This guide is offered as a basic starting point to get you into the hobby, the views and advice contained are given as a general overview and an opinion.

RC Helicopters are considered the most difficult of all radio control vehicles to learn how to fly but once mastered provide the most reward.

Radio controlled planes, fly forward until the pilot provides an input on the transmitter controls, where as radio control helicopters can move in any direction almost instantly.

Radio Controlled Helicopters are inherently unstable, and they require constant input on the transmitter sticks. It's very similar to balancing a ball on glass using 8 axis on a radio control. In addition to this, the glass can be rotate which then spins all the control directions.

Unlike radio controlled planes it is practicle to learn to fly yourself (with another members supervision), planes are much easier to get of the ground and fly but you need a lot more space and once it’s airborne, getting it down again in one piece can be tricky.

Note: (Oxon helicollective rules state "as a beginner you must be supervised by an experienced pilot") .

You do not need as much space to learn to fly Helicopters, by strapping what’s called “a training under carriage” to the bottom of the helicopter, a beginner can bounce around and learn the basics of hovering.

Flying radio controlled helicopters takes a lot of time to develop a good sense of balance and eye to thumb coordination. Recently Computer simulators allow you to connect your transmitter to a computer allowing you to crash without denting your wallet!

If you are interested in flying model helicopters there are a few cheap things you can do to get a taste of how you find it, Paul Heckles flight school offers training and lessons to raw beginners, at £40 per hour you can get you thumbs on the sticks, best of all it's not your helicopter if it crashes it's their problem not yours.

Getting a couple of hours of flight lessons gets you a taste before you spend out hundreds of pounds on your own helicopter, it will also accelerate your skills meaning you can get off a training undercarriage sooner.

The other option is to purchase a computer simulator, although not the same as the real thing, a simulator is an excellent tool to learn the basics. if you crash click the reset button and try again rather than £40+ for new blades etc.

Once you have decided to give up your evening and weekends to model helicopters and throw all your expendable income into the hobby you will need to purchase a helicopter, transmitter and some field equipment to get flying, the following sections outline the kit you will need.