I flew gas powered in the 80's. At that time I remember seeing an electric being demoed or more or less used as a trainer to learn to hover (the first step back in the day). It had a power cord attached to it and could only go within range of the cord.
Remote control is a bit different (than drones) in that the drones can operate
with electronics that allow them to fly without a remote operator (in some situations and with the right model). You needed obviously an operator for a RC Helicopter. Always needed to be flown and I do mean always if you took your hands off the sticks it would crash.
