How To- Learn To Fly 6ch RC Helicopters

The importance of practicing the right way.

When I started out with my first 6ch, a Walkera 1#a, I used my double garage as a practice area. The first time I became airborne I ended up in a heap against the wall, and spent the next few days repairing the damage. I unfortunately had not heard of any learning techniques or ways to start, so I have outlined a few in this step by step guide, and I would highly recommend not following in my footsteps, but follow a method to learning how to fly.

Step by step guide to 6 CH RC helicopter success:

Necessary before you begin: 

• RC Helicopter
• Spare Parts (rotor blades, main cog, servos)
• training area
• training "legs"
• nice calm, clear, sunny day
• Charged Batteries

Training "legs" ( http://dx.com/p/r-c-helicopter-training-legs-platform-3370 or something similar) are cheap and reduce the chance of rolling your helicopter when you have a hard landing (something I soon learnedwere vital.) This is a guide that could save you hours of repairs and costs.

1. Draw a square box approximately 1m x 1m on the ground somehow (flat smooth surface if possible.) Once the box is marked accelerate into a hovering position (just touching the ground with training legs) and move forward and backwards along one side of the box you have drawn. 

2. Hone step 1 before moving on. 

Now you can try to incorporate cyclic controls. So when you move to the top right hand corner instead of going backwards you yaw left. Remember to always keep the back of the helicopter facing you as it goes around the square. Try going around clockwise and anti clock wise. Mastering this will take a little more time but it will pay off. When you feel confident move on to step 3.

3. Now you can begin to learn how the heli controls while facing you. Repeat step 2 but make sure this time the front of the helicopter is facing you instead of the tail rotors. (This change can be difficult for some as it is the opposite, so be careful) 

Once you have mastered step three you have mastered the basics of flying a 6ch RC helicopter, and you can start flying around and eventually upside down (3D). Flying outside of your practice box is were the most crashes will occur. Hopefully you won't wont have any major crashes while practicing around your box (if it helps, I never did.)

Note: unless you are awesome you will crash while you are practicing flying, so make sure you have spare parts, time & patience.