So why is collective pitch so challenging?

CP helicopters (model and full size) are not positively stable;meaning they are unstable, especially while hovering.

Hovering a collective pitch RC heli is similar to balancing on a big ball. This is why the collective pitch RC chopper is more difficult than other RC vehicles.

You are constantly making multiple control corrections simultaneously to keep a heli stationary, in a state of hover equilibrium.

I call this "active piloting".

This might make you ask "how on earth can that be fun or rewarding, this guy must be as unstable as his helicopter!" Certainly not far off the mark...

Joking aside, these constant ">It's such an engaginghobby in that respect. Life's problems disappearwhile you are flying a CP heli because you are so focused and concentrating intently. No question that is why I (and I hope you as well), love flying collective pitch - it's our escape. Exactly what a hobby should provide.

Please don't dismiss collective pitch because it seems hard or even impossible at first. Think back to when you were first learning to ride a bicycle; one of the most exciting and fun things most of us can remember from our childhood - same idea here (less the scraped knees and elbows).

Also like riding a bicycle, once you learn how to hover a collective pitch radio controlled helicopter, you'll never forget! I still remember the day I had my first successful hover many years ago. It was an amazing feeling and experience. The continuous control corrections become second nature, you don’t even realize you're doing them (subconscious/muscle memory).

After trying and trying with short little hops off the ground, which slowly become longer and longer in duration, something clicks.

Your brain gets it and you are immersed in RC euphoria as you see your helicopter hanging in the air under your full control.

You're on cloud 9 for days. You have to keep flying

Every day you go out flying, you can't wait to get back out flying again to chase that sensation. To think... "I'm actually hovering but it's something most of us experience with every one of our helicopters.

A natural high occurs and yes, you are usually addicted to the hobby at this stage :-) Having more and more fun every time you go out, and perhaps dreaming of one day (with countless hours of practice), becoming a pro RC helicopter aerobatic 3D champion.

It's hard to resist the challenge, performance potential and overwhelming feeling of accomplishment offered with collective pitch RC helicopter flight; not to mention the awesome sound the larger ones produce.

It is after all the closest most of us will get to piloting a full size helicopter. We have the same primary flight controls as the big birds do.

Micro sized collective pitch radio controlled helicopters have also revolutionized the hobby because of their low cost. They are just as challenging to fly (more so actually); but don't think you have to spend a couple thousand dollars like we once had to when first getting into the hobby.

There are decent little ready to fly micro collective pitch helicopters for under $150 dollars these days.

Collective pitch RC helicopters have taught me and many others so much about aerodynamics, physics, mechanics, and electronics (in a very fun way I should add) over the years, and I'm still learning new and fascinating stuff almost daily.

That aspect of the hobby alone is somewhat priceless, and the older I get, the more I appreciate its everlasting value.

Are you still with me?

If so, it's a safe bet to say you likely already have a healthy interest in this hobby. I hope the rest of my site will further help "fuel" your RC heli interest into a full blown passion!

The navigation bar on the top of the page has all the main RC heli topics with sub navigation drop-downs. If you're unsure where to begin, the "Beginner Zone" is the best place to start. The specific pages I would recommend in that section are:

If you find the information useful and helpful, feel free to bookmark this site, Face-it, Tweet-it, link/share the pages, or subscribe to my "Heli Blog". Tell your buddies background-color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;">

Are You Looking For RC Helicopter Help?

You Might Like These: