How I got started

[ken jackson]

I started flying helicopters in my living room in October 2011 with a $20 coxial. It had a high ceiling and I thought it was the perfect place to start. I ended up buying a bunch as Christmas gifts for others. Spent a lot of time fixing these cheaply made helis but also learned quickly that since I was good at fixing them I could sustain their useable lifetime. So flying and field engineering is what hooked me in. Then I thought hey maybe I can fly, after I bought a V911 fixed pitch. My first Collective Pitch was a Blade SR. Other than replacing the brush tail motor several times it was a good learner. A buddy gave me an old Blade 400 and a Honeybee King II, with lots of parts and training wheels (balls). So I flew, crashed and fixed. Flew, crashed and fixed. And spent a large amount of money. I would crash go right to the hobby store and be up and flying again later that day.

Once I was getting better my same buddy let me fly his TRex 500 flybarred heli and I was hooked on the size and feel. I bought an EXI 500 flybar, belt drive. That same helicopter is the one I fly today, well almost. I’ve modified and repaired from crashes so many times that I call it build 22 or 23 not sure anymore the exact number, LOL. The shelve that the Gyro (IKON) sits on is the original EXI aluminum shelve. The only EXI part left. It is mostly Align.

I started flying planes about 1 ½ years ago. Obviously they are less expensive and not as expensive to maintain. Not that CA glue is cheap but I don’t want to even think about all the helicopter main blades I’ve broken. Flying planes enhanced my helicopter skills as well. There are a lot of things similar between how the two fly but they are very different as well. I typically will fly my plane first to get my hands comfortable holding the radio and just see how I’m feeling on any given day. It is a lot harder to crash a plane because they glide and don’t just fall out of the sky as a helicopter can. If you have been flying a helicopter for a while and are not happy with your progress get an inexpensive plane. There are several good models with the AS3X technology. If you go with a single cell battery plane you won’t be able to fly in wind much so go with the 2 cell or bigger assuming you have logged some time with a heli. I really liked the UMX SBach 342 3D. Price wasn’t bad it is a 2 cell and had a lot of power.

I have spent some money learning to fly at the level I have achieved. I have already passed what I thought I could EVER do. I don't know about the extreme 3D stuff that you see at competitions but I can sure throw my helicopter around the skies. Love big loops forward and backward and lots of rolls and flips. Hoping to have some solid Tic Toc’s this summer but it’s all about fun for me and the feeling that flying gives to me. Even if it’s RC. It has been my friend at times and I have made a lot of new friends in the process. It’s really cool to have new friends from all around the world that share my love for this sport.

If you are new to the sport, I suggest number one a simulator is awesome. No it’s not the same as really flying but you can test any maneuver and become familiar with at least hovering and flying figure eights and circuits.
Craft I have flown;
Blade
MCX, MSR, 120 SR, MSRx, MCPx, MCPxBL, 130x, 400

Misc
V911, Honeybee King II

Planes
The Beast, Mustang, SBach 342 3D, VisionAire, Night Vapor

Friends
TRex 500, 600, 700

[Tony]

Nice story Ken, one thing that has stood out for me is to get a fixed wing if your heli skills aren't that good.. I'm thinking of doing this soon. My heli skills are crap to say the least...lol

If flying a plane can help with heli skills then I'm all for it, and planes cheaper to buy/fix.. Got to be a bonus

Thanks Ken

[KevG]

Great story Ken,

[Graham Lawrie]

Nice one Ken:) welcome home:)