Monday, February 28, 2011

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the disagreement in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

All radio controlled helicopter enthusiasts will tell you that flying Rc helicopters is the most absorbing and thrilling of all Rc models. Cars, trucks, tanks, boats and robots are all little to forward/backward and left/right movement but radio controlled helicopters can have full technicolor, surround-sound,3D maneuverability. The only limitation to your exhilaration and flying delight is your skill, the space available and the sophistication of your Rc helicopter model.

So what is it exactly that enables your heli to accomplish complex aerial acrobatics?

RC Helicopter

In short, it's the whole of channels that can be controlled by you - the more you have, the greater the maneuverability of your Rc helicopter.

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the disagreement in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

But don't be fooled into thinking that more is better. Flying a model helicopter is every bit as complex and skillful as the flying the real thing. Just because your heli is smaller in scale doesn't mean that the laws of aerodynamics change! To accomplish successful flight, all criteria remain the same. However, flying a model does have the benefit of being able to start with a basic set of controls and work your way upward to the Full Monty and this is achieved by mastering an expanding whole of channels.

But first, you will need to understand that each channel controls a detach servo mechanism in your model. And for those of us who find it helpful to understand how a thing works, it's beneficial to know that a servo is a mechanical device that controls the movement of an element by 'pushing' it with a lever. You can operate the degree of 'push' this lever exerts on a servo from the controls on your transmitter handset. The greater the servo's 'push' the bigger the resulting movement of the element it is acting on. So, to move the angle of the tail rotor, for example, you need a channel to operate the tail servo.

So, as each transported element on an Rc helicopter requires its own servo, you will also need an extra channel for each one. By expanding your quality to fine-tune the interaction of each servo via the channel controls on your handset, you will be able to produce an increasingly wide range of aerial movements for your radio controlled helicopter.

So here's a basic list of the differences between the numbers of channels on a radio controlled helicopter:

  • 2 Channels contribute you with the quality to operate two servo mechanisms, giving you the quality to operate movement up and down (rotor blade speed) & left and right, (rear rotor, directional controls).



  • 3 channels give you the two movement controls, above, but with the added operate of absorbing backwards and forwards (cyclic control).



  • 4 channels give operate over the throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder, enhancing on the maneuverability of the above, fixed pitch controls.


  • 5 channels are rarely found, giving way to the more base 6 channel model. These added channels give skilled flyers the quality to accomplish true, 3D aerial movements by adding group pitch and gyro gain operate into the mix.

It can all get very complicated!

So which is the best option for you? Well, if you are just beginning out with radio controlled helicopters, stick to the 2 channel models at first. Learn to expert the basic movements first before progressing through the ranks, right up to the impressive but absorbing 6 channel models. Anything you decide, have fun with your Rc helicopter, fly safely and enjoy enhancing your flying skills!

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the disagreement in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

Saturday, February 26, 2011

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

One step above toy is the hobby version Rc Helis that comes with a 3 to 4 channel remote control. They allow for roughly all types of flight with the exception of ultimate acrobatics. The full capabilities only come out with the 6 channel radio controlled models. This allows for full 3D helicopter movements that assuredly push the limits of what the helicopter can do.

A true newbie should scholar one type at a time. You can lock out the controls on a 4/6 channel radio and make it into a 2 channel, any way you don't want to be flying a nice 5 channel capable heli in 2 channel mode. It's too hazardous for a more expensive aircraft. That said, if you are about to spend a merge bills on a nice Walkera 6 channel copter you want to know how to fly a 2 channel first and then a 3 channel. So go ahead and grab them all together. You'll have that nice pretty one in the corner that you will be thanking me for while you smash the one into the wall. They don't break too assuredly since they are small and lightweight. You might still break one if you get a bit over excited though, but not to worry. They are assuredly and cheaply replaced. Another great thing about 2 channel is they are 99% ready to fly out of the box.

RC Helicopter

So 2- channel helicopters have assuredly only two controls and these are the first ones anyone has to master. These are Throttle and Rudder.

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

The throttle is the control that sends the motor power to the blades. You always want level throttle control. Do not slam it to 100% throttle or you will loose control quickly. Convention slowly increasing throttle until you see the helicopter lift off the table or ground slightly. See if you can "bounce" it slowly on the surface

The rudder comes into play so that you can direct these machines a bit. With a 2 channel you don't have total control but it can still be fun. The rudder will simply control the rotation of the body of the heli with respect to the blades. This will equilibrium the heli and allow for transmit movement, or a basic direction change.

Now with a 2 channel you begin to consideration the helicopter will fly in seemingly random directions. It's not random at all, but very definite to the weight equilibrium of the helicopter and the blade angle. In a 4 channel you control this equilibrium with more control directions as well as carefully managing the weight. On your 2 channel you need to test out different weights and positions to find the right equilibrium for the small copter. Experiment, this will be good Convention before you lift off your 6 channel machine. With the right setup and Convention you will be able to achieve a good hover with your 2 channel at different heights. You'll be able to descend to a hover and take off to a hover just inches above the ground while retention the body in place with the tail rotor.

Now the only variation between the 2 and 3 channel is the quality to move it transmit on command.

You can then direct the helicopter around the room and land on inescapable areas and fly around obstacles. That simply takes a bit of Convention to achieve but you can learn in one day, granted that you've learned all the basics of a 2 channel.

A 4 channel simply lets you also move backward. Some are larger, and thus easier to hover, but are going to wish outdoors.

Moving on to the 6 channel helicopters is a bit different. These are regularly a lot larger and wish outdoors for safety. The rotors spin very quickly. The trade-off is worth it since the acrobatics you can achieve with these are incredible and awe-inspiring.

The sticks on a 6 channel will let you move them in manifold directions at once - like a video game controller with joysticks. You can then learn the inverse hover, loops, rolls and all full 3D maneuvering. The only real way to learn those is with a simulator truly or with lots of preparation through Convention and a good feel for the helicopter.

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The unlikeness between Toys And The Rest

When you start out studying to fly radio controlled model helicopters you are immediately confronted by a multitude of choices. One of the first things you will observation is that you get two basic types of radio controlled helicopters to select from namely those with a singular rotor and those with a duplicate set of main rotors, the coaxial Rc helicopter.

Within each of those groups you will also find quite a few variations, which may make puny sense at first glance.

RC Helicopter

I will couple here on the coaxial Rc helicopter and feature the differences within this group, and mention some of the benefits of studying your Rc helicopter controls on this type of radio controlled model helicopter.

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The unlikeness between Toys And The Rest

When I started looking colse to you could find a Rc helicopter in most toy shops. One of the popular types you will find in toy shops is the configuration with a horizontal tail rotor driven by a tiny galvanic engine sitting right under the tail rotor.

Although this type of Rc helicopter - some of the smaller ones are in fact infra-red controlled - can be flown successfully, it has fairly puny maneuverability. The send and backward movements are controlled by the horizontal tail rotor: rotating in one direction will lift the tail up and push the heli forward. Rotating in the other direction will push the tail down and drag the heli backwards.

Turning this heli happens by pointing the nose in the direction you want to go, and this is controlled by the variation in rotating speeds of the two main rotors. The heli will turn in the rotational direction of the slower rotor.

The drawback with this horizontal tail rotor arrangement? This heli can't bank in a turn as would be important in a faster turn. I also found control difficulties as the tail wants to "overtake" the main rotor in send flight. It was much easier to fly backwards as the tail rotor would essentially pull the rest of the engine along.

I tried my level best, but I couldn't coax any serious controlled flight out of my toy coaxial helicopter, and I essentially wrote it off within days of putting in serious endeavor to control it properly. The toy shop also didn't carry spares!

So, what comes next?

I decided to give the toy shop a rest and popped into the local hobby shop. There the guys showed me a distinct kind of coaxial Rc helicopter, a much more serious engine with a "real life" swash plate. Without going into a lot of detail, the swash plate makes it potential for the heli to bank in any direction by tilting the whole rotor (the lowest one of the two counter-rotating main rotors) on command from the radio transmitter.

Because of that swash plate this coaxial heli doesn't use a tail rotor to move it in a direction.

I bought this hobby grade heli - a 'Nine Eagles Swordfish' - and found it amazingly maneuverable, and in a short time I managed to learn the basics of Rc helicopter controls, all the while having a lot of fun both indoors and outside!

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The unlikeness between Toys And The Rest

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

One step above toy is the hobby version Rc Helis that comes with a 3 to 4 channel remote control. They allow for almost all types of flight with the irregularity of extreme acrobatics. The full capabilities only come out with the 6 channel radio controlled models. This allows for full 3D helicopter movements that positively push the limits of what the helicopter can do.

A true newbie should scholar one type at a time. You can lock out the controls on a 4/6 channel radio and make it into a 2 channel, any way you don't want to be flying a nice 5 channel capable heli in 2 channel mode. It's too hazardous for a more expensive aircraft. That said, if you are about to spend a join bills on a nice Walkera 6 channel copter you want to know how to fly a 2 channel first and then a 3 channel. So go ahead and grab them all together. You'll have that nice pretty one in the projection that you will be thanking me for while you smash the one into the wall. They don't break too positively since they are small and lightweight. You might still break one if you get a bit over excited though, but not to worry. They are positively and cheaply replaced. an additional one great thing about 2 channel is they are 99% ready to fly out of the box.

RC Helicopter

So 2- channel helicopters have positively only two controls and these are the first ones whatever has to master. These are Throttle and Rudder.

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

The throttle is the operate that sends the motor power to the blades. You always want smooth throttle control. Do not slam it to 100% throttle or you will loose operate quickly. Custom moderately addition throttle until you see the helicopter lift off the table or ground slightly. See if you can "bounce" it moderately on the surface

The rudder comes into play so that you can direct these machines a bit. With a 2 channel you don't have total operate but it can still be fun. The rudder will simply operate the rotation of the body of the heli with respect to the blades. This will balance the heli and allow for forward movement, or a basic direction change.

Now with a 2 channel you begin to consideration the helicopter will fly in seemingly random directions. It's not random at all, but very specific to the weight balance of the helicopter and the blade angle. In a 4 channel you operate this balance with more operate directions as well as considered managing the weight. On your 2 channel you need to test out distinct weights and positions to find the right balance for the small copter. Experiment, this will be good Custom before you lift off your 6 channel machine. With the right setup and Custom you will be able to accomplish a good hover with your 2 channel at distinct heights. You'll be able to descend to a hover and take off to a hover just inches above the ground while retention the body in place with the tail rotor.

Now the only unlikeness between the 2 and 3 channel is the ability to move it forward on command.

You can then direct the helicopter colse to the room and land on confident areas and fly colse to obstacles. That simply takes a bit of Custom to accomplish but you can learn in one day, granted that you've learned all the basics of a 2 channel.

A 4 channel simply lets you also move backward. Some are larger, and thus easier to hover, but are going to wish outdoors.

Moving on to the 6 channel helicopters is a bit different. These are regularly a lot larger and wish outdoors for safety. The rotors spin very quickly. The trade-off is worth it since the acrobatics you can accomplish with these are foreseen, and awe-inspiring.

The sticks on a 6 channel will let you move them in multiple directions at once - like a video game controller with joysticks. You can then learn the inverse hover, loops, rolls and all full 3D maneuvering. The only real way to learn those is with a simulator truly or with lots of making ready through Custom and a good feel for the helicopter.

How to Fly an Rc Helicopter - A Quick chapter

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Remote Controlled (Rc) Helicopters - Are They Toys or Tools?

Although they are a heck of a lot of fun to play with, Rc helicopters like the Draganflyer is recovery lives and solving crimes. It saves lives by reducing human exposure to hazards and helps solve crime by giving investigators a bird's eye view.

Draganflyer-x8 is an eight bladed Rc helicopter that carries a digital video transmission Ip camera system. This means it can take digital photos while simultaneously recording video. It can also carry infrared and low light cameras for night quest and recovery operations. Four brushless electric motors power eight counter rotating carbon fiber rotor blades which lets the Draganfly move through the air with minimal noise. This makes it the excellent recon platform for swat teams who need to obtain brain without being detected. Draganfly's overwhelming stability and maneuverability is achieved by varying the speed of each private rotor and an array of on board sensors which include Gps, one barometric sensor, three accelerometers, three gyros, and three magnetometers. Engage the hover hold function and the Gps will lock the Draganfly into a three dimensional position for as long as needed. Another mighty feature of this Rc helicopter is its ability to auto land.

RC Helicopter

So who is using this technology and what are they using it for?

Remote Controlled (Rc) Helicopters - Are They Toys or Tools?

1. Law Enforcement

· urgency scene analysis

· Crime scene analysis

· Swat team recon

· Bomb squad recon

2. Fire and urgency Services

· Fire damage assessment

· Hazmat recon

· Fire investigation

· Fire scene control

3. Real Estate Applications

· Golf policy promotion

· Real estate promotion

· property assessment

4. Professional Photography and Video

· Wild life

· Weddings

· Music videos

· News media

· Advertising

5. Education

· developed Uav research

· Colleges

· Universities

· Technical institutes

Ok, so you still think a Rc helicopter is just a toy? What if our toy weighed 6,000 lbs. And was powered by an 813 shaft horse power Rolls Royce turbine engine? It would be called Fire-x, The Northrop Grumman and the Bell Textron-owned vertical unmanned air ideas (Vuas).

Fire-x is a fully autonomous unmanned helicopter. It combines all the excellent capabilities of the Bell 407 with the Us Navy's Northrop Grumman Mq-8B fire Scout Uav. This meaning the Fire-x can carry a beneficial load of 3,000 lbs. Or recon up to 16 hours or carry 2500 lbs. Of internal or external cargo up to 110 nm. On December 10, 2010 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Az. The fire-x lifted off for the first time. With many more tests to go the fire-x is not operational yet but in the air only 11 months after its inception is a overwhelming start.

Imagine your child with the biggest smile you have ever seen on their face as they dive and climb that Rc helicopter nearby the back yard. Now photo a Us extra troops Ranger guiding his Fire-x through the mountains.

So I ask again, Rc helicopters, toys or tools?

Remote Controlled (Rc) Helicopters - Are They Toys or Tools?

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Beginner's Rc Helicopter Buying Guide

There are hundreds of remote operate helicopters ready in the market these days. It is prominent to pick a right helicopter for a right skill level. I am focusing here only for the beginner or novice flyers. There are few things you have to think when you buy your helicopter at the beginner's level. It is highly recommended that you buy an electric power helicopter because an electric helicopter does not make as loud noise as nitro powered machine and also, it can be flown indoor. The second thing you need to look for is the size of the helicopter. If the size of the fuselage over 12 inch, it makes harder for a novice flyer to fly indoor as it requires more power to lift off making it harder to control. If you have never flown Rc helicopter or still leaning, it is to your advantage to start with a small (Mini) electric helicopter as the smaller electric helicopters can be flown indoor in your living room.

You can begin with an uncostly mini helicopter that cost less than . They come with an infrared operate unit and some spare tail rotors. This type of helicopter has only 2 controls. They are up and down and right and left yow. In order to go forward, you may have to add minute weight on the front. However, this is good sufficient to convention to lift off and landing smoothly for the beginners.

RC Helicopter

The next step up is Megatech House-Fly Unlimited 2.4Ghz 8" helicopter. This helicopter has the Megatech dual rotor/fly bar technology which enables the novice pilot to have successful flights even while learning. The rotors are driven by 2 private motors for each router and 2 servos to operate pitch and roll. The turning right and left (yow) is controlled by differential motor speed. The tail rotor is not required in this model. With this kind of helicopter you can hover, go up and down, forward/backward, and slide right and left as well as turn right and left. I highly recommend to buy one like this with comparable functionality. It is very prominent to that the rotors are driven by 2 separate motors and pith and rolls are controlled by 2 servos. Once you mastered in this kind of helicopter, you can move up to level 2 flyer.

Beginner's Rc Helicopter Buying Guide
Beginner's Rc Helicopter Buying Guide

Friday, February 18, 2011

Rc Helicopters - A Flying Guide For Beginners

After you have mastered the skills of flying an Rc airplane, and you still feel the need for an even greater adrenalin rush, you may want to reconsider the Rc helicopter next. If you do, then here are some very important pointers to keep you from becoming discouraged with the complexity of helicopter flight, and some recommendations that will keep the hobby from blowing a hole in your wallet.

Before you get started and even before you buy your first Rc helicopter, you will find that it is very important to learn everything you possibly can about how the helicopter works. What mechanisms surrounding the main rotor cause it to go forward, backward, left and right. What makes the helicopter body spin clockwise or counterclockwise? What happens when the main rotor blade pitch changes? Then, once you understand these characteristics, you will have removed a few crashes from your future.

RC Helicopter

Keep in mind that once you commit to Rc helicopter flying, you will not settle with just one craft, so you may as well start simple with a 4-channel model having counter rotating main blades and an artificial, nonworking or nonexisting tail rotor. Even then, you will save yourself numerous crashes by studying on an Rc flight simulator that connects an Rc radio-type expedient to your computer. (The most coarse brands are Airfly Pro Deluxe, RealFlight, and ClearView). With a simple craft or a simulator, you will be able to train yourself to stay oriented. Staying "oriented" with the helicopter is one of the most spirited aspects of studying this type of flying vehicle.

Rc Helicopters - A Flying Guide For Beginners

One thing is for sure, when you start flying the real thing, you are going to crash, so don't blame the builder for your crash. Helicopters are mostly beyond the flying skills of 96% of habitancy in this hobby, so accepting the facts of your future may save you some anger and heartache. Some folks crash a few times and give up, but it takes a lot of practice. Did I say "a lot of practice"? Well here it is again if I did, it takes a lot of practice!

Like I said, learn on a simple helicopter. Don't even think about adding accessories and upgrades to your helicopter unless you are advancing in your skills and are able to fly for a cheap whole of time and whole of times without crashing. The accessories and upgrades Will Not cause the novice to fly good because its takes skill and practice. Generally, an Rc helicopter is fairly easy to fly as long as you can see it and stay oriented. Plus, you have to understand how the control sticks on the radio affect the movement of the helicopter.

Get an instructor. Beginners can't tell if a confident question is with you or the helicopter like an educator can. It is highly likely that there is an Rc flying club nearby, and experienced helicopter flyers are very happy to lend you a hand. So, do some request colse to before you go off alone to tackle Rc helicopter flying.

When it comes to honestly flying, don't try to trim electric Tail Rotor Motor(Etrm) helicopters to make it stop spinning on the ground. They have to be trimmed at eye level(in the air). This is other good imagine to have an instructor. Also, you will need to have training gear installed on your skids. This gear is the sticks in the shape of an "X", most of the time with brightly painted foam or plastic balls on the tips. This training gear is like training wheels on a bicycle, to keep your helicopter from tipping over so honestly when close to the ground.

When studying to hover, keep the nose pointed away from you, and practice at eye level. Never watch the tail rotor, watch the nose. Staying oriented relies on you concentrating on the position of the nose, because spirited the rudder stick to the right causes the helicopter nose to go right (clockwise).

Never fly away until you learn how to hover. Get the art of hovering perfected before you attempt lateral or transmit movement. Compared to an airplane, the helicopter ailerons, rudder, and elevator movement are basically the same while general transmit flight, however, the helicopter behaves different than an airplane in that you additionally feel "slide". When making turns with a helicopter, you must keep the nose down, otherwise it will slide out of the turn, disorient you and crash. The transmitter is your helicopter cockpit, so you can re-orient yourself by pointing the transmitter antenna in the same direction as the helicopter nose. However, never fly behind you; all the time keep the helicopter in front of you unless you are getting yourself re-oriented.

Always use both the index finger and the thumb on the left stick of the radio. On the right-hand control stick, just a thumb is ok if you are comfortable with it. Dinky movements of the control sticks cause drastic movements with the helicopter and holding two fingers on the left stick will help you avoid quick stick movements.

Don't let habitancy watch you when you are studying to fly the helicopter. You need to have full attentiveness on the helicopter at all times without folks trying to talk you into doing a maneuver that you are not comfortable with.

Never drop the throttle stick or let it spring back for the landing (or any other time for that matter) because the rotors will spring down and hit the tail boom and break it. all the time land gently. Never use quick movements on the controls, every move needs to be slow and stable.

Always remember your last move on the controls, because you will get lost at some point and need to reverse your last move until you see your helicopter again or become oriented again. all the time keep the helicopter within a comfortable viewing distance, not too far to see, and not so close that you risk hitting something.

Finally, when you crash (and you will), throttle off immediately to save the motor and the rotor shaft. Other broken parts cost less to replace than the motor and the rotor shaft.

Rc Helicopters - A Flying Guide For Beginners

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the unlikeness in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

All radio controlled helicopter enthusiasts will tell you that flying Rc helicopters is the most thoughprovoking and thrilling of all Rc models. Cars, trucks, tanks, boats and robots are all minuscule to forward/backward and left/right movement but radio controlled helicopters can have full technicolor, surround-sound,3D maneuverability. The only limitation to your exhilaration and flying delight is your skill, the space ready and the sophistication of your Rc helicopter model.

So what is it exactly that enables your heli to achieve complex aerial acrobatics?

RC Helicopter

In short, it's the whole of channels that can be controlled by you - the more you have, the greater the maneuverability of your Rc helicopter.

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the unlikeness in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

But don't be fooled into reasoning that more is better. Flying a model helicopter is every bit as complex and skillful as the flying the real thing. Just because your heli is smaller in scale doesn't mean that the laws of aerodynamics change! To achieve flourishing flight, all criteria remain the same. However, flying a model does have the benefit of being able to start with a basic set of controls and work your way upward to the Full Monty and this is achieved by mastering an addition whole of channels.

But first, you will need to understand that each channel controls a cut off servo mechanism in your model. And for those of us who find it helpful to understand how a thing works, it's useful to know that a servo is a mechanical expedient that controls the movement of an element by 'pushing' it with a lever. You can control the degree of 'push' this lever exerts on a servo from the controls on your transmitter handset. The greater the servo's 'push' the bigger the resulting movement of the element it is acting on. So, to move the angle of the tail rotor, for example, you need a channel to control the tail servo.

So, as each transported element on an Rc helicopter requires its own servo, you will also need an extra channel for each one. By addition your quality to fine-tune the interaction of each servo via the channel controls on your handset, you will be able to produce an increasingly wide range of aerial movements for your radio controlled helicopter.

So here's a basic list of the differences between the numbers of channels on a radio controlled helicopter:

  • 2 Channels furnish you with the quality to control two servo mechanisms, giving you the quality to control movement up and down (rotor blade speed) & left and right, (rear rotor, directional controls).



  • 3 channels give you the two movement controls, above, but with the added control of thoughprovoking backwards and forwards (cyclic control).



  • 4 channels give control over the throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder, enhancing on the maneuverability of the above, fixed pitch controls.


  • 5 channels are rarely found, giving way to the more coarse 6 channel model. These added channels give skilled flyers the quality to achieve true, 3D aerial movements by adding group pitch and gyro gain control into the mix.

It can all get very complicated!

So which is the best choice for you? Well, if you are just beginning out with radio controlled helicopters, stick to the 2 channel models at first. Learn to scholar the basic movements first before progressing through the ranks, right up to the impressive but thoughprovoking 6 channel models. Whatever you decide, have fun with your Rc helicopter, fly safely and enjoy enhancing your flying skills!

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the unlikeness in the middle of 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the difference between 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

All radio controlled helicopter enthusiasts will tell you that flying Rc helicopters is the most enthralling and thrilling of all Rc models. Cars, trucks, tanks, boats and robots are all itsybitsy to forward/backward and left/right movement but radio controlled helicopters can have full technicolor, surround-sound,3D maneuverability. The only limitation to your exhilaration and flying satisfaction is your skill, the space available and the sophistication of your Rc helicopter model.

So what is it exactly that enables your heli to accomplish complex aerial acrobatics?

RC Helicopter

In short, it's the whole of channels that can be controlled by you - the more you have, the greater the maneuverability of your Rc helicopter.

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the difference between 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

But don't be fooled into reasoning that more is better. Flying a model helicopter is every bit as complex and skillful as the flying the real thing. Just because your heli is smaller in scale doesn't mean that the laws of aerodynamics change! To accomplish flourishing flight, all criteria remain the same. However, flying a model does have the advantage of being able to start with a basic set of controls and work your way upward to the Full Monty and this is achieved by mastering an increasing whole of channels.

But first, you will need to understand that each channel controls a cut off servo mechanism in your model. And for those of us who find it helpful to understand how a thing works, it's beneficial to know that a servo is a mechanical device that controls the movement of an element by 'pushing' it with a lever. You can control the degree of 'push' this lever exerts on a servo from the controls on your transmitter handset. The greater the servo's 'push' the bigger the resulting movement of the element it is acting on. So, to move the angle of the tail rotor, for example, you need a channel to control the tail servo.

So, as each conveyable element on an Rc helicopter requires its own servo, you will also need an extra channel for each one. By increasing your potential to fine-tune the interaction of each servo via the channel controls on your handset, you will be able to yield an increasingly wide range of aerial movements for your radio controlled helicopter.

So here's a basic list of the differences in the middle of the numbers of channels on a radio controlled helicopter:

  • 2 Channels furnish you with the potential to control two servo mechanisms, giving you the potential to control movement up and down (rotor blade speed) & left and right, (rear rotor, directional controls).



  • 3 channels give you the two movement controls, above, but with the supplementary control of enthralling backwards and forwards (cyclic control).



  • 4 channels give control over the throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder, improving on the maneuverability of the above, fixed pitch controls.


  • 5 channels are rarely found, giving way to the more coarse 6 channel model. These supplementary channels give skilled flyers the potential to accomplish true, 3D aerial movements by adding communal pitch and gyro gain control into the mix.

It can all get very complicated!

So which is the best choice for you? Well, if you are just beginning out with radio controlled helicopters, stick to the 2 channel models at first. Learn to scholar the basic movements first before progressing through the ranks, right up to the impressive but enthralling 6 channel models. Anyone you decide, have fun with your Rc helicopter, fly safely and enjoy improving your flying skills!

Radio Controlled Helicopters - What's the difference between 2 Channels, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Channels?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The incompatibility in the middle of Toys And The Rest

When you start out studying to fly radio controlled model helicopters you are immediately confronted by a multitude of choices. One of the first things you will observation is that you get two basic types of radio controlled helicopters to select from namely those with a particular rotor and those with a double set of main rotors, the coaxial Rc helicopter.

Within each of those groups you will also find quite a few variations, which may make little sense at first glance.

RC Helicopter

I will consolidate here on the coaxial Rc helicopter and feature the differences within this group, and mention some of the benefits of studying your Rc helicopter controls on this type of radio controlled model helicopter.

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The incompatibility in the middle of Toys And The Rest

When I started seeing colse to you could find a Rc helicopter in most toy shops. One of the favorite types you will find in toy shops is the configuration with a horizontal tail rotor driven by a tiny electric machine sitting right under the tail rotor.

Although this type of Rc helicopter - some of the smaller ones are nothing else but infra-red controlled - can be flown successfully, it has fairly little maneuverability. The send and backward movements are controlled by the horizontal tail rotor: rotating in one direction will lift the tail up and push the heli forward. Rotating in the other direction will push the tail down and drag the heli backwards.

Turning this heli happens by pointing the nose in the direction you want to go, and this is controlled by the unlikeness in rotating speeds of the two main rotors. The heli will turn in the rotational direction of the slower rotor.

The drawback with this horizontal tail rotor arrangement? This heli can't bank in a turn as would be important in a faster turn. I also found control difficulties as the tail wants to "overtake" the main rotor in send flight. It was much easier to fly backwards as the tail rotor would essentially pull the rest of the machine along.

I tried my level best, but I couldn't coax any serious controlled flight out of my toy coaxial helicopter, and I essentially wrote it off within days of putting in serious effort to control it properly. The toy shop also didn't carry spares!

So, what comes next?

I decided to give the toy shop a rest and popped into the local hobby shop. There the guys showed me a distinct kind of coaxial Rc helicopter, a much more serious machine with a "real life" swash plate. Without going into a lot of detail, the swash plate makes it possible for the heli to bank in any direction by tilting the whole rotor (the bottom one of the two counter-rotating main rotors) on command from the radio transmitter.

Because of that swash plate this coaxial heli doesn't use a tail rotor to impel it in a direction.

I bought this hobby grade heli - a 'Nine Eagles Swordfish' - and found it amazingly maneuverable, and in a short time I managed to learn the basics of Rc helicopter controls, all the while having a lot of fun both indoors and outside!

Rc Coaxial Helicopter - The incompatibility in the middle of Toys And The Rest

Monday, February 14, 2011

Rc Helicopters

Rc (remote control) helicopters are becoming very popular these days for kids and adults. For some kids, construction a model Rc helicopter will take some help from an adult. You can buy a model Rc helicopter kit at your local hobby shop or toy store. For the first time you can buy a simpler, lower cost model. It takes many hours and much patience to build a Rc helicopter. You have to consequent all the directions in the by hand step by step. After you have glued all the pieces together, and have the frame of the Rc Heli, you then have to paint it. You can be creative in painting, or make it look exactly like a real full sized helicopter. Next you add the motor, blades, and controls. Once your Rc helicopter model is complete, then it's ready to fly.

Flying your Rc helicopter takes a lot of practice to get well-known with the controls. Watching someone else fly their Rc looks pretty easy, but it's not as simple as it looks. Get use to the controls, then start with just take offs, hovers, and landings first. Stay low to the ground about 6 to 12 inches just in case you may have to crash land, your less likely to ruin your Rc. Once you have practiced these maneuvers, and are comfortable, you can start flying sideways and doing turns. Try doing a figure 8's and 180 stalls. practice hovering your Rc helicopters a bit higher, about 12 to 20 feet off the ground. As you practice you it will become like driving a car or riding a bike. Once you learn, you don't forget.

RC Helicopter

When purchasing a Rc take into notice either you're an experienced flyer or a beginner. If you are just learning, a mini Rc helicopter is exquisite for you. The micro mini Rc helicopters are very easy to control, and fit in the palm of your hand. While Christmas time, you will see these tiny Rc helicopters being sold at local malls, a exquisite kid's gift. They are run by a simple 2 channel operate pad, and basically go up and down, forward and backwards, but are super fast, as they are so light weight. Any child 5 years and up can learn to operate a mini Rc helicopter.

Rc Helicopters

Once you have Rc helicopter flight experience, you can move up to a more expensive, larger type of helicopter. Galvanic powered Rc helicopters are quite amazing. They are run with a more developed 6 channel operate pad, have belt drive with aluminum parts which allow 3D flight.

Rc Helicopters

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Rc Helicopter Blade Tracking

Rc helicopter blade tracking has been a strangeness to many new Rc helicopter owners, but I'm going to demystify the whole concept for you right now so that you'll have a complete insight of blade tracking by the time you stop reading this article.

First, we need to rejoinder this leading question: What is blade tracking?

RC Helicopter

Essentially, blade tracking is when one rotor blade rotates in a circular petition and the following blade follows exactly behind it. Both rotor blades spin on the same plane without one blade being higher or lower than the blade it's following. Other way to look at it is that both blades trip straight through the same airspace created by their spinning. If the rear blade is following the front blade on a higher or lower plane, then it can cause a lot of unwanted vibrations for the Rc helicopter.

Rc Helicopter Blade Tracking

How To Track Your Blades

If you're flying your Rc helicopter for the first time, you need to see if the blades are tracking properly and you may need some help from an experienced Rc helicopter pilot. You can check the blade tracking by simply hovering the helicopter in place at eye level and seeing at the blades as it hovers. If you see a lot of shaking and vibrating, your Rc helicopter is more than likely not tracking properly. If you're not sure if it's tracking properly, do this:

Get two distinct colors of tape and apply a small strip of one color to one blade. Put a red strip on one blade and a blue strip on the other blade. By using a distinct color on each blade, it makes it a lot easier to see which blade might be out of track.

Now that you've applied the colored tape, have an experienced Rc helicopter pilot hover the helicopter in place so that you can see the blades as they spin. As you watch the blades spin, you'll know if they're in track if you only see a singular circle or both blades spinning on one line. If you see two circles or two lines, (red above blue or vice versa) then you'll know that one of the blades are off and needs to be aligned.

To properly track your rotor blades, you need to land the hovering Rc helicopter first. After the blades have stopped spinning, you can adjust the blade that is out of alignment. You'll need to have your Rc helicopter by hand handy so that you can look up the permissible blade tracking facts in it. Be sure that you adjust the accurate linkages in what the by hand says and not what person says. This is the best way to be sure that you've done it correctly.

Once you've tightened or loosened the accurate linkage or linkages, you need to have person fly the helicopter again so that you can look at the blades. You'll repeat this process as often as needed until your blades are tracked properly and they spin on the same plane. Once you've completed permissible blade tracking, your Rc helicopter will handle a lot smoother than it did before and be much easier to fly.

Rc Helicopter Blade Tracking

Saturday, February 12, 2011

How To Setup an Rc Helicopter

The most foremost step in flying a R.C. Helicopter is the setup. If your helicopter is not setup right the bird will tip side to side, frontward or backward, or the tail could spin out of control. You can see the point of a good setup.

1. The first step in setting up a R.C. Helicopter.

RC Helicopter

· Make sure all servos are animated in the right direction When you move the right side stick right the swash plate will tilt right etc for send and back.

· Make sure the throttle is exact and the it does not need reversed in the radio also called the Tx.

How To Setup an Rc Helicopter

2. Now that the servos are animated in the right direction we need to town the servos.

· Turn on radio then plug in receiver make sure the motor is unplugged if working on electric helicopter.

· Move the throttle stick to half way this get all your servos to the half way position.

· Now we want to find the servo horn that will line up 90 degrees with town keep animated till you find one that is close or dead on make sure to put in the screw when you find the one that works.

3. Next is to level the swash plate you can buy a tool for your size helicopter or you can eyeball it. · To get the swash plate level adjusts the arms that run from the servos to the swash plate.

4. Next we need to make sure the washout block is level.

· The washout block is in the middle of the swashplate and the fly bar cage.

· Make sure that both arms are level with each other if not adjust the arm that comes from the fly bar cage until level. · Next we need to make sure the fly bar arms are level

· Make sure the fly bar arms are parallel with each other if not adjust the rod that attaches to the swash plate.

5. Next is to make sure the pitch on the main blades is set.

· When at town stick throttle make sure the main blades are at zero pitch

· Full stick should be in the middle of +10 degrees to +12 degrees depending on flying style

· lowest stick should be -10 degrees to -12 degrees.

Now we have our head setup and ready to go. With all things level and working together we should have a carport flying machine this setup gives up the best chance to get off the ground. This still some things to consider in setup like pitch curves Throttle curves . Radio setup in normal but that is a field by itself.

The tail setup can be tricky sometimes I have found the best way to setup the tail is in rate mode get your servo centered then make sure your rod is adjusted I set my tail with a few degrees pitch on tail pushing the nose right too compensate for the main motor thrust on start up and to hold the nose right in a hover. That about all the information I can give not knowing the servo and gyro that is being used.

That all to the basic setup of your helicopter have fun be safe and keep it in the air have a great day!

How To Setup an Rc Helicopter

Friday, February 11, 2011

Rc Helicopter Tips

Everyone wants to get the most enjoyment from using their Rc helicopter and I'm sure that you're no exception. In this article, I'm going to give you a ton of radio controlled helicopter tips that will have you flying high in no time and having the most fun that you have with your Rc helicopter.

Basic Rc Helicopter Tips

RC Helicopter

If you're new to using your Rc helicopter, the first and most prominent tip is to be safe and cautious when using your Rc heli. I know it sounds positive but it's probably the most prominent of all of the radio controlled helicopter tips I'll give you.

Rc Helicopter Tips

And always, always, always read the whole hand-operated fully through! Don't just assume that because you followed the diagrams given that you have all of your parts in the right places doing the right things!

Intermediate Rc Helicopter Tips

You'll find that proper configuration of your Rc helicopter is very important, so always be sure that you check and see that all of your throttle linkages are fit and gain and that they're all in the idle position upon startup. If not, you may be getting the surprise of your life!

Speaking of configuration, a lot of starting Rc helicopter owners try to take away some of the worry by applying a lot of Lock-Tite to the screws of their Rc helicopter. Truth is, less Lock-Tite is more, so only apply a small number to the screws and not a ton like rookies do. You'll observation a big difference.

Advanced Rc Helicopter Tips

Do you know how you can hold the life of your mixing levers? The retort is easy but often overlooked: take care of your foam blade holders. They're not cheap as it is but by knowing that they also affect the care of your mixing levers, you can save yourself a lot of heartache in the long run.

Also speaking in terms of preservation, make a preflight checklist and stick to it. Be sure that you check all things that can be checked: security issues, radio, transmitter, linkages, screws, weather, all things that can possibly be checked off as it applies to your flying experience. You'll be glad you did.

Rc Helicopter Assembly Tips

One of the biggest rookie mistakes that I've seen is starting Rc helicopter flyers putting red Lock-Tite on just about all of their nuts and bolts on their Rc helicopter. This is such a big no-no! The red Lock-Tite is only for studs and bearing mounts and if you use them on whatever else, you're going to need a lot of heat to get them loose. Use the blue Lock-Tite for nuts and bolts and when you do use it, just use a small drop! That's all you need.

If you're still running your helicopter with training gear and you observation that it has more shaking than usual, there are some things that you need to check. Start with the distance of your training gear, then go on and check your weight placement, size, Rpms and shape of the gear. Changing one of these should fix your question immediately.

Environmental Rc Helicopter Tips

Always make sure that you have a lot of room to operate. Never try to fly in places that have lines or structure nearby. If something were to happen with your Rc helicopter, you wouldn't want it to fall into person or fall into others things on the way down that could damage it more.

Be mindful of the weather. Make sure that there isn't any weather warnings thinkable, for the day that you plan to fly. Also be sure that you know what's going on with the wind patterns. You'd hate for any unexpected gusts to slam your Rc helicopter into the ground, costing you an arm and a leg to fix.

Rc Helicopter Tips