Indoor flying without tears

[beanzontoast]

The last 2 Christmasses I have been given remote controlled helicopters by Santa's Little Helper a.k.a. Mrs Beanz.

The last 2 Christmasses I have had great fun for a day or three until a collision with a household object or wall has killed the helicopter, or at least wounded it to the extent that it won't fly straight any more no matter what you do to try to fix it.

So...

To satisfy my craving for indoor flight, is there any remote controlled flying machine people know of that can survive having me as pilot well indoors? Airship? UFO? I really don't care as long as it lives longer than a chocolate log.

 

[ELL]

I had one of these http://www.sz-wholesale.com/p/Electrical-Toys/Radio-Control-Flying-Saucer--UFO----14093.html a few years ago and it was pretty tough. Only does up and down but is made from a spongy polystyrene so protects the blades if it has a bit of a bumb.

 

[beanzontoast]

I had one of these http://www.sz-wholes...O----14093.html a few years ago and it was pretty tough. Only does up and down but is made from a spongy polystyrene so protects the blades if it has a bit of a bumb.

Probably safer in my hands if it only does up and down.

Thanks Mr P - I'll look into that too.

Keep them coming chaps and chapesses - let's get to the most indestructable options available.

 

[Globalti]

Yes, there's that 4 fan drone thingy that has its fans enclosed in a frame but I can't find it on the web. The Gadget Show has one in its lineup of prizes.

 

[ELL]

Yes, there's that 4 fan drone thingy that has its fans enclosed in a frame but I can't find it on the web. The Gadget Show has one in its lineup of prizes.

I remember that one. it was one you cold control with the Iphone like this one
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-5mzOHkX1Y&feature=related


Also Gadget show top 5
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INCzOQE3nq8

 

[beanzontoast]

I remember that one. it was one you cold control with the Iphone like this one http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Also Gadget show top 5 http://www.youtube.c...h?v=INCzOQE3nq8

Incredibly useful - thank you for that linky!

 

[Hover Fly]

http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/uk/how-does-it-work

 

[beanzontoast]

http://ardrone.parro...ow-does-it-work

Oooh nice! Even I should struggle to break that!

 

[Fnaar]

Make a cube-shaped frame of cushions and put the helicopter inside, somehow building it so that the rotors can still go round. Then simply fly the cube round the room, and hey presto!

 

[beanzontoast]

Make a cube-shaped frame of cushions and put the helicopter inside, somehow building it so that the rotors can still go round. Then simply fly the cube round the room, and hey presto!

Strange that no-one has thought of this before really...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

chocolate log.

Mmmm chocolate log


Why don't you move? Here for example...

 

[beanzontoast]

Mmmm chocolate log


Why don't you move? Here for example...

I notice The Gadget Show tested them in what looked like a sports hall - should have tried it in a domestic living room really!

 

[Globalti]

We had the same problem last Christmas - the RC heli got flown in the lounge and by the time it had scared the cat and bumbled into a couple of our priceless antiques (Grandma) the main rotor shaft got bent and from then on it was uncontrollable. Shame, 'cos it was fun while it lasted.

 

[Davidc]

We had one last year and it survived!!!!

4 pilots (one of whom actually has a private pilots licence and kept crashing it) and several hours flying. 1 spilled drink and one broken CD case.

Biggest problem was the 5 minutes flight time for every 30 minute charge of the helicopter which led to a boking system being needed.

We did try it outdoors - disastrous - the slightest breath of air sent it off course.

edit: It's still in a cupboard so may come out again this year.

 

[dan_bo]

They were flying 1/14 scale planes inside manchester velodrome last sunday- quite graceful. They had (like they usually do) netting around the centre court so I didn't get a scale spitfire in the eye. Thankfully.