The Inside Loop - 2009/12

t won’t take a long look at the cover or
the contents page of this issue to see
that there’s a theme going on, and that
the theme this time is RC helicopters. I’m
distinct in this case, because I know that
there are Free Flight modelers out there who
have experience with automatic-flight
helicopters.
I know! It’s amazing to believe that
somewhere out there are stick-and-tissue
models with rubber motors impersonating
a Bell JetRanger or another cool
helicopter. But there are, and they’re really
neat.
This magazine caters to aeromodeling
and the people who enjoy the activity. That
goes for both rotor- and fixed-wing models.
The International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association (IRCHA) brings
the success of the RC helicopter and
supportive community together once a year
for the annual Jamboree. We are honored
to host this event in Muncie, Indiana, at
your International Aeromodeling Center.
The advancement of helicopters is just as
amazing as the evolution of the airplane.
Still, one thing shocked me recently that I
(and maybe you) never believed would
happen. Today, when someone comes to me
for a recommendation on what his or her
first RC model should be, I recommend a
helicopter. Gasp!
I fly both RC airplanes and RC
helicopters and, believe me, the preceding
didn’t come as an overnight epiphany.
Considering the needs and facilities of the
modern aeromodeler, the electric-powered
coaxial helicopter offers advantages to the
person who is completely unfamiliar with
RC.
Remember, an airplane always needs
airspeed to fly, and it covers a lot of ground
compared to a model aircraft that can lift off
vertically. An airplane is always moving, so
a pilot must, at some point, make an input to
avoid obstacles or fly out of range. That’s a
lot to do for some people.
The modern twin-rotor helicopter almost
needs no adjustment (when correctly
trimmed) to stay in one spot. With only
throttle (collective) control, a beginner can
practice taking off and landing the
helicopter. The neat part about that fact is
that the RC student has the relaxing pleasure
of learning just one flight control at a time.
And with that, he or she also enjoys the solo
flight.
Isn’t that a great success story? With
very little practice, the student can get
comfortable working the throttle and
eventually holding the helicopter at a steady
altitude. This is when the smile starts to
come back.
Next, the rudder (tail rotor) control is
introduced. This is where students get used
to looking at the helicopter in different
positions. Imagine that: using the rudder
on the second lesson. All of this learning
6 MODEL AVIATION
Editor Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
The Inside Loop
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
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“ … aircraft and helicopters
each have specific roles.”
CFO/Treasurer Doug Holland
I
Postmaster: Send address changes to Academy of Model
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Executive Director Jim Cherry
can be done in the comfort of a climatecontrolled
room while the winds outside
gust 20-30 mph.
This is the part I like best, but feel free
to tell me your experiences. The coaxial
helicopter (and the instructor) teaches the
student how to use all the features of the
transmitter—not just elevator and ailerons.
Learning firsthand the significance of
power input and the benefit of yaw right
from the get-go positively impacts that
new RC pilot’s future ability.
No matter what type of model aircraft
that student chooses next, all of the lessons
with the coaxial helicopter will directly
benefit. Another way to look at it is that if
you’re a competent airplane pilot, you can
pretty easily be a helicopter pilot too.
If you were one of the 954 pilots who
registered at the IRCHA Jamboree, you’ll
appreciate Mark Fadely telling that story
through his words and photos. Likewise,
his article on Scale helicopters is a
supportive overview, whether the person
getting into it is moderate or fanatical
about details. It’s all good, and there are
lots of ways to get involved.
Companions in the sky, aircraft and
helicopters have specific roles. We think
Jim Young’s Turner Special is a good
example of MA’s dedication to the airplane
crowd.
Like the author writes, the LTR-14
isn’t just a go-fast, turn-left model. Take a
look at the round cowl, midwing planform,
and decent-sized control surfaces. The
full-scale aircraft was ahead of its time,
and perhaps, like the other popular roundcowl,
midwing popular models out there,
you’ll get it to hover around. MA
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