An interview with a helicopter young gun: Kyle Stacy
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Mark Fadely
Also included in this column:
• Eliminate those bad vibes
Kyle Stacy (R), 12, is joined by his buddies, Paul Grohman and 5-
year-old Justin Chi, at the 2007 IRCHA Jamboree.
Kyle and his dad (L) watch Nick Maxwell wring out the latest
Miniature Aircraft model. Kyle is excited to be flying such a
capable machine.
A Scale model competes in the IRCHA Jamboree. Balancing is
important on such an intricate machine; delicate parts can break
off because of fatigue if it does not run smoothly.
Internal vibrations slightly blur the missile tube to your right on
Jeff Green’s Hirobo Cobra. The left one is clear. Mark shot this
image at a low shutter speed, so almost any vibration is visible.
HEY, EVERYBODY, it is finally that time of year again. That
special something is in the air. Birds are singing, bees are buzzing,
and guess what? We are flying our helicopters outside again.
The indoor season is coming to a close as the biggest part of the
country is finally thawing out. Spring is my favorite time of year.
Feeling the warm winds and smelling burning nitromethane gets my
blood pumping. This month I have a few tips for you and an
interview with one of the hottest young pilots today.
It is hard to believe that a quarter of this year is through already.
I appreciate all the E-mails you have sent me in the last year and a
half. I am enjoying the job as helicopter columnist, and hearing the
feedback is very rewarding. I encourage you to write in and let me
know if you have an idea for a story or any other material you think
the helicopter community would find interesting.
We are also running a Monthly Photo Contest for helicopters
or airplanes. I have an open thread on RunRyder where you can
post your entries. You can also E-mail me or Michael Ramsey,
MA editor. There is a new feature spot in the magazine called
“Viewfinder,” where the winning photos are displayed. Check it
out.
You may already know my good friend, Kyle Stacy. He is a
well-mannered young man who can throw down some incredible
3-D flying. He competed in the 2007 XFC (Extreme Flight
April 2008 131
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:00 AM Page 131
132 MODEL AVIATION
Blurring on one side of the horizontal fin on this electric Germanmade
Mikado helicopter is a sign of possible tail-rotor imbalance.
You should check for that on all models.
Imagine having to balance this Indy Helis Apache’s four-bladed
tail. Double everything you have learned for this model. The
pointer shows where to apply the tape.
Championships). Watch out for Kyle; he has a new helicopter and
will be quite a force this year.
Kyle’s father, Ray, is also a helicopter pilot and a longtime
modeler. They make a great team. They reside in Rochester, New
York, and each year Ray holds a nice fun-fly at the Rochester field.
Following is part of an interview I did with Kyle.
MF: How old are you now and what grade are you in school?
KS: I am 12 and in the seventh grade.
MF: How long have you flown helicopters?
KS: I first flew a simulator when I was 5. I flew my first helicopters, a
Corona 120, Venture 30, and Raptor 50, when I was 6.
DIVERSIFIED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
5932 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Ph: 1-612-243-1234 Fax: 1-612-243-8950
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.klasskote.com
For Color Chart and Information, Send SASE
Don’t Delay – Order Yours Today!
You Built the Best Model, So Use The Best Paint!
“Superior
Quality”
Epoxy Paint
System
Available in
Colors, Clear
& Primer.
38 Years of Extensive Field
Performance Provides
Outstanding Adhesion & Protection Against Many RC Model Fuels
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:02 AM Page 132
134 MODEL AVIATION
MF: Do you have other hobbies too?
KS: I am learning to play a guitar. I also like
flying RealFlight online with my friend Paul
Grohman.
MF: What helicopter do you fly and who are
your sponsors?
KS: I fly the Miniature Aircraft Stratus
mainly. I am hoping to fly the Bandit and
Razor this year as part of Team Miniature
Aircraft. My radio is the Futaba 12FGH 2.4
GHz. Empire Hobby/Hyperion was my first
sponsor. Miniature Aircraft and Team Futaba
signed me on this year. I am also sponsored
by Youngblood Enterprises, Powermaster
Fuel, and Scott Gray Products.
MF: What keeps you motivated to continue
flying?
KS: I like doing it with my dad and I like
hanging out with my friends at the flying
field. I want to keep improving. I like how my
friend David Playfair pushes me to fly harder
at my home field. Mostly I just love to fly.
MF: What is your main goal in the hobby?
KS: To have fun, make new friends, and
hopefully become one of the top pilots.
MF: Do you like competition?
KS: I like the competitions to see how I do
against other pilots. Competing makes me fly
better and it’s always fun to see my friends
there.
MF: What advice would you give to
beginning pilots?
KS: When I was 7 Curtis Youngblood told
me to keep it fun and I have. Don’t fly if you
aren’t having fun. Be focused and practice.
Set your goals and do it. I practice on the
simulator every day. Don’t just bang the sticks
around, but try to learn something new.
MF: How does it feel to do a demo in front of
a large crowd?
KS: I am always anxious and nervous before
a flight, but as soon as I take off I get into a
groove and start having fun. I like to hear the
crowd response.
MF: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been
given in the hobby?
KS: Always keep it fun and never give up.
My dad always tells me to make good
decisions and to respect people.
MF: Do you have any idea what you think
your future career might be?
KS: I don’t know exactly what yet, but I
would like to do something in aviation.
MF: What are your favorite maneuvers?
KS: Reversing pirouetting flips and doing my
dad’s favorite takeoff, which is one I got from
Curtis Youngblood, where you take off and
push forward cyclic to nose down, do a half
pirouette, and then fly out backwards inverted.
I also like doing anything low.
Kyle, I want to thank you for taking time
away from your busy Xbox schedule to talk
with me. I am just kidding you, little buddy. I
look forward to seeing you and your dad at the
events this year. Take care.
I am shifting gears now to resume the
discussion about the trials and tribulations of
helicopter vibrations. (Wow! That is poetry,
you know.) I have been writing about
vibrations and balancing.
Having a smooth-running helicopter is
extremely important. It will stay together
longer and fly more efficiently, but did you
ever consider what all that shaking is doing to
your machine?
The long-term effects of vibrations can
have dire consequences on the model, and
possibly even you! When parts are subjected
to continuing vibration, fatigue is inevitable.
Then parts break in-flight, which is not a good
thing.
Anyone who has been hit by flying debris
from a model airplane or helicopter knows it
is something you want to avoid. Keeping our
machines in top mechanical condition goes a
long way to promote safety.
Last time I wrote about the main rotor and
its profound effect in relation to visible
vibrations. Now I’ll peer into the muchmisunderstood
aft section of our helicopters.
Think of the machine’s entire tail section
as one big tuning fork; that is how it behaves.
There are so many things going on in the tail
that it is tough to diagnose vibrations there.
Knowledge is key, so I’ll teach you what
vibrations show up in the tail section and how
you can fix them.
You should definitely balance the tail
rotor. I have seen various methods of doing
this, but I think there is only one good way:
dynamic balancing. Does that sound familiar?
It is the same method I used for balancing the
main rotor head in the last discussion.
An AMA member who was a helicopter
pilot in Vietnam E-mailed me after that
column to let me know he balanced full-scale
rotor blades the same way. He would spool up
his Bell 47 and check for vibrations while
hovering. Then he would land and put more or
less masking tape on the blades until he got
the aircraft running as smoothly as possible.
Wow! Who would have thought you
could balance a full-scale helicopter the same
way?
You can use electrical tape to dynamically
balance any-size model’s tail. For 30- to 60-
size helicopters I cut the tape lengthwise so I
am working with thin ribbons.
I start with a piece that is just long enough
to go 11/2 times around the rotor blade at the
root. The air velocity is less near the root, so
there is less chance of the tape flying off
during the balancing process.
When the tail rotor is out of balance it will
show up as a high-frequency vibration in the
vertical or horizontal fin. To help see the
vibration you can bolt a thin piece of flexible
plastic in place of the horizontal fin.
Sometimes carbon-graphite fins are so still
that they mask vibrations you would see with
a more flexible material.
Spool up and watch the fins’ edges for
vibes. Use different-size pieces of tape on
each blade to get the smoothest-running
balance.
When you find the sweet spot you can
substitute small washers on the blade-grip
bolts that equal the tape’s weight. That way
you do not have to fly with bits of electrical
tape mucking up the tail blades.
This is just one small piece of the total
tail-balance puzzle. That is all I have room
for this month. We will continue this
discussion next time. Thanks for reading, and
go enjoy some nice weather! MA
Sources:
Michael Ramsey
(765) 287-1256, extension 223
[email protected]
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
Introduces NEW!
SUPER COOL Plug with
Hi Temp Insulator
In addition to . . .
● The FIREBALL R/C IDLE BAR plug
only $3.20
● Hot & Standard Non-Idle Bar plugs
still only $2.85
only $3.20
Swanson
Associates
P.O. Box 151
Wayne, NJ
07470
Since 1948
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:32 AM Page 134
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 131,132,134
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 131,132,134
An interview with a helicopter young gun: Kyle Stacy
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Mark Fadely
Also included in this column:
• Eliminate those bad vibes
Kyle Stacy (R), 12, is joined by his buddies, Paul Grohman and 5-
year-old Justin Chi, at the 2007 IRCHA Jamboree.
Kyle and his dad (L) watch Nick Maxwell wring out the latest
Miniature Aircraft model. Kyle is excited to be flying such a
capable machine.
A Scale model competes in the IRCHA Jamboree. Balancing is
important on such an intricate machine; delicate parts can break
off because of fatigue if it does not run smoothly.
Internal vibrations slightly blur the missile tube to your right on
Jeff Green’s Hirobo Cobra. The left one is clear. Mark shot this
image at a low shutter speed, so almost any vibration is visible.
HEY, EVERYBODY, it is finally that time of year again. That
special something is in the air. Birds are singing, bees are buzzing,
and guess what? We are flying our helicopters outside again.
The indoor season is coming to a close as the biggest part of the
country is finally thawing out. Spring is my favorite time of year.
Feeling the warm winds and smelling burning nitromethane gets my
blood pumping. This month I have a few tips for you and an
interview with one of the hottest young pilots today.
It is hard to believe that a quarter of this year is through already.
I appreciate all the E-mails you have sent me in the last year and a
half. I am enjoying the job as helicopter columnist, and hearing the
feedback is very rewarding. I encourage you to write in and let me
know if you have an idea for a story or any other material you think
the helicopter community would find interesting.
We are also running a Monthly Photo Contest for helicopters
or airplanes. I have an open thread on RunRyder where you can
post your entries. You can also E-mail me or Michael Ramsey,
MA editor. There is a new feature spot in the magazine called
“Viewfinder,” where the winning photos are displayed. Check it
out.
You may already know my good friend, Kyle Stacy. He is a
well-mannered young man who can throw down some incredible
3-D flying. He competed in the 2007 XFC (Extreme Flight
April 2008 131
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:00 AM Page 131
132 MODEL AVIATION
Blurring on one side of the horizontal fin on this electric Germanmade
Mikado helicopter is a sign of possible tail-rotor imbalance.
You should check for that on all models.
Imagine having to balance this Indy Helis Apache’s four-bladed
tail. Double everything you have learned for this model. The
pointer shows where to apply the tape.
Championships). Watch out for Kyle; he has a new helicopter and
will be quite a force this year.
Kyle’s father, Ray, is also a helicopter pilot and a longtime
modeler. They make a great team. They reside in Rochester, New
York, and each year Ray holds a nice fun-fly at the Rochester field.
Following is part of an interview I did with Kyle.
MF: How old are you now and what grade are you in school?
KS: I am 12 and in the seventh grade.
MF: How long have you flown helicopters?
KS: I first flew a simulator when I was 5. I flew my first helicopters, a
Corona 120, Venture 30, and Raptor 50, when I was 6.
DIVERSIFIED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
5932 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Ph: 1-612-243-1234 Fax: 1-612-243-8950
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.klasskote.com
For Color Chart and Information, Send SASE
Don’t Delay – Order Yours Today!
You Built the Best Model, So Use The Best Paint!
“Superior
Quality”
Epoxy Paint
System
Available in
Colors, Clear
& Primer.
38 Years of Extensive Field
Performance Provides
Outstanding Adhesion & Protection Against Many RC Model Fuels
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:02 AM Page 132
134 MODEL AVIATION
MF: Do you have other hobbies too?
KS: I am learning to play a guitar. I also like
flying RealFlight online with my friend Paul
Grohman.
MF: What helicopter do you fly and who are
your sponsors?
KS: I fly the Miniature Aircraft Stratus
mainly. I am hoping to fly the Bandit and
Razor this year as part of Team Miniature
Aircraft. My radio is the Futaba 12FGH 2.4
GHz. Empire Hobby/Hyperion was my first
sponsor. Miniature Aircraft and Team Futaba
signed me on this year. I am also sponsored
by Youngblood Enterprises, Powermaster
Fuel, and Scott Gray Products.
MF: What keeps you motivated to continue
flying?
KS: I like doing it with my dad and I like
hanging out with my friends at the flying
field. I want to keep improving. I like how my
friend David Playfair pushes me to fly harder
at my home field. Mostly I just love to fly.
MF: What is your main goal in the hobby?
KS: To have fun, make new friends, and
hopefully become one of the top pilots.
MF: Do you like competition?
KS: I like the competitions to see how I do
against other pilots. Competing makes me fly
better and it’s always fun to see my friends
there.
MF: What advice would you give to
beginning pilots?
KS: When I was 7 Curtis Youngblood told
me to keep it fun and I have. Don’t fly if you
aren’t having fun. Be focused and practice.
Set your goals and do it. I practice on the
simulator every day. Don’t just bang the sticks
around, but try to learn something new.
MF: How does it feel to do a demo in front of
a large crowd?
KS: I am always anxious and nervous before
a flight, but as soon as I take off I get into a
groove and start having fun. I like to hear the
crowd response.
MF: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been
given in the hobby?
KS: Always keep it fun and never give up.
My dad always tells me to make good
decisions and to respect people.
MF: Do you have any idea what you think
your future career might be?
KS: I don’t know exactly what yet, but I
would like to do something in aviation.
MF: What are your favorite maneuvers?
KS: Reversing pirouetting flips and doing my
dad’s favorite takeoff, which is one I got from
Curtis Youngblood, where you take off and
push forward cyclic to nose down, do a half
pirouette, and then fly out backwards inverted.
I also like doing anything low.
Kyle, I want to thank you for taking time
away from your busy Xbox schedule to talk
with me. I am just kidding you, little buddy. I
look forward to seeing you and your dad at the
events this year. Take care.
I am shifting gears now to resume the
discussion about the trials and tribulations of
helicopter vibrations. (Wow! That is poetry,
you know.) I have been writing about
vibrations and balancing.
Having a smooth-running helicopter is
extremely important. It will stay together
longer and fly more efficiently, but did you
ever consider what all that shaking is doing to
your machine?
The long-term effects of vibrations can
have dire consequences on the model, and
possibly even you! When parts are subjected
to continuing vibration, fatigue is inevitable.
Then parts break in-flight, which is not a good
thing.
Anyone who has been hit by flying debris
from a model airplane or helicopter knows it
is something you want to avoid. Keeping our
machines in top mechanical condition goes a
long way to promote safety.
Last time I wrote about the main rotor and
its profound effect in relation to visible
vibrations. Now I’ll peer into the muchmisunderstood
aft section of our helicopters.
Think of the machine’s entire tail section
as one big tuning fork; that is how it behaves.
There are so many things going on in the tail
that it is tough to diagnose vibrations there.
Knowledge is key, so I’ll teach you what
vibrations show up in the tail section and how
you can fix them.
You should definitely balance the tail
rotor. I have seen various methods of doing
this, but I think there is only one good way:
dynamic balancing. Does that sound familiar?
It is the same method I used for balancing the
main rotor head in the last discussion.
An AMA member who was a helicopter
pilot in Vietnam E-mailed me after that
column to let me know he balanced full-scale
rotor blades the same way. He would spool up
his Bell 47 and check for vibrations while
hovering. Then he would land and put more or
less masking tape on the blades until he got
the aircraft running as smoothly as possible.
Wow! Who would have thought you
could balance a full-scale helicopter the same
way?
You can use electrical tape to dynamically
balance any-size model’s tail. For 30- to 60-
size helicopters I cut the tape lengthwise so I
am working with thin ribbons.
I start with a piece that is just long enough
to go 11/2 times around the rotor blade at the
root. The air velocity is less near the root, so
there is less chance of the tape flying off
during the balancing process.
When the tail rotor is out of balance it will
show up as a high-frequency vibration in the
vertical or horizontal fin. To help see the
vibration you can bolt a thin piece of flexible
plastic in place of the horizontal fin.
Sometimes carbon-graphite fins are so still
that they mask vibrations you would see with
a more flexible material.
Spool up and watch the fins’ edges for
vibes. Use different-size pieces of tape on
each blade to get the smoothest-running
balance.
When you find the sweet spot you can
substitute small washers on the blade-grip
bolts that equal the tape’s weight. That way
you do not have to fly with bits of electrical
tape mucking up the tail blades.
This is just one small piece of the total
tail-balance puzzle. That is all I have room
for this month. We will continue this
discussion next time. Thanks for reading, and
go enjoy some nice weather! MA
Sources:
Michael Ramsey
(765) 287-1256, extension 223
[email protected]
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
Introduces NEW!
SUPER COOL Plug with
Hi Temp Insulator
In addition to . . .
● The FIREBALL R/C IDLE BAR plug
only $3.20
● Hot & Standard Non-Idle Bar plugs
still only $2.85
only $3.20
Swanson
Associates
P.O. Box 151
Wayne, NJ
07470
Since 1948
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:32 AM Page 134
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 131,132,134
An interview with a helicopter young gun: Kyle Stacy
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Mark Fadely
Also included in this column:
• Eliminate those bad vibes
Kyle Stacy (R), 12, is joined by his buddies, Paul Grohman and 5-
year-old Justin Chi, at the 2007 IRCHA Jamboree.
Kyle and his dad (L) watch Nick Maxwell wring out the latest
Miniature Aircraft model. Kyle is excited to be flying such a
capable machine.
A Scale model competes in the IRCHA Jamboree. Balancing is
important on such an intricate machine; delicate parts can break
off because of fatigue if it does not run smoothly.
Internal vibrations slightly blur the missile tube to your right on
Jeff Green’s Hirobo Cobra. The left one is clear. Mark shot this
image at a low shutter speed, so almost any vibration is visible.
HEY, EVERYBODY, it is finally that time of year again. That
special something is in the air. Birds are singing, bees are buzzing,
and guess what? We are flying our helicopters outside again.
The indoor season is coming to a close as the biggest part of the
country is finally thawing out. Spring is my favorite time of year.
Feeling the warm winds and smelling burning nitromethane gets my
blood pumping. This month I have a few tips for you and an
interview with one of the hottest young pilots today.
It is hard to believe that a quarter of this year is through already.
I appreciate all the E-mails you have sent me in the last year and a
half. I am enjoying the job as helicopter columnist, and hearing the
feedback is very rewarding. I encourage you to write in and let me
know if you have an idea for a story or any other material you think
the helicopter community would find interesting.
We are also running a Monthly Photo Contest for helicopters
or airplanes. I have an open thread on RunRyder where you can
post your entries. You can also E-mail me or Michael Ramsey,
MA editor. There is a new feature spot in the magazine called
“Viewfinder,” where the winning photos are displayed. Check it
out.
You may already know my good friend, Kyle Stacy. He is a
well-mannered young man who can throw down some incredible
3-D flying. He competed in the 2007 XFC (Extreme Flight
April 2008 131
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:00 AM Page 131
132 MODEL AVIATION
Blurring on one side of the horizontal fin on this electric Germanmade
Mikado helicopter is a sign of possible tail-rotor imbalance.
You should check for that on all models.
Imagine having to balance this Indy Helis Apache’s four-bladed
tail. Double everything you have learned for this model. The
pointer shows where to apply the tape.
Championships). Watch out for Kyle; he has a new helicopter and
will be quite a force this year.
Kyle’s father, Ray, is also a helicopter pilot and a longtime
modeler. They make a great team. They reside in Rochester, New
York, and each year Ray holds a nice fun-fly at the Rochester field.
Following is part of an interview I did with Kyle.
MF: How old are you now and what grade are you in school?
KS: I am 12 and in the seventh grade.
MF: How long have you flown helicopters?
KS: I first flew a simulator when I was 5. I flew my first helicopters, a
Corona 120, Venture 30, and Raptor 50, when I was 6.
DIVERSIFIED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
5932 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Ph: 1-612-243-1234 Fax: 1-612-243-8950
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.klasskote.com
For Color Chart and Information, Send SASE
Don’t Delay – Order Yours Today!
You Built the Best Model, So Use The Best Paint!
“Superior
Quality”
Epoxy Paint
System
Available in
Colors, Clear
& Primer.
38 Years of Extensive Field
Performance Provides
Outstanding Adhesion & Protection Against Many RC Model Fuels
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:02 AM Page 132
134 MODEL AVIATION
MF: Do you have other hobbies too?
KS: I am learning to play a guitar. I also like
flying RealFlight online with my friend Paul
Grohman.
MF: What helicopter do you fly and who are
your sponsors?
KS: I fly the Miniature Aircraft Stratus
mainly. I am hoping to fly the Bandit and
Razor this year as part of Team Miniature
Aircraft. My radio is the Futaba 12FGH 2.4
GHz. Empire Hobby/Hyperion was my first
sponsor. Miniature Aircraft and Team Futaba
signed me on this year. I am also sponsored
by Youngblood Enterprises, Powermaster
Fuel, and Scott Gray Products.
MF: What keeps you motivated to continue
flying?
KS: I like doing it with my dad and I like
hanging out with my friends at the flying
field. I want to keep improving. I like how my
friend David Playfair pushes me to fly harder
at my home field. Mostly I just love to fly.
MF: What is your main goal in the hobby?
KS: To have fun, make new friends, and
hopefully become one of the top pilots.
MF: Do you like competition?
KS: I like the competitions to see how I do
against other pilots. Competing makes me fly
better and it’s always fun to see my friends
there.
MF: What advice would you give to
beginning pilots?
KS: When I was 7 Curtis Youngblood told
me to keep it fun and I have. Don’t fly if you
aren’t having fun. Be focused and practice.
Set your goals and do it. I practice on the
simulator every day. Don’t just bang the sticks
around, but try to learn something new.
MF: How does it feel to do a demo in front of
a large crowd?
KS: I am always anxious and nervous before
a flight, but as soon as I take off I get into a
groove and start having fun. I like to hear the
crowd response.
MF: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been
given in the hobby?
KS: Always keep it fun and never give up.
My dad always tells me to make good
decisions and to respect people.
MF: Do you have any idea what you think
your future career might be?
KS: I don’t know exactly what yet, but I
would like to do something in aviation.
MF: What are your favorite maneuvers?
KS: Reversing pirouetting flips and doing my
dad’s favorite takeoff, which is one I got from
Curtis Youngblood, where you take off and
push forward cyclic to nose down, do a half
pirouette, and then fly out backwards inverted.
I also like doing anything low.
Kyle, I want to thank you for taking time
away from your busy Xbox schedule to talk
with me. I am just kidding you, little buddy. I
look forward to seeing you and your dad at the
events this year. Take care.
I am shifting gears now to resume the
discussion about the trials and tribulations of
helicopter vibrations. (Wow! That is poetry,
you know.) I have been writing about
vibrations and balancing.
Having a smooth-running helicopter is
extremely important. It will stay together
longer and fly more efficiently, but did you
ever consider what all that shaking is doing to
your machine?
The long-term effects of vibrations can
have dire consequences on the model, and
possibly even you! When parts are subjected
to continuing vibration, fatigue is inevitable.
Then parts break in-flight, which is not a good
thing.
Anyone who has been hit by flying debris
from a model airplane or helicopter knows it
is something you want to avoid. Keeping our
machines in top mechanical condition goes a
long way to promote safety.
Last time I wrote about the main rotor and
its profound effect in relation to visible
vibrations. Now I’ll peer into the muchmisunderstood
aft section of our helicopters.
Think of the machine’s entire tail section
as one big tuning fork; that is how it behaves.
There are so many things going on in the tail
that it is tough to diagnose vibrations there.
Knowledge is key, so I’ll teach you what
vibrations show up in the tail section and how
you can fix them.
You should definitely balance the tail
rotor. I have seen various methods of doing
this, but I think there is only one good way:
dynamic balancing. Does that sound familiar?
It is the same method I used for balancing the
main rotor head in the last discussion.
An AMA member who was a helicopter
pilot in Vietnam E-mailed me after that
column to let me know he balanced full-scale
rotor blades the same way. He would spool up
his Bell 47 and check for vibrations while
hovering. Then he would land and put more or
less masking tape on the blades until he got
the aircraft running as smoothly as possible.
Wow! Who would have thought you
could balance a full-scale helicopter the same
way?
You can use electrical tape to dynamically
balance any-size model’s tail. For 30- to 60-
size helicopters I cut the tape lengthwise so I
am working with thin ribbons.
I start with a piece that is just long enough
to go 11/2 times around the rotor blade at the
root. The air velocity is less near the root, so
there is less chance of the tape flying off
during the balancing process.
When the tail rotor is out of balance it will
show up as a high-frequency vibration in the
vertical or horizontal fin. To help see the
vibration you can bolt a thin piece of flexible
plastic in place of the horizontal fin.
Sometimes carbon-graphite fins are so still
that they mask vibrations you would see with
a more flexible material.
Spool up and watch the fins’ edges for
vibes. Use different-size pieces of tape on
each blade to get the smoothest-running
balance.
When you find the sweet spot you can
substitute small washers on the blade-grip
bolts that equal the tape’s weight. That way
you do not have to fly with bits of electrical
tape mucking up the tail blades.
This is just one small piece of the total
tail-balance puzzle. That is all I have room
for this month. We will continue this
discussion next time. Thanks for reading, and
go enjoy some nice weather! MA
Sources:
Michael Ramsey
(765) 287-1256, extension 223
[email protected]
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
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P.O. Box 151
Wayne, NJ
07470
Since 1948
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