One of the most challenging yet
rewarding RC experience is mastering rotary-wing flight. Helicopters are
inherently more difficult to fly than fixed-wing aircraft and are
mechanically more complex. Choosing a first heli can be confusing with
so many ads and choices; it also depends on your goals. The ideal choice
will be different for someone who is just looking for some entertainment
in the living room and someone who wants to tear up the local flying
field with the latest high-performance 3D heli.
Although mechanically complex, modern kit
engineering makes it within reach of the average person to build and fly
helicopters. By carefully following the instructions, you can bolt kits
together with only basic tools and supplies. Almost-ready-to-fly (ARF)
kits are factory assembled and only require the installation of the
engine and electronics. There has been a recent explosion in small
ready-to-fly (RTF) electric helis that include everything in the box and
are completely assembled.
When it comes time to choose your first
heli, there are a few things to keep in mind. For the most part, unlike
fixed-wing aircraft, heli trainers are not common. Your first heli can
take you from hovering to advanced aerobatics. Exceptions are the
coaxial and fixed-pitch helis. These are limited to hovering and simple
maneuvering. The key is in the setup. By reducing the collective-pitch
range and cyclic control throws, the heli can be tamed and made easier
to fly. As your skill grows and you need more maneuverability, the
throws can be increased. That being the case, it is wise to start out
with the best equipment your budget allows. A mid- to upper-end radio
system will have all the features needed for advanced flight, and you
won’t outgrow it after you learn to hover. Choose the helicopter version
of the manufacturers’ system, as it will have the correct configuration
of switches and a smooth (non-ratcheting) throttle stick for more
precise control. The radio can still be used for fixed-wing aircraft, as
it still has the basic features needed for most planes.
Helicopters are more difficult to fly
because they lack inherent stability. The pilot of a heli in a
motionless hover is constantly moving both transmitter sticks to keep it
there. In a Mode II transmitter (most common type in the U.S.), the
throttle is on the left stick and controls the power to the engine or
motor. The collective-pitch control is mixed with throttle so that a
constant rotor rpm is maintained. As the collective pitch is increased,
the engine rpm also increases. The left stick also controls the tail
rotor or yaw axis. In a hover, the tail rotor counteracts the main
rotor’s torque. The heli’s nose can be moved left or right with
tail-rotor input. Modern electronic gyros take care of keeping the tail
where you want it, letting you concentrate on the other aspects of
flight. Without a gyro, any minute change in rotor or engine speed or a
slight wind gust would require superfast tail-rotor adjustment. The
right-hand transmitter stick is the cyclic control and allows the heli
to be flown forwards, backwards or sideways. By increasing or decreasing
the blade pitch during each rotation or cycle, more or less lift on the
blades causes the heli to bank and move in that direction. - from
gettingstartedinrc.com
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