RC Electric Helicopters are the most popular of the remote controlled helicopters available.

RC Electric Helicopters come in all sizes, from micro helicopters to the largest RC helicopters available.

 Electric helicopters have come a LONG way in the last few years. I believe it is true to say that electric helicopters are  the most popular of all the types of remote controlled helicopters available today.

 

 

Reasons for the popularity of electric helicopters-

1. New lithium polymer batteries technology
2. The latest Brushless RC Electric Motors.
3. Today's RC Airplane Radios.
4. The modern Gyro control.
5. The RC ESC (Electronic Speed Control)

Performance wise the electric helicopter is at least equal to any other power source of the modern RC helicopter. Compared to Gas or Nitro RC helicopters, they are very simple to operate and require the minimum of field support equipment.
To day's Li-Po batteries give ample flight time and the batteries are easy to exchange, so it is quite practical to spend the whole day at the flying field.

The modern Micro Helicopters are amazing technological choppers that would be impossible to have with any other power units. Electric is the only way to go for these miniature marvels! Their popularity means they can be mass produced and thus the price can be very competitive.

One tip I can pass on is to stay away from the RC electric helicopters that use a separate motor for the tail rotor. Apparently the response time is slower than the type that uses a belt or shaft drive from the main gearbox. A phenomenon known as "tail blowout" can occur where it is difficult to keep the heli from rotating about the main axis.

Advantages of Electric Helicopters compared to Nitro RC Helicopters.

1. Easier to set-up- no carburetors to adjust or fuel systems to bother with.
2. Very reliable in flight-far lass chance of a motor stoppage.
3. Low operating cost (No fuel to buy)
4. Much quieter operation, sounds like a turbine and you can hear the rotor 'WOP-WOP"
5. No messy oil to clean up and no fuel residue on the helicopter or on the electronics.
    

Disadvantages of Electric Helicopters .

1. The cost can still be higher then a nitro helicopter-but every day the price gap is closing!
2. You may have to wait longer, between flights, for batteries and ESC's to cool down or charge up.

All in all, it is easy to see why electric helicopters are so popular today-maybe the most popular category in the whole field of  RC airplanes!

 

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