a beginners cheaper option

For those of you avid fans of modelling,and flying,and crashing and crying,I decided after a short absence from the hobby to go the full hog and do the helicopter thing!my intentions,noble of course-------was to spend about 1000 pounds and get a good model,i knew that balancing one ball bearing on top of another was something i may have to overcome,but i was determined.So off Iwent to 308 and got yacking to Richrd(who incidetally was a young lad like myself many many years ago,looking appealingly at all the models in the shop window,craving and wanting as we do!)He now owns the shop that has gone through a number of transitions from model shop ,to computer and games workshop,and now fortunately as the name is known,a model shop.Richard was superb,he suggested buying an electric tethered helicopter,of which one he had rigged up in his shop...he made it look easy to fly i might add,which had twin main rotar blades that revolved in opposite directions,A basic controller,but authentic to an radio controlled kit,and far less expensive to maintain.The box had all the bits in,including a spare box of 2 types of blades,which on reflection i managed to devour very quicly,yet certainly very cheaply when blades were smashed when my first encounter with flight the beast hit my ceiling.i spent 3 months learning to fly in the comfort of my living room.The whole set up cost me 200 quid,and about 20 for spare blades.So to all those that spent so much learning,try this as a bit of advice to others,and when your done,sell it on,as i did,i now await my new helicopter so soon as i can get back to 308.Happy flying.see you in the skies.

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hello Biggles 127,

Nice little story, The helicopter you are refering to is the XRB,LAMA
It is a very good little heli and lots of fun in the living room. I use the Hoverfly, Both heli's are exellant and great fun to fly.
I considered the lama but because I wanted to teach my son the joys of flying heli's with the intention of moveing on to the bigger models. I chose the Hoverfly, This is because I wanted him to have a tail rotor that worked so he could understand better the feel. I would recommend this heli if like yourself you intend to move forward to the larger models.

Just 1 word of advice though. The larger models are a lot more responsive to the input controls. Where you need large thumb movements to get these indoor electric tethered helis to react. You will not need these with the bigger models.

Even though you and I have chosen this route to teach or learn from. I would still recommend the use of a simulator. My son uses both and while he can fly the Hoverfly fairly well now. The heli in the simulator at full setting is still more of a struggle However he is getting there.

Both these meathods are great fun for getting into the hobby.(XRB LAMA, HOVERFLY)
They offer more enjoyment than the simulator as you are actually flying a heli.
But please be aware the larger models while more stable, Are allso more responsive.

Here is a picture of both helis.
Hoverfly Left, Lama Right.