Beginner: 6 channel vs 4 channel

[RTFHELI]

What are RC helicopter channels?

Each channel on the transmitter controls one action on the RC helicopter. The number of channels determines how many independent functions can be controlled. Fewer channels allow easy flying for beginning pilots. More channels allow more complete control, maneuverability, and realism.

Some functions that channels can control include:
Throttle (how fast the main rotor blades spin)
Yaw (turning to face left/right)
Elevator (tilting the main rotors to move the helicopter forwards/backwards)
Aileron (tilting the main rotors to move the helicopter left/right)
Collective (tilt of the main rotor blades in collective pitch helicopters)
Adjustments such as gyro stability
More!

All helicopters have one channel to control the throttle. What the other channels control depends on the number of channels and type of helicopter that you are flying.

Beginner– 2 channel helicopters
2 channel helicopters are very easy to fly and make great gifts for first-time and younger pilots. They are fixed pitch and sometimes have two counter-rotating blades for improved stability. For most 2 channel helicopters the functions are:

Throttle
Turning (Yaw)
The yaw allows the helicopter to make level turns to either left or right. The yaw can be controlled via tail rotor speed, such as in the MAW HAWK helicopter. Or, it is sometimes controlled by the relative speed of the two counter-rotating main blades in dual-blade coaxial helicopters.

Two channel helicopters are usually set up to always fly forward. Combined with the yaw control, this allows a pilot to fly forward in straight lines and nice curving paths.

Beginner– 3 channel helicopters
3 channel helicopters are also great for beginners and are fixed pitch. Common functions are:

Throttle
Turning (Yaw)
Forward/backward movement (Elevator)
The forward/backward movement can be controlled by a small rotor in the tail that is parallel to the main rotors.
Because CH 3 controls forward and backward movement, 3 channel helicopters can often hover in place.

Intermediate– 4 channel helicopters
4 channel helicopters are ideal for intermediate pilots who have had some training on either a beginner helicopter or a simulator. 4 channel helicopters can be either fixed pitch or collective pitch. 4 channel helicopters have:

Throttle
Turning (Yaw)
Forward/backward movement (Elevator)
Left/right movement (Aileron)
These functions give a pilot full maneuverability of strafing side to side and all the abilities of a three channel helicopter including hovering. A good 4-channel helicopter for beginners is the Hughes 300, which also comes with a free flight simulator cable.

Intermediate/Advanced– 6 channel helicopters
6 channel helicopters are perfect for intermediate and advanced pilots who have training well on lower-channel helicopters or simulators and are ready for more! A 6 channel helicopter is often collective pitch. Common functions include:

Throttle
Turning (Yaw)
Forward/backward movement (Elevator)
Left/right movement (Aileron)
Collective pitch (tilt of main rotor blades)
Turning the gyro or other adjustments
A fixed-pitch 6 channel helicopter is a 4 channel helicopter plus two channels of possible adjustments.
A collective-pitch 6 channel helicopter is capable of full-3D flight including inverted flying and other advanced aerobatics such as diving, climbing, rolls, and loops. These maneuvers are the most challenging to learn, but also the most exciting to perform and watch!

Advanced– 7+ channel helicopters
Helicopters with 7 or more channels have the same movement functions as 6 channel helicopter. The additional channels allow for even more adjustments on the fly.

No matter what level, all helicopters take practice and patience to master. The heli doesn't crash itself -- it is only as good as the pilot.



-Happy Flying !!!

[jwhit549]

I would have to say that it depends upon your son's interests... the abilities come with time, practice, and familiarity with the mechanisms of a heli.  If your son has a strong interest in mechanics, I would say either one will require some repair.  That is part of flying (and I enjoy both aspects).  The mechanics of a collective pitch (6 ch) heli are the same as a 4 channel, but there are more mechanics to go wrong and fix.

If he likes taking things apart and putting them back together (and your budget allows), get him a 6ch, a simulation program, somebody to help him set up his radio, and a gift card at his favorite helicopter parts shop.

A four channel will get him just as much bang for the buck, but he won't be able to fly inverted (debate ensues here).

I wouldn't offer a suggestion as to a specific model in this forum, beyond a Walkera 4#3B.  It's a stable little bird, that isn't a coax.  A fairly reasonable alternative to a 6 ch (collective pitch) heli.  Parts are cheap and reasonably easy to access.

Enjoy!

[TAYLOR]

Can a 6 channel be used as a 4 channel with 2 channels locked into position.

[RTFHELI]

Intermediate/Advanced– 6 channel helicopters
6 channel helicopters are perfect for intermediate and advanced pilots who have training well on lower-channel helicopters or simulators and are ready for more! A 6 channel helicopter is often collective pitch. Common functions include:

Throttle
Turning (Yaw)
Forward/backward movement (Elevator)
Left/right movement (Aileron)
Collective pitch (tilt of main rotor blades)
Turning the gyro or other adjustments
A fixed-pitch 6 channel helicopter is a 4 channel helicopter plus two channels of possible adjustments.
A collective-pitch 6 channel helicopter is capable of full-3D flight including inverted flying and other advanced aerobatics such as diving, climbing, rolls, and loops. These maneuvers are the most challenging to learn, but also the most exciting to perform and watch!

If you have a 6-channel CP, you can choose not to use 2-channels but all channels are required for the CP technology to work properly.


-Happy Flying !!!

[rammer]

Easyaest  way start from the bottom?  Can save you money ? 3 channel is good to start you know like turn left and right and then forward and backwards. What about bank left and right you need a 4 chanell heli like blazing star and then something like the honey bee 4 channell  or falcon 40.

[to-fast-to-new]

i wouldn't recommend 6 ch the first time. It's hard to manage the rotor head after crash.

4 chan is better. The only difference is flying inverted.

Andy

unfortunately i am a first timer who purchased a 6 ch belt cp and bit the bullet. i'm wondering why it's hard to manage the rotor head after a crash and if this is so [shadow=red,left]what would be the problems incountered[/shadow]? bc i'm currently awaiting my replacement parts from xheli so i can rebuild mines.

[19000rpm]

He's talking about getting it back together correctly. Primarily getting the 2 servos/control rods that control pitch installed/adjusted properly. You'll need a pitch guage.

Happy landings

[to-fast-to-new]

are you talking about the 2 servos close to the tail servo? and if so don't they control the left/right movement of the heli, which is called the AILERON?

[to-fast-to-new]

are you talking about the 2 servos close to the tail servo? and if so don't they control the left/right movement of the heli, which is called the AILERON?

                                                                 is there anyone to comfirm this??

[BRM]

Confirmed ................BRM

[kmcgrath]

So this forum has led me to seek out a 4 channel heli, but which one? Is the Falcon 40 or Honey Bee 4 ch better? Please leave me your thoughts. Thanks!

[19000rpm]

The best way to start is with a coaxial and a sim. Good choice is a lama 4 or Blazing Star. Don't start with a 4 ch like the Falcon or HB. These are not easy helis to learn basic flying and orientation on.

Happy landings 

[2006BMW325i]

I definatley recomend a 4 CH for your first time use. Try a coaxial rotor heli like Walkeras 53Q at XHELI.COM  You will find that a coaxial rotor heli is more stable than a fixed pitch heli and is great for first time users, therefore easier to learn on. Crashes are inevitable so dont be discouraged. Good luck     

[Ram2want]

I bought a blu ray450PE to start out, now that I have bought many replacement parts and still can't fly it, I am buying a fixed pitch 4 channel, is the Honey Bee MK 3 a good choice. The Falcon 40 seems to be hard to find in stock.

[chmura]

Great info!