# R/C Helicopters - Types, Cost, Ease? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2004, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348 "2004-10-09T08:03:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PaulFitzroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2acd7d/32.png) [@PaulFitzroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulFitzroy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348/1 "2004-10-09T08:03:09Z")
I always thought it would be cool to own an R/C helicopter, and now I have the chance to buy one. There are tons of them on Ebay, and I have some questions about it should anyone here happen to have this hobby. First of all, I like building models and I like working on machines, but I have no desire to build my own to start out (the margin of error is too high with complicated parts and I don’t want to waste money.) I want to begin on one which is pre-built and doesn’t require building from scratch. (Minor assembly and maintenance, obviously, I don’t care about.) I want one that’s relatively easy to fly. I don’t want to spend more than 300 dollars. Any advice? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348/2 "2004-10-09T08:25:20Z")
I’m not an expert but how does $50 sound for a starter heli? [link](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006694M/104-7696214-5299912?v=glance) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348/3 "2004-10-09T11:31:57Z")
You will need flying lessons. Yes, really - RC helos take skill. Inquire at local hobby shops selling such items. Among other things, you can buy a flight simulator for your PC that does a good job replicating the experience of flying an RC helo, including using the same sort of control set up as the real thing. This will save you a lot of money by letting you crash virtual helos instead of the real thing. It would also be a good idea to hook up with other RC helo guys for help and advice. ---
**Author:** ![jawdirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jawdirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jawdirk)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348/4 "2004-10-09T19:27:34Z")
I would second Broomstick’s advice. A friend of a friend did the RC helicopter thing, and it didn’t turn out well. RC helicopters are expensive, hard to fly, and easy to break. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_B.Phart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-c-helicopters-types-cost-ease/268348/5 "2004-10-10T00:45:08Z")
> [@PaulFitzroy](#): > > There are tons of them on Ebay, That’s because 80% (IIRC) of people who buy R/C Helicopters _never_ learn to fly them. I bought a 2nd hand one - it was only after having to rebuild it (R/C helo Vs shrub, shrub wins) I found the previous owner had put it together wrong!- take **Broomstick** ’s advice, get a simulator before spending big bucks [a freeware one - has model helos like the ThreeDee](http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html) > [@jawdirk](#): > > hard to fly, easy to break. No shit!