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I once witnessed a person take their brand new electric rc helicopter place it on the ground and before I knew it the thing flipped over and smashed itself on the ground. I have a lot of respect for them taking their time; this could work incredibly well or for some unforeseen reason smash into the ground. In my situation it was the loss of signal that caused the accident when the pilot admitted to accidentally shutting off his controller right at that moment.

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RC helicopter flying has evolved into something really insane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXSfFLGeVZA&t=156s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E24JIetETAE&t=91s

Thanks for links. I had no idea. I tried flying an RC copter some time ago (piston engine) and getting it to hover was a nerve-wracking triumph. These folks and electric motors have taken it into another dimension.

The nitro helis are no slouches either, they're all capable of insane 3D maneuvers in the right hands.

The exhaust plume of a nitro doing the same things is kind of more interesting IMHO, it's like a telltale in a wind tunnel test. I'm surprised they don't put a smoke bomb on the electrics during these demos.

Not just electric motors but cheap, high quality flight controllers. That and kickass batteries.

Oh wow, can a full size helicopter do that? Would be amazing to see at an air show.

I don’t think so, engines on RC aircraft are quite powerful compared to their weight which isn’t a case with “real” aircraft. There’s a number of issues that can happen (and probably kill the crew) but it’s the most fundamental issue.

Only event I know of is this: https://www.reddit.com/r/nextfuckinglevel/comments/jmtvch/tu...

I think that's a few too many Gs for human pilots.

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