RC Helicopters
PAGING THROUGH this magazine, it quickly becomes evident that it's the annual Model Aviation Nats issue and that they did, in fact, fly RC Helicopters at the Nationals. For those of you familiar with the AMA Rule Book and National Championship outline, you know that there are four classes of RC Helicopters flown at the Nats. These are Novice, Intermediate, FAI, and Scale. The first three classes are separated based on pilot proficiency and encompass progressively more difficult maneuvers. Scale, of course, is just what it says; this event combines static scoring as well as flying.
Radio Control: Helicopters
IMAGINE a beautifully maintained athletic field, warm sunny temperatures, a well-organized radio impound, and over 200 people who feel the same way about RC Helicopters that you do. That's what I found last September 23-24 as the Merced County RC Club again hosted its annual Helicopter fly-in. This has become the major Helicopter fun fly in the U.S. with more than 100 registered pilots and over 250 RC Helis in attendance this year. I've never seen so much enthusiasm-at most times there were at least seven Helicopters in the air, and at one point Saturday afternoon I counted over 13 of them in the air at one time!
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME back. If you caught last month's column, I was discussing Gorham Model Products' new Rebel fixed-pitch Helicopter. At the conclusion of that article, I still had not completely flight evaluated the Rebel and consequently decided to dedicate this column to the subjects of setting up the Rebel and flying fixed-pitch machines in general. As a review, we should note that GMP's new Rebel is a fixed-pitch, .40-size model Helicopter aimed at the entry-level Helipilot, particularly those who are fixed-wing fliers and are likely to have access to a .40-size engine and four-channel radio.
Radio Control: Helicopters
MY report on the 1989 Toledo show mentioned that Gorham Model Products was working on a new Helicopter featuring noncollective, Hiller-only steering aimed at the novice Helicopter pilot market. The Rebel now being shipped (August 1989) to GMP dealers has undergone considerable evolution from the prototype shown at Toledo. I know that a lot of you are going to be leery of reverting back to ancient technology, but while it's simple, the Rebel is very easy to build and fly. By looking backward towards simplicity with the experience we have today, GMP has been able to achieve a classic mix of old and new and has succeeded in its quest for producing a low-cost, high-quality, rugged airframe suitable for training. A particular goal was to satisfy the aircraft modeler who already has a .40-size engine and a spare four-channel radio available.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME back. I hope your December wasn't as busy as mine. I've been hoppin' so much I haven't had time to look at one of my machines. But now that Christmas vacation is here, it's Helicopter time! I'm now working on a Kalt Cyclone II. So far I'm really impressed. This new Cyclone not only is more attractive with its new canopy, but it has the same rotor head as the Excalibur and tons of collective throw. So now that I've got some time, I'll finish this new bird up and let you know what I think about it.
