I've flown both fixed and rotor for years. RC helo's can be quite challenging to fly. I'd definitely start on a fixed wing trainer type craft. The hardest thing for most people in rc is mastering what to do when the model is coming at you, once you master that on an easier fixed wing it's not so bad moving on to helo's.

I definitely wouldn't try learning to fly helo's alone. Either get someone to help you or buy a computer sim like the Phoenix RC sim. It's pretty accurate and can help you a ton once you have a few hours. I wouldn't go fly a real model though until you can take off and land darn near 100% in the sim. And only spend your time in the sim flying the trainer heli's with the trainer gear on so you have a feel for what your model will be like. Training with airwolf or the turbine apache is a waste of time as your model is going to be nothing like it.

The foam models are ok, but i wouldn't start on one. Most of the cheap ones are too light and wind will make you eat that thing. I actually bought a foam ducted fan jet, has about a 3 ft wingspan. even that is twitchy in the wind.

Phoenix is a good sim, but its nothing like flying the real thing. Just like Deer Hunter is nothing like actually hunting.

Its true. Even at 60 MPH they bob up and down in the wind.

Dont understand the need to join a club. I learned just fine without one, in fact my first plane, J-3 Parkzone three channel taught me alot and only need minor parts like the plastic cowl and such. If you use a sim, watch videos, and just go slow, you will get the hang of it easily. Its not rocket science. Clubs and Buddy box are not necessary.

I sold 1000$ ARFs for two years. Every few days I'd get a call from someone who'd want to buy one, but had obviously never flown anything before. I wouldn't sell it to them. They'd surely crash it (got those 'your plane wouldn't fly' calls on Mondays too), and possibly kill someone or cause thousands of dollars in damage (got those calls too).

If you want to do it right, join a club, learn on a buddy box and you'll have more fun, you won't waste your money on something you turned into a pile of toothpicks 2 mins into your first flight.

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but I'm with ripper998 on this one.....mostly. It is entirely possible to learn RC without clubs and buddy boxes. It can be done and it is not "not right" to learn RC solo! I don't agree that watching videos and practicing on simulations is going to teach you how to fly however. These things might help a little but they don't come close to actual flight so one shouldn't rely on them too much. The advice to take it slow is spot on!!

That said, if a beginner is planning on spending $1000$ for an ARF as a 1st model, they should probably get their head examined!! At the very least they should indeed join a club and hookup to a buddy box. Better still - buy a cheaper ARF, learn how to fly, and then buy the $1000$ kit!!

I'll quote another poster in another thread...

100% disagree. I have been flying RC for several years now and cannot say enough about how accessible foam models make this hobby for new comers. Foam models can be flown in very small areas (large parks, soccer fields, etc...), can belly land on grass eliminating the need for a runway, and are incredibly tough and unbelievably repairable. Many can be flown into the ground inverted, at full throttle, cartwheeled, etc... and made flyable again in 5 minutes with epoxy. Makes it much easier to tolerate mistakes and the steep learning curve that comes with RC flying. I would never have been able to afford this hobby if I destroyed a $100 model every time I crashed when I was learning. Foam has allowed me to be part of this hobby.

That being said, they are sensitive to wind, but no more sensitive to wind than a blasa model of the same size.

Mate ...

There is some very good advice here and take what you need is suitable for what you wish to do.

RC flying is more immersive than sim as it is real time, fact, conditions and consequences.

The reality, never be discouraged if you crash and burn.
The one thing you have in favour ... You can always walk away from this and rebuild.

If I could give any advice, it would be to firstly understand aeronautics ... Eg: Lift, drag, thrust, weight ... the main factor of which controls everything outside of this is ... gravity.

Go to a club and let someone teach you through a buddy system. Costs nothing!
Listen, learn and accept advise.

Fixed wing aircraft have basic dynamics ... Rotor, a whole new concept.

All the best with your endeavours.

Cheers