Radio Control: Helicopters
Last month I talked about pitch curves - what they are, and how they are formed - and I gave a formula for an easy way to set up your computer radio to give a straight-line "curve" once you have determined the end points. Now I'll take another look at pitch curves - initial setup and adjustments, and how to tell what changes are needed after you have flown your helicopter. One of the most important aspects of setting up a pitch curve is making sure that the basic mechanical setup of the helicopter is correct.
Radio Control: Helicopters
DURING THE FLYING season, I received letters and calls about pitch curves. What are they? Why are they needed? How do I make initial adjustments? Can't my computer radio do all the setup that I need? Since these are valid questions and concerns, this is a good time to tackle the subject. The term "pitch curve" may seem complicated, but it's nothing more than adjusting the collective pitch of your helicopter to make it perform as you desire. One of the nice things about helicopters is that you can make them perform to your specifications (within reason) by making fairly simple changes to the setup of the rotor system.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THE ADDRESS at the top of this column means that I have finally moved in. Living in a two-bedroom apartment for the past eight months, while my house was under construction, was nicer than I thought it would be; life was simple, with only the barest necessities. Now that we have all of our household goods from storage, it will still be several weeks until I have the garage and my workshop set up the way I want them. However, I admit that I am having fun in the process, getting rid of small and outdated parts that I haven't used in years. I saved all of them, thinking that they would come in handy someday; that someday is here, and out they go. I wonder how many of the discarded pieces I'll need on my next project.
Radio Control: Helicopters
BLADE BALANCING TECHNIQUES: Now that the middle of summer is here, you should be out flying and enjoying your helicopter. One of the best ways to improve a helicopter's performance is to reduce vibration by making sure that everything is in balance. Of the many sources of vibration, one of the biggest is the main rotor system - specifically, the main rotor blades. If you can find a better way to balance them, not only will it reduce the helicopter's vibration, but it will help the model to fly better. This is a good time to discuss the basic principles of balance (and my techniques) since I haven't done so recently.
Radio Control: Helicopters
MUNCIE, INDIANA: A bunch of great fliers and their helicopters, sunny days with light winds and temperatures in the mid-70s-what else could you ask for? If this gives you the idea that you missed something if you didn't attend the 1996 Nats-you're right. Unfortunately, because of my work I was only able to spend one day at this year's championships, but that one day was enough to whet my appetite to come back, and to make me appreciate what a great flying site AMA has at Muncie. Located in the heartland of America, Muncie is easy to reach from either coast. I found that flying into Indianapolis the easiest for flight connections; less than an hour's drive in a rental car brought me to the flying field.
