When compares to other places in the world India is still far behind in regard of the rc market. Why do you think its so?

Also why arent brands such as Walkera,Align etc start their dealership with any rc shop here? Also is our govenment against rc helis and planes?

Also is it possible to obtain license for importing rc helis and parts to india here?
I am sorry for the long questions but I am asking this due to the complications of buying a rc helicopter here in india from abroad and the high price

You've partly answered it yourself "the high price" keeps the masses away from it.

If we start manufacturing in India, then we can certainly hope for a better future.

To cite an example, think of a common man shelling out Rs.600 to 1000 for a pair of rotor blades of wood for an average RC heli. He just wouldn't, 'cos he couldn't.

I'm sure it can come down to atleast Rs.100ish if production is started in India, just that it needs precision.

Hope someone would start someday

Yes Mr Thompson you are correct..there are lot of restriction in importing rc stuff and also the market may not be big enough for companies like Align to open up here..but despite of all these hiccups..RC hobbies is steadily and continously growing here in India due to the efforts of some great LHS here..i have witnessed the opening of atleast 5 LHS since the forum started..Though the growth is not exponential like in US but we will reach there..in the mean time you can check out LHS for the stuff you want.

Regards
Ankur

i am trying on the above mentioned post by Mr. Thompson88

but just short of initial investment trying to get with pankaj and try it out...

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-general-topics/whats-the-demand-and-supply-for-aeromdelling-stuff/

What I think is because of terrorism risk and strikes in our nation.
Our India is certainly a great place but unfortunately we can see the foul terrorism activities are increasing.
If radio equipment manufacturers establish themselves on our land then it will surely be more ease for terrorist to claim lives of innocent.

I think what our govt has imposed law for radio equipments is pretty fine.
Few people involved with RC products is safe because it'll be easy to trace them!

So mind it guys, someone or the other is constantly spying your rc activities!!! 

If any one is spying on us then the only reason will be to trap us in some rule and get some "pocket money". Take PUC for example, the system looks so good on paper that by now we should have become a totally pollution free country.

Quote from: globalmilind on May 06, 2011, 11:56:42 AM
Our India is certainly a great place but unfortunately we can see the foul terrorism activities are increasing.
If radio equipment manufacturers establish themselves on our land then it will surely be more ease for terrorist to claim lives of innocent.

Two countries that have major issues and are almost paranoid about terrorism are The US of A and Israel. Yet none of them have restricted RC activity.

The terrorists will find a way if they wan't to. Even banning RC activity is not going to stop them.

Lack of competition amongst LHS, which inturn keeping the prices higher
Most small scale industries which are capable of building anything in bulk are still in pre internet era, least knowing that there are lot demand picking up in RC.

But things are picking up now. May be in 10 years we'll have a hobby shop in every city. BUT we might as well run out of flying fields by then

More so the skill set required to start and fly doesn't come easy, it is not like any toy just pick up and operate, the guys whom we get trained from where so water tight, i can't tell you, if you couldn't/didn't do what was briefed to you, you fell back in the syllabus, even to get your hand on the foamy people find it difficult (Foamies are more difficult to fly, that is a different matter).

Without proper guidance can you start on  a nitro plane ? let alone gassers, not possible, IMHO

Quote from: SunLikeStar on May 06, 2011, 12:42:57 PM
But things are picking up now. May be in 10 years we'll have a hobby shop in every city. BUT we might as well run out of flying fields by then

Not quite. But one will have to be prepared to travel a fair distance for this. Then again, this is virtually the norm in most other countries.

Apart from economics, lack of awareness and complete misunderstanding of this beautiful hobby are some reasons for dead slow rc market..

some facts encountered:
..most people(laymen) think that these planes are useless coz they cannot be controlled beyond a km as our Tx has a limited range!  
also, many inquire about rc cars...."average kitna deti hai?"   is their 1st question.
Last but not least..many parents feel that all this is complete waste of time & money, and their kids should focus only on studies...and not play with stupid useless expensive TOYS!

Quote from: Vector on May 06, 2011, 01:32:35 PM
Last but not least..many parents feel that all this is complete waste of time & money, and their kids should focus only on studies...and not play with stupid useless expensive TOYS!

+1

Very hard to convince parents that this is a passion, not some overpriced toys!

My view on this subject is as follows

1) Money - the kind of initial investment required to get into RC flying is quite high for an average Indian family. Yes, there are chuck gliders and control line powered models, but then the actual flying experience is in RC flight and a basic set up would cost 6-10K at least (even for small foamie with cheap Tx+Rx). It still is very expensive for avg Indian household for what people consider a toy for their kids.

2) Scale/Size of LHS - The local LHS have limited exposure and inventory hence they tend to import in small quantities. This drives the cost further and many a times, a foreign LHS seems a cheaper option ( at least for spares). Even if one considers LHS from outside, the shipping costs is killing. It is not uncommon to see the shipping cost at about 2 times the model cost.

3) Social issues - many adults (like myself) have to be content with weird looks by folks around when they see me busy with a model. A standard remark is "when would you grow up?"

4) Govt. awareness  - or the lack of it. You see NCC air wing promoting aeromodelling, but fails to recognize this as a hobby.

5) Logistic - not many would be interested in traveling 10-15 KM to find a deserted place to fly a plane. To this end, Helis seem to be a better bet.

Then there is another factor; some people like the exclusivity of the hobby and hence stay reluctant to popularize it. And will some time put in effort to show how special they are with their special hobby. On my first interaction with an aeromodeler, when i asked how to get in this hobby I was told: "first of all you'll have to buy a car" this kept me away from the hobby for good three years 

Quote from: SunLikeStar on May 06, 2011, 02:20:56 PM
Then there is another factor;  I was told: "first of all you'll have to buy a car" this kept me away from the hobby for good three years

I know of at least one chap, who has got a model and all the setup but does not own a car so has turned into an LHS

I take my plane on my 8 year old bajaj pulsar or some time i just walk to the field
Bought two cars, one for me dad and one for my aeromodelling ended up giving mine also to to my mom, not buying another until I buy me a home

This topic seems to be really alive.. . . :-)

Ok.. Now what if someone does want to start a big RC Hobby Shop in India. Will he be granted importing license for importing RC helicopters from brands such as Walkera and Align?

Also if I am buying RC helicopters from the internet which  courier services  should I opt for? Is EMS which I think comes via the post office or DHL ,IPS etc?

Also do you know the percentage of tax i may have to pay?

Almost all these have already been answered multiple times here... just make the "Search" box your friend for a few days.  You will learn the answers to these, and many more that will pop up !

And the last post is actually deviating from the topic, and has narrowed down into one person's attempts to import stuff, which is probably the most discussed topic on the forum already

One pointer for you, since you didn't search/read already...  brands like Thunder Tiger (a well known heli company) has a dealer in India, and they are bringing in lots of stuff.

Customs charges : http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/how-much-customs-should-i-pay-for-getting-stuff-from-hobbycity/msg16427/#msg16427

Quote from: SunLikeStar on May 06, 2011, 02:20:56 PM
. On my first interaction with an aeromodeler, when i asked how to get in this hobby I was told: "first of all you'll have to buy a car" this kept me away from the hobby for good three years

well same is with me but let me tell you i have carried 3 planes on my activa..
2 mr moss and 1 2m wingspan glider and a bag with radio
one can imagine how the the people on the road were looking at us....
1 activa
2 people( both quite healthy )
3 panes that to big ones
1 bag
.......
where there is a will  there is a way

I dont think the situation is all that bad here. The number of aeromodellers is increasing and thats for sure. Many LHS have sprung up since i joined the forum. Things can only improve from here

From a students point of view cost is a major factor - well atleast for me it is. My parents still think these are toys even after showing them 700 size heli videos and RC cars at 121mph! They have their problems too so i dont blame them for this.

And abou exclusivity - i have not come across such a person yet with this hobby. Iv met the right set of people i guess The only way this hobby can grow is if current modellers spend some time with interested beginners. This, i think, can help find a way past the cost factor.

Quote from: PankajC on May 06, 2011, 02:24:57 PM
I know of at least one chap, who has got a model and all the setup but does not own a car so has turned into an LHS

Its easy to mock , but the problem for certain students/families/financial_group may be more than just lack of a car

There is also a large group of people who enter the hobby but leave it after a short while because they either invest in the wrong stuff or get the right stuff but due to lack of knowledge destroy them and finally and sadly some of them are robbed by some of the less dedicated LHS and they get so scared that they never go back again.

Also i think beginners tend to go too far too soon. Like jumping into helis with a costly model or buying a costly plane rather than a beginner friendly one.