| Radio Controlled Helicopters are a different choice of | | | | Although the normal recommendation is 8 years and |
| toy for children but they are stimulating and addictive. | | | | above, it is probably better to envisage adult |
| Some comments here to get you started, and help | | | | supervision unless they are older than 12 years. Most |
| you decide whether to continue your research. | | | | helicopter toys are designed for indoor flight, but in |
| I have decided to include Radio Controlled Helicopters | | | | very calm conditions some can be flown outdoors. |
| in my list of Electronic Learning Toys. So far, in | | | | Your initial purchase should be with the purpose of |
| previous articles and in many other places, I have | | | | your child flying them indoors. If they become real |
| mainly concentrated on Electronic Toys which are | | | | enthusiasts then outdoor flight with advanced models |
| designed to teach a particular set of skills, as well as | | | | becomes more straightforward after their indoor |
| purely amuse like all toys should do. Radio Controlled | | | | introduction. |
| Helicopters do not quite fit into this learning category, | | | | The main type of toy helicopter available is |
| but they definitely amuse. The skills required to fly toy | | | | electric-powered, as opposed to gas-powered. |
| helicopters include persistence, determination and | | | | Definitely leave alone gas-powered until your children |
| patience - and yes, these are skills as far as I am | | | | have the expertise and interest to progress. One |
| concerned. The main point here is that there is an | | | | disadvantage of electric powered is the short flight |
| extra challenge due to the nature of helicopters, which | | | | time before a re-charge of batteries is necessary. |
| convinces me to include helicopters as electronic | | | | With a flight time of less than 20 minutes and a |
| learning toys. | | | | re-charge time of about the same, some patience |
| For most parents choosing a Radio Controlled | | | | may be required. There is no doubt that the |
| Helicopter as a gift is not an obvious choice. In fact | | | | experience of users worldwide is that the enjoyment |
| there may be some initial reluctance to go much | | | | and thrill of flying these toys compensates for the |
| further than picturing that broken vase after it has | | | | occasional waiting required! Do not worry about buying |
| been hit by this dangerous machine! However, due to | | | | the most expensive and sophisticated model, as long |
| vast improvements in the make up of these toys, | | | | as the control has more than 1 channel and the |
| helicopters are worthy of consideration as a gift for | | | | helicopter comes out of the box ready to fly, that |
| children. The material used these days is extremely | | | | should be enough. Make sure you buy re-chargeable |
| hardy and crashes do not necessarily mean extensive | | | | batteries and invest in spare parts where they are |
| damage to the helicopter. The design of current | | | | available. Take the time to get more information and |
| helicopters is such that the flight is much more stable | | | | do a little research. |
| than previously; and the control mechanism is much | | | | More information is available from the links I provide, |
| more sophisticated, allowing children to learn the | | | | but I should point out that any links provided are mainly |
| necessary skills much quicker. | | | | for UK-based readers, although there are other |
| This is not to say that you don't need to be concerned | | | | non-UK sources given. |
| about younger children playing with these toys. | | | | |