RC Helicopter FAQ

Yes, it fits. Our large scale helicopters fit in a regular car for trips to the flying field, and make an impressive display piece at home.

As a rough guide, 470 class models are around 80 cm long with a main rotor of about 85 cm, and 500 class models are around 1 m long with a main rotor close to 1 m. They weigh roughly 1.5–3.5 kg without the battery. Every product page lists the exact length, rotor diameter and weight.

RTF means Ready to Fly. Every RTF helicopter comes with the remote controller, a flight battery and a charger. The only thing to add is batteries for the remote controller, which aren't included; your manual shows the type needed.

The flight battery always ships as a separate parcel. New to RC terms? See our RC terms explained.

Flight time depends on the model and how you fly, and each product page lists it. As a guide, most hobby-grade GPS helicopters fly for about 8–15 minutes per battery. Calm hovering lasts longer than fast, aggressive flying.

Most pilots order one or two spare flight batteries, so a session at the field doesn't end after a single flight.

Our 500 class models are best for pilots with some flying experience. If you're new to RC, a 470 class or smaller model with GPS and altitude hold is an easier place to start: it stays steady while you learn and costs less to repair.

Whichever you choose, spend a few hours on a flight simulator first and start with low, gentle hovers in a wide open space.

Yes. Every pilot started as a beginner, and today's GPS helicopters make learning much easier than it used to be. A few tips for a good start:

• Pick the size that fits your goals. Many pilots start with a large GPS scale helicopter and practice on a simulator first. On a tighter budget, a smaller model costs less to repair while you learn. See which size is right for you.
• Choose GPS and altitude hold. The helicopter holds its position and height on its own, so you only need to learn to steer.
• Practice on a flight simulator first. A few hours on screen teaches you the controls without any risk.
• Learn to hover before you fly around. Short, low hovers in an open area build confidence fast.
• Expect a few bumps. Crashes are part of learning, and most damage is easy to fix with spare parts like rotor blades. It's worth ordering a spare set with your helicopter.

Not sure which model suits you? Email service@stirlingkit.com with your experience and budget, and we'll recommend one.

Start with what you want, not the brand name:

• The biggest, most detailed showpiece: FLISHRC
• A famous military or rescue helicopter: FLYWING
• Something smaller and easier on the budget: YU XIANG, WLtoys or RC ERA

See find the right helicopter for you for all our brands, or email us your experience and budget for a personal recommendation.

Our helicopters come with a Mode 2 controller (throttle on the left stick), the standard layout in the US and Europe. If you fly Mode 1, please email us before ordering.

Our scale helicopters are hobby-grade models designed for adults. Teenagers can enjoy them with an adult supervising, especially for charging the battery and the first flights. Spinning rotor blades can cause injury, so always keep a safe distance.

Yes, and it's the best way to avoid early crashes. A few hours on an RC flight simulator with a USB controller teaches you the basic controls without risking your helicopter.

RC helicopters ship differently from our engine kits. The shipping cost is calculated at checkout and shown before you pay. If it shows $0, your shipping is free.

To support pilots of our biggest models, Stirlingkit offers free shipping on 700 class and larger helicopters.

Helicopters in stock at our US or EU warehouse ship free with duties included. See RC helicopters in stock.

• From our US or EU warehouse: duties are included. Nothing extra to pay.
• From our China or Hong Kong warehouse: duties are not included, so your local customs may charge import taxes on delivery.
• US orders over $500 (most large scale helicopters): ship by express, with taxes paid by the customer. We always confirm with you before shipping, so there are no surprises at delivery.

See the RC section of our Shipping Policy.

Almost certainly not. Lithium batteries can't travel in the same parcel as the helicopter, so we always ship the battery separately, from both our China and overseas warehouses.

From China, batteries travel on a dedicated battery shipping line that's a little slower than standard shipping, so the battery may arrive a few days after the helicopter, with its own tracking number. If it hasn't arrived within a reasonable time, email us your order number and we'll check.

Pre-order helicopters ship according to the production schedule. Check the latest dates on our Production Updates page. If your order also includes in-stock items, those ship first.

• US or EU warehouse: usually 3–7 days.
• China or Hong Kong warehouse: usually 7–14 days. The battery parcel may take a little longer.

Track your parcels on our Track Your Order page.

Yes, it comes RTF and needs only light assembly. To protect the model in transit, most 500 class and larger helicopters ship with the body shell and mechanics packed separately, along with parts such as the main blades and scale details, for you to fit. A few models ship fully assembled; the product page will tell you which.

Remember to have batteries ready for the remote controller.

Please email us within one week of delivery with your order number and photos or a short video of the damage. Shipping damage that isn't caused by you is covered: we'll send replacement parts free of charge.

Find your model in our User Guide and follow its pre-flight checklist. As a general rule:

• Fully charge the flight battery with the included charger.
• On GPS models, calibrate the compass as your manual describes, and wait for a GPS lock before taking off.
• Fly outdoors in an open area, away from people, buildings and trees.
• Start with short, low hovers before trying to fly further.

For your first flights, choose a calm day. Once you're comfortable, larger GPS helicopters handle a light breeze well, but avoid gusty or strong wind. If the helicopter starts drifting more than you can easily correct, land and wait for calmer conditions.

• Charge with the included charger and never leave a charging battery unattended.
• Let the battery cool down after a flight before recharging it.
• Never charge or fly a battery that is swollen, punctured or damaged.
• For storage longer than a few days, keep it partly charged, not full or empty, in a cool, dry place away from flammable items.

Possibly. Large scale helicopters weigh well over 250 g, and in many countries models over that weight must be registered before flying outdoors. In the US, for example, recreational flyers register with the FAA and take the free TRUST safety test. Please check the rules of your local aviation authority before your first flight.

Manuals are on our Download Manual page, sorted by model. Setup tips and troubleshooting articles are in the User Guide.

To make a claim, email service@stirlingkit.com with your order number and a short video showing the problem.

Crashes are part of learning to fly, and most damage is easy to fix with a few spare parts. Find your model in our RC helicopter parts, or email us photos of the damage and we'll help you identify exactly what you need.

Yes. We stock replacement parts for our scale helicopters, including rotor blades, tail blades, landing gear, servos and electronics. Popular models such as the FLISHRC 500 class series have their own dedicated parts collection, so repairs are quick and you're not left with a helicopter you can't fly.

Tip: order a spare set of main and tail blades with your helicopter, so a small crash doesn't ground you while you wait for parts.

Yes. Look for your model in our RC helicopter parts. If you can't find the right battery for your helicopter, email us your model and we'll help. Spare batteries ship as a separate parcel, just like the original.

Add a scale pilot in the cockpit. It's the detail that makes a scale helicopter look truly real, both on the display shelf and in the air.

Shop RC pilot figures

Please email us before sending anything back. Returns follow our Returns & Refunds policy. A helicopter that has been flown can't be returned for a change of mind, but manufacturing defects are covered by the warranty above.

Yes. Stirlingkit has been serving hobbyists since 2019, with over 3,000 customer reviews from around the world. Checkout is secure through Shopify and PayPal, so you can pay by card or with PayPal's buyer protection. Many helicopters are stocked in our US and EU warehouses, and our team replies to every email within 1 business day.