From Michael James,
Your Guide to Radio Controlled Vehicles.
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Don't let the size -- a mere 45 pages counting the blank page for note-taking -- fool you. This is a great little book for learning the basics of RC helicopters. Longtime readers are aware that I make no claims of expert flying skills. I'm still a wannabe pilot. But after reading R/C Model Helicopters - A Guide for Beginners I feel a lot more confident about what to look for, what to watch out for, and how to learn how to handle my RC helicopters.

Expert Advice Without Arrogance

Author Malcolm Messiter has been flying and tinkering with RC aircraft since his childhood in the 50's. His enthusiasm and expertise comes through in his writing.

It sometimes irritates me when a person doesn't understand that no one is an expert straight out of the gate. It takes a lot of practice to get anywhere close to expert. Crashes, bumps, scrapes, broken blades, broken wings are going to happen. Messiter acknowledges up front that there is a lot to learn about helicopters. But he also reassures the reader that learning to fly RC helicopters is a rewarding experience that most anyone can learn, it just takes time and commitment.

A good book like this helps too. For me, readers, it's going to take a whole lot of time so don't be emmbarrassed at your beginner status. I'm not. I've talked to many RC pilots in my time and they all say this learning part of the RC hobby is the most rewarding because you can look back at all the time you have spent learning and say "Man, I have come a long way from when I started" and remember all those humbling crashes with a chuckle.

Buy It, Build It, Learn It, Fly It

R/C Model Helicopters - A Guide for Beginners contains ten chapters plus a glossary of terms. The first few chapters are the meatiest, with the final chapters rounding out the topic and actually talking more about flying. The first few chapters cover those things you must know before you start flying such as what kind of helicopter to buy or build, how to build, nitro vs. electric, setting up your RC for flying, and learning the controls.

The first chapter, "Your Questions Answered" explains the 14 -- yes 14 -- must-haves before you start flying. For example, the first one on the list is what type of kit you need and the importance of building it in steps instead of being like a kid a Christmas and opening the packages all at once -- which at one time or another (ahem) I'm guilty of doing. If you're buying a Ready-to-Fly helicopter, the same attention to the components in your RTF package is needed. Other things talked about in this chapter are engines, silencers or mufflers, radio equipment, servos, gyros, etc. This is much more than a list. The chapter explains why each item is important and why you need to think about things like engine size and types of tools. Additional questions addressed in this chapter include "how long will it take me to learn to fly" and "is it worth buying a simulator."

Building Your First RC Helicopter

Chapter two takes a fairly detailed look at where, when, and how to build your first kit. No detail is too small to mention such as choosing a place to build your RC that has a nice flat surface and is bigger than the size of the finished helicopter when put together. It also should be well lit so you're not fishing around in the dark looking for the next part or the one that you just dropped. Messiter suggests that having a tea tray or cookie sheet and a couple of cereal bowls comes in handy for storing nut and bolts while putting your new RC helicopter together.

Additional topics covered in this chapter are the importance of patience and not rushing the building or assembly process. If you find yourself getting frustrated step away for a bit and then come back to the project. Hey, why not spend the time working on your hovering technique on your favorite simulator on your PC? Other things like installing the receiver and receiver battery, tidying up the wiring are also discussed.

Doing a range check is definetely necassary after installing the radio equipment. There is a part in chapter two that made me chuckle a bit when Messiter explains the checking of the range of your radio equipment. "But that presupposes eyesight of which a fit young eagle could justly be proud. Not all of us are equipped with eagle eyes, so a better plan may be to ask a friend to stay by the model and watch the swashplate move." This was in regards to stepping a minimum of fifty yards away when testing the range of your transmitter and then walking further back to test the full range distance. It's these bits of humor and practicality that make this a fun as well as educational read.

The black and white photos throughout aren't spectacular but the text more than makes up for that. As it states on the back cover this book is "intended to add to, rather than to replace entirely the guidance and advice that is often offered by experienced model helicopter pilots." But if you don't have anyone to turn to in person, this book can still get you well on your way into the RC helicopter hobby.

See page two for more of what you'll find in R/C Model Helicopters - A Guide for Beginners.