And if you're trying to avoid buying something from China - in this case you can't. Seriously - Almost every damn bit of RC stuff is made in China even by the Japanese manufacturers.

There is stuff made in the US and Europe but not as much as I would like.

Damn you! I really didn't need to be parted with 60 bucks....

What did you pay for shipping from that place?

I used that link for the quality pictures - I actually got mine for $34 each including shipping.

I got mine from 'bigsaleonline' on ebay. Took less than a week to get to me.

Zis one Mike?

New BETTER Version 3CH channel RC Mini Helicopter 9120G - eBay (item 110497739131 end time Mar-22-10 21:00:19 PDT)

dunno if anyone mentioned it...invest in a training stand.

No, not that one - this one

Also, there are other versions - like the S105 - you do not want this version (I have one). It doesn't have a gyro so it is very hard to control.

The 107 is like a rock.

You could spend $100 or more on an mCX or Novus CX (don't get the Axe, it's old) but they are harder to fly (though still easy for an adult) and are much less durable than the ones I am showing you.

Mike, can you get parts for the Syma? When something breaks I'd like it to be repairable.

You can't usually get pats for these little ones but they don't cost that much. I just bought parts for my nano sized heli and the total was the same as one of these Syma's. Just consider it a rung in a ladder. Once the learning has been done and the bird is worn out, then you can decide to buy a more advanced helicopter if the child is ready for it. My 12YO is nervous with the Novus CX and he has a ton of hours on the AirHogs.

I have a similar dual rotor that I got a couple years ago. I have repaired it twice after the dog knocked it down by making new tiny parts from aluminum and carbon fiber..... kind of fun to tinker with.

I found quite a few parts on ebay

I have 2 extras for spare parts, one is the S105 I mentioned, it is mechanically the same as the 107 but the logic board does not include an accelerometer (Gyro).

I have seen people get parts for them but I have never had to myself.

Here is a thread on rcgroups.com about the birds:

Syma s107 Helicopter - RC Groups

SO.....no one has a Vario ? (Benzine Trainer ) 23cc gas engine I think......

No. Nobody.

the only gas heli i've seen at the field has been a 50cc camera ship. Everything else is electric or nitro. People mostly fly Trex helis by Align at my field.

50cc is pretty HUGE !

How about a turbine heli?

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2SorqaTGTOo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2SorqaTGTOo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

definitely get a simulator like realflight. It is the best way to practice for sure!

Would love a turbine........$$$$$$$$$$$$$ BUT WOW on the price tag

The guy who owns it did a presentation on the bird at our January club meeting. He got that bird used for a bargain of around $7000.

You bastards...got me all focused on this and stopped at the hobby store on the way home and bought a freaking Novus CX (preparing for the races you know...)