In this segment, Chris Chianelli gets some expert advice from RC helicopter specialist Jeff Green on the aerodynamics and mechanics of radio-control helicopters.
Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics
- The last major step in the assembly of the Shuttle Plus (TM) RC helicopter is to secure the main rotor blades (figure A). Each is attached with a single screw and aircraft nut.
- With the blades attached, the operation of the servos can be checked. The throttle and collective pitch servos (figure B) work in timed unison and opposite directions. As more power is fed to the throttle, more collective pitch is fed simultaneously. The feed mix is controlled electronically by the helicopter's radio.
- The elevator (fore and aft cyclic) and swash plate controls are checked as well (figure C).
- The swash plate (figure D) serves to change the angle of the blades at specific points in the blades' rotation, increasing or decreasing lift to allow lift and movement, controlling the helicopter to make it move forward, backward, left and right.
- The tail rotor is checked for proper direction (figure E), making certain that its movement is consistent with the signals being fed by the radio.
- Once the tail-rotor direction checks out, the gyro function is checked as well. The gyro (figure F) works in unison with the tail-rotor rotation to help stabilize the aircraft, making it easier to fly. As the model is rotated slightly by hand, a properly operating gyro will respond with a counter rotation. In flight, this feature works to function somewhat like the auto-pilot function on an airplane.
- Once the settings and functions have been checked on the gyro and servos, the canopy can be installed (figure G) in preparation for a test flight.
In the segment that follows, Chianelli gets a helicopter-flying lesson from Jeff Green.
Review of Basic Terms in Helicopter Aerodynamics
- Servos: Motorized units that send input from the radio to the helicopter to move all of the flight functions
- Elevator servo: Controls fore and aft cyclic
- Aileron servo: Controls left and right cyclic
- Tail rotor servo: Controls yaw
- Collective servo: Controls blade pitch
- Throttle servo: Controls speed
- Gyro: Electronic device that stabilizes the tail rotor and makes the model easier to fly
- Swash plate: Changes the angle of the rotor blades, which increases or decreases lift and allows the helicopter to move forward, backward, left and right
- Cyclic: Visualizing the helicopter blades in motion forming a disc shape, "cyclic" is the term used for helicopter's rotors moving in a circular rotation.
RESOURCES :
Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building & Flying R C Helicopters
Model: 1854861379
Author: Nick Papillon
Nexus Special Interest Ltd.
RC Modeler magazine
RC Modeler magazine
Sierra Madre, CA 91025
Fax: 626-355-1476
Website: www.rcmagazine.com
Shuttle Plus RC Helicopter
Shuttle Plus Helicopter by Hirobo
Distributed in the US by MRC
Hirobo Limited, Model Enterprise Division
FuchuJapan
Website: www.model.hirobo.co.jp/english
MRC (Model Rectifiers)
MRC (Model Rectifiers)
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 732-225-6144
Website: www.modelrectifier.com
GUESTS :
Jeff Green
Model Rectifier Corporation
80 Newfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 732-225-6144
Website: www.modelrectifier.com
Radio-control helicopter expert and senior product manager for Model Rectifier Corporation.
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