Getting Started with Helicopters: 10 pro tips you need to know

Every RC mannequin helicopter pilot began someplace, and it doesn’t matter what your expertise degree, there’s at all times one thing new and thrilling to study. Piloting a heli could be numerous enjoyable and really rewarding, however with out correct coaching and information, it may be very irritating (and costly). Of all RC actions, helicopters have the longest and steepest studying curve. The ideas and methods on this article will assist shorten the curve and are additionally good reminders for knowledgeable pilots as properly.

1. Pick the Right Helicopter

The recognition of RC helis has resulted from the number of fashions in all sizes from tiny electrics to huge nitro and gasoline-powered fashions. Often this may be bewildering for the novice to resolve on a primary heli. Many pilots begin with a coaxial rotor mannequin, which could be very steady and helps with hover orientation. They are comparatively cheap and sturdy, which makes them good for novices. The small fixed-pitch fashions have much more maneuverability than the coaxial fashions and current a bit of extra of a problem. These fashions are a terrific introduction to ahead flight and are a terrific orientation support that may assist in the subsequent step. These are additionally superb for the RC airplane pilot who desires a heli to alter issues up a bit with out investing lots.

Most heli pilots aspire to mastering the collective pitch geared up helis as a result of unsurpassed maneuverability and aerobatic capabilities they possess. These are essentially the most advanced and difficult of all of the RC helis. For the pilot with earlier RC expertise who’s keen to study in regards to the appropriate setup, a collective pitch mannequin is smart. The decisions listed here are vast and the primary query is what dimension is finest to study on. There is not any appropriate reply and every pilot must resolve which is finest for him. The small 450-size fashions made widespread by such fashions because the Align T-Rex 450 are comparatively cheap, straightforward to assemble (and restore) and fly properly. Larger helis, electrical (500, 550, 600 or 700 class) or nitro (30, 50, 60 or 90 class) are dearer to fly and preserve, however are simpler to fly. Their bigger dimension and mass make them extra steady, capable of deal with extra wind and make for simpler orientation. For studying, the fundamental mannequin will preserve you challenged and save a bundle of cash. On the opposite hand, if you want to purchase a transmitter, purchase one of the best you’ll be able to afford since it’s going to final via many helis and its options will mean you can progress to larger ranges.

A management rod-length gauge makes it straightforward to provide equivalent linkages.

2. CCPM vs. Mechanical Mixing

Conventional collective pitch helis with mechanical mixing, use three servos to function the first flight controls; elevator (fore and aft cyclic), aileron (left and proper cyclic) and pitch. The servos transfer the swashplate via a system of pushrods and levers and works very properly. Cyclic-Collective Pitch Mixing (CCPM) additionally makes use of three servos for the flight controls, however they’re straight linked to the swashplate often organized at 120-degree intervals. The radio, which have to be able to CCPM, makes use of software program to maneuver the three servos within the acceptable route. This system requires fewer components than the traditional system and since all three servos are used to maneuver the swashplate concurrently, there’s extra management authority.

Good-quality digital servos are advisable. The servos have to have their management throws matched in order that there isn’t a undesirable management enter. For occasion, if a collective enter is given and one servo has a lesser or larger throw than the others, the swashplate will tilt because it rises or lowers introducing an undesirable cyclic enter. Both techniques work very properly for each the novice and knowledgeable.

For your heli to function easily, you need to use a balancer to verify the rotor blades don’t trigger vibration.

3. Essential instruments

Here are some important instruments that you could be want to purchase along with the standard assortment of screwdrivers and pliers.
● Good-quality metric hex drivers. Don’t skimp right here as low cost hex wrenches can strip bolt heads resulting in frustration.
● Ball-link pliers to forestall harm to the hyperlinks throughout set up and elimination. The curved selection is essentially the most helpful.
● Pitch gauge for setting the collective pitch. Some kits embody a template you need to use, however you’ll finally want one.
● Blade balancer to steadiness the primary rotor blades. All helis profit from balanced blades which reduces vibration.
● Soldering iron for electrical helis for attaching connectors.

4. Throttle and Pitch Curves

Ask 10 skilled heli pilots and you’ll in all probability get 10 completely different solutions as to one of the best setup. The goal of a correctly setup collective is to keep up a continuing head velocity all through the collective vary when in idle-up or stunt mode. A linear pitch curve sometimes utilized in 3D aerobatics can have about 10 levels of detrimental pitch with the left stick lowered, 0 levels at heart stick and about 10 levels at full throttle. This leads to hovering with the stick at about 3/4. Some pilots choose to flatten the curve the curve across the hover to make the collective inputs much less delicate.

Throttle curves work hand in hand with the pitch curve to carry a continuing rotor velocity. A typical radio can have a three-position change referred to as “idle up” change. The “normal” place is used for engine begin and hovering. The engine is at idle when the throttle stick is absolutely lowered and often about 90 % for full throttle. For the 3D setup, full throttle is ready at full detrimental and full optimistic pitch settings utilizing a “V” formed curve. The backside of the curve is the bottom throttle setting. A 3rd curve usually employed is for conventional aerobatics resembling loops and rolls. For this curve, the throttle is ready in order that the pitch vary is from about -5 to +10 levels. Last is the throttle maintain change which permits the engine to go to idle whereas the collective pitch is managed by its curve. This is for working towards auto-rotations.

By utilizing a pitch gauge and the radio’s programming the preliminary values are arrange. These might want to high-quality tuned within the air. For instance, if the rotor “bogs” or slows down at full collective, then the utmost pitch setting is simply too excessive. Beginners solely have to concern themselves with the “normal” throttle and pitch curves. A throttle governor or rev limiter will mechanically maintain the specified rotor velocity for you, however you need to nonetheless know the fundamentals of setting throttle curves.

Conventional mechanical mixing for collective-pitch helis have to be arrange correctly for optimum efficiency.

5. Set it up Right

If you’ve chosen a ready-to-fly mannequin there’s often little or no setup concerned. A kit-built heli will have to be arrange correctly and it helps when you have an skilled heli pilot look it over and show you how to. Most collective pitch fashions could be set as much as be docile or aggressive relying on the collective and cyclic pitch vary. For these simply beginning out limiting the collective from 0- to about 5-degrees will assist tame the mannequin down and forestall uncontrolled climbs and descents. As you get higher, simply enhance the pitch vary incrementally till the complete worth is obtained. Check the controls for correct route. Moving the cyclic stick proper ought to tilt the swashplate to the correct and shifting the stick ahead ought to make it tilt ahead. The tail rotor and route and gyro operate additionally have to be checked. Getting the right management instructions for a CCPM heli could be a problem the primary time, however when you examine the heli and radio guide it’s going to turn into clear. Use excessive care when establishing an electrical heli. Should the motor begin unexpectedly damage may end up in addition to harm to the heli and surrounding objects. I like to make use of a separate battery pack and disconnect the velocity management to forestall this. Disconnecting the motor pinion can also be efficient.

Modern programming makes establishing (and adjusting) pitch and throttle curves lots faster than earlier than.

6. Use a Simulator

Simulators are nice studying instruments if used correctly. Since it is possible for you to to make use of it from preliminary hovering to essentially the most superior 3D strikes, sims are a wonderful funding. A flight sim can pay for itself in decreased crash components. RealFlight (towerhobbies.com) options a number of helis to select from. It has reasonable surroundings and flight traits. Not solely are you able to select from amongst all kinds of helis, however it’s also possible to change the setups to see what the results on the heli are. Sims must be used along side real-life flying for finest outcomes. Practice and excellent the maneuver you might be engaged on with the sim after which exit to the sphere. This will show you how to get the stick patterns in your reminiscence and assist your motor expertise. While all of us prefer to go wild on the sim, follow prefer it was an actual mannequin and do your finest to keep away from crashing.

7. Master the hover

Learning to hover is much like studying easy methods to trip a motorbike—seemingly unimaginable at first however straightforward as soon as realized. Just as most of us began with coaching wheels, coaching gear for helis serves the identical goal. You could not suppose you want them, however they may save your heli from a tip-over which can trigger harm and gradual your progress when you repair your heli. Here are a couple of tricks to velocity your progress:

● Position the heli about 15 ft from you with the tail towards you. This manner, the cyclic inputs will match the stick actions in relation to you. For occasion, a left cyclic enter will financial institution the heli left and a ahead enter will tilt it ahead.
● For the primary makes an attempt, simply get the heli gentle on the skids and provides light inputs to maneuver the heli round.
● Practice quick hops of some seconds near the bottom and ease the heli again down. Increase the time as your expertise enhance.
● Continue working towards at a low altitude of beneath a foot till you’ll be able to preserve the heli in a single spot with out main deviations for a number of minutes.
● Increase the altitude in one-foot increments and land when you really feel the heli is getting uncontrolled.
● Once you’ll be able to hover comfortably at eye degree it’s time to take of the coaching gear. The coaching gear provides stability so you’ll want to begin at a low altitude to get the texture of the added responsiveness.
● Practice different orientations resembling side-in and nose-in. These are difficult however required for superior flight.

Using the correct instruments makes establishing your heli’s linkages simpler and extra exact.

8. Preflight Checks

A helicopter has many shifting components that may loosen or break with out you realizing it. Before the primary flight of the day, an intensive preflight much like what a full-scale pilot does can forestall a crash or incident.

Here is a minimal of what to examine:
● Make positive the right mannequin is activated within the radio’s mannequin reminiscence.
● Make positive all batteries are absolutely charged.
● Do a spread examine if it’s the mannequin’s first flight or hasn’t been flown shortly.
● Check for correct management route and no binding.
● Check all ball hyperlinks for safety.
● Check for correct tail drive belt rigidity.
● Check major and tail blades for correct tightness and no harm.
● The major rotor ought to spin with out binding.
● Check cover for safety.

9. Proper Maintenance

Regular upkeep will enhance the heli’s lifespan and it’ll run just like the proverbial well-oiled machine.
Here is what must be accomplished on a routine foundation:
● Lubricate the swashplate and ball bearings with a good-quality lubricant resembling Tri-Flow lube out there at bicycle retailers.
● The major rotor blade thrust bearings must be cleaned and greased at the very least at the start or finish of the season. If you do numerous flying, it must be accomplished each 50 flights or so.
● Check all of the fasteners for tightness. Remove, clear and add thread locker to all these which are free.
● Thoroughly clear the whole heli together with the gears.
● Look carefully for small cracks, particularly on graphite or carbon-fiber fashions that would progress.
● On nitro fashions, substitute the gyro tape if it got here involved with nitro gas or exhaust.
● Check ball hyperlinks to verify they don’t seem to be too free. Replace any which are.
● Put after-run oil into the engine’s consumption or exhaust.

Learning easy methods to hover is likely one of the most vital issues to do. Each flight begins and ends in a hover.

10. After a Crash

Crashes could be attributable to pilot error, mechanical or radio issues. A very good behavior to get into is to hit the throttle maintain change to decrease the motor or engine rpm earlier than impression. Having a set of spare components readily available can also be a good suggestion. Helis are identified to do the “Funky Chicken” if the engine (or motor) continues to be working and may’t be shit down with the radio. For nitro helis, one of the best strategy is to seize the top and pull the gas line. Electric helis current a extra severe menace if the LiPo flight pack turns into overheated and catches on fireplace. Here one of the best factor to do is pull the battery connector when you really feel it’s protected to take action. Next, flip off the radio to forestall additional harm to the servos.

At this level, fastidiously decide up all of the items which generally could be fairly a distance from the crash web site and take stock of the key gadgets. This shouldn’t be the time to troubleshoot the radio since you could possibly do extra harm if one thing is certain up. When you get again to your workshop, completely clear the mannequin and assess the harm. If you might be doubtful about any of the components, substitute them. Check the operation of all of the servos and pay attention for uncommon noises which may point out a stripped gear. Be positive to examine the remainder of the radio system as properly. Often the harm shouldn’t be as dangerous because it initially appeared and as soon as repaired, will fly simply in addition to it did earlier than!