Helicopters

From micros to 3D machines


THROTTLE SERVO SETUP TIPS

THROTTLE SERVO SETUP TIPS

Starting with the throttle, let’s first take a look at the servo. There are those pilots who believe the throttle servo should be just as fast and powerful as those used on the swashplate so rapid throttle changes can be made for 3D flying. However, I am not of this belief for the following reasons. […]
Perfecting Pirouettes

Perfecting Pirouettes

To control the direction of a heli during a pirouette, pick an imaginary rference line passing through its center. Every time the helicopter’s nose come around and crosses that line, give a control input in the direction you want it to go. For example, if you’ve done a pirouette in a hover in front of […]
Blade 600X: a 12-cell competition beauty raises the bar

Blade 600X: a 12-cell competition beauty raises the bar

Over the last couple of years, Blade RC, long a major presence in mini and micro helicopters, has released a series of larger helis ranging up to 550 class. With the Blade 600X they have raised the ante with a competition-grade 12-cell flybarless 600, and I couldn’t wait to build one. The Blade 600X Pro […]
Gas O.S. Engine Revisited

Gas O.S. Engine Revisited

Until now, gas engines have not been designed for RC helicopter use, and have therefore they have been almost impossible to mount in a helicopter. And they have not come with the needed muffler system to extract maximum power, and they produced a lot of vibration because they were unbalanced. The folks at O.S. have […]
Incredible Electric EC-135

Incredible Electric EC-135

This 42-pound machine is powered by 14S 10,000mAh LiPos (that’s four 7S 5000mAh packs!) turning a Leomotion L110/230 motor for a whopping 1150rpm. The fuselage and mechanics are from Helicoptertechnik Schwing and a turbine sound module provides that extra realism. Futaba radio gear and a Futaba GY750 gyro allow this scale beauty to perform beautiful […]
Light up the night! Easy add-on

Light up the night! Easy add-on

RC’ers love novelty — anything to make flying a little different. Float flying, aerotow, aerial video; all these add variety, but one of my favorites is night flying. There’s something absolutely magical about flying in the dark. My efforts with night flying go back nearly 20 years, starting with spotlights, then Cyalume light sticks and […]
How to: Make Bubble Windows

How to: Make Bubble Windows

Many full-scale airplanes and helicopters feature bubble windows to allow the crew greater visibility. Replicating these windows can be tricky for scale modelers, as it’s inconvenient to make a vacuum-forming plug for each uniquely shaped window frame. In full-scale aircraft manufacturing, these bubble windows are almost always free-blown from sheet plastic clamped in a frame. […]
1951 Movie of Free-Flight Helicopter

1951 Movie of Free-Flight Helicopter

Check out this vintage helicopter model, powered by two “jet” engines mounted at right angles to the propellers! It takes off and flies, but does it land safely? Watch this great video and find out.
Gyro mounting tips

Gyro mounting tips

A common way to secure the gyro is with servo-mounting tape a padded tape that has adhesive on both sides. The tape not only keeps the gyro in position, but it also protects it against vibration. The tape will stick well only to clean, dry, smooth surfaces, and it does have two disadvantages: 1. If […]
First-Flight Checklist

First-Flight Checklist

• Initial test flights should be limited to hovering and very mild maneuvering. During this time check for proper blade tracking and any signs of vibration. Minor changes to the control linkages will bring the blades in track. Foam in the fuel tank could be an indication of an engine misalignment, while vibration in the […]
Are two rotor heads better than one?

Are two rotor heads better than one?

Ask anyone to draw a picture of a helicopter, and in nearly every case they’ll sketch the classic “conventional” configuration with a single main rotor and an anti-torque tail rotor at the end of a long tail boom. This layout hasn’t changed appreciably since Igor Sikorsky clamped down his Homburg hat and lifted his original […]
Sneak Peek: Blade 600

Sneak Peek: Blade 600

Over the last couple of years Blade RC, long a major presence in mini and micro helicopters, has released a series of larger helis ranging up to 550 class. With the Blade 600X they have raised the ante with a competition-grade 12-cell flybarless 600, and I couldn’t wait to build one. The Blade 600X Pro […]
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