RC Helicopter Kit
Pre-Built vs. Kit Built - Which Is Best?

by John Salt - Last Updated November 2024

Deciding between an RC helicopter kit and building it, or purchasing a pre-built ready-to-fly (RTF) or Bind & Fly (BNF) package, is one of the first choices you are faced with when purchasing an RC Helicopter.

This is a choice that was not available when I first got into the hobby. All RC helicopters back in the 80's and 90's were sold in kit form and you had to spend hours putting them together.

Typical RC Helicopter Kit Build - Many Parts To Assemble Before You Can Fly It.

Recognizing that people’s time is at a premium and with the advent of smaller electric powered RC helicopters, most manufacturers these days are offering their smaller (under 400 size) helicopters in pre-built (RTF or BNF) packages.

I should point out, this article is geared toward collective pitch RC helicopters. Toy, and beginner fixed pitch micro sized RC helicopters are all sold as pre-built, ready to fly. 

Typical Pre-Built Ready To Fly RC Helicopter Package With Helicopter, Radio/Transmitter & Battery. Everything Ready To Go Flying Out Of The Box!

Larger helicopters 500 and up, are mostly only available in kit form (unless you purchase a used heli) because you will almost always get a higher quality RC helicopter when it comes in kit form for the simple reason, most kit builds are targeted to intermediate and advanced hobbyist's that want higher end quality.

It's unlikely that most experienced RC helicopter pilots would even consider getting a larger pre-built model over a kit version. Personally, I just wouldn't trust the build quality as I know for a fact I can do a better job because I can take my time and focus on every little detail during the building & setup process. You'll rarely if ever get that same attention to detail on any RTF/BNF model!

Most kit builds also allow you to pair/choose your own electronic components to install. Radio, servos, flybarless controller, ESC, motors, engines, batteries, etc. Once again, these components will usually be of much better quality and specifically suited to your needs, than what you get in a pre-built RTF or BNF package.

Choosing Your Own RC Helicopter Electronic Components For Your RC Helicopter Build.

In the video below, I start out by going over electronics pairings on this specific scale RC helicopter kit build to give you an idea of the choices you have to make with most kit builds. 

As you can see, there is a fair amount of understanding involved in knowing what components to chose for a specific RC helicopter kit.

Super Combo Kit Comes With All The Electronic Components.

I should mention that some manufacturers also have what is known as "super combo" kits.

These RC helicopter kits actually included all these various electronic components so you don't have to source them separately.

If you want to know more about that option, please see my Align RC Helicopter page where I go over Super Combo kits in more detail. 

What you decide is the best RC helicopter kit be it a pre-built RTF/BNF, or a Bare Bones kit that you have to get all your own components for and build, or a Super Combo Kit that comes with all the components, is a matter of individual preference based primarily on your experience level, particular knowledge and skill set. 

Before you can know if a kit or pre-built heli is right for you, it's necessary to understand "what building an RC helicopter is all about".

I actually get that exact question often when I am out flying and my answer is always the same – "building an RC helicopter is just like putting together a Meccano set." 

There can be for example hundreds of parts (on larger RC helicopters), and each one is important. Because of all the rotating parts, things have to be balanced correctly; helicopters always have some vibration so using thread locker on bolts and set screws is essential.

If you're curious just what's involved in a typical RC helicopter kit build, the video below outlines the basic assembly process on a typical collective pitch RC helicopter.

Most RC helicopter kits will go together in several hours depending on the builder's experience level; but getting the electronics and the heli setup correctly adds to that time. It can take just as much time, sometimes even more to get all that stuff installed and working correctly. 

Helicopters are potentially the most dangerous of all RC models. "Serious injury or death" is the legal buzz phrase and it certainly is true with larger RC helicopters. Not building one correctly will add to that danger substantially.

RC helicopter kits are not difficult to build, you just have to keep your wits about you and follow the instructions to the letter. None of this "I think this part fits here" and hope you are right. Finding out you were wrong as a razor sharp carbon fiber rotor blade flies off your helicopter at over 300 kph towards you or a spectator isn’t the kind of confirmation feedback you want to experience.  

You also have to realize, even if you do get a pre-built RC helicopter, you will still have to perform maintenance on your helicopter or repair it after a crash. One way or another you will eventually have to pull up your sleeves and dive in as the video below demonstrates during a typical crash repair.

This can be intimidating if you don’t have the confidence to put it all back together correctly. If you already built the kit in the first place, you'll fully understand how to take it apart, repair it, and put it back together as good as new! That is the biggest benefit to building an RC helicopter from kit form.

In fact, most of the questions I get from people when it comes to repairs or maintenance are all related to pre-built models. I rarely get such questions from those who built the heli from kit form - makes perfect sense.

Oops - Repair Time!

Well, have I just scared the *#@! out of you? That certainly was not my intent, but I did want to express that this hobby is not for everyone.

If you really dislike anything mechanical or working on stuff, this hobby is probably not going to be your cup of tea. That is not to say you won’t enjoy flying an RC helicopter, but just like real helicopters, for every dozen hours or so you are up in the air, there is required shop time to keep everything running 100%.

Best RC Helicopter Kit Recommendation

My personal recommendation for your best RC helicopter kit is to get a smaller RTF or BNF if you don't like building or when you are first starting out in the hobby.

Typical Pre-Built BNF RC Helicopter Package Comes Without a Radio/Transmitter For People Who Already Have A Good Computerized Radio/Transmitter. Just bind Bind It To Your Radio and It's Ready To Go!

No question, a pre-built RTF or BNF RC helicopter takes many unknowns out of the equation and for most beginners who already have a steep learning curve when taking up this hobby; a pre-built machine makes that learning curve much more manageable. 

Once you are comfortable with your first pre-built heli and/or you like building (for example are mechanically inclined or have RC truck/car experience), or are getting help from an instructor/experienced RC heli hobbyist to help you with the build, a kit is hard to beat.  

This is the best way to familiarize yourself with each component and how every component works in relationship with the next. 

As that earlier video shows, building an RC helicopter is an immensely rewarding experience, especially your first. You learn so much and when you see your heli flying with all those parts that you hand assembled yourself; it's a profound feeling of accomplishment.

Building a heli from kit form also really gets you passionate about the hobby since you have invested yourself into the process. 

For me, building and performing maintenance on RC helicopters is actually more enjoyable than flying. I build and maintain to relax and have fun. The rewards come when I fly. It's a perfect balance.

Building A 700 Size Heli Kit... So Much Fun!

I recognize not everyone is the same. Many of you might be like me, but there are just as many if not more in this hobby who live to fly; building and maintenance are nothing more than necessary chores.

This is where pre-built make sense. If you are stretched for time, don't like building, or are just not confident enough in your abilities at this early stage in your RC heli career; than a RTF or BNF heli does make good & logical sense.

I actually fall into this category when it comes to RC airplanes which I also fly occasionally. I really don’t enjoy building them. I don’t like gluing all the balsa together, I don’t like covering them – basically I just want to fly. For these reasons, I only purchase per-build BNF planes now. 

I wanted to point that out in case you are like me and dislike the fussy building process when it comes to planes; you might actually really enjoy building helicopters. They are completely different. They are similar to RC cars and trucks in this respect so if you like building up RC cars and trucks, I can almost guarantee you will enjoy putting an RC helicopter kit together.   

Time in the shop or at the field – as long as you're having fun, who cares!

Let's finish this RC helicopter kit article off with a typical RC helicopter kit build summary video to give you a better idea of the steps involved and how fun this can be. 

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