Great RC Heli

Read First Before Buy 2 4GHz Single Propeller Helicopter V911

The WL Toys V911 is a 4 channel fixed pitch helicopter with flybar that uses a 2.4 Ghz remote control. It comes with the helicopter, two batteries, a charger, and the 2.4 Ghz Remote. It is a great choice for people who are starting out with helicopters and want an inexpensive starter helicopter to use outdoors.

Because the helicopter is a fixed pitch helicopter with a flybar, it is moderately stable but can fly very quickly. Because it uses 2.4 Ghz, it has a good range and will not suffer from interference from lights (like some IR controlled helis will). Because it has replaceable battery, when the battery dies, you can simply replace it with a charged one. Because it is 4 channels, you can fly forward and backwards, go up and down, spin left and right, and can slide to the left and right.

Be sure to buy extra blades and a screw kit. The blades tend to get damaged when they hit things. While the flybar won't get damaged, the screw that holds the flybar in place can become bent, and when that happens, the helicopter will lose some stability and may experience what is known as the toilet bowl effect. If you experience vibration, the screw that holds the flybar in place might be too loose. If you experience a toilet bowl effect, try loosening the screw that holds the flybar in place.

Quality control is an issue for this helicopter. The first one that I received had a bad gyro, and so it would turn to the right. Even the "good" ones have a slight tendency to rotate to the right, and it gets worse as the battery level drops.

The second and third one did not have the swashplate adjusted, and so the helicopter would tend to drift. If your helicopter drifts instead of hovering, determine which direction it is drifting (forward, back, left and/or right). Then while the helicopter is sitting on a table, move the remove control in the direction oppose of the drift. Watch which levers move in which directions. Then adjust the black plastic/silver control arms to move the swashplate in that direction by popping the black plastic control arms off of the black swashplate ball joint and then screwing or unscrewing the black part of the arm against the silver part of the arm to lengthen it or shorten it.

WL Toys offers no U.S. based support, but you can find parts if you want to try to repair the helicopter yourself.

It is not a toy and because the blades can cause serious eye injury, you should not fly the helicopter near anyone and should not allow children to operate it.

The helicopter is fun to fly, but as you lift off, be sure to move the right stick about half way to the right. These helicopters have a natural lean to the left to counter the force of the tail rotor and you need to counteract it at lift-off or the heli will veer off to the left and crash.

If you don't mind spending a bit more, you should consider these helicopters:

Blade MCX2- Coaxial helicopter, 4-channel, replaceable battery, 2.4 Ghz controller. Great for indoor use, but can be used outdoors if there is no wind. Still slow. U.S. based support and good quality. Around $120.00 with the controller (less if you already have a compatible controller).

Blade CX2/CX4- Similar to MCX2, but considerably larger and so it can be flown in very light wind outdoors. Around $150 to $200. U.S. based support and good quality.

Blade SR 120- Fixed pitch, 4-channel, replaceable battery, 2.4 Ghz controller. Too large for indoor use. Great as a park flyer even with some wind. Very fast. Around $160.00 with the controller and $130 if you already own a Blade compatible controller. U.S. based support and good quality.

----
Here's a summary of the different technology choices when it comes to RC helicopters.

Blade Systems

Coaxial- A coaxial helicopter has two sets of blades, one on top of the other. Coaxial helicopters are generally very stable and move fairly slowly. They are great for beginners and for flying indoors.

Fixed Pitch- A single set of blades. Not as stable as a coaxial helicopter, and can move much more quickly than a coaxial helicopter. A "FP" helicopter cannot fly upside down. Fixed Pitch helicopters are generally for intermediate flyers and are used outdoors.

Collective Pitch- A single set of blades whose pitch changes to raise or lower the helicopter. A "CP" helicopter can fly upside down. For advanced and expert flyers.

Stabilization Systems

Gyro- An electronic system inside the helicopter that prevents the helicopter from rotating in the direction opposite the blades. All modern helicopters have electronic gyros.

Flybar- Two weights that are connected together using plastic or metal and which spin around along with the helicopter blades. Fixed Pitch Helicopters that have a flybar will level off when you release the stick. Helicopters that do not have a flybar (and Collective Pitch Helicopters) will not level off when you release the control stick. Collective Pitch and helicopters without flybars are not suitable for beginners.

Control Systems

Infrared- Use infrared light to control the helicopter. Bright lights, sunlight, and TV remote controls will interfere with the operation of the helicopter. Not suitable for use outside during the daytime.

Radio (27 Mhz/2.4 Ghz)- uses radio waves to control the helicopter. Suitable for use indoors or outdoors.

Battery Systems-

Internal- a helicopter with an internal battery that cannot easily be removed. When the battery dies, the fun is over until you recharge it. Most helicopter batteries take about 30-50 minutes to charge and allow for about 5 minutes of run-time.

Replaceable- a helicopter with a battery that can easily be removed and recharged. When one battery dies, you just pull it out and put a fresh one in and continue flying.

Get your 2 4GHz Single Propeller Helicopter V911 Now!