We've always wanted to fly helicopters, but pilot lessons cost way too much money. Now, thanks to the Griffin HELO TC, you can finally fly helicopters without a pilot's license. Just make sure you've got an iOS device—this bad boy is controlled directly from your favorite touchscreen.
We had a blast playing with it in our Fabulous Toys feature To enter, just leave us a message telling us what you think the best possible use for the Remote Controlled Helicopter would be! Oh, and only enter once, Ace.
The fine print:
Mac|Life "Win: A Remote Controlled Helicopter" Contest rules: The winner will be chosen at random from qualified entries. All entries must be received no later than February 29, 2012. By entering this contest, you agree that Future US, Inc. may use your name, likeness, and website for promotional purposes without further payment. Employees of Sponsor, its respective parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, and agents, and foregoing employees¹ household or immediate family members (defined as parent, spouse, child, sibling, or grandparent) are NOT eligible to enter Contest. All prizes will be awarded, and no minimum number of entries is required. If two or more people enter identical designs and that entry is selected as the winner, the entry received first will be awarded the contest prize. Prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians. Future US, Inc. is not responsible for damages or expenses the winners might incur as a result of this contest or the receipt of a prize, and winners are responsible for income taxes based on the value of the prize received. A list of winners may also be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Future US, Inc. c/o Mac|Life Contest, 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080. This contest is limited to residents of the United States. No purchase necessary; void in Arizona, Maryland, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and where prohibited by law.
jasonbaum
March 14, 2012 at 6:51pm
If I were the lucky winner of the coolest toy ever invented in the universe, I would spend the rest of my waking hours taking high definition pictures and videos of the most excellent helicopter and then post said images on every social networking channel known to man.
In fact, I would strive to create new social networking channels just to share the cooliosity of the Griffin Helo. I'm thinking Airspace Book (tm)... I'm thinking My Airspace (tm)...I'm thinking...um...well, let's just say I'm thinking.
My wife will shake her head in disappointment that her husband has found a new love in his life. My daughters...two in college, one in high school, will initially indulge my new hobby, happy to see their dad finally over his obsession on bad family portraits. They'll take an interest in my attempts to become an adept pilot, performing extraordinary aerial maneuvers. Eventually, they'll realize my obsession isn't healthy and spend their hours comforting their mom. But I won't care! I'll be the coolest guy in the neighborhood!
Make my dream a reality. I've ordered my distressed leather pilot jacket. I've ordered my vintage WWI leather helment and goggles. Complete this picture and make me the ace I always knew I was meant to become. If not...no big deal!
dprudlow
March 12, 2012 at 3:16pm
I would add a camera and fly it right at the end of my driveway where people are waiting to exit the subdivision...probably have to put some annoying signage on it too.
magicfortune
March 12, 2012 at 11:52am
I would use it to entertain my Son. Oh yeah, and He could play with it sometimes as well!
KarelC
February 29, 2012 at 4:40pm
I would use the helicopter to generally relax, and try a whole bunch of things with it.
jorge_gomez2019
February 28, 2012 at 12:55pm
I would use it as an exerciser partner for my pets, with overhead shots of the training process.
j1mandel
February 27, 2012 at 6:41pm
I would watch the joy vibrate through the body of my seven year old neighbor, who is a natural born engineer, when he got to fly it.
rgrein
February 25, 2012 at 12:50pm
I would add a wireless camera and speaker. When the home automation system detects visitors, intruders or pests we could check it out and optionally scare the pants off them! Night vision would be essential and really cool.
kdorsey
February 24, 2012 at 4:15am
I have a Civil Air Patrol Cadet wing and a Middle School Technology class. This would be a great tool for areodynamic study.
hartleyflats
February 23, 2012 at 12:23pm
I would attach a small, but very bright light to it and fly it over all my neighbours houses (don't like my neighbours) and in their bedroom windows at night, just to annoy them. Now i won't win because I'm being mean about it. LOL
lapleader
February 22, 2012 at 3:40pm
I would put a Helicopter landing logo on top of my car and use the Helicopter with a video cam to locate my car in the mall parking lots.
omygodc
February 22, 2012 at 6:04am
I would do surveillance on the illegal activities that happen in my neighborhood, then report it to police and become a huge hero for breaking up a narco-terrorist ring. Or I could just annoy cats....
TheAwkmaster
February 21, 2012 at 7:24pm
I think the best possible use would be to fix "The fine print" where it says, "All entries must be received no later than February 31, 2012."
BikeMen
February 21, 2012 at 12:46pm
I would attach attach a fishing nylon string with blinking colored lights to give the impression of a UFO, hovering in the air in my neighborhood.
tilemover
February 21, 2012 at 7:26am
If I won this Helicopter I would attach a camera to it and fly it around during the next Apple keynote and see how many devs I could drive nuts.
gxavier6
February 20, 2012 at 3:04pm
Hate to say it but i would probably hover the lady sunbathers in the summer w a small installed cam......
beavis64
February 19, 2012 at 6:24am
To teach my daughter how to fly a remote helicopter without frightening small animals.
rking
February 17, 2012 at 6:54am
I have a small helicopter that using a regular remote but would love to have one that uses my iPhone this is a really cool idea.
EliCarter
February 14, 2012 at 8:42pm
tie a ball of yarn to it and keep my dog occupied for a long time with jumping jacks without having to get off the couch myself.
mbrissette1
February 06, 2012 at 6:44pm
iOS controlled RC Helicopter = attaching my helmet cam to the helicopter and wreaking havoc throughout my fraternity house!!!
jaymurphe
February 06, 2012 at 1:37am
With this fun helicopter I'd attach a GoPro camera and fly it up to a message waiting on the Eiffel Tower, for my girlfriend, asking her to marry me; during the brilliant flashing lights, at night.
She's in love with Europe's ambience as much as I'm in love with its architecture: it'd be the moment she would never forget!
wavcatcher
February 02, 2012 at 6:42pm
I'd attach a go-pro camera to it and then capture a bunch of awesome footage. Then, add custom music and sound design to it and post it up on my vimeo account!
MaJ13X
February 02, 2012 at 8:31am
I would dress it in a dog costume, and have it chase the "Flying people of NY"
dalan
January 30, 2012 at 2:22pm
I'd imagine I was 2 inches tall and fly up to the edge of our atmosphere with my imaginary friend Mr. Jumbles and his pet ferret, Timmy.
cooppie1
January 29, 2012 at 12:14pm
I would fly it around the back yard to keep track of my dogs. They seem to always want to get into the garden when I turn my back to them.
dcoughli
January 25, 2012 at 6:51am
I'd probably give it to my brother-in-law. He's always flying these kind of things. This one looks cool.
mnkyprod
January 20, 2012 at 4:33pm
I would use it to heli-evac injured little green army men to safety. Remember, freedom isn't free.
mnkyprod
January 20, 2012 at 4:32pm
I would use it to heli-evac injured little green army men to safety. Remember, freedom isn't free.
OJO187
January 20, 2012 at 2:43pm
I would tie a donut from a fishing string and fly the chopper in front of a Curves window during excersise time.
taobird
January 18, 2012 at 9:00am
I would find my friend's gps location, attach my iphone to the helicopter with video on and have the helicopter follow my friend EVERYWHERE! Awesome
James_Allen_Davis
January 18, 2012 at 4:16am
Well, straight up, I've always wanted one of these mainly for just 1 idea I have, to mount a POV camera on the bottom facing downwards & shoot video of snowboarding, skateboarding, & possibly other things as well. With snowboarding, you have downhill movement almost entirely for most riding, & especially with slopestyle, this would be great, for following along but with an aerial view & being able to get something that most people never would! I could also do something cheesy like use it at the sk8park with people sk8ing & just kind of cruise around with them as they flow around the bowls & wherever but of course from up above with the cam. This would all take some practice definitely to get the motion & direction as smooth as possible, but I still have yet to really see it be done. From what I've seen, I think a Contour would be most ideal mainly because of weight, but I know it's realistic & possible, I just need a remote control helicopter & a Contour to do it! And with this helicopter, I'd be one step closer to being able to do it & have this conceptual thought I've had become a reality! Any way, if you do happen to pick me, I guarantee you it will go to good use & help a budding videographer with an iMac and aspirations of action sports videography have a much more realistic chance of being able to do so which is something he's wanted to do for years, & that's no joke, later MacLife, peace!
tokirobot
January 15, 2012 at 4:47pm
I would fly it around the house, entertaining myself and my dog.
jonbunner
January 13, 2012 at 8:42pm
I would love to deliver love notes to my partner Chuck with this helicopter!
I would fly him a note every single day if I won this amazing gadget!
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
krlane
January 12, 2012 at 3:51pm
I work from home. This would be a great stress relief tool, and would make the day more enjoyable!
dchaille
January 12, 2012 at 8:54am
I would use the helicopter to have fun at the beach and in the park.
acvisionace
January 10, 2012 at 10:52pm
I would mount a camera on it, film myself creating music in GarageBand, and get aerial shots of playing guitar. Also, I would connect a hook to pickup items and fly them across the rooms to other parts of the apartment. 8^)
Bjn02
January 09, 2012 at 8:02pm
My helicopter already broke so I need a new helicopter. I would use it as a spy helicopter with a inferred camera. I would also use it as a crain to carry things to different locations. I have a plan to carry a water balloon on it and drop it on my neighbor.
JohnEBest
January 09, 2012 at 12:26pm
I would use it to scare off the skunks that tear up the garden. "Commander Blue, attack the large black and white dead ahead and watch the gas cloud or you can't return to base. Copy that? Over."
arjay67
January 08, 2012 at 4:38am
Attach a camera and keep track of what the neighbors are up to. (outdoors only)
