Gadget and consumer electronics company Griffin Technology has launched the Helo TC – a toy helicopter thats controlled by a free iOS app. 

Part of Griffins AppPowered Accessories range, the Helo TC is available now, just in time for Christmas, from HMV. 

The Helo TC is powered by a PolyLithium battery, which is charged via a USB socket, and also comes with a battery-powered “flight deck” module, which connects to the iOS device and transmits infrared signals to the helicopter. 

There are two flight modes available – you can either use a virtual joystick on your iOS devices screen, or you can enable the tilt-to-fly mode – which uses the iOS devices positioning-aware accelerometers and compass to control the Helo TC with movement.

The helicopter itself is built on a lightweight metal frame with a black polycarbonate body. Griffin says the twin rotor design makes it easy to fly – but if you find yourself crashing it into the wall after too many Christmas sherries, the main and tail rotor systems are replaceable. The Helo TC is equipped with five LEDs, and can record and store up to three flight plans – perfect for launching flying-attacks on relatives as they sleep off their turkey dinner.