You’d think this would be a simple question to answer, but due to the number of helicopter brands, sizes, radio systems, etc., it’s a lot harder than you would think.
If I were starting again, this is what I would do.
Ask your local flying club
If you can find a local flying club and go down on a day when there are a few helicopter pilots around, this is a good place to start gathering information. There may be a club instructor (paid or unpaid) or members who are willing to help. You may even find someone selling a used beginner kit, but don’t buy it yet.
Some good questions to ask are:
- What is the most popular radio system at the club? (you will need support, so it makes it easy if you fly what everyone else does)
- What are the requirements to become a solo pilot? (allowed to fly on your own)
- Are there any used helicopters for sale that would suit a beginner?
- What simulator is everyone using?
Ask you local hobby shop
Your next port of call would be your local hobby shop, if you can find one that specialises in RC helicopters. Even if you have to drive an hour to find one, it would be very useful to chat to someone who has flown lots of different models and can guide you to one that can be used as a stepping stone, or one that can grow with you.
Although you might be buying some of your equipment online, if you buy from the hobby shop, you will get much better support. Here are some good questions to ask:
- Do you do any package deals?
- What radio systems do you recommend?
- Are there any local clubs you can recommend?
- Do you sell used equipment?
Get to know the people at your local hobby shop, as they will be useful contacts
What size?
The size of the helicopter is generally measured by the length of a single main blade in millimetres. Some common sizes would be 100, 200, 400, 500, 550, 600 and 700 size helicopters. They tend to group around similar sizes because blade manufacturers only make sizes that work across multiple models.
Nitro or electric?
I would have to recommend an electric helicopter first. Even if you have experience with nitro engines, struggling with tuning while you are trying to learn the basics of flying will make things much harder.
Also nitro helicopters tend to be bigger, which means you need more space and crashes will cost more than the little ones do.
GPS / stabilized helicopters
GPS and stabilized helicopters may seem like a good option to get flying, and although they will get you flying around quicker, they can teach you bad habits that can take a long time to recover from.
Rescue
If you can get one with Rescue, that can be useful, as it allows you to click a switch or press a button that will orient the helicopter the right way up, level it and climb briefly. Although I don’t have this on all my helicopters, it has certainly saved me a few times when a model has gone too far to see properly.
Which radio system?
This is another difficult one to answer as there are many decent systems out there. Once you buy into a system, own a radio and a few flight controllers, and learn how to use it, it can be a big step to change to something else. Here are some of my recommendations, but sometimes a cheap package heli/radio works fine in the beginning. And you can always sell it when you figure out what you really want.
Which transmitter for RC Helicopters in 2026?
Simulator
You are definitely going to need a simulator sooner or later. It makes it easier to learn manoeuvres by practicing at home when it’s dark, raining or you’re waiting for spares to arrive. You can find a list of the simulators I recommend here.
Which Flight Simulator for RC Helicopters?
100 size
These are some of the smallest helicopters that you can be learn on. A good example of these is the XK K110S. It normally comes as a complete package ready-to-fly (RTF) with radio and batteries. Spares are available from places like Amazon and AliExpress.
Other good examples are the OMP M1 and Goosky S1. These are much newer and your hobby shop is more likely to carry these, as well as spares. They are hardy little helicopters, although their size makes them slightly skittish and harder to fly.
200 size
These helicopters are a good size for learning on. They can be a little more expensive, but they will be easier to fly. In addition, they are quite capable of doing 3D, so can stay with you along the way as you learn.
400 size
Now we’re getting into the area where helicopters are a nice size to see and fly, but they cost a bit more upfront, and spares will more expensive too.
This is also a size where you don’t buy them as a package anymore. You’ll be expected to buy the helicopter as a kit or mostly complete, and you’ll have to add your own radio system.
Some good examples of these come from Goosky, OMP and Align.
500 and up
I would not recommend anything bigger than the previous 400 size for a beginner. In the 500 class and up, blades are expensive, so even little crashes can cost a lot, and will likely put you off flying. It’s also more dangerous, as the blades are a lot heavier and stronger.
There’s no doubt it can be done, but ideally you want to be doing a lot of simulator practice and have help at the field from an instructor or other members.
Summary
So as you can see, there is no clear answer. Flying helicopters is complex, so you want something where support is available locally and spares are plentiful and cheap. Finding a local source of help is often the best place to start.
