Archive for the ‘Getting In The Air’ Category

Choosing a Flying Space

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

SELECTING A SUITABLE GROUND SURFACE

If you have opted for a toy remote control helicopter such as a Syma S107G then you will not have to worry too much about the flying surface. The same holds true for most coaxial models. They are primarily designed for indoor use and can be flown more or less immediately.

Most “newbies” assume that a nice soft grassy surface is the ideal starting point and head straight to the local football pitches. Try to avoid this basic error. When you start to fly a remote control helicopter you will be sticking very close to the ground for the first few hours. Flying on a grassy surface can be problematic as the training gear or skids can get caught in the grass causing the helicopter to tip over onto it’s side.

What you want is a nice flat, smooth surface. Compacted snow is perfect but generally we do not see too much of that. Smooth tarmac is the next best alternative. However you need to ensure that it is dust free. Remember, your remote control helicopter contains lots of moving parts and the last thing you want is for dust to corrupt the mechanical elements of the control system.

Some people go to the trouble of making a mini “helipad” using MDF. It is not a bad idea and will certainly give you a great surface to fly your first few hours.

As with most things to do with flying a remote control helicopter you will need to make compromises and use common sense. For example don’t discount grass altogether. If it is cut nice and tight you may just have to get on with it if there is not better alternative.

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RC Helicopters and Interference

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE

Anyone getting their first remote control helicopter should check the specifications of the model they are buying. In particular it is important to verify that the heli control system uses a 2.4GHZ frequency transmitter. A 2.4GHZ system will eliminate the problem of unwanted interference.

If however you have purchased an older model which operates a MHz system then there is a possibility that interference could cause you to lose control of the helicopter. It is very easy to get excited about buying what on the surface looks like a great value remote control helicopter but as you can see there are numerous ways unsuspecting “newbies” can get a model that will cost them more in the long run. For those with radio systems using the MHz frequency it is worth doing the following

1. Checking if there is a model club in your area and if there is have a chat with them about the best time to fly.
2. Buy an electronic frequency checker . That way you can scan all the channels used by remote control aircraft and check if they are in use.

In short you can eliminate the problem of unwanted interference by purchasing a remote control helicopter that uses a 2.4GHZ transmitter.

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Flying in Public Spaces

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Choosing a Public Space

If you are flying a single rotor remote control helicopter for the first time then you will need plenty of space. It is best
to assume that a standard suburban garden will not be big enough. That is where joining a flying club comes in very handy. Not only will you learn from more experienced pilots but it will also have a designated flying space. Unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to have access to a flying club.

Before taking to the open skys be very clear about what type of manoveure you should attempt to fly. Taking your remote control helicopter to a public space is perfectly acceptable but you must respect other users.

First time flyers should plan nothing more than spooling up the helicopter and lifting very slightly off the “skids” or landing gear. Remember in public spaces, safety comes first and that means holding back a little till you get used to the controls. Chances are you will have to make some minor control adjustments and perhaps balance the blades

The bottom line is , if you are flying in a public space then you need to be very careful.

Tags: Flying Space
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Transitional Vibrations

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

TRANSITIONAL VIBRATIONS

Continuing with the topic of flying your remote control helicopter for the first time we will now take a look at what are known as transitional vibrations.

As you increase the power using the throttle the speed at which the blades spin also increases, or using technical jargon the RPM increases. Because the rotors are spinning faster the frequency of the vibrations also increases.

All the parts of a helicopter will vibrate at different natural frequencies and as the blades spin faster the frequency of the vibrations also increase and when they match the natural frequency of an individual part , that part will also vibrate. That is why it is know as transitional vibrations. They do not last. To the more experienced pilot these vibrations can be seen moving through the helicopter, normally starting in the canopy and moving to the tail of the remote control helicopter.

Once you are aware that some form of vibration is perfectly natural you can now concentrate on identifying unnatural looking vibrations and movements as they are a sure sign that something is not quite right.

Tags: Vibrations
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Vibrations on Your Remote Control Heli

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

REMOTE CONTROL HELICOPTER VIBRATIONS

If you are new to the hobby of flying a remote control helicopter then, take your time. Do not rush to get the helicopter into the air. This can be difficult especially if it is a present. Everyone’s first reaction is to get the heli out of the box and into the air. There is a lot to learn, all of it interesting and enjoyable, so treat the process of flying a remote control helicopter as a journey, something that you will continually work on and develop. An enjoyable hobby.

The topic of vibration can see like a very technical subject and indeed it is. There is a lot to learn about it. However for the newbie, understanding that not all vibrations are bad is the first step. It is perfectly natural for the helicopter to vibrate as power is applied.

The first vibrations you will notice are generally referred to as lower frequency vibrations and will cause the helicopter to rock a little. These vibrations are generally caused by the rotor blades centering themselves in their holders. You can avoid a lot of this vibration by centering the blades correctly in their holders. Get them as straight as po ssible before spooling up.

Having training gear fitted to your helicopter will help ensure that it does not tip over if the vibrations get too strong and anyway once the rotor head speed increases to a sufficient level to center the blades these vibrations will disappear.

Joining a club and having someone talk you through the initial stages of flying your remote control helicopter can be very helpful and stop you from woorying about “gliches” that may occur as you get ready for your first flight.

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