Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building & Flying R C Helicopters [Paperback]

Nick Papillon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996

This is a guide to building and flying radio-controlled model helicopters. It provides up-to-date information and guidance on the latest models available, the latest developments in design and technology, basic aerobatics and a guide to local clubs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Nexus Special Interest Ltd (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854861379
• ISBN-13: 978-1854861375
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,318,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars more needed, December 19, 2005

By 

Peter Parsons "helix" (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building and Flying R/C Helicopters (Paperback)

good book for the most part. however, despite it being reprinted in '04, it is really lacking in up-to-date info for anyone considering electric helis as an entrypoint to the hobby. also, the section on flight simulators is woefully inadequate and in no way reflects what is available today (eg G3, XTR etc).

both these two areas have come along in leaps and bounds in the last few years and this book would be more complete if the info were up-to-date. The existence of high-quality simulators with extrememly advanced physics can drastically cut the entry cost for a beginner (i'm talking from experience!) which is an important factor when considering whether or not to take the plunge. that said, it still makes a good read and explains a lot.

for those interested in the electric-path here's the latest beginner's guide: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439635

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best out there for setting up and flying., April 13, 2000

By 

Brian Harkin (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building & Flying R C Helicopters (Paperback)

If your looking for a guide to get you started, you can't go wrong with this book. All of the sections are clearly written and logically ordered so you can get started faster and easier.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Resource, July 10, 2002

By 

Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building & Flying R C Helicopters (Paperback)

As I'm just entering the sport of radio-controlled helicopters, Nick Papillon's book has been a very nice resource to have. He begins with choosing a helicopter and goes right through introductions to aerobatics, and covers a large amount in between.

Although being English, Papillon has a few different names for things than we are used to in the States. Besides these occasional words, he is very easy to read, and he does a good job of explaining complex topics. I found his chapters on setting up the helicopter to be very useful, and his explanation of setting the gyro correctly were better than the instructions that I received with the component. He is thorough in his explanations, and covers enough material that you could go from kit to flying all on his book alone. And, should you crash your heli, he even tells you what to look for in diagnosing damage, and how to fix it.

After each flight, I consult Papillon to see what I can do to correct slight problems in flying. I was hovering by my third tank of gas, and I think Papillon is a large reason for it.