Size is a "big" topic. Many people say large RC Helicopters are the best to learn on once you make the fun progression to single rotor collective pitch. "Bigger is better" in other words. That used to be true with flybars, but not as much now with the help of flybarless electronic stabilization.
Still, larger RC helis (flybar or flybarless) do have some advantages over smaller ones for learning on, and we will look at these advantages. Problem is, just what is considered "large", and for that matter, how are RC helicopters even sized so you know what to look for?
This is still a convenient way to size nitro models. For example a 30 size nitro helicopter would mean it uses a 0.30 cubic inch nitro engine ... a very popular entry level nitro helicopter size to this day.
With different power options now such as electric, and turbine, how on earth can we compare apples to apples?
For instance, that 30 size nitro heli I just mentioned is about the same size a 550 class electric RC helicopter.
Would someone new to the hobby understand that 30 is the same as 550? I've been at this for over 30 years and it makes little sense to me either.
Moreover, electric motor specifications and numbers are all over the place and arbitrary at best.
Sizing for electric motors is just to indicate physical size/class of the motor - it doesn't actually indicate how powerful it is or what physical size of helicopter it is meant to be used in.
Nano, micro, and mini helicopter sizing has also clouded the issue with these terms being thrown around more as trendy niche marketing tools than as accurate ways to determine helicopter size.
For example, my own "micro & mini" heli classification standard is if I can land it and take it off in my hand safely, I classify the heli as a nano or micro. Anything slightly larger but still small enough to fly safely in my yard is a mini. Totally meaningless unless you understand my sizing method and narrative.
Confusing – You bet!
Fortunately there is a much better and consistent way to determine sizing from small RC helicopters up to large RC helicopters, and that is by the main rotor length or main rotor diameter.
Size is a "big" topic. Many people say large RC Helicopters are the best to learn on once you make the fun progression to single rotor collective pitch. "Bigger is better" in other words. That used to be true with flybars, but not as much now with the help of flybarless electronic stabilization.
Still, larger RC helis (flybar or flybarless) do have some advantages over smaller ones for learning on, and we will look at these advantages. Problem is, just what is considered "large", and for that matter, how are RC helicopters even sized so you know what to look for?
This is still a convenient way to size nitro models. For example a 30 size nitro helicopter would mean it uses a 0.30 cubic inch nitro engine ... a very popular entry level nitro helicopter size to this day.
With different power options now such as electric, and turbine, how on earth can we compare apples to apples?
For instance, that 30 size nitro heli I just mentioned is about the same size a 550 class electric RC helicopter.
Would someone new to the hobby understand that 30 is the same as 550? I've been at this for over 30 years and it makes little sense to me either.
Moreover, electric motor specifications and numbers are all over the place and arbitrary at best.
Sizing for electric motors is just to indicate physical size/class of the motor - it doesn't actually indicate how powerful it is or what physical size of helicopter it is meant to be used in.
Nano, micro, and mini helicopter sizing has also clouded the issue with these terms being thrown around more as trendy niche marketing tools than as accurate ways to determine helicopter size.
For example, my own "micro & mini" heli classification standard is if I can land it and take it off in my hand safely, I classify the heli as a nano or micro. Anything slightly larger but still small enough to fly safely in my yard is a mini. Totally meaningless unless you understand my sizing method and narrative.
Confusing – You bet!
Fortunately there is a much better and consistent way to determine sizing from small RC helicopters up to large RC helicopters, and that is by the main rotor length or main rotor diameter.
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