Radio Control: Helicopters
LAST MONTH I promised to get back to basics and to report on the progress of a local RC helicopter student. The intent here will be to answer some of the questions that he and you have regarding your new endeavor. Unlike some of you, Gregg elected to buy a machine which was fully assembled, but less radio. If you purchased a kit and have assembled it by the instructions, some of the points to follow will be familiar; but if, on the other hand, you bought a used helicopter as Gregg did, this review may be of great significance to you. First, I'd like to point out that it is impossible to learn to fly an RC helicopter by reading about it. Reading may help but practice and perseverance are the keys to learning your new skills. In order to achieve that practice and to receive benefit from it, you must become expert and meticulous at maintaining the machine. Note that I did not say expert at building the machine. Building only gets you to the flying field; maintenance keeps you in the air.
Radio Control: Helicopters
LAST month I said that I would continue a review of set-up procedures aimed at the beginning helicopter flier. Before I start I'll invite you to join us in pursuing this unique facet of radio controlled flight. Helicopters are not that difficult to fly, just different. This is a good year to start; the machines have never been better and the capabilities of those machines now approach any helicopter pilot's wildest dreams. Loops, rolls, split S's, and other aerobatic maneuvers are becoming commonplace even for those of us who would not be considered expert fliers. Don't let an occasional tip-over and the negative comments from our fixed-wing contemporaries cool your enthusiasm.
Radio Control: Helicopters
MARCH may not be the best time to be attempting your first RC helicopter flights, but maybe you'll have a few days of less than gale force winds. While gusty winds cause frustrations to the beginning helicopter pilot, a slight breeze of steady velocity usually helps. Be cautious of your selection of flying conditions; but before you attempt to fly in any conditions, there are a few more checks of the machine in addition to those covered last month. The hints covered last month dealt with the static set-up of a typical RC helicopter. This month we'll start the engine and continue setting up the machine in its dynamic condition. One of the most important checks to be accomplished before allowing the helicopter its freedom is that of the radio. For the radio check I heartily recommend that your machine be restrained in some manner so that, if there is a problem with radio noise, you will not damage the machine or, more importantly, the machine will be less likely to damage you or your helper.
Radio Control: Helicopters
IN THE February column I wrote about some of the static set-ups which should be attended to prior to flying the RC helicopter. Then in March we started to "fine tune" some of those adjustments as the engine was started and we prepared for those first hops. Now we have some further adjustments to accomplish before we commit to hover practice; again, continue to refer also to the manual for your helicopter. Looking back to the February issue and to those statements regarding M/R shaft and swash plate alignments, you will recall those static adjustments were recommended to be: main rotor perpendicular to the takeoff surface, and swash plate perpendicular to the M/R shaft. Those adjustments were again for the static set-up and, if you went ahead with some hover practice after reading last month's column, you will probably have found that your helicopter would not lift vertically without significant cyclic trim. What's happening? What it was, was lateral drift created by one of the compromises we must make to have the helicopter fly. Follow me through as I explain and we continue trimming the machine.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THE Heliboys have been with us for almost two years. During that time they have proven their flying qualities by accumulating an impressive list of contest wins. From Novice to Expert, the Heliboy is capable of both mild and wild flying. The emphasis, of course, has been on the aerobatic qualities; but as I tried to point out in the December column, I feel the aerobatic machines should be considered by, not only experienced pilots, but also by those of us with less experience. The responsiveness of the aerobatic machines does not necessarily offset the stability; this is particularly true of the Heliboy.
