Shopping List:

Here's a list of items I recommend you go and get. This list is based on hard won experience that in most cases has cost me time and money so please give this information some serious consideration!

Helicopter: Raptor 50
Buy yourself a Raptor 50 to get started on because:

• It will just work: There are tonnes of Raptors around and they all fly great out of the box.
• Help for them is everywhere, both locally and on the internet.
• Parts are easy and cheap to get.
• They fly great straight out of the box and can be setup for docile hovering, or intense 3D.
• They are easy to work on.

Engine: OS 50 or Thunder Tiger 50
Ideally an OS would be best, but if you get a good deal with your Raptor on a TT engine, you can fly that too until it either dies, or you want more power.

Exhaust: Muscle Pipe II, Hatori, Funtech, Zimmerman etc
If your Raptor doesn't come with a TT exhaust, buy a decent exhaust from the start such as a Muscle Pipe or Hatori. If you get a weird exhaust it could be hard to tune and rob your machine of power.

Radio: Futaba 9C Super or JR 9XII
Both of these radios are great and you'll never have to buy another one. If you buy a lesser radio, there's a great chance you'll have to buy a more capable radio later on. I tried to go cheap and ended up spending twice. In most cases, you'll get the option of buying a radio kit with basic servos or good servos, if you can swing it, buy the good servos. They'll never be as cheap to purchase as they are when they're part of a kit.

Gyro: Futaba GY401
Or, if you can afford it, a GY611. Futaba really are the only ones who have so far created a gyro that is pretty much plug and play. CSM make great gyros, but they can need a lot of setup to get going properly. JR so far haven't made a decent gyro that you can consistently rely on. Curtis Youngblood is bringing out his own brand of gyro which is likely to be very good.

Simulator: Reflex or Realflight
Simulators really are extremely useful, you should get one.

Blades: Woodies, then either SAB's, Radix, Carbontech or V-Blades
Until you're up to doing circuits, just use wooden blades as they're cheap to replace. Once you get into circuits though, getting some decent blades like SAB's (good value for money) is well worth it. The helicopter will suddenly come alive and feel more powerful and will fly a LOT better. There are however BAD fibreglass blades around which fly terribly which is why I have recommended the above listed blades.