No, it is not particularly difficult and it is not necessary to learn the fixed wing before you learn the helicopter. You will do most of the actual flying (i.e., handling the various controls) from the beginning be it a helicopter or a fixed wing.

Being successful with an R/C Helicopter requires dedication and patience. One of the reasons that model helicopters are difficult is because the very first maneuver that you're going to learn is an advanced maneuver... hovering! All "successful" helicopter flights start and end with a hover and that is one of the keys, being able to successfully control your machine in a hover. There are people that have learned to fly a helicopter, at a novice level, in less than a month..

Gyros fly differently than either a fixed wing or helicopter. The actual flying is very easy but take-offs and landings require some transition training no matter your current skill level. Expect 5-25 hours of training.

No you don't need to do any fixed wing flying. The only advantage is if you wish to pursue a career in both Helicopter and Fixed wing. If your career is to be in helicopters then the extra training in helicopters is advantageous when applying for your future job. Some schools offer the fixed wing component to "save" you money because you can cross over some of those hours.

Yes, the chair can be configured to control anything that is radio controlled, airplanes would certainly be something fun to fly with the Heli-Chair! Because the chair does NOT aim itself at the aircraft, flying an airplane is slightly more complicated than hovering a helicopter in front of you. You would simply have to address the issue of the aircraft flying in a position that it is hard to rotate your head and watch it.

Helicopter tuition is carried out in the Robinson R22 Beta, a two seat, piston engine Helicopter. With over 3000 machines produced and 20 years in the training market the R22 is one of the most popular training machines and certainly one of the most reliable.

You may build and fly *ANY* powered aircraft which meets the (USA) ultralight vehicle definition. _ANYTHING_. One-man free balloons are considered unpowered ultralights (like hang gliders and other one-seat gliders) and must weigh 155 lbs. or less to qualify. An Easy Riser ultralight has flown with solar/electric power. A legal ultralight powered blimp has been built and flown. A full size rubber-band powered ultralight was demonstrated at Oshkosh '92, but did not achieve flight.

At the present time there is no official helicopter training program. There are several very highly qualified helicopter pilots in the club who can assist you in getting started.

In order to maintain a stationary hover, the helicopter must be tilted just a little bit to the right. This is because the tail rotor, in addition to keeping the helicopter pointed in the right direction, also happens to provide a little bit of sideways thrust (after all, it's just a big propeller pointed sideways). To counteract the tail rotor's sideways thrust, the main rotor needs to be tilted slightly to the right.

Technically speaking in the US you can fly any helicopter less than 12,500 lb. (that is BIG!) In real life the insurance companies call the shots. They will assess each individual depending on their total helicopter time and their time in similar type of aircraft, e.g. turbine or piston. Once you meet the minimum requirements they usually will insure you if you get 5 or 10 hours of instruction in the type you wish to fly. In fact all the controls work the same in flight.

Initially, an airplane is easier to fly. A helicopter is less stable and will not fly if the pilot takes his or her hands off the controls. However, once you get the feel of it, it is like riding a bicycle - you do it without thinking.

Yes. But as far as we are aware none can sustain inverted flight. There are many remote-control helicopters that fly upside down for prolonged periods so it is aerodynamically possible. It requires a lot of power and a lightly loaded helicopter to even loop a helicopter. Aerobatic flight is prohibited in most normal helicopters - most pilots are more comfortable with the fuselage firmly suspended from the rotor system.

You may build and fly *ANY* powered aircraft which meets the (USA) ultralight vehicle definition. ANYTHING. One-man free balloons are considered unpowered ultralights (like hang gliders and other one-seat gliders) and must weigh 155 lbs. or less to qualify. An Easy Riser ultralight has flown with solar/electric power. A legal ultralight powered blimp has been built and flown. A full size rubber-band powered ultralight was demonstrated at Oshkosh '92, but did not achieve flight.

Fixed Wing LSA or ultralights look like traditional aircraft. They can have a low wing or a high wing. They are usually covered with fabric instead of aluminum to make the plane lighter. The difference between these fixed wing LSA or ultralight and the fixed wing "regular" airplanes lies in the occupant capacity and the weight limitations. Fixed wing aircraft are usually controlled with a "stick" or a "yoke", which actuates control surfaces on the wings and the tail.

No. You can start as a beginner into the world of aviation by becoming a helicopter pilot. No previous background is required.

Not at all. Helicopters and airplanes fly using different principles and controls. Although the general aviation knowledge you acquire while flying airplanes may prove useful in your helicopter training, some fixed-wing habits actually make learning to fly helicopters more difficult.

People of all ages and backgrounds can learn to fly safely and proficiently. You must be at least 16 years old to fly solo during your training and at least 17 years old to receive your Private pilot certificate and carry passengers.

The instruction at Fly Above All is unsurpassed by any other school in the United States. Currently we have 8 instructors and support staff that are available to teach our students on a daily basis. Our instructors have been members of the 2001 US Team, have held cross country distance records and they have the knowledge of educational theory, abound in enthusiasm, years of paragliding instruction and the experience of flying around the country and the world.