Most hobby-grade RC helicopters take a lot of skill to fly. They are not really geared towards beginners. But there are some less fancy, moderately-priced alternatives that let kids and novice RC pilots experience the thrill of flying without requiring a great deal of dexterity or knowledge of the mechanics of flight. These models usually combine small size with simple 2 or 3 channel controls. Many have ringed rotary blades for added safety. Some, however, can be quite challenging and entertaining for experienced pilots as well.
Air Hogs Mini Havoc
Air Hogs Mini Havoc Heli Image provided by Red Rocket Hobby Shop
The Havoc has gotten even smaller. Tinier than the 6" Havoc, it fits inside its controller for easy carrying and has a built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery. Get it in black (Buy Direct), blue (Buy Direct), or white/yellow (Buy Direct).
Air Hogs Havoc Heli
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
There are several models of the Air Hogs Havoc line from Spin Master, including a colorful insect design called the Havoc Stinger (Buy Direct). For combat fun, the Air Havoc Heli Laser Battle (Buy Direct) is a set of two helicopters that duel in a three shots and you're out setup where the first and second hit throw the heli into a tail spin. The third hit sends the heli to the ground in defeat. The Havoc Helis are small, about 6 inches long, have dual-rotary blades and tail rotor, and fly in four directions plus hovering. Fun for kids and adults.
Bladerunner Series of Indoor Helicopters
Micro Mosquito Image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Interactive Toy Concepts has several small indoor helicopters including the popular 3-channel Micro Mosquito (buy direct), the Firefly (compare prices or buy direct), the Bladerunner, and the BlackGhost (compare prices).
All based on the same basic design, they have ringed dual-rotary blades with a horizontal tail rotor for added stability. The Micro Mosquito comes in 27MHz and 49MHz frequencies. The Bladerunner 3 is an infrared model. You can find these RC helicopters at RadioShack, Draganfly Innovations, Best Buy, Hammacher Schelemmer, or buy online.
E-Flite Blade Micro CX BNF Elec Coaxial Ultra-Micro Heli
Image from Red Rocket Hobbies
This is not your average indoor toy RC helicopter. Available in late September, this hobby-grade indoor E-Flite heli is an "ultra micro-sized version of the Blade CX/CX2." It's only a 6-8 minute flight on a 30 minute charge, but you get full, 4-channel precision flying when you add your own ("Bind-N-Fly") compatible DSM2 transmitter. It's compatible with several Spectrum and JR transmitters as well as the ParkZone Vapor and the E-flite LP5DSM that comes with the Blade CX2. Rather get it with a transmitter? It also comes in a RTF version (Buy Direct) already equipped with a 2.4GHz radio.
Air Hogs Reflex
Air Hogs Reflex Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Improving on some of the flaws of the Helix, the Reflex uses dual-rotary blades as well as a pair of thrust propellers. It has a larger body than several of the other mini indoor helis but is a little tougher too and can handle outdoor flying as well.
Apache Style Xtreme Micro Copter
Image from Red Rocket Hobbies
This little indoor helis are described as "The World's Smallest U.S. Military Apache Micro Size Helicopter." They come in three infrared frequencies so you can operate three at a time (well, you and two friends can operate them together). The controller acts as a charging station and gives you up to 12 minutes of flying per charge.
WowWee Flytech Bladestar
© M. James
This flying toy isn't quite a helicopter but it is an indoor flying contraption with two big blades and a pair of tail rotors (two tails opposite each other). It's for kids 8 and up. In addition to flying by remote control, it also has an autopilot mode for dogfights with another Bladestar.
Intelli UFO Electric Mini RC Helicopter
Intelli UFO Mini RC Helicopter Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Another indoor flyer that's not your usual helicopter. Dual rotary blades top a mini-UFO body that flies for up to 15 minutes per charge and lights up in three different colors (great for dark rooms).
