The Etiquette of Getting Help

The following is reprinted from "Ricks" Check out their website; http://www.ronlund.com/

We have added an additional line or two.

There are some rules ....
Do your part.
Unless you want to pay someone to have your fun for you, learn about the hobby. Read books and magazines, watch videos and go to the field and watch people fly. Explore the internet for information. When it comes to this hobby, I have a saying " Ask 6 people the same question and you'll normally get 6 different answers. When all 6 agree, it's probably a fact". If you participate in an online exchange of information, please only make comments on things you know to be a fact. Don't repeat something you heard or make something up. If everyone followed that advice, the internet would be a better place. As is, it's up to you to separate the fluff from the facts.

Find the right person.
When you get to the field, watch quietly. You should be looking for someone who flies a lot, has good equipment and seems to have at least some social skills. This might not be the best flier or the guy with the prettiest equipment, but it should be someone who obviously knows his stuff. Take your time. This is going to be your mentor. Ask him some questions about his setup to see if he can explain some simple things. If not, find someone else.

When you find someone, don't insult them.
If he gives you advice, follow it. If he helps you setup your helicopter, leave it setup that way. If you don't like the setup, tell him why. Don't go find someone else and have them change the setup. If you do that, don't ever expect to get any help out of him again. He might be some sort of saint, but generally nothing is worse than someone who flits from person to person, having his mind and setup changed daily. I remember a couple years ago, this kid was lucky enough to get Curtis Youngblood to work on his Concept for about 4 hours one day at a funfly. The next day, I saw him asking someone else if the setup was ok. While I guess there's nothing wrong with asking, I wondered what he would have done if the guy had said no.

Try not to ruin a great flying day.
If you find someone willing to help you out, then try to let them do so on their own terms and don't force your machine upon them when the weather is terrific and they are enjoying some great airtime. There is nothing more frustrating than having to rebuild a heli at the field that you are not certain about. Give your helper a call and find out what they are willing to do to help. You might find out they would prefer you to drop by the house some evening away from all the distractions and you will get a better personal quality service. Or perhaps they would have you drop the machine off for them to carefully go over it before it is flown in public. Remember that it is not just your hobby but others are enjoying it too.

Don't blame someone else if you crash
Simple. It's your helicopter. If someone failed to tighten a bolt, you should have been there to catch it, or you should have done it yourself. You should inspect your machine thoroughly if someone else does work on it. If you ask someone to test fly your machine, it's your baby. If someone asks you if they can fly your machine, the machine becomes their responsibility. If they crash, they fix it. It's a good idea to make that clear before handing over the transmitter.

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LOOKING FOR A FUN AND REWARDING HOBBY ?

START FLYING RC HELICOPTERS!

Why would you want to take up RC helicopters as a hobby? Two words come to mind - "FUN" and "REWARDING" - that is after all what most of us are looking for in a hobby.

Unlike most RC airplanes, radio controlled helicopters don't require a large mowed or paved runway; they take-off vertically so any open area will do. At the other end of the spectrum are small electric indoor RC helicopters that you can fly in your own home or at the office. Add in the amazing fun factor and it is easy to see why RC helicopters are showing the strongest growth among all the various forms of RC hobbies

SO MUCH CHOICE
The number of helicopter models available is to say the least, mind blowing. Today there are RC helis for every budget and ability. Toy, Micro Coaxial, Electric, Nitro, Gas, even Jet Turbine RC models are showing up in the main stream.
The best news - the cost of RC helicopters keeps going down while the technology keeps improving; introducing so many more people to this wonderful hobby.

THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS
Hovering is kind of like balancing on a big ball. This is why the RC chopper is more difficult than other RC vehicles - you are always making control corrections to keep it flying.
This might make you ask "how on earth can that be fun or rewarding, this guy must be as unstable as his helicopter" right – ask my wife, she might agree.
All kidding aside, these constant control corrections connect you to your helicopter like no other RC vehicle.
Once you learn how to hover your helicopter, you will never forget - the control corrections become second nature - you don’t even realize you are doing them.
I can still remember the first day I learned to hover all those years ago. It is the same feeling you get when learning to ride a bicycle or any other seemingly impossible balancing act.
After trying and trying, something just clicks - your brain gets it - you are on cloud 9 for days. You have to keep flying, getting better and better. A natural high occurs and yes, you are becoming addicted.
Of course hovering is just the first step, the fun is just beginning – wait till you do your first loop or roll. Yes – now the adrenaline really starts flowing. In addition to the flying fun is the technical fun of understanding and maintaining a RC heli; for many, that is the most rewarding aspect of this hobby.