PRO PILOT TIP

Autorotations

Practicing this maneuver will help you to save your helicopter if the motor stops. There are different ways to learn how to do an “auto,” but the safest is the two-step method.

Bring your heli into a low hover several feet off the ground and hit the auto switch. You will get a feel of the heli as it settles, and its response to the collective input. Slowly increase the height of the hover until you can perform it about 6 feet high.

At moderate forward speed in the normal mode, bring the collective to low while hitting the auto switch. Keep some forward speed and at a safe altitude switch off the throttle hold and abort the maneuver.

Continue practicing until you can safely bring the heli down to about 10 feet and bleed off the airspeed. Now all you have to do it combine the two steps and bring the heli in for a safe landing.

Entry
Descent
Flare
Landing

Above: The aluminum tail grips and tail gearbox add performance, durability and great looks. Below: Usually only found on the most expensive kits or as costly upgrades, the metal rotor head is standard on the “SV.” Right: The stacked carbon-fiber frames are light and rigid for all-out freestyle maneuvering. Note the easy access to the cyclic servos.

Very similar in design to the “S” model; the 450 SC features a carbon-fiber frame, main blades and fins, plus many additional upgrades. The rotor head and the tail rotor assembly are metal, including the blade grips. Since the parts are interchangeable between the “S” and “SV” version, the “S” can easily be upgraded to the higher version if desired. KDS 450SV

CONCLUSION

It doesn’t get much better than this; open the box, charge the batteries and make for the nearest field or your backyard. All the models are suitable for beginners and the choice depends on your budget. I’d recom-

mend the 450S if you’re just starting out, as it’s very stable and will be inexpensive to repair when you have a mishap. Experienced pilots have their choice of the three, but the “SV” and “C” versions fly superbly and don’t need any further upgrading.