Radio Control: Helicopters
TO START OFF my first helicopter column for Model Aviation, I would like to thank Larry Jolly, who has written this column for so many years, for all the great work he has done to promote helicopters. He has devoted a tremendous amount of time and effort to promoting our hobby, and I know I speak for the staff at Model Aviation and all his readers in wishing Larry the best in his future endeavors. As a short introduction, I started modeling in the early '50s with free flights, moving to radio control in the Lorenz two-tube days of the mid-1950s. Because of my love for airplanes, I majored in aeronautical engineering in college and then spent 23 years in the air force, mainly flying fighters. About 10 years ago, while stationed in Germany, I started flying helicopters, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Radio Control: Helicopters
FREQUENCY BOARDS: Over the years we have seen improvements to every aspect of our hobby and its equipment, but being "shot down" by another flier remains a problem, and continues to eat helicopters. (For those of you who are new to radio control, shot down refers to having more than one transmitter on at the same time, and on the same frequency. Both transmitters are trying to control both helicopters, and both receivers are "listening" to both transmitters, causing the receivers to fail to properly process the needed information to continue flight-resulting in a crash of both helicopters.)
Radio Control: Helicopters
THE KNEE OF THE CURVE: Engines are easier to adjust on fixed-wing models than they are on helicopters because the pilot can hold the airplane, make the needle-valve adjustment, and then run-up the engine to see the result. Because of the large rotor diameter of a helicopter, we have to make a needle-valve adjustments and then bring the helicopter into a hover, or forward flight, to see the result. Although this is a more time-consuming process on a helicopter, having an understanding of the figure I've included and the "knee" of the curve will make this process easier and more productive (and keep you from burning up an engine). Notice in the figure that the power produced by the engine increases as the main needle valve is adjusted from a richer to a leaner position. It peaks at the knee of the curve, and then decreases as the needle valve is leaned more.
Radio Control: Helicopters
A CLUB ANSWERING MACHINE: Some time ago I came up with the idea of using an answering machine to improve communication among club members. I believe the idea is a valid one, and I would like to explain it in the hopes that your club might be able to use (and expand on) this idea. It seems with every club there is always the problem of getting every club member to the meetings so they can voice their opinion and vote on club issues. Members may have valid reasons why they can't attend (illness, vacation, work, etc.), but it would be nice to have their vote, or at least their opinion on important matters. This problem can be easily solved with the use of a club answering machine, used in a way similar to the following:
Radio Control: Helicopters
NATS UPDATE: The 1996 Helicopter Nationals is just around the corner, and I hope you are making plans to attend. There is an important update: FAI-F3C will be flown and judged according to the 1997 FAI Sporting Code. Contact the AMA HQ-Competitions Dept. for additional information and/or a complete rules package. They can be reached at (317) 287-1256. Flying the Tornado: In the May 1996 issue I described the assembly of the newest helicopter on the market: the Tornado by Precision Helicopters Inc. Since then I have had a chance to complete the Tornado and put several flights on it, and I am very pleased with its performance.
