Radio Control: Helicopters
THIS MONTH we'll introduce the latest Schluter Helicopter and go through some of the construction. Those who have not seen the SX81 but have built and flown the Schluter Heliboy/Bell 222, will recognize many of the components in the SX81. The SX81 is an extension of proven Schluter components called "System 80." "System 80" is a concept of combinations. By combining Schluter sub-assemblies, such as drive trains, rotor heads, and fuselages, several different Helicopters become available as possibilities for the future.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THIS MONTH: a helicopter that looks like it might have been designed for a Space: 1999 or Star Trek TV show. Doug Law of Baldwinsville, NY lets us in on his impressions of the Horizon Helicopter. The photographs of Doug's Horizon are the work of Bill Shumay. Here is Doug's letter. Dear Dave: I thought you and your readers might be interested in some information on the Horizon Helicopter. As many of your readers may know, this machine was designed by Hubert Bitner and Helmut Holder in Texas. The kit has been anticipated for a couple of years, and it is my impression that it is now in production.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THANKS to Ken Kiel and others who have helped bail me out for the past few months. My time flying model Helicopters has been replaced by time flying via Delta Airlines and a rented Grumman AA5B. The company I work with has added a few new branches, so time at home has been at a premium. I must apologize for not being responsive to most of the letters I've received over the past few months; here again, business travel will have to do as the excuse. I'm recovering slowly, so by the time you read this column, the letters will have been answered.
Radio Control: Helicopters
I'LL CONTINUE the discussion, begun in the February column, of flybars and rotor modifications with a look at mixing direct rotor control with control by servo rotor. This seems to be the accepted practice with some of the newest machines. To review some of the things mentioned over the past few months regarding rotor blade and servo rotor (flybar) control, I'll start again at the swash plate. You will recall that the swash plate is the device we rely on to transmit the motion of our stationary servos into pitch changes of the main rotor blades. In some RC Helicopters, the swash plate is used to transmit both collective pitch changes and cyclic pitch changes directly to the main rotor blades.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THE CRICKET and I have been flying a little since the last column, even though the weather has not cooperated fully. Cold, wind, snow or rain has been the rule here in the Carolinas the past few weeks, but three days of reasonable temperatures allowed three afternoons of flying fun.
