Megatech HorseFly
The Megatech HorseFly electric rc helicopter (shop for them on eBay) is the larger cousin to the very successful, but now discontinued, HouseFly which proved itself to be a popular choice for a first-time helicopter.
The HorseFly has a main rotor span of 18 inches, that's four inches larger than the HouseFly, making it more suitable for outdoor flying.
The motor gives out more torque also, enabling the HorseFly to be flown a bit more aggressively if desired and the lithium-polymer motor battery pack gives good flight times.
The design of this helicopter is semi-scale, with a clear plastic bubble canopy and open framework tail boom. Mock engine covers and gas turbine exhaust add to the realism, making it look fairly convincing in the air, although personally I think Megatech could have coughed up a few more cents and put a pilot in the seat to complete the look!
Like most modern electric rc helicopters, the Megatech HorseFly is fully RTF and comes with a good training manual and instructional DVD, making it perfectly suitable as a first-time model helicopter.
So even if you've never handled such a machine before, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a successful first solo flight so long as you study and follow all instructions closely.
Coaxial rc helicopters like this are very stable in the air and with no tail rotor control to worry about, they are not as complicated to fly as conventional single rotor helicopters.
A tail rotor isn't needed on coaxial helicopters because there is no torque force generated by the main rotors; they spin in opposite directions to each other thus cancelling out any torque that would otherwise make the fuselage want to spin round uncontrollably (a conventional helicopter's tail rotor is used to prevent this action).
This perfect balance between the two main rotors creates the flight stability that makes the HorseFly so easy to control in the air, although obviously your first few flights will be a bit lumpy until you really get the hang of it.
Megatech HorseFly features & specs
These include...
- Main Rotor Length: 18"
- Length: 17"
- Radio Range: 1000 ft
- Durable composite blades
- Weighted fly-bar can be adjusted for advanced piloting skills
- Gyroscopic stabilization insures accuracy and extended flights
- Navigational strobe light
Shop for the Megatech Horsefly electric rc helicopter.
Related pages
Coaxial rc helicopters - more info on how they work.
Electric rc helicopters - general overview and examples.
RC flight simulators - the safest way of learning to fly rc helicopters.
