Radio Control: Helicopters

RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS TFI IN MY LAST FEW columns discussed techniques consider prior hovering techniques consider proceed hovering advanced maneuvers seems good time pay attention basic helicopter maneuverthe hover aspect helicopters have always enjoyed pilots learn ground up wide training gear attached helicopter learning process starts bouncing helicopter around flying field followed longer more-controlled hops off ground isnt long until beginners feel really have control can hold model some degree hover indefinite period time have arrived have mastered hover fliers quickly forget about hovering because concerned progressing forward flight aerobatics Thats natural because helicopter hovers liftoff again prior landing thats practice pilots need normal day flying level fliers find themselves competent have hovering ability equal others flying field However another hovering plateau reached want enter contest just want improve improve hovering first things must really look helicopter may sound obvious since look helicopter its flying may looking closely enough average pilot makes control input helicopter moves slightly out desired hover position idea bringing helicopter back its original position normalit way learned hover no matter hovering process described helicopter move before control input made real difference between good pilot excellent pilot far helicopter gets out its hover position before correction made hovering process reminds years spent Air Force flying fighters some spent teaching formation flying idea wingman maintain specific position relative flight lead Maintaining position hard learning wingman flying large bubble trying refine control movements reduce size bubble wingman has understand master several formation-flying techniques First has know out position may think should seem obvious has concentrate flight lead knows immediately out position next step make immediate aggressive control input keep getting farther out position start moving back correct location further complicate matters flying formation must perfected three axes maintain specific position might have seen great displays formation flying people dont realize wingmen never perfect position always striving get new formation pilot may striving maintain 30-foot bubble good formation pilot can maintain three-foot bubble Thunderbird pilot can maintain one-foot bubble may great want fly formation does relate hovering model helicopters Helicopter pilots must use techniques fly formation ground Knowing immediately out position takes great deal concentration hovering pilots must constantly look slightest change helicopter attitude will produce change hover position Assume helicopter good hover position whatever reason nose dips slightly causes lift vector tilted forward slightly acts move helicopter instance have 10-pound helicopter lift rotor system must also 10 pounds maintain altitude one-degree nose-down movement produces forward thrust vector 175 lb force small force will move helicopter left act over finite period time pilot can immediately see change pitch attitude make immediate correction helicopter will remain desired hover position believe Curtis Youngblood hovers well detects helicopter slightly out desired hover attitude makes immediate aggressive correction almost disregard smoothness before smallest resulting force takes effect Curtiss competitors appear let helicopters get farther out desired hover position before making control input concerned smoothness control helicopter out position longer period time first things will notice try apply principles will mentally drained very short period time takes much concentration see small movement make control input start process again time striving see helicopter better can make quicker control inputs Most fliers dont care put much effort improving hovering accept larger bubble applies maneuver fly Ask yourself Am really position want am just close enough 1997 107