Basic RC Helicopter Questions

[Zach8202]

Hey everyone. Ok, I've never owned an RC helicopter but really want to and are looking into it. So, if anyone can help out I will forever appreciate it. First off, the biggest of my concerns is how far can I get a helicopter to fly. I'm wanting an electric helicopter. I have a huge farm area I am wanting to cover with a mini real-time camera. Is it possible to find an electric helicopter or transmitter/receiver that can go up to a mile? And if not, does anyone know of one that goes exceptionally far (the longest range I've seen so far is 500m) or how I can tell from info that websites give? Also, does anyone know how fast a typical copter can go? I have a budget of about $350 I've also heard about loaded whip antennas. Anyone know if they work, and how well? Please, someone help! Thanks! Zach

[Aztek1701]

Hi Zach,

Welcome to the forums.
Theoretically, a Model Radio transmitter will work up to about 2 miles away however, you would never be able to use this range because once a model heli (even a big one like a Raptor 90) is more than about 500 Ft away you the heli looks like a dot on the horizon and it becomes incredibly difficult to control. Also the range of these mini cameras is only about 200 ft in line of sight because they transmit in the microwave 2.4 Ghz spectum. So in real terms the range of the the transmitter is not an issue, its the capability of the pilots eyes thats the issue. Im told the max speed of a heli is about 35 - 50 mph.

If you are thinking of using the heli as a tool and operating it a long range, you really need something that can fly itself using GPS, you can get Heli UAVs that have exceptional range and endurance and are built for remote surveying (crop spraying ect) but these are are incredibly expensive at around $250000. Take a look at this http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global...max/index.html.

There are cheaper alternatives to this at about $60000 but I am not sure if they have the range you are looking for as they will suffer from the same operator visual range problem.

To use these you will also no doubt need to be Licensed by the FAA.

Whip antennas work fine over "normal" ranges but they wont increase the range of your TX in fact I believe they shorten it.

Hope this helps... Azzy.

[Zach8202]

Yes, thank you very much for clearing that up. Yes, that is way too much for me. My application would be surveying live stock. However, I kind of want one anyway just because I've always thought they were really neat (especially since you can purchase an airwolf fuselage). I do have a couple more questions that comes to mind if you don't mind answering. I've heard motors burn out after about 50-100 flights depending on the operator. Is that true? Secondly, I hear poly batteries are the best to use, but do you know if there's any way to stretch operating time longer than 20-30min before charge? Thanks again for replying to the last post, I much appreciate it!!! Zach

[Aztek1701]

Hi Zach,

Really how long the motor will last depends very much on what you buy and how you trest it. Brushed electric motors have a distinct service life and given how hard they are pushed will probably only last about 50 - 100 flights before needing serviced. Brushless electrics and Nitros can last for years without problems however if you overheat them, then they wont last as long.

Li Polys (lipos for short) are the best to use and your flight time depends on the size of the pack in MaH, the downside of this is that as the packs capacity increases, so does its wieght and it size so there is a limit to how far you can go with this. EG. T-Rexes use 1800MaH 11.1V packs by default which (depending on the pack) will get you about 10 minutes of flight. It is possible to get 2500Mah 11.1V packs but they wiegh more and cost more and are bigger so IF you could get one of these in a T-Rex it would probably fly for 17-20 Mins accounting for the extra wieght.

Hope this answers your questions, feel free to ask more, Im sure somebody on here will be able to answer it.

PS, with the ammount of space you have, I would suggest maybe a nitro bird would be the way to go for you.

Take Care... Azzy