I have always wanted to fly R/C models ever since I first saw a R/C plane in action about 25 to 30 years ago in my home town. The plane was red in colour and the owner flew it in a golf course. In my home town, golf courses can be used for more than just playing a round of golf. It was also used as a army helicopter base. I am not kidding. Anyway, ever since then I always wanted to fly one of these things but never got the chance to.
About 1 year ago, I wanted to get a full-fledged helicopter but decided against the idea as I read and heard many stories about people giving up flying R/C helicopters as it is really very difficult. It is harder to fly a R/C helicopter than a flying a real one! During this time, I also tried flying a coaxial R/C helicopter. It was a Lama but I cannot remember the brand. A co-axial helicopter is one where there are 2 main rotors, each one of them rotating in the opposite direction in order to counter the spinning effect of the other. It does not come with a tail rotor and thus it is a lot more easier to control but even with feature, it was really difficult to fly the helicopter.
A few days ago, my sis in-law supprised me with a remote controlled helicopter for my belated birthday present. Actually a few weeks ago, while shopping in the weekends, I wanted to get one of these flying toys to try out. They are not too expensive and they are a lot easier to fly than a 4 channel helicopter.
Anyway, back to my helicopter which is Picoo Z helicopter and supposedly the smallest in the world. This helicopter is not radio controlled. The control of the aircraft is achieved by infrared technology. On the controller, you will find 3 LED which emit the IR waves to the helicopter.
It is quite fun but I think the left-right trim controls are a bit out of whack. I can't seem to get the entire body of the copter to stop spinning. So I have to compensate with the Left control and I push it to the max while air borne! I tried flying it indoors and it can fly all the way to the ceilling. I have yet to take it outdoors. I think it is a bit difficult as smallest draft can send the helicopter out of control - not that I have a lot of control of it in the first place!
Then today, I saw this in a shop today.
It is from Wowwee - the same company that brought us Robosapien (which I wanted to get but did not managed to). Notice the controls? I think it has the "Robosapien series" designs.
It comes in 2 colours - blue or green. The controls are pretty simple - 1 for trottle and 1 for steering (left and right). The dragonfly comes with a rear rotor which helps to stabilize the dragonfly while inflight. Its body is made out of polystyrene. The wings look fragile and on them are printed some graphics of circuits and electronic components. (I thought that made the already cheap looking craft look even cheaper). It is battery powered by I think 6 AA bateries. It is not very expensive - it costs S$99.
I think I got bitten by the flying bug already. I think my childhood desire of flying R/C models is finally coming true. I have already searched eBay for flying RC models and got my eyes set on 2 of them - one of them is 7 channel helicopter (which can do acrobatics - for 7 channels I certainly hope so) and the other one is a true ornithopter which is really good as it does not require any rotors for it to fly! I am really keen on the ornithopter.
For a start, I think I have got to get one these $99 dragonflies for my kids. Right for my kids.
