RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS - 2003/09

140 MODEL AVIATION
THERE IS A new guy writing the helicopter
column, and that would be me. Bear with me
while I get my feet wet and find the format
and tone for this column. I’ll do my best to
turn this little adventure in writing into
something that you enjoy reading every
month.
That means I need to hear from you. If
you want something that you’re not seeing, let
me know. If I’m making mistakes, you have
to tell me and I’ll certainly correct them. I’m
on a different learning curve from the one I
was on when I learned to fly helicopters, but I
will need as much help as the newbie
helicopter fliers do.
I’ve been involved in all kinds of aircraft
for most of my life. My fondest memories are
of the days when my dad used to take me to
the airport just to watch all the activities. He
taught me a word one day and had me go over
to my neighbor’s house and ask him if he
wanted to talk about “aerodynamics.” I had
no clue what it meant at the time, considering
that I was only approximately 3 years old.
Apparently, though, it had lifelong impact.
I was always building plastic models.
Cape Canaveral (North) was the field in the
back of my house. I thought my mother was
going to come completely unglued when I
launched my first model rocket. Many
Control Line models had their first and last
flights back there.
I spent many quarters on magazines at the
bookstore that had their covers cut off. I
remember all of the different Radio Control
(RC) systems that were advertised. Most of
them are out of existence now.
I learned to fly fixed-wing RC while I was
Dan Williams, 27 Treeline Dr., Liverpool NY 13090; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS
The author with his stable of machines. From left to right are a Bergen R/C Intrepid 46, a
Robbe Millennium II, a JR Ergo 30, and a Robbe Eolo R-22.
The electric Robbe Eolo R-22 has robust metal frame for gear
train, collective pitch head, and can do basic aerobatics.
The Miniature Aircraft USA Fury Tempest 3-D is designed for the
latest big-block engines and has a redesigned head.
studying electrical engineering at Clarkson
University in Potsdam, New York, where
there is three months of summer and the rest
is winter. I managed to take off, land, and taxi
into the back of my instructor’s airplane in the
pits. At least it was a tail-dragger so I had an
excuse. That winter in the dorm I learned how
to MonoKote, helping my instructor fix his
model.
After I was finished with school I attended
a full-scale air show at a small airport, where
there was a model-flying demonstration. Not
only did I see a model helicopter fly for the
first time, but it actually did a loop and a roll!
That was it; I had to get one of those.
My first helicopter was a 40-size Mantis
from American RC Helicopters. I hopped that
thing around the field in back of my house for
a whole summer before I could get a handle
on hovering. It had no gyro and was fixed
pitch. Learning this way wasn’t pretty. The
engine barely had enough power to get it into
a hover with a hula hoop strapped to it. But I
learned!
I also saw how much more fun the fixedwing
fliers were having at the local model
field, and that ended my helicopter flying for
a long time. When I finally crossed back over
to the “dark side” and left my fixed-wing
experience, it was only roughly eight years
ago. At that time there was hardly a fixedpitch
machine to be found, and gyro use was
the norm. I got a Kyosho Concept 30 SRX
and I haven’t looked back.
I consider myself an intermediate-level
pilot. I can hold my own with aerobatic
maneuvers and many of the 3-D maneuvers.
Some of the backward-inverted stuff eludes
me, and I’m weak with pirouetting
maneuvers. I don’t consider myself a
competition-level pilot, nor is it really my
interest. I fly for the fun and the challenge.
Professionally I design brushless motor
drives and controllers for a hybrid
microelectronics firm that sells mainly to
military and aerospace companies. On the
side I did quite a bit of RC-system repair at a
local hobby shop during the 1991 AMA Gold
Sticker program days.
I’m currently the AMA District II
frequency coordinator. I’ve written some of
the assembly manuals for Bergen R/C
Helicopters, and I’m a field technical
representative for the company. I don’t get
my stuff for free, but I got this cool shirt! I’m
a private pilot, but I haven’t flown much
lately; it’s getting expensive. I can get a
bigger bang for the buck flying models.
That’s enough about me. Let’s move on to
helicopters.
I just got back from the model show in
Toledo, Ohio: the Weak Signals’ RC expo. It
was the first time I had gone. What an
experience! If you go, you’ll definitely need
more than one day to take it all in. Everybody
who is anybody is there. I spent most of my
time visiting with the helicopter
manufacturers. There’s some good stuff
coming this year. Unfortunately some of it
may not hit the shelves until later this
summer.
Horizon Hobby’s JR Heli Division is
coming out with something new to replace or
enhance the Vigor. The company was
understandably tight-lipped about the new
model. I expect that it will take good
advantage of the new “big block” engines
with displacements up to .91.
Stay in touch with your local dealer or
keep an eye on the Web site. I’m sure you’ll
get more information before I can get it into
this column. The Internet is an amazing thing.
I will have a write-up about this at some
point.
One other thing I noticed was the constant
interest in the JR Voyager E. It is bigger than
most of the other electric helicopters out
there, which are becoming quite a bit more
mainstream. In a future column I will devote
some space to discussing the various electric
machines that are available.
For more information about the Voyager
E or the new machines from the JR Heli
Division, write to Horizon Hobby at 4105
Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; call
(800) 338-4639; or visit www.horizon
hobby.com.
September 2003 141
Using infrared sensing and microprocessor technology, the FMA Direct Co-Pilot is
capable of making learning helicopters easier than it has ever been.
HUI (Helicopters Unlimited Inc.)
Robbe/Schluter is due to have the
Millennium III Pro out in the US sometime
this summer, and it will be utilizing the big
engines as well. As I understand it, various
pinion gears will be available, so depending
on the engine, the helicopter can have the
optimum gear ratio for the power band.
Another new item from Robbe is the
little electric Eolo. Since its introduction
early this year, it has become very popular.
We’ve got one machine in our local flying
group already, and I plunked down some
money and took one home this spring. I
have no clue about what goes on with this
electric helicopter business, but now I spent
some money. I’ll let you know what I learn
as I go.
For more information about the Eolo or
the Millennium III Pro, write to HUI
Robbe/Schluter at Box 726, Avon CT
06001; call (860) 677-7278; or visit
www.robbeusa.com.
Miniature Aircraft USA has come out
with its latest incarnation of the Fury called
the Fury Tempest. There’s a Fury Tempest
FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)
machine and a Fury Tempest 3-D machine.
Each has a different head and setup for your
choice of flying. The big engines were used
and will put all of the available power to use.
I’m sure that one of the local fliers in our
group will have one of the Furys, so I will
provide details in a future column. Miniature
Aircraft USA has moved; its new contact
information is 31713 Long Acres Dr.,
Sorrento FL 32776; call (352) 383-3201; or
visit on the Web: www.x-cellrcheli
copters.com.
Bergen R/C Helicopters has new digs for
its gas-powered Intrepid, and there is a cool
new canopy design. Production is just starting
Gator R/C has the solution
to keep you plugged-in.
Aluminum alloy tubing
for attachment of plug-in
wings. Includes tubing to
length specified and an equal length precision socket. The
socket is mounted in wing halves as well as through center
of fuselage.Tubes are now available anodized "Gator Green"
to help keep you and your model clean. All wing tubes are
available in lengths of 24", 30", 36" and 48".
All aluminum is 60/61 and standard wall thickness is .035 -
1 1/2 available in .049 also. Size is the outside diameter of
tube. Extra phenolics available also! Phenolic thickness is
1/16.
For a complete list of available sizes and pricing on
Gator Wing Tubes, see our web site, or give us a call.
2100 N Old Mill Rd
Brookline, MO 65619
Min. $6.50
Shipping&Handling per order
417-725-7755
www.gatorrc.com
VISA & MasterCard Welcomed!
Gator
Wing
Tubes &
Sockets
Adjustable plug-in stab kit comes complete with
7/16x12" alloy aluminum tube fitted with
precision sockets. Also included are glass filled
nylon adjusters (2 per set) which are mounted at
the front of the stabilizer for micro-fine
incidence adjustment of the horizontal stablizer.
Complete instructions are included.
Plug-in Adjustable Stab Kit ...........................$10.95
for that, so it may be awhile before deliveries
can begin. The company is also in the bigblock
business, with upgrades available for
the Intrepid helicopters to accommodate the
new 90-size engines.
Contact Bergen R/C Helicopters by
writing to 1101 Follett Dr., Cassopolis MI
49031; call (269) 445-2060; or stop by the
Web site at www.bergenrc.com.
Two things I saw this year are going to be
of interest to new helicopter pilots. First is the
Co-Pilot from FMA Direct. This little device
will stabilize a helicopter or an airplane by
keeping it level to the horizon.
142 MODEL AVIATION
“$TOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR BATTERIE$”
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://www.rc-aero.com/biz/bandt
GOLD PEAK 3300 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO 2600 NIMH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75 Ea
SANYO RC-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO CP-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Ea
SANYO CP-1700 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 Ea
SANYO CP-1300 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.75 Ea
SANYO KR-1400 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 Ea
SANYO HR4U-270 NIMH AAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO KR-600 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-700 AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Ea
SANYO 1700 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-350 AAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75 Ea
GOLD PEAK 2000 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 1000 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 370 2/3 AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.95 Ea
CONNECTORS RED & BLACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Pr
WIRE, SHRINK, BARS AND BRAID ALSO AVAILABLE
B & T R/C PRODUCTS
2905 Guess Road #4 • Durham, NC 27705
Telephone & Fax (919) 471-2060 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM est
WRITE OR CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG • MASTERCARD & VISA ACCEPTED
Service & Repairs For Most Radio Control Systems,
Utilizing Calibrated Test Equipment & Spectrum Analyzers.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Ace, HiTec, Tower, Cirrus, World Engines & More
D&M ELECTRONICS • 1236 Marigold St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632 • 330-877-1445
Shipping & Insurance Extra – – UPS • U.S. Mail • C.O.D.’s
Visit our home page at http://www.dnmelectronics.com • Email: [email protected]
AMA # 256123-Dave ARRL WB8YSQ
D & M E L E C T R O N I C S
• WE USE GENUINE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS
• Endorsed by AMA/RCMA as Sticker Station #105
• 1991/1998 Narrow Banding & Certification
• FCC Licensed
• Speed Control Repairs
• Quality Service
• Fast Turn Around
• RCD / HITEC R/C Dealer
• Miniature Aircraft Dealer
X-CELL Helicopters
The Co-Pilot uses four infrared sensors—
one looking at each quadrant of a circle.
Ground and trees emit much more infrared
light than the sky. As it sees changes to the
infrared light emitted by the ground versus the
air, the device converts the received infrared
signal into a voltage that a powerful
microprocessor uses to control pitch and roll
servos to bring the signal back to when it was
initialized.
For a helicopter, it will keep the fuselage
level to the ground. It may drift around as the
wind blows on the fuselage, but it will not tip
and start accelerating as it rolls or pitches in a
direction. All the pilot has to do is let go of the
right stick on the transmitter and the helicopter
will level itself. If a new pilot uses this with a
heading-hold gyro, the helicopter will literally
float level to the ground until it gets an input
from the pilot.
The Co-Pilot has the potential to make
learning to fly helicopters easier than learning
to fly airplanes! It gives the new pilot time to
collect his or her thoughts and proceed. In my
next column I will have a detailed review of the
Co-Pilot. In the meantime, for more
information contact FMA Direct, Inc. at 5716A
Industry Ln., Frederick MD 21704; call (800)
343-2934; or visit the web site at
www.fmadirect.com.
The second thing of interest I found in my
travels up and down the aisles at Toledo is an
inexpensive little simulator by Multi-
Electronics. It is the least expensive simulator
I’ve seen. It needs nothing more than a 300
MHz Pentium III processor and basic video.
The simulator has decent, pleasant-looking
graphics, but, most important, it flies well in
helicopter and airplane mode for the beginner.
For less than the price of a crash kit, one can
learn the basics of hovering, flying, and basic
aerobatics without risking the helicopter.
This simulator looks ideal for the beginning
helicopter pilot who wants to keep the
investment to a minimum. I will have more
information about this simulator in an
upcoming column. For more information, write
to Multi-Electronics at 7 Gore Road Prk.,
Bennington VT 05201; call (802) 442-0262; or
E-mail [email protected].
That’s it for this month. Success is found at
the bottom of each gallon of fuel burned.
You’ve got to burn it to learn it! MA
PERFORMANCE
PRODUCTS, INC.
Home of the DURALITE®
BATTERY SYSTEM
Phone/Fax: (386) 252-0201
E-Mail: [email protected]
Home Page: duraliteplus.com