Lite machines?

[Norm]

I have been looking for a decent beginner heli. ever since I have seen some guys flying them at diffrent local fun flys and such. There quite the little engineering marvel I have to say. I have looked at the raptor, hawk, and nexus but they are very very expensive. So a friend of mine has a lite machines 117 foresale for $600.00 (engine,gyro,etc...) with very few flights on it or the hobby store also sells them. Are these fixed pitched little choppers a good heli. for the beginner????

[Colin]

Hello Norm,

The light machines 110/117 is a good little heli but it will not take you any further then forward flight (unless you fip the blades around and hand launch it inverted :lol:) It will to a half ok loop if you are up high but believe it or not it is actually harder to fly then a bigger collective pitch model, since it sounds like you don't want to spend a lot of money get the LMH, it will be a lot of fun but wpnt take you too far. You can get a rappy kit with the engine for around 600 I think, do you already have a radio?

Colin

[Norm]

Hey Colin I've actually seen you fly in Truro with the raptor that was some kick ass 3D flying. I got 4 fixed wings sitting in my room and want a cheap heli. to play with at the field. So the lite machines sounds like the chopper for me thanks alot. One more question though since it's a fixed pitch chopper can an aircraft radio be used?

[Derrick]

I started out with a lite machine and yes, a 4 channel airplane radio can be used.
The lite machines is definitely harder to fly than a 30 size collective heli, but the LMH can take a fair share of abuse before you need to repair it. ALso repairs are cheap(er).
I found going to a Nexus after flying a LMH was a breeze.....

[JimMcIntyre]

Derrick and I both progressed to a Nexus after an LMH and both found the 30 size collective heli to be much easier to fly. I also was a little unhappy with that finicky little Norvel engine. Although I soon began to appreciate how durable the LMH was. :?

[aubej]

Hey guys,

I bought a LMH Corona (electric version) last winter to play around in the gym with. It's quite a bit of fun, but when I fly it, I do miss the collective of my Raptor.

I do have to say though that the Corona helped me a lot with learning nose-in hovering.

I had to add a 1-way to make it handle properly since the electric motor doesn't freewheel at all, but other than that it's reliable, really sturdy and fun. That's what it's all about right...fun? :D

Jason

[Colin]

Hey Colin I've actually seen you fly in Truro with the raptor that was some kick ass 3D flying

Thanks for the complement, if you get the LMH you won't be disapointed, since you just looking to have some fun and not get overly serious about it you will love the little heli! its will be a blast, good luck!

Colin