Radio Control Blimps Explained
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Radio control blimps
are a unique item in the RC world. Even if you are an experienced pilot who is fairly well versed in the workings of radio control airplanes or helicopters, how a blimp operates may still seem like somewhat of a mystery.RC blimps dont work exactly like their life sized counterparts, but they have many of the same components and concepts. The first of the similarities is the presence of helium in the blimp envelope, the large balloon portion of the blimp. A question that often comes to mind when discussing radio control blimps is how safe helium is to handle and use. Helium is a safe, non-flammable gas and is ideal for use in a radio control blimp. When some people think of blimps, they think back to the Hindenburg disaster. Hydrogen is also lighter than air creating about the same buoyancy as helium, and because of its slightly stronger lift was used in early life-sized blimps such as the Hindenburg. Hydrogen, however, burns very easily, and after the international tragedy of the Hindenburg helium became the only gas used in any blimps no matter the size.The science behind blimps comes from the very nature of the helium gas. Helium is less dense than the air around us, and therefore rises. We learn this at an early age with helium balloons. Most of us have tried at one time or another to tie helium balloons to an object to see how much a balloon will lift. This personal experiment may not have given the most precise results, but helium can actually lift 1.02 kilograms for every square meter of the gas. This lift capacity can be important information in some blimp applications. One of the fascinating aspects of RC blimps is that if the blimp has a large enough lifting capacity, a small camera can be attached to it during flight. This camera in the sky can obtain some great overhead views. Camera equipped radio control blimps are used in some arenas during sporting events to get spectacular camera angles.Now we know that helium is the lifting agent in an RC blimp, so the next question surrounds how a blimp goes up and down at the pilots command. In a life-sized blimp, there are balloons (called ballonets) that are contained within the envelope and hold air. When the ballonets are empty, the helium has full effect and causes the blimp to rise. When the ballonets are filled with air, the dense air contained within different balloons but the same envelope as the helium has an effect on the buoyancy. As more air is added, the heavier air will eventually level out the blimps rise. As air is increased from this neutral point, the density of the air will overcome the effects of the helium and the blimp will descend.In RC blimps, the helium is also used to create buoyancy the rise and descent of the blimp is controlled by servos attached to propellers or fins. These controls cause the blimp to angle its nose upwards or downwards depending on the desired motion. For small scale blimps such as the radio control models this method is far less complex and equally successful.Now that the mystery of how radio control blimps work is solved, youre probably ready to head out and try it for yourself. Be safe and happy flying!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
RC mini helicopter
RC Mini Helicopter Fun!
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Today's
RC mini helicopter
is all the rage, and for many very good reasons. Inexpensive, easy to fly, quiet, pollution free, and they can be flown indoors during the winter months when most of us are still impatiently waiting for good flying weather again.
Though not the same radical 3D aerobatic machines as their much larger and more powerful gas powered cousins, the mini heli can still hold it's own based on sheer fun. But with some minor upgrades like more powerful motors and batteries, the rather tame, easy to fly models can become serious competition for the gas machines. Never before has it been so easy and affordable for the first time pilot to get their hands on a thrilling RC mini helicopter!
One of the most common questions I get from my readers is "What does collective pitch mean?" Collective pitch, which is common to both real and model choppers, simply means that the rotor blades (on top) can be rotated to increase or decrease the amount of lift they create and that adds a huge amount of manoeuvreability to your helicopter.
Only the more expensive brands of electric RC mini helicopter comes equipped with the collective mechanism but nearly every gas powered RC helicopter is enabled with it.
I used to stock these little marvels but have found that I can't sell them any cheaper than my suppliers can. So now when I get inquiries about the gas or electric helis, I simply direct my customers to the good folks online at RC Discounts.
(All links open new windows)
Today's
RC mini helicopter
is all the rage, and for many very good reasons. Inexpensive, easy to fly, quiet, pollution free, and they can be flown indoors during the winter months when most of us are still impatiently waiting for good flying weather again.
Though not the same radical 3D aerobatic machines as their much larger and more powerful gas powered cousins, the mini heli can still hold it's own based on sheer fun. But with some minor upgrades like more powerful motors and batteries, the rather tame, easy to fly models can become serious competition for the gas machines. Never before has it been so easy and affordable for the first time pilot to get their hands on a thrilling RC mini helicopter!
One of the most common questions I get from my readers is "What does collective pitch mean?" Collective pitch, which is common to both real and model choppers, simply means that the rotor blades (on top) can be rotated to increase or decrease the amount of lift they create and that adds a huge amount of manoeuvreability to your helicopter.
Only the more expensive brands of electric RC mini helicopter comes equipped with the collective mechanism but nearly every gas powered RC helicopter is enabled with it.
I used to stock these little marvels but have found that I can't sell them any cheaper than my suppliers can. So now when I get inquiries about the gas or electric helis, I simply direct my customers to the good folks online at RC Discounts.
Carbon fiber rods, tubes and strips
How-to Info for Carbon Fiber Rods, Tubes and Strips
If you're looking for information on carbon fiber rods and tubes, then you've come to the right place!
Carbon fibre, which can refer to carbon filament thread or to felt or woven cloth made from carbon filaments, is a polymer which is a form of graphite and graphite is a form of pure carbon.
In graphite molecules, the carbon atoms are arranged into large sheets of hexagonal aromatic rings which resemble chicken wire. The carbon fiber graphite sheets are long and thin, almost like ribbons and they like to pack together.
The filaments themselves are stranded into a thread and carbon fibre thread is rated by the number of filaments per thread, in thousands. Therefore, 3,000 filament carbon fiber is 3 times as strong as 1,000 carbon fiber, but is also 3 times as heavy. This thread can then be used to weave the above mentioned carbon fibre cloth.
The appearance of this cloth generally depends on the size of thread and the weave chosen. Carbon fibre is naturally a glossy black, but recently colored carbon fiber rods have become available.
The ribbons mentioned above are then combined with epoxy resins to form reinforced composites which are very light and very strong for their weight. In fact, carbon fibre composites are often used to replace metals in airplanes, tennis rackets and golf clubs!
Carbon fiber rods and tubes are made by pulling or wrapping carbon fibers and epoxy resin to a specific diameter which in turn forms a densely reinforced carbon composite.
How to Work with Carbon Fiber
Here's a handy tip: did you know that CA or "Krazy Glue" debonder (acetone) dissolves CA glues but does no damage to carbon fiber rods? This means that you can re-use old rods and tubes by soaking the part in acetone for a couple of hours and then wiping it off!
Cutting rods: use an abrasive cutoff wheel chucked in a Dremel tool or else a very fine 32 teeth-per-inch hacksaw. Do not use a band saw. However, to cut small rods up to 3mm in diameter you can also use a bicycle braided-cable cutter available from many bike stores. The V-shaped jaws prevent the ends from splintering. If you work with a lot of carbon fiber they're well worth buying.
Attaching overlapping carbon fiber rods: tack the rods together with a small DROP of medium CA, let dry then take a length of cotton thread (or Kevlar thread for super-strength) and wrap the joint several times all the way around, then soak the joint with thin CA. You'll be amazed at how strong and flexible the joint is!
If you're looking for information on carbon fiber rods and tubes, then you've come to the right place!
Carbon fibre, which can refer to carbon filament thread or to felt or woven cloth made from carbon filaments, is a polymer which is a form of graphite and graphite is a form of pure carbon.
In graphite molecules, the carbon atoms are arranged into large sheets of hexagonal aromatic rings which resemble chicken wire. The carbon fiber graphite sheets are long and thin, almost like ribbons and they like to pack together.
The filaments themselves are stranded into a thread and carbon fibre thread is rated by the number of filaments per thread, in thousands. Therefore, 3,000 filament carbon fiber is 3 times as strong as 1,000 carbon fiber, but is also 3 times as heavy. This thread can then be used to weave the above mentioned carbon fibre cloth.
The appearance of this cloth generally depends on the size of thread and the weave chosen. Carbon fibre is naturally a glossy black, but recently colored carbon fiber rods have become available.
The ribbons mentioned above are then combined with epoxy resins to form reinforced composites which are very light and very strong for their weight. In fact, carbon fibre composites are often used to replace metals in airplanes, tennis rackets and golf clubs!
Carbon fiber rods and tubes are made by pulling or wrapping carbon fibers and epoxy resin to a specific diameter which in turn forms a densely reinforced carbon composite.
How to Work with Carbon Fiber
Here's a handy tip: did you know that CA or "Krazy Glue" debonder (acetone) dissolves CA glues but does no damage to carbon fiber rods? This means that you can re-use old rods and tubes by soaking the part in acetone for a couple of hours and then wiping it off!
Cutting rods: use an abrasive cutoff wheel chucked in a Dremel tool or else a very fine 32 teeth-per-inch hacksaw. Do not use a band saw. However, to cut small rods up to 3mm in diameter you can also use a bicycle braided-cable cutter available from many bike stores. The V-shaped jaws prevent the ends from splintering. If you work with a lot of carbon fiber they're well worth buying.
Attaching overlapping carbon fiber rods: tack the rods together with a small DROP of medium CA, let dry then take a length of cotton thread (or Kevlar thread for super-strength) and wrap the joint several times all the way around, then soak the joint with thin CA. You'll be amazed at how strong and flexible the joint is!
Essential remote controlled helicopter information
Fantastic New Remote Controlled Helicopter Models
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Remote controlled helicopters
are sure to push your coordination, imagination and mechanical skills to the limit. And it's absolutely exhilarating to fly a complex miniature electric machine in your living room, backyard, or local field without having to worry about the noise and messy oils and gasses involved with the larger type gas
remote control helicopter.
When you land the electric remote controlled helicopter it will be just as clean as when you took off (sometimes even cleaner!) and you won't even disturb your family. This field of micro helicopters is fairly new, having been around for only a few short years. We can only imagine what the future will bring. We are already seeing new developments in lithium batteries and brushless motors which can now be used to achieve flight durations of over 20 minutes...plenty of time to get your kicks!
A micro electric remote controlled helicopter is a fully 3D-capable (acrobatic) machine in all respects and although they are not easy to fly due to being susceptible to winds with their light weight, they can achieve flying characteristics of the larger scale rc model helicopters. Some of the more expensive micros share the same flight characteristics as the larger units such as cyclic, pitch, rudder and motor speed and thus can fly inverted, do loops, stall turns, auto-rotations, etc.
Perfect for both beginners and for owners of the larger scale helis, a micro remote controlled helicopter can certainly fill the bill. If you've ever owned a larger scale RC helicopter, you will definitly enjoy the fact that you can finally fly your model regardless of weather conditions, day or night in the comfort of your own home.
Just go to the backyard or to your two car garage, slide in a fresh battery pack and go at it. Your guests will be very impressed. Micro helis can be made to fit in a small case with the transmitter, charger and all the necessary gear which makes them ideal for carrying around to a friend's house or to a local park.
To sum it all up, a micro electric remote controlled helicopter is great for beginners for the following reasons:
* It's lightweight so the damage in a crash is minimal compared to larger RC Helis
* You will be able to practice all the time in your backyard or garage
* The cost of replacement parts are fairly cheap compared to larger scale RC model helicopters
* They are less dangerous since the rotor blades are light (Still need to keep a good distance)
* Installation and configuration is less complex with the Fixed Pitch helicopter remote setups
(All links open new windows)
Remote controlled helicopters
are sure to push your coordination, imagination and mechanical skills to the limit. And it's absolutely exhilarating to fly a complex miniature electric machine in your living room, backyard, or local field without having to worry about the noise and messy oils and gasses involved with the larger type gas
remote control helicopter.
When you land the electric remote controlled helicopter it will be just as clean as when you took off (sometimes even cleaner!) and you won't even disturb your family. This field of micro helicopters is fairly new, having been around for only a few short years. We can only imagine what the future will bring. We are already seeing new developments in lithium batteries and brushless motors which can now be used to achieve flight durations of over 20 minutes...plenty of time to get your kicks!
A micro electric remote controlled helicopter is a fully 3D-capable (acrobatic) machine in all respects and although they are not easy to fly due to being susceptible to winds with their light weight, they can achieve flying characteristics of the larger scale rc model helicopters. Some of the more expensive micros share the same flight characteristics as the larger units such as cyclic, pitch, rudder and motor speed and thus can fly inverted, do loops, stall turns, auto-rotations, etc.
Perfect for both beginners and for owners of the larger scale helis, a micro remote controlled helicopter can certainly fill the bill. If you've ever owned a larger scale RC helicopter, you will definitly enjoy the fact that you can finally fly your model regardless of weather conditions, day or night in the comfort of your own home.
Just go to the backyard or to your two car garage, slide in a fresh battery pack and go at it. Your guests will be very impressed. Micro helis can be made to fit in a small case with the transmitter, charger and all the necessary gear which makes them ideal for carrying around to a friend's house or to a local park.
To sum it all up, a micro electric remote controlled helicopter is great for beginners for the following reasons:
* It's lightweight so the damage in a crash is minimal compared to larger RC Helis
* You will be able to practice all the time in your backyard or garage
* The cost of replacement parts are fairly cheap compared to larger scale RC model helicopters
* They are less dangerous since the rotor blades are light (Still need to keep a good distance)
* Installation and configuration is less complex with the Fixed Pitch helicopter remote setups
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