I think 95% of people throw it into the too hard basket its only the dedicated or obsessed that get through the first few months

 

I think there are 8192 reasons why!!!

 

Damn strait as we've just discovered recently

 

1) Financial outlay, lets make some assumption that everything costs $500.

- Helicopter Kit $500
- Servos $500
- Engine + Muffler or Motor + Speedie $500
- FBL (vbar or gy750) or Gyro, + Receiver $500
- Radio $500

Total $2500

Than add charger, tools, batteries, $500

Total $3000. This is very easily realistic. Who is prepared to spend $3000 on something they might enjoy?

2) Flight sim time, it will take while to be proficient enough before your first hover. At least a month.When sitting behind a computer, would it be more fun to play computer games such as Battlefield or COD?

3) Setup and process, I have only come across one book about RC helicopters, Ray Hostetler's Shop and Field companion, which tells you to do things such as first finding the best servo horn arm mechanical fit before slapping it on the servo and using sub trim. Does a helicopter manual tell you to do this?

Other than that, for a beginner, its going to be a bit of a black art. Where as its not a black art, its all down to mechanics, geometry, aeronautics etc, but its all bits and pieces of knowledge.

 

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Yes good point @HungryHungryHippos. However there are entry helis now like the mcpx etc... which lessens the cost somewhat and does not kill your cat if you loose control!.. So MCPX with transmitter and basic charger... say around 400 with extra packs? Still there is that gawd awful learning curve... You need support (someone who can show you that it is possible to actually fly these things) and also determination.

 

Also I can't count the amount of people who say they had one one when they find it I'm into then... and say... helicopter went up... way up... I slammed the throttle down and it plowed itself into the ground... I think it's in my garage somewhere...

One day I'll ask em all to find those helis and give then to me... would be interesting...

 

A mate at my last job has 7 broken honeybee kings I got him a trex450 fbl he says hed rather keep it on the shelf to look at than attept to write it off

 

I think 90% of blokes that are not into helis are not because their missus won't let them... lol
The other 10% can't walk yet.. he he he

 

Thats why you need a Jen bro she ordered me a set of Zeal 700's

 

I'm working on it... ditching my missus..

Don't want a 50yr old any more - want 2 x 25's .... lol

 

I want to be rich enough and fit enough for 2 x 25's when I'm 65, that's my goal
Simon

 

Im not into wrinkles we can order you 2x25's direct from thailand not speaky much ingrish good massage tho

 

hmm - pass... had enough of the "not speaky much ingrish" type...

 

Do it @jockstrap we'll get us some canomod with the order

 

To the point, this hobby has a steep learning curve. I don't think that most people have the patience to put into learning how to set up and fly rc helicopters.

 

I agree the learning curve is steep and expensive. However models like the mCPx are making the hobby more affordable. I suspect the bailout ssytem will come down in cost and the FBL software will make flying easier. I saw a quad once where it had this always forward thing. The orientaion didn't matter.

 

Hmmm interesting stuff here. I have been flying planks for 20+ years and during this time had a dabble with the dreaded heli first was an excel 60 didn't get far next was a similar size again wasn't realy comfortable and moved it on, some of the club guys pushed me to have ago again picked a 450 got sick of replacing tail gears and moved it on went back to planks again. Purchased a mcpx and that did the trick now flying a Goblin 700 comp and have a stable of 4 plus 2 nearly dead blade 300s. Enjoy it now and mix it with a bit of planking, lifes great.

 

I picked up a plank last year. It's a nice diversion. I've crashed it a couple of times and repaired it with glue and popsicle sticks!