| Radio controlled (RC) helicopters are model aircraft | | | | JR,Hitec, Multiplex, Airtronics, Sanwa and Graupner in |
| which are unique from RC airplanes because of the | | | | no particular order. |
| differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight | | | | Small fixed-pitch helicopters need a 4 channel radio |
| training. Several basic designs of RC helicopters exist, | | | | (throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder) while collective-pitch |
| some more maneuverable than others (such as | | | | models need a minimum of 5 channels with 6 being |
| helicopters with collective pitch). The more | | | | most common (throttle, collective pitch, elevator, aileron, |
| maneuverable designs are often harder to fly, but | | | | rudder and gyro gain). |
| benefit from greater aerobatic capabilities. | | | | Radio prices vary from $199-$3,000 USD. |
| Flight controls allow pilots to control the collective and | | | | PCM |
| throttle (usually linked together), the cyclic controls (pitch | | | | Pulse Code Modulation. A scheme in which the |
| and roll), and the tail rotor (yaw). Controlling these in | | | | commanded position for each servo is transmitted as |
| unison enables the helicopter to perform most of the | | | | an encoded number. |
| maneuvers an aeroplane can do, and many that | | | | PPM |
| aeroplanes cannot do; in this manner, they are quite | | | | Pulse Position Modulation. A scheme in which the |
| similar in operation to full-sized helicopters. | | | | commanded position for each servo is transmitted as |
| The various helicopter controls are effected by means | | | | the position of a pulse edge with respect to a |
| of small servo motors. A piezoelectric gyroscope is | | | | reference edge. |
| typically used on the tail rotor (yaw) control to counter | | | | Construction |
| wind and torque reaction induced tail movement. This | | | | Construction is typically of plastic, glass reinforced |
| "gyro" does not apply a mechanical force, but rather, | | | | plastic, aluminium or carbon fibre. Rotor blades are |
| electronically adjusts the control signal to the tail rotor | | | | typically made of wood, fibreglass or carbon fibre. |
| servo. | | | | Models are typically purchased in kit form from one of |
| The engines used are typically methanol powered two | | | | about a dozen popular manufacturers and take 5 to |
| stroke motors, however gasoline, jet turbine and | | | | 20 hours to completely assemble. |
| increasingly electric motors are also used. | | | | Construction of a scale helicopter will use all of the |
| RC helicopters can range in price from as little as $30 | | | | above materials, plus others, may take as many at |
| to several thousands of dollars or more. | | | | 2500 hours to complete to the builders satisfaction. |
| Types of R/C Helicopter | | | | Many are scratch built from 3D mechanics. Scale |
| Electric, Glow, Gas, Turbine. | | | | (body) kits may be purchased to use with the |
| Electric | | | | mechanical portions to create a minature replica. |
| Electric helicopters come in many different sizes, | | | | Competition |
| sometimes referred to as 300, 400 and 600 etc. This | | | | Aerobatic helicopter flying has historically been flown |
| nomenclature originate from the practice applied to | | | | according to the |
| brushed motors of giving sizes based roughly on the | | | | ©ration Aéronautique |
| length of the motor's can in millimetres divided by ten.[1] | | | | Internationale rules, which for helicopters are labelled |
| One of the smallest commercial electric helicopters | | | | F3C. These include a predetermined routine of |
| made is the Picco Z sold at Radio Shack and on Ebay | | | | hovering and aerobatics. |
| as well, costing about $50. The next smallest might be | | | | An advanced form of RC helicopter flying is called 3D. |
| the Micron FP helicopter, another battery operated R | | | | During 3D flying, helicopters perform advanced |
| C helicopter. | | | | aerobatics in a freestyle form. There are a number of |
| Glow | | | | 3D competitions around the world, two of the best |
| Glow-plug engine powered helicopters come in | | | | known are the 3D Masters in the UK and the |
| different sizes, typically 30,50,60 and 90 size. These | | | | eXtreme Flight Championship (XFC) in the USA. |
| numbers originated from the size of glow-plug engine | | | | Scale competition is the competing with a minature |
| used in the different models (0.30 cu in, 0.50 cu in etc). | | | | replica of a real flying helicopter. In the USA there are |
| The bigger and more powerful the engine, the larger | | | | local competitions, AMA Scale Helicopter |
| the main rotor blade that it can turn and hence the | | | | Championships, and IRCHA scale competitions. Some |
| bigger the aircraft overall. | | | | of these models are so detailed as to be indiscernable |
| Turbine | | | | from the real aircraft. Competition requires |
| Turbine power plants are of 3 basic configurations as | | | | documentation of the full sized helicopter being |
| of 10/2006. These configurations each utilize a single | | | | modeled. It is not at all uncommon for a helicopter of |
| stage compressor wheel, combustion chamber, | | | | this quality to have a value near $20,000 USD. Flying in |
| exhaust turbine wheel. The differences between the | | | | a scale competition is centered around actual |
| three are drive systems; belt, second turbine wheel (2 | | | | helicopter maneuvers, performed with proper speed, |
| stage), or gear reduction. From that point on most | | | | orientation, and consistency. |
| helicopters are quite similar to 'regular' RC helicopters. | | | | Commercial applications |
| They run on JetA, or K1 (Kerosene) and have a little oil | | | | Although RC helicopters are generally used by |
| mixed in the fuel. Turbines are rated in Kilowatts (KW) | | | | hobbyists for recreational purposes, they are |
| of power. Currently marketed turbine powerplants | | | | sometimes used in applications such as aerial |
| average 3-7 KW. | | | | photography, filming, and remote observation or |
| Radio Mfgs | | | | inspection. Some companies make RC helicopters |
| Leading radio manufacturers are Spektrum, Futaba, | | | | specifically for these uses. |