Bumpy Green approves and recommends this model for anyone wishing to learn how to fly radio control model helicopters. The Hoverfly allows you to learn at home without costing pounds when you crash it. In fact as long as you shut the throttle its almost un-breakable.

Hoverfly Micro size indoor electric helicopter. Ideal for learning to fly helis or for practicing in the comfort of your armchair.

The Hoverfly as most of you will know by now has been around for a while. What many of you will not realize is that it has undergone many changes and improvements since the first version. This wonderful little machine was originally designed by Phil Jermin who co-founded Snelflight with a man named Roderick Snell. He is now the Chairman of the company. The managing director is Mr Joe wilcox who has worked with Mr Snell for many years. Phil is now the technical director and it is his absolute fascination with things that fly and hover that brought about the creation of what must be one of the best training aids for learning to fly model helicopters around.

Most people wishing to fly heli's go through many weeks of waiting for the right weather, Setting up the model, looking for guidance and tuition etc. before actually getting a heli into the air for the first time. The Hoverfly takes approximately 90mins (Assuming that you use the supplied controller or a Futaba radio.) To take from the box, read the instructions and setup. This includes applying the stickers from the kit which is without doubt the most complex part of the operation.

The latest version now comes complete with carbon fibre rotors and a gyro built in, a new power supply which is not only more compact but will detect the voltage used by your particular countries mains sockets automatically. Also as a company Snelflight have listened to all the comments made by previous flyers of the model and tried to remedy any shortcomings present in the first version.

Ever since our visit to ATS training school, where I first flew one of these little marvels, I have felt a burning desire to get one. You never really stop learning to fly helicopters and the more practice you can get the better.

Paul Heckles at ATS pointed out to us the similarities of the Hoverfly to any 30 sized training heli. Having tried one I have to whole heartedly agree with him. The nose in hover has always been a nerve wracking experience for me but now I can practice without fear of an expensive crash or worse. Not only that but the weather is not an issue either I can fly in the Living room, Kitchen, Bedroom or any where else for that matter.

The highly advanced flight simulators, of which there are many, just don't provide the same level of realism as the Hoverfly, Which really does crash into into things if you get it wrong but actually does little or no damage at all. In fact even the 1.5 second flight that the blonde person had before it hit the wall at speed did no damage at all. Not even a scuff of the paint work.

So you now have my reasons for wanting a Hoverfly, On with the review.

A ring on the doorbell early in the morning can only mean one of two things: a) You've been a naughty boy and the police want to catch you before you get up. Or b) Posty has a big parcel to deliver. Luckily the Police haven't caught up with me yet :-) and as expected the model had arrived.

Having hurriedly removed the 4 or so acres of brown paper, I lifted the lid of the box and had a peek inside. About 50% of the contents in the box was polystyrene block, carefully cut out to snugly house the Hoverfly and all of its components. These include:

The hoverfly itself.
The umbilical cord (command line)on it's own special reel to prevent any kinks.
The radio lead to the ECP electrocyclic processor (Both JR and Futaba are supplied).
The ECP.
The power supply and lead.
The training u/c.
A small decal sheet for prettying up the whole model.
Most importantly of all the instruction manual.

There is the option of having the hoverfly with or without a controller I opted for the one without as I wanted to use my FF8 transmitter for more realism.

On reading the manual it becomes clear that much thought has gone into the instructions. Starting with a contents and full packing list the first pages offer advice on how to handle the very delicate model.

The manual then goes on to describe how to connect up your particular transmitter and the options available in terms of which radio manufacturer you have used. This is all pretty straight forward and as my radio is Futaba the default setup could be used straight away. With the help of photographs and line drawings you are taken step by step through the process of setting up, Flying and maintaining the Hoverfly in very great detail with little or nothing to leave you guessing at any stage.

Newcomers to flying R/C heli's should turn to section 12 of the manual first and get to grips with the basic principles of helicopter flight before starting to setup the model.

I started by first laying out all of the components on the floor and connected all except the Hoverfly its self. The reason for this is that you must setup your radio first and configure it to the ECP which is the brain of the model. Once the parts have been identified you should plug in the power supply and switch on your transmitter. After a couple of seconds both the red and green lights should illuminate on the ECP.

Once this has been done unplug the mains lead and the lead to the TX as this can leave it switched on. Next remove the top cover of the ECP, Inside you will see what is called a patch socket. This has the same effect as the channel sockets on a standard receiver except that instead of servo leads you have small wire jumpers to set each radio function to the correct control movement. It is set by default o futaba positions but very clear instructions are given if you use JR, Sanwa etc. on how to change this. Also included here are details for people using mode 1/2 on their radio again standard is mode 2 by default.

PCM radio's cannot be used at all on the Hoverfly so you must ensure that yours is set to PPM or standard FM mode. If you have a computer set then select one memory that is clear and all ATV settings should be at 100%. Also it is recommended that aircraft mode is used so that any throttle curves/mixing functions etc are deactivated. Generally though all you need to do is set the transmitter back to it's factory default settings and cent er all trims and subtrims.

Next comes the trimming setup. All of the trims for the Hoverfly are set with a single trim pot within the ECP located just above the patch sockets. Connect up and plug in as before without attaching the helicopter and arm yourself with a small screwdriver. Check that the two main LED's on the ECP are lit and then turn to look at the trim pot. Just to either side of this pot should be two small LED's and one should be lit either red or green. being careful not to touch any other components on the board turn the pot towards the lit LED until it goes out and the other one lights up. There is a dead zone between the lighting of these LED's and you should set the pot half way between the two to get neutral trims for the model.

The Final thing to do is to check that you have setup correctly. This is done by moving your rudder stick on the TX from left to right. If all is well left input will light the red Led and right will light the green one.

This whole process takes less than an hour to do and sounds far more difficult than it really is. Believe me, I'm no electronics engineer. Now switch off and disconnect the TX again ready for the next stage.

This is the point where you finally get to connect the model to the rest of the system, and is possibly the most critical as if your setup is incorrect you need to be prepared for it. Connect up everything as before plus the helicopter but don't plug into the mains yet. Pick up the model as described in the manual by the green hub on the rotor disc. You need to hold it firmly between your finger tips so that when you switch on the mains power, if the motors start suddenly the rotor cannot turn.

In the case of my model nothing happened (which is a good sign) and having placed the model on the floor ready, I proceeded to check that all control movements went the right way as per the manual. The manual goes into quite a lot of detail here so I don't feel the need to repeat it in this review. Suffice to say that everything went as to plan and no problems were experienced at all.

I don't know about you but I love putting on the stickers and spending some time personalising a model, particularly one that is largely if not completely prefabricated so I did this before the first flights. As mentioned earlier this was a time consuming part of setting up the Hoverfly largely because the fuselage is very flimsy indeed. I found that the best way was to gently place a finger behind the part of the body being stickered to support it as you go.

This too is an area that has been updated from the original Hoverfly as the canopy already has the black windows pre-applied. I bet that was quite a task to fit as a sticker without getting loads of bubbles and wrinkles everywhere.

You will find that you have an excess of trim tape when you have finished. This is saved and later used to attach the training sticks if you are a beginner. The training undercarriage is supplied in the kit and consists of what looks like two black straws with a hole in the centre of one so that the other can be slid through it to form a cross.

Ok, The big moment has arrived. So let's do the pre flight checks first. Make sure that the canopy, undercarriage and tail boom are correctly seated and that the tail fin is vertical. Next sit the model on the ground and make sure that the heli sits level, if not then this can be adjusted at the undercarriage legs with a gentle pull on the low side. This is all listed in the by now very comprehensive instructions for your reference.

You should also remember to remove your TX crystal before flying so that the TX isn't actually putting out a signal, All commands come from the buddy socket lead to the ECP.

Again before turning on the power I held the rotor disc just in case something happened but I needn't have worried, it didn't. So, sitting on the arm of the chair the throttle stick was moved slowly forwards and all three motors started to spin up. As they did the rotor began accelerating up to speed. The tail rotor at this point casually flicked on and off a little every now and then. This is normal, The tail rotor only needs to correct the yaw of the model in short bursts as there is no torque reaction from the rotors to affect the fuselage on this model.

The best way to lift off with the Hoverfly is to let the rotors get up to speed so the model is just light on the skids. This happens at fairly low speed compared to a normal heli so don't be fooled. Once you are at this stage advance the throttle to just above half throttle in one smooth movement. Not too fast though. The model will rise fairly quickly to about 4-5 feet from the ground and you may need to reduce the throttle a notch or two to find a comfortable height.

What amazed me at this point was the peculiar sound coming from the Hoverfly. It sounds literally like a real hoverfly. Well More like a small swarm, I could feel a grin spreading across my face. This was fun.

In flight the model is unbelievably smooth and stable. It can be easily manoeuvred around the room and with care be set down on most surfaces as long as they aren't too shiny or the weight of the command line pulls it and makes the heli slide off.

A point to note here is that the cable will catch in thick carpet if you play the cable out a long way. This makes the model almost completely uncontrollable at the the furthest end of it's tether but you can purchase longer cables as optional extras up to about 6 meters.

Just to get the feel of the Hoverfly I gently eased it from side to side and forwards and backwards, followed by some slow pirouettes. I tried a couple of circuits of the living room. Be careful this machine can build up quite a speed and it takes a while to adjust to your small flying area. I rapidly built up flying time without realising it I was having a lot of fun. A couple of hours here a couple there but all on the first evening. There is little or no usage of the TX NiCad so you can just keep going.

Nose in hovering and the more scale hovering manoeuvres are a breeze but after about five minutes my fingers always make some involuntary movements and I have to recover to normal flight. More practice is need obviously. What's great here is that you actually get the opportunity to analyse your flights as you are so much more relaxed flying from your own sofa/arm chair. This has to be probably the best training aid I've seen yet you can even set up a buddy lead but I've not tried this yet.

I must be honest and say that I've had a few crashes attempting various manoeuvres but no damage except for the odd nick in the propellers has resulted this is one durable heli. Any normal heli would have cost well over £100 to repair by now. The usual thing that happens is that the circuit board in the heli itself gets unplugged but with a tooth pick or similar balsa stick the plug can be pushed back onto its pins in a few seconds and your off again.

Do be careful doing this as the wires and connections to the board are very delicate.

As a builder I get to try the Hoverfly in many different houses and sized rooms and can report from my lunchtime sessions that shorter carpets and lino etc give a better flight as the command line is free to slide around and follow the heli without dragging too much.

Excellent is the word that springs to mind. All the heli without the hassle. Obviously it is not aerobatic but then it was never meant to be.

I would recommend this model to anyone wishing to learn to fly model helicopters or to practice the more complicated nose in type manoeuvres and small circuits. The Hoverfly is so much more realistic to fly than any simulator I have tried.

Available from
www.snelflight.co.uk

Article by Daren Graham for Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
November 2002

Comment by Tony Brock on 00000000000000. Rating 4

I completely agree with you Daren, although im not a heli pilot I had great fun trying to fly the Hoverfly and I would agree its the best training aid you can get. I was so suprised how indestructable it was.

Comment by speedy on 00000000000000. Rating 4

This review describes this model to a tee. I have since purchased a hoverfly and it has provided me much fun and at no additional cost. Which is surprising after the speed at which i drove it in to almost everything in my house.

Comment by Alex Francey on 00000000000000. Rating 5

Is it worth the money? Is there anything cheaper like it that comes ready to fly?

Comment by Grot on 00000000000000. Rating none

It's worth every penny Alex. And no you can't buy anything similar. You can Order direct from the company though I think, cerainly for spares. See the link on the links page. This is as close as it gets to flying a real heli.

Comment by Ian on 00000000000000. Rating none

Is any one selling one second hand or is there that sells them cheap. Raptor too expensive

Comment by Chris Chambers on 00000000000000. Rating none

I'm selling one if anyones interested. It's 1yr old and mint. phone 07789401548 for details.

Comment by joe on 00000000000000. Rating 1

i think that heli is terrible . It flys sloppy and is very brittle.I prefer to fly my raptor.

Comment by Tony on 00000000000000. Rating none

This is on reply to the person who describes the heli as terrible. This is a beginners model and if you can fly a heli you dont really need to be flying this and yes you might well find it sloppy.

Comment by Nigel on 00000000000000. Rating 5

Just managed to get one of these marvelous helies. Never having flown a heli before and now many years since fmy limited fixed wing experience I had increasing anxiety over flying my 46 size bird (when Finished!). But most of my fears have now been squashed this little heli is most certainly INDESTRUCTABLE and yet you can get to grasps within hours in the comfort of your own living room. Well done snelflight on this brilliant TRAINING heli. And thanks for the Excellent support. PS Great sites both Bumpy Green AND Snelflight

Comment by fuse on 00000000000000. Rating 5

best EP heli for anyone trying first time on a heli. loved mine. flew many hours on it both in-door and out-door (using 12V DC-AC convertor) now i wish for the chinook!!!

Comment by Chris on 20040125230012. Rating 5

Just bought a second hand hoverfly, and, after a few set-up niggles, it flies brilliantly. An excellent beginners model.

Comment by Malcolm Jacob on 20040228235226. Rating 5

Brillant little heli best investment I have made in forty years or model flying

Comment by Steven Donoghue on 20040906004659. Rating 1

I am looking to buy a hoverfly secondhand please e mail me at Stevundo@btopenworld.com if you are interested thanks.

Comment by Steven Donoghue on 20040906004725. Rating 1

I am looking to buy a hoverfly secondhand please e mail me at Stevundo@btopenworld.com if you are interested thanks.

Comment by Adam on 20050704181704. Rating 5

i'm 11 and would like an RC heli that doesn't need batterys and is good to fly IE the hoverfly does anyone know anywhere cheap Mum or Dad could get one

Comment by Aled on 20050707001136. Rating 3

I have had a misrable experience with this helicopter. I bought the prelude with the controller. So far I have managed less the 2 seconds flight. It is uncontrollable and over responsive, my attempts at vertical take off result in it tippind side ways and smashing into the washing machine. I agree that it is tough as I have crashed it at nearly every attempt and it's still in one piece. The hoverfly in one word - frustrating...

Comment by BoB on 20050707005714. Rating 1

I agree, a drinking straw for a tail, poor flight dynamics, cheap giro and an overall feeling of tackiness. The body is made from paper thin plastic and the overall build quality is more akin to something manufactured in Hong Kong. This can not possibly cost more than 10 or 20 pounds to manufacture...

Comment by Saskia on 20050711132310. Rating 1

No batteries does not equal hours of fun. With this model the only thing you are likely to spend hours doing is putting the pieces back together again. It never takes off the same way twice, sometimes it shoots off sideways other times it shoots backwards straight at you. As far as space required to fly it - try an indoor stadium. As soon as I opened the box it hit me that I had been done again by slick marketing and reassuring reviews.

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