U809 Cobra Missile Launcher is a 3.5 Channel helicopter that launches out missiles upon command. It is super easy to fly with the built in GYROSCOPE system. You can choose up to three selectable bands (frequencies) A, B, or C. In order words, you can fly up to THREE Combat Fighters at the same time! Package comes complete with fully assembled helicopter, remote control transmitter, 6 missile lauchers, bonus tail blade and USB charge cord. In addition, there is the TURBO MODE option. With the push of a button on the remote control, the helicopter will accelerate in speed! With another push of the button, you can launch the missile! Also comes with colorful military tank paper stand as target!
As we mentioned there are many varieties of remote control cars ranging from Electric remote control cars, nitro buggies, remote controlled planes and helicopters and very large petrol rc trucks. For beginner's the electric rc car is usually the first option where you can get a relatively cheap car which you can use indoors and out which takes around half an hour to charge and more or less 15 minutes of driving time before it needs a recharge. Next up on the ladder are nitro cars, these of which are much faster than electric cars when at full power but for acceleration are a little slow. Nitro cars are usually the type of model which people upgrade to once they have a little experience of rc models and feel they need a little more power. The fuel is purchased from model stores so can be a paid if you run out and the shops are not open, sounds like something which does not matter but to the dedicated fan can be a real pain.
This is where petrol rc cars come into the league or their own, including the monster petrol rc trucks. What is fantastic about these is that they run on actual unleaded petrol, exactly the same petrol you put in your car. You also need a small amount of 2 stoke oil which is combined with the petrol and away it goes. This means that firstly, it makes them much more cost effective to run than nitro fuel and also petrol stations are a lot more accessible in out of working hours so not as restricted in when you can play with them.
Due to the power of these trucks, they tend to be much bigger than normal electric or nitro cars. The standard at the moment is 1/5th Scale which means they are certainly not for indoor use even if they were not petrol. Their size means they can take on many types of surface and terrain outdoors with the design leaving them to stand up to pretty much what you throw at them. One of the main companies which make these cars is XRC who make a buggy which has become a standard in popularity.
Lastly, these trucks, cars and buggies are as nearly as complicated inside as a normal road based vehicle so most of the dedicated rc fans service and repair their own cars instead of sending them back to where they purchased them, or the manufacturer. Most parts can be bought online for pretty cheap prices so all in all makes a very fun hobby, If you don't like the idea of these huge monsters, the nitro buggies are the next best thing followed by electric rc cars which are still the most purchased type of remote control car in any country with petrol rc cars being for those with a great amount of experience.
Here is the indoor maiden flight of the newest Walkera 4F200LM, the sweetest and highly scaled Lama helicopter with 3 bladed Flybarless head and stabilization system. This thing is really stable with hover. Got to test how it will behave outdoors with fast forward flight and some little scaled aerobatics on 3D mode. Comments and feedback welcome at alishanmao@gmail.com or ali@redcatracing.com Don't forget to Subscribe to www.youtube.com
Keywords: Walkera 4F200LM review, Walkera 4F200LM out of box, Walkera New 4F200LM, Walkera 4F200LM, 3 Bladed Flybarless Helicopter, RC Helicopter, RC electric Helicopter, RC Lama Flybarless Helicopter, RC 4F200LM Lama Helicopter, Lama Helicopter, Ali, alishanmao, 4F200LM Review, Walkera 4F200LM Maiden Flight, 4F200LM Maiden Flight, 4F200LM Indoor Flight, RC Helicoopter Indoor flight, RC lama indoor flight, RC lama Helicopter, Electric Lama Helicopter
Heli Lesson (Extended show) BlueRay & Xheli Coaxials. On YouTube.
Girls flying too ?? See end. If you watch this, I hope you see some tip, that may help you decide what heli to learn on and how to learn faster and easier. My goal is to try to present you folks with a real life scenario of one of my training sessions using one of my subscribers and his sister to show the typical beginnings of people learning on a tail rotored, ccpm helicopters. Also shown is what to expect if you begin with coaxial helis, (which I recommend ) to find out your coordination level. Scenes: First ground school and how helis work, Then test flying and trimming the heli for the student Then letting him try it. Then letting him try a coaxial. Then letting his sister fly it! WHAT!? All helis in this video are from Xheli.com Here is a link for todays price and availability of these helis. www.dpbolvw.net Happy flying and dont give up. Dave
Crash proof or almost crash proof? As most of you know, anything you put into the sky will sooner or later have a crash, hard landing or suffer some other traumatic event. The real question is, will your RC plane survive the event to fly another day. I have crashed in varying degrees and have been able to fly again with some glue and a little patience.
What I discovered, was an R/C plane that is really almost crash proof. It is the Sky Hunter RC Plane. This fantastic radio controlled plane will delight beginners and thrill fanatics alike. This airplane can take the hits and bounce right back.
With a 24" wingspan, a fully functional radio control, a flying distance of 200 feet with a charging time of only about five minutes, this R/C plane can make a great gift for anyone including you!
I was in amazed at how easily the plane launched into the sky and how stable it flew! In just minutes I was flying around light posts and up and over the trees that lined the parking lot. I clipped a light post, so I cut the motor and the Sky Hunter tumbled to the ground. No dings or scratches! Wow! After a few more flights and a few hard landings the Sky Hunter just kept bouncing back!
You can take off from a hard surface or launch it by hand. It simply takes to the sky. The plane is easy to maneuver and is responsive. You get about 10 minutes of high quality flight before needing to recharge. The Sky Hunter is designed from the latest complex compound material. The compound offers strength, flexibility as well as being lightweight. This material gives the airplane its resiliency.
In my opinion, the Sky Hunter is the most amazing and simple RC plane I have seen to date.
Features:
Suitable for ages 8+
Remote Control Airplane
Ground and hand take offs
Durable material
Easy charging
Longer flying time
Shorter Charging time
Hours of outdoor fun using the remote to charge the airplane battery.
History tells us that the first concept of man trying to defy gravity and actually fly was through a helicopter flight. Accounts date way back 400 BC in ancient China with a hand-spun toy made from a stick and feather that flew when rapidly spun between palms to generate enough lift and then released.
However, the very first, more realistic concept of a helicopter dates in the 15th century when Leonardo Da Vinci attempted to produce a working helicopter (gyroscope). This was not made into production since his sketch was noted to be way ahead of his time and the period had inadequate technology and understanding about the nature of lift and the availability of a machine that could create such massive lift.
Several other attempts had been made over the next centuries. All these had failed but had contributed little advancements on the development of the helicopter. The reason of failure? Same as that of Da Vinci’s time. From the time of Da Vinci up to the end of the 19th century, there was no adequate machine that is powerful enough to generate power and create lift.
The breakthrough came when the internal combustion engine was invented that made full-size prototype production a possibility. But then, problems after problems occurred. With a little understanding on the concept of torque and balance, all the initial attempts failed. Models tend to flip over. Others cannot be controlled in mid-air. Many would not even get off from the ground.
The break came in 1907 when Paul Cornu, a French pioneer created a twin-rotor helicopter that lifted off the ground for few seconds. That event was followed by other successful tests but not until 1924 when another French by the name Etienne Oehmichen made a historic helicopter flight that lasted for 7 minutes and 40 seconds.
Others came to follow these two Frenchmen. Boris Yuriev and Geogrij de Bothezat (Russian), Ellehammer (Dutch), Louis Brennan (Briton), Pescara (Argentina), Etienne Oehmichen (French), D'Ascanio (Italian), and Juan de la Cierva (Spanish) are among other pioneers who came up with their own version of helicopter. In 1936, with the German Focke-Wulf Fw 61 introduction, the concept of vertical flight became a reality. This was hailed as the very first practical helicopter that rose as high as 11,243 feet and as far as 143 miles.
Well, where to start with this one... This has got to be one of the coolest yet frustrating things anyone has ever bought me. Let me explain... My girlfriend bought me this for Christmas from Buzzflyer.co.uk for around £110, as soon as I opened it I was like a kid at 10 years old again. On the box it said for indoor/outdoor flight so naturally the box was flung open and the battery was straight on charge ready for a bout of flying round the living room.
What's in the box?
1 x Assembled Esky Honeybee Helicopter
1 x 4CH Radio Handset and aerial
1 x AC adapter
1 x 12V Battery lead (to charge the helicopter battery from a 12V car battery etc)
1 x Transformer
1 x Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery
1 x Plastic bag of bits and bobs
1 x Instructions
The Esky Honeybee is billed as an RTF helicopter (Ready To Fly, for those not in the know) which means that in theory all it should require is a quick charge and off you go.
Naturally being a bloke there was no need to read the instructions so I just plugged the battery into the beast and off I went. It very quickly became apparent that this is definitely NOT an indoor toy, in fact it is not even a toy at all come to mention it.
Obviously what's the first thing you do when you get a toy helicopter? You got it, stick on maximum revs and see what happens! That's where this thing went from 0 to lethal in less than a second. It looked so innocent sat on the floor till I whacked the throttle up then I seriously began to fear for my safety. The downdraft from this thing was amazing considering the size, what looked quite small in the beginning now seemed relatively large once the blades were spun up, and what a noise! To put it into context; have you ever seen hypnodisc on robot wars? Now imagine that but flying uncontrollably around your living room at head height, brown pants moment I think you'll agree! I ducked for cover as the beast ploughed straight into the wall, slid down, and proceeded to have what looked like an epileptic fit on the floor. My first venture and already a broken part (albeit minor and not detrimental to operation). "Ah" I thought, "probably better off outside".
So out I went, only a slight breeze so I thought to myself "perfect" - mistake number 2.
Full throttle once again (this time from a safe distance). The helicopter took straight off and was instantly carried by the slight breeze at a rate of knots till it was out of sight. I ran over to it only to find it looking like a wet dog on a cold day, all bunched up and twitching.
This time I had broken several major parts so I packed up my helicopter and walked home in shame to figure out what I was doing wrong and order some spare bits (which weren't cheap). "Suppose I best read the manual" I thought.
Ah... Apparently you have to set the helicopter up first as regards to the balancing of the main rotor, paddles, and the weight distribution so that the centre of gravity is directly beneath the rotor shaft. This is EXTREMELY important if you want any kind of stable flight. Instructions for this can be downloaded here.
The next thing you have to do is set up the gain and trim of the tail rotor; this is so that while throttling up the main rotor the helicopter will remain stable and pointing in the same direction.
With these tasks complete I then took the helicopter to an empty squash court with a friend who had also bought a honeybee helicopter (although he opted for the 6 channel collective pitch model, boy did he regret that later).
This time I was dead careful, I slowly increased the throttle until it was very light on the ground then applied a short burst just to get it in the air and out of the ground effect (this is another thing I learned, after experimenting trying to get the honeybee to hover in my kitchen it would constantly drift to the left no matter what controls were applied. After a bit of research I discovered that it's something to do with the way the air flows when the rotor is so close to the ground that makes it act in this way. Hence the term 'ground effect'. The only way you can get the helicopter into a stable hover is to quickly apply the throttle in a short burst so that it rises out of the ground effect to about knee level where it will become more stable.)
It then became apparent that I was out of my depth, I thought being only a 4 channel helicopter it couldn't be that hard and I would have become a master of flight before the day was out. That day turned into about a month of practice, several expensive crashes, and 2 body injuries from the main rotor and I'm still not great although I've become quite good at a stable hover. Flying a RC helicopter is a lot more difficult than it looks!
On the same day of the first proper maiden flight in the squash court, my friend opted for the same initial response as I had when first getting the heli out of the box (it was the first time he had ever turned it on) only this time he didn't get away with a minor breakage as with mine. He pushed the throttle to maximum and with the 6 channel Honeybee having more power it took off like a trident missile straight into the squash court wall and folded up like a spring loaded deckchair. It was a write-off. Less than 1 second total flight time and it cost him a fortune (not to mention hours of build time and bleeding thumbs) just to get it back to a reasonable flying condition only to have a similar incident the second time round! He was nearly in tears and I tried to be sympathetic but I couldn't help crying with laughter, bad I know but the comedy of the situation was hard to ignore!
My advice would be don't buy this particular RC helicopter if you have never flown one before. The damage caused by learning to fly it will drive you insane not to mention the cost and time to rebuild it. If your serious about it get some advice before you buy one and try to get some proper training from someone who already knows how to fly RC helicopters. Trust me it will save you a lot of headaches not to mention a hefty repair bill. One plus side of the honeybee FP (fixed pitch blades) is that the battery lasts ages. On a full charge the Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery gives a good 30 minutes of continuous 'attempted' flight.
The principle behind an electric helicopter is a good one and I admire what Esky have tried to do by creating a cheap offering but to me the build quality was a bit lacking, only very slight knocks would cause something to break which means the novelty wears off extremely quickly.
If I had to buy one again I would go for the Micron V2 which is a tiny indoor helicopter the advantages of this is that the build quality looks substantially better than the honeybee, and the size is such that you can actually fly it in your living room which means that any major crashes and knocks are likely to be absorbed by soft things such as sofas and carpets.
Conclusion
Great idea in principle, but the build quality is a bit lacking.
While most of us like to believe we are open minded men of the world, many still shirk at a helicopter radio controlled gadget, as if it was immature and senseless to fly on in the park. Well it's time to nip that knee-jerk reaction in the bud. Working class folk and professionals alike have lauded Aligns' helicopter radio controlled T-Rex 700, since it's humble beginnings of July 1984, as the cutting edge of radio controlled helicopters, or "RC" helicopters for short. From innovative active RC remote control helicopters and hobby RC helicopters, via remote control flying gadgets that many a boy begged their mothers as a release and escape of their Airwolf TV fantasy.
The brand Align has been synonymous with being a leading RC electric helicopter brand. But no one as iconic as the T-Rex 250 and it's sister the T-Rex 250S.E, the micro helicopter RC models that kicked off the whole RC electric helicopter phenomenon in 1984, and the good news is that it's back with the T-Rex 700.
Aligns' helicopter radio controlled T-Rex 700 incorporates new single blade technology, and this model has undergone many adaptations and redesigns since, Align is issuing the helicopter radio controlled T-Rex 700 as a limited Nitro Edition, staying loyal to all it's original designs features, including the characteristic nose cone and windscreen.
Now the T-Rex 700 limited Nitro series will sell out quicker than tickets for the Rolling stones at the O2, but fear not, their may be a contingency plan in the works. For a lesser price you can get your hands on the red hot Trex 650 Nitro Pro Limited Edition, designed & developed by Jason Krause and Alan Szabo Jr. This new limited edition version has all the metal parts anodized in silver finish. Aside from the silver aluminum parts the unique thing about the T-Rex 600 LE is the included electronics and blades combo.
Aligns' helicopter radio controlled T-Rex 700 comes with an uprated heavy duty tail with thrust bearings, Carbon fiber blades, with a 7 channel receiver, more handle if needed coupled with a super engine cooling system very efficient airflow to provide unequaled cooling and horsepower.
Make no mistake, this plane is not for the budding amateur or beginner! This is a single bladed remote controlled helicopter. Single bladed helicopters are difficult to fly. It would be advisable to start with a double balded remote controlled helicopter, such as the Esky Big Lama is a large double bladed model for indoor and outdoor flight. This would be a great model for beginners.
Remote control helicopters are just about the most complicated RC models there are (we will start as we mean to go on, and avoid referring to them as toys!) There are just so many moving parts operating at the same time. Even if you are familiar with RC fixed wing craft (airplanes) you will soon see that flying an RC helicopter is a whole new ball game.
Although there are different ways of powering an RC chopper, the one most newcomers will come across is battery power. This is because practically all RTF (ready-to-fly) helicopters are electric, and they are sold everywhere. They're also cheap. Since an RTF craft is definitely best for a beginner, that is what we'll discuss here.
That being said, apart from the power source, method of starting the engine etc, RC helicopters are all pretty much alike in terms of how they fly. And they fly pretty much the way a full-size helicopter does. How easy they are to fly, depends on how the rotors operate.
A helicopter lifts off the ground by rotary motion. Straightaway you can see that, with just one rotor spinning, the body of the craft will want to spin in the opposite direction. This is called torque. To avoid this happening another rotor must be introduced, spinning in the opposite direction. If you now apply the throttle, the helicopter will lift off the ground in a straight line.
RC helicopters are controlled by means of a transmitter, which sends signals to the receiver, which then transmits them to various electronic servos and, in hobby-grade models, a gyro (on the tail end) Hobby-grade is anything that is not a 2 channel toy. Toys are for little kids. As a novice pilot, you will start on 3 channel or above.
RC helicopters can be one of two types - single rotor or co-axial. Single rotor craft are further divided into fixed-pitch (FP) or collective-pitch (CP) helicopters. Pitch relates to the way the main rotor is controlled. On fixed pitch craft, the rotor cannot be angled in any way, and lift is achieved by throttle alone. On CPs, lift is achieved by a combination of pitch control and throttle.
The fixed pitch RC helicopter normally has a 4 channel receiver; the CP 5 (more commonly, 6.) This makes collective pitch helicopters incredibly manoeuvrable - but totally unsuited to beginners. 4 channels are quite enough to be going on with.
But what are all the controls for? Well, keeping to a basic 4 channel fixed-pitch model, first there's the throttle. But on its own, that only lifts the helicopter up and down. At some point you will want to stop rising and go into hover mode - that's where the tail rotor comes in. Then, you will want to go forward and back, roll side-to-side and do all the other exciting things helicopters do in the air. For that, you need fore-and-aft and side-to-side cyclic controls.
Hopefully, you will see by now that even piloting a simple fixed-pitch radio control helicopter is a tricky thing to master. To steer, you first have to hover. To hover, you have to co-ordinate the two rotor blades. Get it wrong, and you're picking bits of shattered E-sky mainframe out of your hair.
Micro RC Helicopters For Everyone From Beginner to Expert
Everyone from child to adult has I'm sure at one time or another had the dream of flying a helicopter. With the advances of battery technology and smaller cheaper manufacturing of the parts required that dream is now possible. Now anyone from kid to adult, beginner to expert can fly there very own RC helicopter without breaking the bank. Everything from your basic hover to full 3D maneuvers can now be preformed in your living room!
Before you jump right in and go by the first RC helicopter you see there are things to be considered. The most important thing is to get a helicopter you will be able to fly and enjoy without first becoming frustrated. There are many options out there so do your research. My personal favourite and most recommend being the micro size helicopters, most of which can be flown in your living room! For those just starting out I would highly recommend to get a coaxial helicopter (there are two sets of rotor blades) like the e-flite blade mcx or walkera 5g6. You could also get one of those little foam helicopters you find at Wal-Mart or Toys R Us like the Air Hogs Havoc Helicopter. These micro sized helicopters are excellent to get the feel for flying and have a lot of fun without ever having to leave the house. Another great advantage is that the small foam helicopters will recharge right off the controller in less then 5 minutes and you're in the air again.
Once you've begun to master that little guy you can then start to think about moving up to a more capable helicopter with more control. Now for the best part, just because you need more performance does not mean you need a bigger helicopter. With technology how it is you can get a helicopter of the same size with much more capability. For the next step up I would recommend looking for a fixed pitch micro helicopter. Some examples of this size are the E-Flite Blade mSR or the Walkera 4#3b. With these helicopters you will begin to really get a feel for what it's like to fly a helicopter. You can go from a basic hover to zipping around the living room and landing on just about any flat surface and before you know it you will start to see everything as a helipad.
After your finished landing on just about everything in the living room you may be wondering about the next step up. Well this is where once again modern technology is your best friend. You can now go out and purchase a fully capable 3D helicopter that fits in the palm of your hand. For this next stage of your adventure from beginner to pro I would recommend a cyclic pitch (blades have variable pitch) micro helicopter. In this category your best choices are the Walkera 4G3 or the Walkera 4G6. You could also get the Heli-Max Novus CP however it is simply a Walkera 4G3 rebranded. With this micro helicopter you will be able to continue to master your skills with hovering orientation and landings. Once you are a master at these basic skills you can then move up to more advanced maneuvers like aerobatics and inverted flying (yes you can fly upside down even in your living room). With these maneuverable little helicopters you can even move outside on calm evenings for more space when doing those loops and rolls. Then once you think you're a pro with the helicopter you can do yet even more with these little guys by upgrading there parts for even more performance!
Overall there is a whole new world out there with the technology we now have at our disposal. Anyone from beginner to expert can get into the hobby with little cost and lots of fun. Micro helicopters have caught the market by storm and there cheap prices have got a lot of people into this wonderful hobby and I hope you too will get the bug and join us micro helicopters enthusiasts. May you have many happy landings and many more hours of fun and enjoyment
Having an RC helicopter of your own allows you to enjoy your free days together with friends and even with your kids. This toy helicopter is being controlled by a remote control and most of the time is being powered by batteries and engine fuel. One thing that you need to realize is that it is never simple to control and fly a remote controlled helicopter. It takes time to develop the needed skill for the activity. One of the most important things that you need to learn is to hover it above the ground and after that you may do some tricks. But sometimes, you may observe that the RC helicopter is out of balance. This will make the helicopter fly unstably. Thus, it will be in danger of crashing down. You have to learn to balance the helicopter. To do it right, there are some tips that you need to remember.
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
The first thing that you need to do is to read the instructions about the helicopter that you just bought. As what they say, you will need enough knowledge for the ideas to work out. Thus, you need to understand every aspect of the helicopter and put into mind the things that affect its flying movement. The manufacturer has surely included a kit that you can read to control the movement of the helicopter.
FIND A PLACE AND KNOW THE CONTROL
It is very much important that you know the functions of the control buttons on the remote control. You will need to make sure that you understand every aspect of it. Then, you will need to find a place that is free of any obstruction. Clutter all around will never do good since these will put the RC helicopter on danger of crashing. Find a place free of trees and buildings around.
TEST
To know whether the helicopter has proper balance, you will need to test it by flying or lifting it off the ground. Put the helicopter on a flat surface and apply a pressure on the throttle of the remote. Notice that the blades will move around and time will come that the helicopter will be lifted off the ground. Do it slowly. You then need to let it stay above the ground for quite some time and allow it to land. Observe the balance of the helicopter.
ADJUST AND PRACTICE
If there is a problem, you may adjust the screws of the helicopter. Tighten loose screws. Also, you may need to adjust the blades and some other parts. But sometimes, the problem is not really on the helicopter itself but on how to control it. So you will need to practice often to be able to smoothly control the RC helicopter.
It is very much important that you can fly the remote controlled helicopter smoothly. The tips mentioned here are some of the best that you can follow. You will need to remember them as always. Keep them in your mind to be guided well.
Draganflyer Articulating Arm Eyecam Mount Overviews Use the Eyecam Articulating Camera mount to hold your Eyecam wireless video camera (sold separately), then take stunning aerial video from any RC airplane, Helicopter or Blimp. Even use it on your rc car or truck. This Eyecam Mount includes everything required to mount the Eyecam camera. The picture shows the how you would attach the Eyecam Camera Mount to the circuit board of a Draganflyer V Ti RC Helicopter. The Articulating Eyecam Mount works with all versions of the Draganflyer RC helicopter. To mount it on a Draganflyer I, II, III, or IV board you will have to drill two tiny holes in your circuit board using the included template. Benefits of using the Eyecam camera mount: * floating arm mount * receives much less vibration * better picture quality * less interference * fewer static lines in the footage. This Eyecam camera mount comes standard on the Draganflyer V Ti helicopter with Eyecam Bundle. It will work on all of our cool flying machines. Note: This product includes the Eyecam Articulating Mount only - not the Eyecam video camera system.
The AR.Drone remote-control quadricopter is a groundbreaking device combining the best of many worlds, including modeling, video gaming, and augmented reality. The AR.Drone is remote-controlled by an iPhone and features a number of sensors, including a front camera, vertical camera, and an ultrasound altimeter. The AR.Drone can also be used in video games, such as AR.FlyingAce, a dogfight between two AR.Drones. A groundbreaking device combining the best of many worlds, including modeling, video gaming, and augmented reality.
Remote control quadricopter controlled by iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, and Android Devices with Version 2.2 and Multi-Touch
Interchangeable hulls designed for both indoor and outdoor use
Fly and battle with other Drone users via a Wi-Fi network
Front-view camera with live video feed
Enjoy a variety of games
The AR.Drone remote-control quadricopter is a groundbreaking device combining the best of many worlds, including modeling, video gaming, and augmented reality. The AR.Drone is remote-controlled by your device (see compatibility below) and features a number of sensors, including a front camera, vertical camera, and an ultrasound altimeter. The AR.Drone can also be used in video games, such as AR.FlyingAce, a dogfight between two AR.Drones.
A groundbreaking device combining the best of many worlds, including modeling, video gaming, and augmented reality. Click to enlarge.
The First Quadricopter Controlled by iPod touch/iPhone/iPad/Android Devices
Control with Your Device Thanks to its on-board Wi-Fi system, you can control the Parrot AR.Drone using an iPod touch, iPod touch, iPad, or Android device (OS 2.2 (Froyo) or higher, 3-inches wide minimum, and multi-touch).
The Parrot AR.Drone The AR.Drone is the first quadricopter that can be controlled by an iPod touch, iPod touch, iPad, or Android device (OS 2.2 (Froyo) or higher, 3-inches wide minimum, and multi-touch).
High-technology Sensors Offer Simple Piloting A mix of captors, wide-angle camera, high-speed camera and MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems), accelerometer, gyro sensors, and ultrasound sensor combine with a powerful on-board computer to make piloting the AR.Drone easy. Simply use your device and just tilt and touch to control the AR.Drone.
Connect and See The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network to which you connect your device to control. The front camera view is streamed to your piloting device display.
Autopilot The AR.Drone autopilot allows easy takeoff and landing. After takeoff, autopilot stabilizes the AR.Drone at an 80-centimeter altitude. When you remove your finger from your device, the autopilot function automatically puts the AR.Drone into stationary flight. Lost connection with the AR.Drone? Autopilot takes over again and stabilizes the device before attempting a soft and safe landing.
Indoor and Outdoor Hulls Included The full hull shield protects the AR.Drone from impacts that occur during wild battles against enemies hidden in the rooms of the house. The streamlined colored hull is aerodynamic, allowing greater control outside.
High Durability and Easy Repair AR.Drone is a quadricopter made of carbon fiber and high-resistance PA66 plastic. All parts can be changed for easy repair.
Free Piloting App Please download the free AR.Freeflight App (iTunes App Store or Android Market) to control the AR.Drone.
Augmented Reality Games Not only see what the AR.Drone sees with the front-mounted camera, but enjoy a wide variety of games in augmented reality. AR.Games sold in the iTunes App Store and Android Market. Choose from a selection of single-player and multiplayer games, using the AR.Drone's camera and the augmented reality applications. Shoot enemies or other drones.
Thanks to its on-board Wi-Fi system, you can control the Parrot AR.Drone using an iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
The full hull shield protects the AR.Drone from impacts.
The Parrot AR.Drone has been designed for both inside and outside use.
AR.Drone Details
Compatibility
Apple iOS devices: iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad
Android OS devices: Optimized for: Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Galaxy S II, Motorola Xoom, HTC Desire; Also compatible with: HTC Desire HD, HTC Sensation, LG Optimus 2x, and Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Battery
Fly time: 12 minutes
3-cell lithium polymer battery
Capacity: 1000 mAh
Charge time: 90 minutes
Motors
4 x 15 W electric brushless motors (3,500 rpm)
Construction
High-efficiency propellers
Carbon tube structure
Front camera
VGA (640 x 480) CMOS camera
93-degree wide-angle lens
15 fps video
Vertical camera
QCIF (176 x 144) High-speed camera (CMOS)
64-degree diagonal lens
60 fps video
Horizontal stabilization
Altimeter
Ultrasound-based
Range: 6 m
Emission frequency: 40 kHz
Vertical stabilization
Internal guidance system
MEMS (micro electro mechanical system)
3-axis accelerometer
2-axis gyroscope
1-axis yaw precision gyroscope
Embedded computer
ARM9 RISC 32-bit 468 MHz
128 MB DDR RAM
Wi-Fi b/g
Linux OS
USB socket
Dimensions
Size: 28 x 28 inches with hull; 29 x 11 inches without
Weight: 13.4 ounces
What's in the Box
AR.Drone, indoor hull, outdoor hull (orange/blue), battery, charger, four adapters (EU, US/JP, UK, Aus/NZ), sticker for outdoor hull (for multiplayer battles), and quick start guide.
RC helicopters are available in great varieties. This variety can be in terms of design, source of power, material used in making body structure, price or size. A new purchaser should consider all these factors before selecting any RC helicopter.
As far as the size of the remote control helicopter is concerned, these helicopters are available in many sizes. A wide range of micro, small, regular and large size helicopters are easily available in the market. Large helicopters are very realistic in looks and much more stable in flying.
Some useful ways by which the size of the radio controlled helicopter can be determined are:
By the size of engine/ motor:
The size of the helicopter can be determined by the size of its engine or motor, for example, a nitro helicopter of size 50 will have a 0.50 cubic inch engine. Same goes with the RC electric helicopters, but here the size of motor is just the measure of its physical appearance and has no link with its working power.
By the size of the rotor diameter:
Another easy way of determining the size of the helicopter is to check the size of the rotor diameter. The rotor diameter refers to the distance from the tip of one rotor to another. This is usually written on the specification list provided with each model.
Size of the RC Heli Matters:
Almost every one of us have read this phrase, May be at a Fast Food chain or a book shop. But when it comes to technology, the RC helicopters have proved it. Large size RC helicopters are not only best for beginners but for all hobbyists, they have many qualities that help beginners and even trained pilots in flying.
RC Electric Airplanes: What's All the Excitement About?
Electric power for RC aircraft: planes, helicopters, ducted fan jets; is the fastest growing aspect of this hobby/sport. There are lots of reasons for this, but perhaps two major developments have created this gold-rush atmosphere. First, the recent bringing to market of the Lithium Polymer battery - a refinement of the lithium-ion battery. Second, the disappearance of many of the traditional local RC flying sites under the pressure of real-estate development and population growth.
The radio control Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) battery is characterized by the use of a solid, the polymer, which acts as the electrolyte, like the acid in your car's battery. This development has made the lithium based battery relatively more stable, physically stronger and a little easier to manufacture.
The advantages to this battery for the modeler are 50% or greater weight reduction over nickel cadmium batteries, greatly increased power storage and considerably longer shelf-life without auto-discharging.
The disadvantages are that the LiPo battery must be carefully charged on a dedicated LiPo-capable charger, maximum discharge must be monitored and that careless handling, charging, or discharging can result in fire or explosion! (Battery manufacturers are now often including protection built into the battery packs to minimize these dangers, but the rule is to read the directions and be careful).
When coupled with the many new inexpensive brushless motors and controllers now available, modelers can have fully aerobatic rc planes that will fly for 15-25 minutes(!) without recharging! And, it is possible to buy such a plane and equip it for under 0 total! This is an exciting development, and as one hobby-shop owner put it to me, "this is putting the fun back into RC!"
Because of the inherent advantages to RC electric airplanes; quiet, reliable, clean and now long-flying and powerful, it really is possible and fun to fly in the small schoolyard or park. You don't have to seek out the RC flying field that is an hour's drive away from home or work and you don't have to deal with neighbors who are incensed over the noise from glow or gas powered models.
When you are looking at radio control helicopters, you will quickly find that they are not a generalized item. Instead, these items come in a variety of styles and sizes and can even range in the type of energy that is used to assist them in flying. What you will want to consider is that each of these items can have their own unique use to you.
Perhaps the best choice you have is the electric models. You will find that these are the ones that most people will use because they are user friendly and they will give you the chance to learn the basics of RC toys. Using a simple set of internal mechanisms, you will operate them with your remote and they tend to be very responsive. For a power source, these items will typically have a rechargeable battery that you will be able to remove from them.
Inside of the remote and the radio control helicopters, you will find two different transmitters. These transmitters will give you the chance to adjust the way that your helicopter flies and can be either a simple internal system or a more complex one on larger, more expensive units. Many RC toys have a variety of options attached to them.
These radio control helicopters will come with some different axle options on them. For example, you can have a coaxial helicopter as it will have a single rotor that has been placed on the central axis. In some cases, there may be a secondary rotor on the tail, although it typically isn't needed.
RC toys that use a fixed pitch radio control in turn don't have a collective servo. This means that you cannot adjust their rotor. But since they operate on fewer channels, many beginners will find that they work out well. Just note that those who are looking to have shows with their helicopters won't be able to do many of the acrobatics that some of the more advanced models will allow them.
While you are looking over your options, you will also notice that there is a variety of choices you have, just keep in mind that these units will use a variety of controls. You may have a remote control that uses transmitters to increase speed and height while a simple unit may do nothing more than help you steer your helicopter from left to right.
That will be important to keep in mind, because there are so many different choices that radio control helicopters will provide you. Before you continue through the process, sit down and consider what you want to be able to do with your RC toys. From that point, you will be able to not only locate the perfect choice for your needs, but you will also be able to make the most of your experience as well. Just be sure that you pay close attention to quality and durability when you select any unit as this can vary as much as the price of the unit can.
Electric RC Helicopter - Dyna Hawk GX - First Flight Review
I recently had the pleasure of obtaining my very own Dyna Hawk GX: Blackguard. It came in a kit, ready to fly. Included in the kit was the helicopter, remote, AC adapter, rechargeable battery pack (Li-Po), 4 extra blades (2 for each rotor), a small screwdriver (used for tightening blades and other repairs), instruction manual, and a parts list. The first thing i did when i opened the kit was pull out the Dyna Hawk GX. After i had taken that out, looked it over, and straightened the blades correctly, I continued by pulling the rest of the contents out to make sure everything was there. Once i was finished checking, I grabbed the manual and read through it. Being that it was manufactured in China, the manual has both English and Chinese translations. Some of the instructions were a little confusing, but all-in-all, it guided me through the process of getting ready to fly.
After reading the manual, the next step is to charge the Li-Po battery and obtain 8 AA batteries (not included) for the remote. The remote itself has 2 thumb-sticks. One of the thumb-sticks controls the throttle or "lift", and the turns the helicopter or controls the "direction". There is also 2 buttons under the throttle stick that you use to "tune" your helicopter in flight. These buttons are used to decrease the "spinning" and help your helicopter hover straight. (For further instruction, see the manual.)
After the battery is fully charged, follow the instructions to install it on the bottom of the Dyna Hawk GX. The trick is to get the wires that you plug the battery into "tucked" into the "cockpit" and out of the way. This is the only way to get the battery "clicked" into place and flush, no wires hanging. Once the battery is connected, the helicopter cockpit has a steady blinking light that shows the Dyna Hawk is ready. You are now "almost" ready for flight.
Install 8 AA batteries into you remote, screw on the antenna and extend it, then turn on you remote. Always keep the antenna extended all the way when in use. Not doing so could result in "loss of reception" which would cause you to lose control and crash. With both the battery installed and your remote on, gently ease the throttle stick forward (up), making both blades spin creating "lift". If your helicopter's blades spin, you are ready to fly after a few simple adjustments. (refer back to the manual for these adjustments.)
After the adjustments are made, it is time to have some fun! The Dyna Hawk GX is an "indoor" electric RC helicopter. It is not made for outdoor flight. My recommendation, (as well as the manufacturers) is to find a "wide-open" indoor area in which to fly it in. A great flight zone would be an indoor basketball court, free of any obstacles. Being impatient, and also due to bad weather, i decided to try mine out in my living room. ( i don't recommend this and i will explain why later.)
At first, it took me a while to get used to the throttle. The manual suggests doing some training to get used to the flight controls and has several different exercises to master. I recommend doing these if you are a first time flyer. Once i got used to the throttle, i was quickly able to get the Dyna Hawk GX to hover around my living room. The turning reacts very quickly, sometimes over-turning, so feathering the "right" thumb-stick is crucial. Also, make sure that there are no drafts, open windows, or vents on in your flight zone. The slightest breeze can cause your Dyna Hawk GX to not fly correctly and lose control. With some practice, mastering the flight control with the Dyna Hawk GX comes quickly, and you will soon be flying around for the full charge of the battery.
Now, the reason i recommend not flying around obstacles: While the Dyna Hawk GX is a rather well built RC helicopter, especially for the price, it is not indestructible. Normally, if you lose throttle, it will drop straight down and bounce off the floor without much of a problem. But, if you happen to crash land into an object (lets say a couch for example), it can cause damage. When i crashed into a couch, the blades hit it and i broke the plastic inner shaft piece. This part is what makes the bottom blades spin the same speed as the top and helps prevent spin of the whole helicopter (acts as a tail rotor). If i hadn't crashed into the couch, no damage would have been done. My mistake. Fortunately, a lot of "hobby shops" carry spare for parts and this part can be replaced for a minor investment. I personally chose an aluminum inner shaft piece so that this problem is less likely to occur again. I also will now only fly in "obstacle free" areas with plenty of space.
Bottom line, the Dyna Hawk GX is a great helicopter for beginner to intermediate flyer's, ages 12 and up. The battery, fully charged, will last 10 - 15 minutes of solid flight and also charges relatively fast. This makes waiting between flights shorter and gives you more continuous fun. It is one of the better looking apache models and i have had several compliments on it already. With proper care and increased flight skills, I am sure that this particular electric RC helicopter will bring you plenty of enjoyment over time. To make it last longer, always recharge the battery right after flight exhaustion, and then give it 5 minutes before you take flight again to let the motor cool down. This will help prevent motor "burnout". Also, never leave the battery uncharged for a lengthy period of time. Storing a Li-Po battery uncharged could cause it to be unable to hold a charge and results in having to replace the battery sooner than later. Batteries are not cheap. Occasionally air blast the Dyna Hawk GX down to get rid of any dust that might have attached to it. And always, always fly in an area completely free of obstacles to reduce the chance of damage when you crash. Do these things and the Dyna Hawk GX: Blackguard will remain another great addition to your arsenal of electric RC vehicles!
Flite Test - REVIEW Turnigy 9X The new and improved Turnigy 9x controler from Hobby King is hard to get a hold of, but well worth it for the price. Josh Bixler gets his hands on this controler for the first time. It's packed with features that we're excited to try out. Link to the Turnigy 9X: www.hobbyking.com 9X MANUAL: www.hobbyking.com
Remote Control Helicopters - Beginner's and Budgeter's Fuel For Flying Fun
Which low-cost remote-control helicopter models are good for first-time fliers?
Beginners will appreciate a quick learning period requiring minimal practice to fly the RC helicopters we're discussing here. Even if you're not spending a lot you should expect four-channel controls and low maintenance costs. I recommend: the Esky Honey Bee 2, the Esky Honey Bee CP 3, the Skyartec WASP V3, or the Syma S009.
Which RC helos do you suggest if I wanted to spend maybe or more for more features?
More features for more money is a given. These RC helis have easy-to-fly controls common in the new generation of RC birds. These helicopters are controlled via a three-channel transmitter that provides four-way directional control (forward, ascend, left, and right). Plus, these models offer adjustable trim via the on-board potentiometer. Another perk is maximum crash resistance - harder to crash land and less likely to break. Good choices if you'd like to upgrade to a beginner-friendly but more sophisticated remote control helicopter include: The Syma RC Helicopters S023, S009, or the Double Horse RC Helicopters models 9060, 9081, 9088, 9089, 9070.
And what if my budget allows for an extra 0, what other features should I expect?
Take a look at the Esky 2.4GHZ Honey Bee King 3 or the Esky 2.4Ghz Belt cp v3. This category of RC helos can handle more rigorous 3D flying techniques. These models have high-performance heading lock gyros that enable sport flying and 3D aerobatics
And, if you have multiple remote-controlled toys flying together, you'll want the new 2.4G remote control system that offsets conflicting frequencies: Advanced Spread Spectrum technology and digital FSK (Frequency Shift Key) coding technology, are also common in this price range. Combined with four digital servos, remote-control helicopter pilots enjoy rapid responses, precise controls, and nimbler movements.
Is there one low-cost model you'd recommend to almost anyone? Why?
Yes, the Esky Honey Bee 3. Its durability allows it to withstand most crashes. Easy maintenance and simplified mechanics set the Honey Bee 3 apart. But the best part? The Honey Bee 3's top-notch motor provides super power for high-performance flight and the 3D maneuvers common in professional 3D aerobatic flight.
Plus, it comes factory-tested and fully assembled. Flying fun right out of the box.
Assembling and flying scale model helicopters is an incredible hobby. It offers a rare combination of characteristics that make it fun and interesting for its adherents. Let's examine why scale model helicopters capture the imagination--and occupy the time--of thousands of hobbyists.
First, they offer an opportunity to utilize one's attention to detail and modeling skills. Most hobbyists purchase kits and personally assemble their scale model helicopters. After putting their highly detailed helicopters together, they carefully add details and paint them to the point of hyper realism. Many people enjoy the construction and painting process a great deal and derive a tremendous sense of satisfaction when they've completed their helicopters.
Second, building the helicopters is only the beginning. Once they're put together, their owners can actually fly them! RC scale model helicopters take flight with either electric or gas-powered motors. Many of the models fly in a manner that accurately mimics the "real thing". In fact, many movies have actually used footage of RC controlled models to stand in for real helicopters.
Third, hobbyists quickly discover that an interest in scale model helicopters immediately makes them members in a tight knit community. Modelers often meet to discuss the hobby or to come together to fly their RC helicopters. It's a hobby with a great social component that many people appreciate as much as the helicopters themselves.
Fourth, building and flying scale helicopters is a perfect pastime for those with a strong interest in military or aeronautical history. Helicopters have a fascinating history and have played a key part in many significant events. It's hard to imagine a better way to experience history than by building and using a small piece of it yourself!
Fifth, scale model helicopters continue to present challenges. This isn't a hobby one can master in a matter of days, weeks or even months. Kits and assembly can be as complicated as one would like and the intricacies and optimizations of RC helicopter motors are infinite. Unlike some pastimes, these helicopters continue to provide interesting new challenges and opportunities.
You've probably seen scale model helicopters in a store. You may have even seen one in flight. While they're hardly unknown, most people don't think of them as a potential hobby. That might be a mistake. As we've outlined, there are a number of reasons why this can be a wonderful pastime.
Building and flying model choppers is great for those who love detail work. It provides a fun opportunity to take one's creation to the skies. It gives people access to a great social network, is fascinating for history buffs and is the kind of hobby that can maintain one's interest for a lifetime.
