Performing Tricks with RC Helicopters

Once you're familiar with flying RC helicopters, the next step that you're most likely to take is learning how to perform tricks. There are a number of tricks that can be done with RC helicopters, and each one is just as exciting as the next. Performing tricks are for experienced flyers, so if you're just starting out, learn the basics of flying RC helicopters first.

Split-S. This is a half loop and a half roll. Either the loop or the roll can come first, followed by the other. If you roll to inverted first, pull out right side up with a half loop. Do a half loop to inverted, then roll to right side up to gain altitude.

Tic-toc. When you make the helicopter look like the boom is fastened to a metronome, you're doing a tic-toc. Alternate positive collective and backward elevator with negative collective and forward elevator in order to maintain altitude.

Death spiral. This is when you go from a high hover to a 90-degree bank with zero collective and zero speed, then give full forward or back elevator only for as long as you can. Correct any time by banking the opposite like you did to begin the bank. Don't wait too long for the tail may not keep up and the helicopter will dive nose down.

Moon walk. This is when you go through the motions of a loop, but it looks stretched out so it's not really a loop any more. Enter as a regular loop. When you're vertical from the 1/4 of the loop, add plenty of negative so it maintains its forward momentum. Keep the elevator steady the entire time. You'll end up flying backwards inverted for a couple of seconds, but keep your hold on the elevator. As the helicopter points straight down, start adding lots of positive collective and level out.