Nitro RC Helicopter

A Nitro RC Helicopter offers a great new flying experience and as long as you have logged enough hours of flight or simulation time, then get ready for some real fun!

A Nitro RC Helicopter has many advantages such as:

• Nitro is a lot more convenient since to get back into the air only requires refilling the gas tank. For electrics, battery power packs need to be kept recharging. If you're working off of your car battery then you'll need to keep the car running, or, get a portable generator. Unless your airfield has an accessible electric outlet
• steady amount of available power from the engine until fuel runs out
• nitro helis have more power to lift. Electrics need to be made of lighter, and therefore more fragile, materials
• when all accessories are purchased, the cost of outfitting a nitro is much less than an equally sized electric
• nitros are typically more stable and easier to control

There are a few disadvantages associated with the nitro RC helicopter:

• they are louder
• they need to be flown at an approved flying field
• they require nitro fuel which means you will most likely need a cool, dry place to store it...and be careful transporting it.

I'm sure there are a few more comments that more experienced heli flyers could add to this...!

Checklist - If you are ready to go nitro, then here's a check list of what you will need:

• helicopter
• engine - O.S. Engines are considered top of the line
• muffler - make sure it is the correct size for both your engine and your helicopter
• radio system - 7 channel transmitter (Tx), four digital servos, PCM receiver, 1000Mah receiver (Rx) battery, switch harness, and charger for both Tx/Rx

• gyro - this is used to assist the pilot by holding the helicopter's heading with zero correction required by the pilot
• metric tools - welcome to the "new math". All of the fasteners are in metric, although you will need a 5/16th glow plug wrench
• electric starter with an extension - most nitro heli engines have clutches so there is no pull start or twirly stick
• glow plug ignitor
• fuel pump - this enables you to get fuel from your container into the fuel tank of the heli. They come in either hand pump or electric pump versions
• flight box - similar to the Hobbico Field Pack Deluxe we discuss in our nitro airplane section

Expert Level:

One of the most popular product lines of nitro RC helicopters are the Thunder Tiger Raptors. They come in various sizes and canopy designs. Sizes are refered to as "class design" and includes 30, 50, 60, and 90 which is the engine designation used to fly the particular model.

It's also important to know that you can buy these as either ARF of as complete kits. The ARF version will not include the radio system or engine.

The most well known trainer for first time nitro RC helicopter flying is the Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 v2 Pro:

Size can be deceiving when looking at this picture. This helicopter has a main rotor diameter of 49 inches and weighs 6.6 lbs!

Expert Level:

The largest nitro RC helicopter from Thunder Tiger is the Raptor 90 SE.

Some RC Helicopters are also powered by turbine engines.

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