I recently had the pleasure of getting my very own Dyna Hawk GX: Blackguard. It came in a kit, ready to fly. The kit included the helicopter, remote control, AC adapter, rechargeable battery pack (Li-Po), 4 extra blades (2 for each rotor), a small screwdriver (used for tightening the blades and other repairs). ), instruction manual and a parts list. The first thing I did when I opened the kit was take out the Dyna Hawk GX. After removing it, checking it and straightening the blades properly, I continued to remove the rest of the contents to make sure everything was there. Once I was done reviewing, I grabbed the manual and read it. Being that it was made in China, the manual has English and Chinese translations. Some of the instructions were a bit confusing, but overall they walked me through the process of getting ready to fly.

After reading the manual, the next step is to charge the Li-Po battery and get 8 AA batteries (not included) for the remote control. The remote itself has 2 thumb sticks. One of the thumb sticks controls throttle or “lift”, and turns the helicopter or controls “steer”. There are also 2 buttons below the throttle stick that you use to “tune” your helicopter in flight. These buttons are used to decrease “turn” and help your helicopter fly in a straight line. (For further instructions, please refer to the manual.)

Once the battery is fully charged, follow the instructions to install it into the bottom of the Dyna Hawk GX. The trick is to get the wires where the battery connects “stuck” into the “cockpit” and out of the way. This is the only way to put the battery in place and rinse it out, with no dangling wires. Once the battery is connected, the helicopter cockpit has a constant flashing light showing that the Dyna Hawk is ready. It is now “almost” ready to fly.

Install 8 AA batteries into your remote, screw on the antenna and extend it, then power on your remote. Always keep the antenna fully extended when in use. Failure to do so could result in a “receive loss” causing you to lose control and crash. With the battery installed and the remote on, gently move the throttle lever forward (up), causing both blades to rotate creating “lift”. If your helicopter blades turn, it’s ready to fly after a few simple adjustments. (See the manual for these settings.)

After making adjustments, it’s time to have fun! The Dyna Hawk GX is an “indoor” electric RC helicopter. It is not made for outdoor flights. My recommendation (as well as that of the manufacturers) is to find an “open” indoor area in which to fly. A great escape zone would be an indoor basketball court, free of clutter. Impatient, and also because of the bad weather, I decided to try mine in my living room. (I don’t recommend this and I’ll explain why later.)

At first, it took me a while to get used to the throttle. The manual suggests doing some training to get used to the flight controls and has several different exercises to master. I recommend doing this if you are a first time traveler. Once I got used to the throttle, I was quickly able to get the Dyna Hawk GX zipping around my living room. The spin reacts very quickly, sometimes tipping over, so moving the “right” joystick is crucial. Also, make sure there are no drafts, open windows, or vents in your flying area. The slightest breeze can cause your Dyna Hawk GX to fly poorly and lose control. With a little practice, mastering flight control with the Dyna Hawk GX is quick and you’ll soon be flying to a full battery charge.

Now for the reason I recommend against flying around obstacles: While the Dyna Hawk GX is a fairly well-built RC helicopter, especially for the price, it’s not indestructible. Normally, if you lose the throttle, it will drop straight down and bounce off the ground without much trouble. But, if it bumps into an object (let’s say a sofa, for example), it can cause damage. When I crashed into a sofa, the blades hit it and broke the inner plastic part of the shaft. This part is what makes the lower blades rotate at the same speed as the upper ones and helps keep the entire helicopter from spinning (it acts as a tail rotor). If I hadn’t crashed into the sofa, no harm would have been done. My mistake. Fortunately, many “hobby shops” sell replacement parts and this part can be replaced for a smaller investment. I personally chose an aluminum inner axle piece to make this problem less likely to reoccur. Now I will also only fly in “barrier-free” areas with plenty of space.

In a nutshell, the Dyna Hawk GX is a great helicopter for beginners and intermediates, ages 12 and up. The battery, fully charged, will last 10-15 minutes of solid flight and charges relatively quickly too. This makes the wait between flights shorter and gives you more non-stop fun. It is one of the best looking Apache models and I have already received several compliments. With proper care and increased flying skills, I’m sure this particular electric RC helicopter will bring you a lot of fun over time. To make it last longer, always recharge the battery right after the flight is exhausted and then wait 5 minutes before flying again to let the motor cool down. This will help prevent “burning out” of the engine. Also, never leave the battery discharged for a long period of time. Storing a discharged Li-Po battery could result in it not being able to hold a charge and having to replace the battery sooner rather than later. Batteries are not cheap. From time to time, blow the Dyna Hawk GX with air to remove any dust that may have adhered to it. And always, always fly in an area completely free of obstacles to reduce the chance of damage in the event of an accident. Do these things and the Dyna Hawk GX: Blackguard will continue to be another great addition to your electric RC vehicle arsenal!