Best RC Helicopters – Who Makes the Best RC Helicopters for Beginners, Children and Adults?

The concept of flying has always been fascinating to man, which is perhaps why it was every 8-year-old’s dream to be a pilot when they grew up. However, since only a select few really get to live this dream, the good people of science graced us with an alternative – the Remote Controlled Helicopter.

These little crafts may seem like fun toys, but in actuality, they are much more.

In the past few years, RC helicopters have been advanced and differentiated such that, regardless of your age or skill, almost anyone can operate them. We have extra sets of new features, including collective pitch and brushless motors for enhanced agility and aerobatics, and longer range frequencies controllers that allow up to 50 feet of flight.  The helis are also super light and more durable with gyro technology that not only creates stability but also allows the machine to hover on its own for an extremely smooth flight.

Thus, the question remains, how do you identify the best from the vast alternatives in the market? Well, to help you make an informed choice, we’ve tried to reduce your selection to only the top best RC helicopters in the market today.

Related: Keep an eye on your RC helicopter with a pair of binoculars for less than $100.

Best Remote Control Helicopter Reviews 2021

In order to help you find the best RC helicopter for your skill level and budget, we conducted extensive research. Here's our top picks!

Syma S107 3 Channel RC Helicopter with Gyro

Judging from the thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, our top selection, the Syma S107 3 channel RC helicopter with gyro, is an immediate favorite among users everywhere. And just for a little bit over $20, you can own your very own. But don’t let the low price fool you, The Syma features impressive quality construction. It is not only easy to control but has been tested and proven to be extremely hard to break this making it suitable for all those beginners and entry-level pilots.

The little chopper is built using an aluminum frame, shelled with plastic parts that are brightly colored so you can keep better track of the machine. Other parts including the rotors, are also of decent quality, built from a combination of aluminum and durable plastic. When it comes to charging, it will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to attain full charge, after which you get an impressive flight time of 10-15 minutes.

The Syma s1073 also features a 3 channel RC. With this, it is able to move up and down, forward and backward, left and right, and can also rotate in a circular motion. Overall, the device can achieve all the basics you’d look for in a standard RC helicopter. The only downside perhaps is that the helicopter is particularly light, which makes it vulnerable when you ride it outside.

Pros

• Very affordable; cheaper than most
• Made from durable material; doesn’t spoil easy
• Has 3 channel RC which handles all the basic movements

Cons

• Most suitable for flying indoors
• Tends to yaw backward when hovering but you can add some weight on the nose to handle this
• It is light, can be blown away by the wind

Cheerwing S107/S107G Phantom 3CH 3.5 Channel Mini RC Helicopter

The Cheerwing S107/S107G Phantom 3CH 3.5 Channel Mini RC Helicopter is yet another impressive, yet really affordable RC helicopter. However, this one on particular features 2 selectable frequencies on it to add the juice. What this means is that you can fly 2 helicopters at the same. It is made using a metallic frame for more resilience to impact.

The small size of the Cheerwing allows it to be more agile and fast. It is a 3-channel RC so it can move back and front, left and right, up and down.  Another intuitive addition is a colorful flashing light that enables you to fly it even at night. The gyro system on this baby is also upgraded such that you get much more precise control of the machine. The little chopper basically flies itself.

The Cheerwing, however, is limited when it comes to the battery, in that it only lasts about 5-10 minutes on full charge(although you’ll discover RC heli’s don’t really last that long). The battery is hardwired to the chopper’s unit so you can’t use spares when it runs out. It also uses an infrared controller, which is minimal range. You can only fly it indoors.

Pros

• Cheap pricing
• Nicely small for agility and speed
• Gyro system offers good control for beginners

Cons

• The infrared controller limits it to the indoors
• Short lasting hard-wired battery
• Is light so strong winds may cause damage

Syma Remote Control Helicopter S107H-E Aircraft with Altitude Hold

Syma products are renown in the world of RC helicopters for the quality of their design and durability. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to have another of their products featured in the top 3 of our list. The S107H-E RC helicopter comes as a slightly more expensive alternative to the S 107. And with a few bucks more to spare it’s natural to expect an overall better machine, which is what you get.

At first glance, the helicopter looks like it has broken blades. Well, this is because it has two sets of main blades that swing out to become two blades when flying. This gives it an overall better chance of surviving a crash because, in actuality, it has 4 separate blades. The chopper also features a hover function which makes it able to hold altitude once you reach a certain height. This makes it great for beginners as they practice control.

The whole body of the S107H is made with alloy material for a sturdier feel and durability. Any learner would appreciate this because it will hold up even after a couple of crushes. The craft itself is 3.5 channels, which gives all the basic movements, plus a gyro for the hovering function. You also get 2 selectable frequencies so you can fly more than 1 helicopter at the same time

Pros

• Has inbuilt gyro for hovering
• Has two sets of blades, which make it more durable
• Made from quality hard alloy material

Cons

• Fly time is limited to around 5 minutes yet charges for an hour
• Users consider it slow for the price
• Doesn’t come with spare blades

SYMA RC Helicopter - Latest Remote Control Drone with Gyro and LED Light

The RC Helicopter Remote Control Drone from Syma comes a little different from your conventional helicopter. At first sight, it actually looks more of a mini drone helicopter. In actuality, it’s a combination of both. Well, with this slight alteration to its design, you get some new features to it. The aircraft performs everything an RC helicopter would but it is more acrobatic. With its three intuitively positioned rotors, it can run a circle upward while flying, among other stunts like beating 6 tunes in the air.

The chopper is small and therefore suitable for flying indoors; however, you can also take it outside in really low winds. Here, it is important that you fly it within a low range unless you want it getting lost in the trees. It is really easy to control, therefore perfect for beginners and kids who want to still do tricks and flips without risk of damaging it. The RC helicopter features a nice design as well, with a nice blend of colors that makes it look like something out from the future.

Also included in the package is a nice landing pat where you can get to exercise your landings. It is 2,4G 4HZ channel, which is fairly decent for up down, left, right, backward and forward movements, although at low speeds.

Pros

• Really easy to control
• Can perform tricks easy, even at beginner level
• Sleek futuristic design

Cons

• Has a small range
• Is light; can easily get blown away by wind
• More expensive than other RC helicopters in the range

HisHerToy Remote Control Helicopter with Gyro, LED Lights, and 3.5 Channels

The HisHerToy Remote Control Helicopter is made from the kind of tough composite airframe that makes it among the most durable mini helis you can find. Many of its users remain surprised how much it crushes yet keeps going. It is equipped with the latest Gyroscope tech as well, which provides it the stability it needs to fly and land extremely smoothly. This combination of features is what makes it especially easy when learning to fly a helicopter.

The HisHerToy features 3.5 channels which give it all the 6 flight modes of flight you’ll need to keep it moving up and down, left, right, and back and forth. But you’ve probably seen all these all the other helis. What makes the HisHerToy Remote Control Helicopter stand out is the 3 frequencies you get with this surprisingly cheap alternative. With that, you can get control over up to 3 different helicopters at once. The mini chopper also comes with really Bright LED lights to add an extra touch.

Another thing you get with the unit is up to 8 minutes of fly time, which if you compare to most other high-quality RC helicopters is more than enough. The added advantage is that with this heli, you get fast charging; in that, it only takes 30 minutes to attain full charge. The package comes inclusive of an extra propeller and tail rotor in case you need to replace any of these components soon after.

Pros

• Cheap yet has many extra features
• Well made with a durable composite frame
• Comes with replacement parts
• You get 3 frequency controls

Cons

• Best for indoors use
• Has small 10 meter flight range
• You have to maintain the right throttle to keep it at level altitude
  

VATOS Remote Control Helicopter with Gyro and LED Lights - 3.5 Channel Mini RC Helicopter

Coming up next is the VATOS Remote Control Helicopter. Judging from its cool gray fighter chopper outer design, this is the helicopter for military enthusiasts out there. The helicopter itself does well to live up to its hype. It is lightweight, with super hard material construction that ultimately makes it able to resist effects from crashes. It also features simple, easy to use controls with a 12-meter range.

The Vatos comes fully assembles, equipped with gyroscope technology for better hovering capabilities. Because of this, it is ideal for use by both beginners and advanced level professionals. It is a full 3.5 channel, so it can move in all directions, with 3 selectable frequencies so that you can pilot up to 3 helicopters at once.

On a full charge, the Vatos will fly for as much as 7 minutes, after which it will require 40 minutes charge time. You can manage this by charging through the transmitter or using a USB cable. Having surpassed many different tests on safety, the little bird is safe for use by both kids and adults. It features soft blades that automatically power themselves off if the chopper gets stuck and blue LED lights that are easy to spot from long distances and in the dark.

Pros

• Has really responsive controls with a trimmer so it doesn’t drift right or left
• You can charge it using USB
• Has up to 3 frequencies

Cons

• You have to buy your batteries separately for the controller
• Some users claim that they expected it to look bigger (but it is a micro, mini RC helicopter)

Blade 230 S V2 RTF RC Helicopter

Now, for the more experienced pilot looking to test their skills with a more advanced machine, the Blade 230 S V2 RTF RC Helicopter is the perfect bird to start you off. The collective pitch helicopter offers more when it comes to speed and things it can do beyond the scope of a fixed pitch helicopter. It offers overall better maneuverability, meaning it can perform those aerobatics, flips, kicks, and even inverted flight if you are skilled enough.

Since it flies really high, the helicopter is built using a tough composite airframe, which makes it able to endure the hard impact. It features spectrum AR36 refined algorithms that make it more reliable with a panic recovery mode, which will bring the heli to a level altitude once you push a button. The gyro on this baby is also advanced than most, making it capable of retaining smooth flight even in windy conditions. It can also fly higher, and for this reason, has a vivid canopy and bright main blades to maintain visibility

The machine is generally engineered to simulate a progressive flight mode system, thereby is generally more comfortable to operate even if you are only just starting to use collective pitch helicopters. In fact, it allows you to grow with your heli as you advance your skill. The main gear, including abs blades and gear servos, is made sturdy enough to survive through your learning process. Another thing is that the craft comes fully assembled.

Pros

• Features self-leveling modes that lessen the learning curve
• Has touch composite airframes which are more impact resistant
• It is collective pitch thus allows room for doing tricks

Cons

• Intended for the more intermediate level pilot; not ideal for beginners and kids
• More expensive than your typical fixed pitch helis
• The setup process may take you some time to get a hold of

DEERC DE51 Remote Control Helicopter Altitude Hold RC Helicopters with Gyro for Adults, Kids, and Beginners

This RC Helicopter with Remote Control would be a perfect gift for any kid from age 6 and over. The machine is cheap, yet offers all you could expect from an RC helicopter.  It is made the most modern Gyroscope technology, backed with a sturdy metal frame which makes it very easy to control. It only takes a couple of minutes to get the hang of it.

The heli features a 3.5 HZ channel, which means you can go up down, left, right, forward and backward up to a range of 32 feet. The unit from DEERC will fly for about 10 minutes after a charging period of 40 minutes, which is reasonably fine for an RC helicopter. Another great feature is how the helicopter is able to get itself back upright even after crashing on its side. Because of its lightweight nature, you don’t need to go over and pick it. Simply hit the throttle and it finds its way up.

For easy visibility, it has LED lights meaning you can fly it in low light conditions. Its durable make will have it survive all the accidental crashes and falls. Overall, by its price and features, this RC helicopter will give you the best value for your money. It is more so suitable for beginners.

Pros

• Easy to use controls
• Is lightweight and durable
• Has a good flight time

Cons

• It is limited to the basic functionalities of a fixed pitch heli
• You have to wait 40 minutes as it charges
  

JJRC JX01 3.5CH RC Helicopter with Remote Control and Altitude Hold

The JJRC JXO1 RC helicopter leaves very little when it comes to performance. It has all the traits you’d expect from your ordinary heli. This includes going up, down, left, right, forwards, and backward. It even goes the extra mile of introducing extra features such as letting you turn its lights on and off.

The heli is really easy to control too. It only needs one key to take off and land, and even has an emergency stop button that little kids can use when they panic. The machine will autonomously hover at a constant height when you release the throttle. This makes it, therefore suitable for kids, adults and grandpa’s all alike.

Of course, if you intend to get this for your small child, it is almost certain to crash frequently. Well, the JJRC is made with this in mind. It incorporates sturdy alloy components in its design which provide it with all the collapse resistance qualities to survive collisions. It uses a rechargeable battery which lasts up to 12 minutes on a full charge while the controller uses AA batteries (inclusive in the package).

Pros

• One key take-off and landing; easy to control
• Made from high-quality crush-resistant alloys
• Altitude hold/hover features which make it easy for learners to get the hang of

Cons

• Not good for flying outdoors
• Landing may be difficult at first

Honorable Mention: First Step RC Heli 101 Ready to Fly Helicopter Kit

For our last RC helicopter, we bring you a relative newcomer to the industry - First Step RC. Their line of remote controlled helicopters are designed to bridge the gap between "toy RC helis" and hobbyist RC helicopters.  And rather than write about their products, we decided to let the company speak and show you what they over for themselves!

Best RC Helicopters Buying Guide

Helicopters are naturally unstable machines. Even as toys, RC helicopters still inhibit these same properties in their design. Because of this, picking the best RC helicopter for you or a loved one can be a daunting affair. Most of the information you’ll come across on RC helicopters will probably seem confusing and technical such that only an experienced pilot would understand.

To save you from the risk of premature loss and disaster, we will look at some of these terms and features, as well as give a brief explanation of how these machines operate. We shall also look at their limitations and the most recommendable option for your level of skill.

Types: The Best Rotor Head Layout for You

RC helicopters usually come in different designs. Each of these designs is unique, and therefore suitable for different levels of operating skills. Perhaps the one feature that brings the most significant difference is heli’s rotor head layout. We have 2 kinds of rotor head layouts: one where the pitch is fixed, and where the pitch is flexible.  But before we get to that, it is important to understand what a pitch is.

The pitch is the angle between the helicopter's rotor blades. Pitch is what usually influences the user’s control in the heli’s elevation. For this reason, it determines the level of skill required to run a helicopter. Simply put, a fixed-pitch heli will not have the same level of control as a flexible pitch heli.

Another term you should be familiar with is the channels. Channels usually the way your chopper receives radio signals, which in turn determine the number of directions you can move in. 2 channel helicopters can only move up and down while 3 channel choppers will additionally move back and forward. If it has 4 or more channels, you basically get full control of your direction. Such units give the most genuine experience. However, it’s important to note that with more channels, comes less stability.

The different types thus include:

Coaxial Pitch RC Helicopters

If you are an entry-level pilot or getting hold of your first set of baby wings, a coaxial remote-controlled helicopter would be the most ideal machine for you. These helis mostly feature either three or four channels, which makes them less power demanding. This, in turn, gives you overall better ease of control.  They are also cheaper and therefore most convenient to practice on. Anything above 5 channels will be more expensive and quite powerful.

Coaxial helicopters mostly use a 45-degree flybar, which is a piece of plastic or metal incorporated in its design to minimize roll or pitch while it spins using its upper rotor. It acts as a reducer of any movement that you, as the user, don’t initialize yourself. The 45 degrees on the flybar give Coaxial helicopters a lot of stability, which makes them the RC helicopter for beginners and kids. The downside is that its movement is limited, especially if you fly it outdoors. A relatively strong wind will make it climb up instead of moving forward.

Fixed Pitch RC Helicopters

Now, for the more advanced kid-adults, we have fixed pitch helicopters. With a fixed pitch, the pitch angle is pre-set; therefore, you can only alter the lift by changing the rpm of the rotor head. With a toned-down collective pitch incorporated in their design, the user gets more control over the altitude of the device. These kinds of helicopters are more powerful than coaxial, usually featuring 3-5 channels with a 45-degree fly bar.

With fixed pitch helicopters, you get the promise of a more realistic and responsive flight. They are more stable and would do well in both the indoors and outdoors. For this reason, they are best for people with some experience at hand. The only thing you may have trouble with is its 45-degree flybar, which is not necessarily ideal for a high-speed capable helicopter.

If the rotor head is slow when you are descending, it might be hard to get the rpm back before you hit the ground. They also mostly come in small or mini sizes because the throttle gets unstable with an increase in size for fixed-pitch helis.

Collective Pitch RC Helicopters

Meant for the more experienced controller, collective pitch helicopters come with the capacity to change the pitch or angle of attack of its main blade. This, in turn, controls the level of lift in its rotor system, which in turn results in more precise control when elevating. Its blades can allow programming of a negative pitch, 3-D, and continued inverted flying

Because of their complex nature, these RC helis use a 90-degree flybar, which gives the pilot gets more response and allows it to move easily at higher speeds. However, the increase in angle makes them unstable than you’d expect from a fixed pitch or coaxial model.

Most collective pitch helicopters come with 5 or more channels. If you intend on doing stunts, it would be best to get one with the right controller. Because of their lift control, they come in large sizes and can even fly upside down under an experienced hand. The downsides are that they are very unstable, and are less efficient when it comes to power because they use symmetrical airfoils and horizontal tail rotors.  Any of this kind can be a good outdoor RC helicopter.

What to Look for When Purchasing an RC Helicopter

Now that we have a better understanding of the different types of remote controlled helicopters available, lets take a look at the different factors to consider when choosing the one that's right for you.

Flight Performance: How Many Channels Do I Really Need?

The most basic RC helicopters operate using a 3-4 channel radio control function for indoors/basic outdoor and a 3axis gyro to enhance hover stability. For a beginner, these types of features would be the most recommended in a ready to fly unit. The advanced level to this is a 5-6 channel radio control.

The 5-6 channel models are made for 3D Performance. They have quicker speeds and maneuvering capabilities, which makes them the best fit for advanced level pilots. We also have quadcopters nowadays which, much as they may not be considered fully-fledged helicopters, use radio controls to achieve more aerobatics in their capabilities.

Video: Basics of Heli Flight - Basic Aerobatics

How to fly an RC helicopter - getting started with aerobatics .  |  Courtesy of Blade Helis

Durability: What Is Best for Indoor and Outdoor

Accidents are prone to happen, whether you are a beginner level pilot or a more advanced one. From these, your RC helicopter may experience hard impacts. Therefore, if you plan on using your helicopter outdoors, it is important that you ensure that it is made with hard plastic whose components are easily replaceable.

On the other hand, indoors tend to have even harder surfaces. If you are using your helicopter indoors, or you are getting an RC helicopter for kids, you should look for one that is specifically built for hard impacts. Overall, Durability is mainly affected by the area you intend to use it most. Helicopters can be dangerous, and you should consider the space that will guarantee your security most. A rule of thumb is if it is nitro-powered or 500 sizes and larger, it belongs to the outdoors.

Price: The Ideal Budget Starter Pack

It is important to realistically consider how much you are willing to spare before buying an RC heli. A fairly decent RC model will cost you from 50-250$, although they go as high as 1000$+ depending on their brand name, performance, and additional features like radio, gyro, servos, a flybarless unit or3-D capability.

Part of your budget should also include some extra cash set aside for risk, in case you need to replace any of its components soon after buying. Some parts, such as blades, servo gears, or the primary shaft, are really vulnerable and tend to get damaged quickly. Some models come with spares for the more delicate parts, and if not, you can get a hold of most of them online.

Other costs include the cost of maintenance, which is expected for a gadget with moving parts. You will also need to replace batteries, lubricate, and adjust controllers and other necessary parts. Some units come with some kind of product support or warranties for this.

Battery Life and Charge Time for More Flight Time

This factor can play a major role in the life of your helicopter. The amount of time it is able to last in the air after charging is what determines whether your heli will pull a safe landing or will come crashing down from 20 feet. The battery life of most RC helicopters isn’t really much, averaging between 6 to 15 minutes; therefore, to get the most out of the experience, as a newbie, you should try and squeeze at least 8 minutes of flight time from a single charge.

With respect to their source of power, most of the more high-end RC helicopters should be able to give at least 15 minutes of flight time; some come with overload protection for this more battery life and longer flights.

When it comes to charge time, a basic RC helicopter will reach full charge from 30 minutes to an hour. More powerful helicopters, on the other hand, might take even longer on a lithium-ion battery. The upside is that they are more durable and will give you respectively longer flight time

Maximum Range: How Far Can You Fly?

Here, we are mainly referring to the safe distance between the helicopter and the remote control, that the helicopter can function and respond to controls. The best remote control helicopters usually have a range is usually 50-100 feet for the outdoor models and about 15 feet in indoor models. The range can also vary with the strength of the frequency in the location you are flying. The larger the range of transmission, the more freedom you have to take your chopper higher and further.

Weight: Will It Still Fly Well?

Today we have remote control helicopters varying from small prototypes powered by electricity that will be really light and easily fly inside your house to the huge turbine-powered ones that will need a trailer to move. Despite their size, each chopper has corresponding components, meant to literally carry its weight. But still, you don’t have to be an engineer to know that the heavier chopper will struggle more when taking off the ground.

For this reason, it is crucial that you give the larger ones enough room to attain lift, plus a margin for error. Cause after all, the larger is, the more danger it poses. However, weight isn’t always bad. Even on a smaller size model, some extra weight can help retain a steady hover and maintain its ground (or rather, it’s air), even when the wind picks up while outside.

Visibility: To Keep Track of Your Heli

When flying really high or in low visibility conditions like at night, you might need additional features to help you navigate easily. You can manage this by coloring your helicopter with bright lights or having LED lights in place. This will allow you to monitor your helicopter, ensure it is within range, and doesn’t get caught in trees or lampshades.

The Overall Quality and Build: Best Materials for Longer Life

Good quality of your helicopters build is vital in determining its ability to endure flights and any accidental or hard impacts. For this reason, the best-rated choppers are made using lightweight material that is able to withstand crushes.

These include aluminum, plastic, and glass-reinforced plastic. Blades, on the other hand, are made from lightweight material as well, like wood or fiberglass. The quality of the transmitter and motor also varies. It is what allows your helicopter to fly in different kinds of conditions. If the motor lacks enough power, it might not be able to hold against the strong wind. And if your transmission fails, you may lose overall control over your chopper.

Power Sources: Fuel or Electricity?

While traditional helis mainly used gas or turbine engines, nowadays, we have more sophisticated models that use electrical charge or glow fuel. In this case, glow fuel is a mix of nitromethane and methanol. This type of fuel will give you about 10 minutes of flight time, depending on your helis engine. Glow fuel has also been known to push a high-end RC helicopter so high it disappears in the sky, which can be a nice trick for the more advanced pilots to show off.

Helis which use battery-power, on the other hand, is less noisy, less expensive, and are generally more convenient. Much as they may not reach you to the heights that glow fuel would, they significantly help in extending flight time, which any pilot will very much appreciate.

So which is better between fuel and electric power? Well, it all falls down to your personal preference. If you are using fuel power, you may need additional stuff like a fuel pump, glow plugs, and the gas itself. You will also need to know how to operate and tune an internal-combustion engine.

On the other hand, if you opt for electric power, you’ll need additional components as well, like speed controllers, motors, and batteries. Bear in mind that if you don’t have a spare collection of batteries, you will have to endure waiting for your heli to attain full charge.

What Are the Main Flight Controls?

An RC helicopter uses four flight controls to achieve most of its functionalities. They include roll/aileron, pitch/elevator, yaw/rudder/tail rotor, and throttle. Here the elevator and ailerons are controlled using the perfect stick/ also known as the cyclic control, which allows for directional control of the heli.

Next up is rudder control/ yaw. This is achieved either by a variable-speed tail rotor or a variable-pitch and is controlled using the rudder stick. Rudder control helps turn the copter near its main rotor shaft.

Collective pitch helis require an additional station to control the rotor blades’ pitch in such a way that the pitch can be lowered or raised at precise times. This, together with strangling, is what helps maintain a constant head speed.

What Is the Use of Tail Controllers?

As the main rotor rotates, it tends to generate torque; this, in turn, causes the fuselage of your copter to twist in the opposite direction of the rotating rotor. As you may have guessed, this movement is not welcomed, which is where tail rotors come into play. Their main work is to counteract this motion and keep your heli steady.

Tail rotors can either be fixed-pitch variable-speed or fixed-speed variable-pitch in nature. Fixed-pitch tail rotor machines usually have a fixed motor on their variable pitch and tail to drive the rotor from their main engines.

For most 3D style helicopters, a variable-pitch tail rotor is most preferred. Helis with fixed-pitch tail rotors still manages pretty well.

Coaxial helicopters, on the other hand, don’t really need the tail rotor. The have counter-rotating main rotors that keep the torque from each other. In this case, yaw control can be achieved by switching power to one of its rotors.

Tandem rotor helis (like a chinook helicopter) also make use of counter-rotating main rotors to offset the torque from each other. Up until recently, tandem rotor helicopters were mostly high end made; now, we have a few couple of electric powered helis with tandem rotor heads and Chinook-like bodies.

Self-Assembly Kit vs Ready To Fly Models (RTF)

Choosing between an RC heli self-assembling kit, or buying a ready to fly, fully-assembled kit, may very well be the first choice you’ll face when making an RC helicopter purchase. Traditionally, all of them came in a kit that you had to spend hours putting together yourself. However, nowadays, most toy or micro-sized RC helicopters are already pre-built. The larger size collective pitch helis might need you to build yourself.

So why build it yourself? Well, in most cases, you stand to get higher quality when it comes in a kit. You see, most build it yourself kits are meant for intermediate to advanced pilots who tend to focus on getting higher-end quality. These kinds of pilots believe that they can take more time and do an overall better job at assembling them by themselves.

With more attention to detail, you are able to guarantee better quality build if you do it yourself. You also get to choose your own components like engines, batteries, servos radio, and flybarless controllers, which you can select according to your needs for better control. All this, you can’t get with a ready to fly package.

If you opt for the self-assembly kit, you will have to be keen and follow the instructions to the utmost latter. Because of their fast-moving parts and sharp blades, helicopters can be potentially dangerous (more so, the larger models). Missing one bolt in place can mean all sorts of repercussions you don’t want to experience.

That said, for a beginner, you may not be skilled enough to do the assembly yourself. In this case, a ready to fly (RTF) model will be most opportune for you. The models themselves are relatively good too, and they come pre-flight tested to ensure that they are well responsive and work as intended.

RC Helicopter FAQs

RC flying is an activity that can be fun for all. There’s a helicopter out there that is best suited for each user level of experience. If you are a child, beginner or completely inexperienced, it is advisable to ease yourself into it, especially since they are prone to small accidents and crushes, you can start with inexpensive/ ready to fly models then upgrade as you master more control.

We have tried to make our buying guide as comprehensive as possible. With it, you can’t go wrong in making a more informed selection. It is important that you consider the features of each model, weigh out its pros, cons, and prices with regards to your intended use and level of skill. You can also visit a local flying area beforehand, and get the hang of the whole experience, seek advice from the professionals before making your selection.

Just in case we missed something you were looking for, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about RC helicopters.

Can I fly my RC helicopter in rainy or windy weather?

Well, most RC copters are not made for handling rain or wind. Therefore, even if your RC helicopter is meant for the outdoors, you should use it when there is little or no wind to avoid damage or stress to its motors. The rain also poses a risk of damaging its electric parts, but you can check if your particular brand is rain resistant.

Can I improve my RC helicopter’s control range and flight time?

Yes, this is very possible. Most RC helicopters have flexible parts so you can upgrade to a larger capacity battery, or in some models, you can get a compatible remote control with a bigger range.

Will my kids be able to fly the RC chopper by themselves without supervision?

This depends on the model that you pick for your child. Some models are more complex and need a certain level of control and mastery that your child may not handle on their own (if inexperienced). But the smaller, battery-operated types (like coaxial pitch helis) have easier controls and stability such that your child can operate okay by themselves.