rc helicopters.

Heliguy.com - heaps of great advice on all kinds of helis.

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