Radio Control: Helicopters
THE LAST COUPLE of issues I have been talking about collective pitch-how to get a straight-line "curve" (in the September issue), and use of the pitch gauge (in the October issue). To round out this series on collective pitch, here are some of my techniques for getting the initial pitch setup on a helicopter, and some mistakes I see others make.
Radio Control: Helicopters
IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE of MA I talked about using a computer heli radio to set up a straight-line pitch curve once you have determined the high and low pitch end points. However, measuring these high and low end points requires the use of a pitch gauge. To put it another way, if the helicopter is to fly as designed and to your personal desires, the pitch gauge, which enables you to set the pitch or angle of attack of the rotor blades to whatever position or range you desire, must be set correctly, and within certain limits.
Radio Control: Helicopters
IT WASN'T TOO LONG AGO when we were all happy with the new breed of helicopter radios that let us set more than one pitch curve. This capability is important to helicopter fliers because the collective pitch range needed for hovering and normal forward flight is not what is best for aerobatics. Different aerobatic maneuvers are better when flown with their own pitch curves.
Radio Control: Helicopters
DID YOU MISS the interesting and instructive "Attack of the Killer Helicopter," which appeared in the April issue of MA in Gary Shaw's "Safety Comes First" column? If you did, I suggest you dig out the April issue and read it. This does not mean that helicopters are more dangerous than airplanes or any other form of RC. Lessons can be learned that apply to our flying and will improve safety in general.
Radio Control: Helicopters
ONE OF THE interesting helicopter projects I'm working on includes being a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Unmanned Aerovehicle Team. When MIT approached me a couple of years ago, it was interested in developing a guidance system for a vehicle that will hover, go into forward flight, and perform aerobatic maneuvers. A model helicopter certainly seemed to fit all the requirements. It is readily available and inexpensive (compared to other, larger vehicles), with a ready supply of spare parts. Although most of my work has been with .60-size helicopters, this article details experiments to improve electric helicopter flight to meet MIT's requirements.
