My name is RC Helicopter Richard and I’ve been flying helicopters on and off since 2000.
I started with the Raptor 30, then the Raptor 50 and Raptor 60 when it was released. I moved onto a Robbe Futura during a very brief go at F3C.
I worked for an aerial photography company for a year as a helicopter pilot and video editor, before packing it all in and moving to the UK. I didn’t touch another helicopter for 8 years, until I suffered a knee injury and was looking around for a less physical hobby.
Return to flying
I fell straight back into flying with a Blade 450x, then moved onto an Align T-Rex 550, Align 700. I tried a few 700s since then, and have now settled on the Tron 7.0 Advance.
Competition
After joining MK Heli Club in 2015, I started competing primarily in F3N. This is an international format that basically has 3 rounds consisting of Set Manoeuvres, Freestyle and Music. I spent many years climbing the rankings, competing in the UK, Germany and Scotland, until eventually I made British Team Reserve. At this point I realised the only people above me were far younger and leagues ahead of where I could ever be.
I could have carried on competing, however it seemed like a fruitless exercise where I would beat them through consistency and doggedness, but not actually match them on a skill level.
Training Videos
After searching for my place in the hobby, I tried my hand at making training videos. They’re currently evolving, but I feel like they’re appreciated, so I shall continue enjoying my flying and making coaching videos when I can.
RC Helicopter Richard – YouTube
Tron Helicopters Team Pilot
I have been on a few teams in the past, however, as I started making videos I wanted to be able to review products and feature a wide range of products, so I slowly left most of the teams, not from any fault of theirs. In fact the only team I am still on is Tron Helicopters.
You’ll notice I only fly Tron helicopters in my most recent videos, however, I try not to make the videos about the model, but rather the skills.
