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
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hawaii Wedding Locations - Maui
Of all the destinations in the United States, Hawaii Wedding Locations and especially Maui will by far surpass your dreams! Wedding Planners in Maui have the experience with the best locations, making selecting the best venue for your special day a breeze. Why not combine your Maui Wedding and Honeymoon into one trip? Hawaii Wedding Packages can range from the very simple to the simply extravagant; remember, this is your dream day! Hawaii Beach Wedding Locations - Maui
All Maui Beaches are open to the public and they are abundant. The shores of South Maui, including Kihei and Wailea are prime spots for Sunset Beach Weddings in Hawaii. There are numerous long stretches of sand, parks overlooking the beach and tiny hidden coves, surrounded by lava rock and tropical plants. The West side beaches of Kaanapali, Lahaina, Na Pili and even Kahana are the perfect place for morning Maui Beach Weddings as well as sunset weddings for smaller groups. The mornings offer empty stretches of sand, calm, clear waters and little to no wind, especially in the early mornings. Maui Wedding Flowers for beach weddings often include flower circles and flower hearts for the happy couple to stand in as they share their wedding vows, adding a touch of romance and color for your wedding photography and just a little something special. Hawaii Tropical Garden Weddings
Very romantic Tropical Garden sites are available in both public and exclusive spots and are ideal for small and large groups alike. Offering unsurpassed ocean views, privacy and a variety of landscapes for your Wedding Photography. For couples enjoying a romantic Hawaiian getaway far from the resorts, staying Upcountry in Kula or Pukalani, Maui wedding plans on the peaceful grounds of a lavender farm or Maui's winery allow for an almost surreal setting. The rolling green fields and panoramic ocean views will enhance the ambiance of any wedding! Maui Helicopter Wedding Hawaii
If you are you an adventurous couple, why not opt for the excitement of having your Maui Wedding on a secluded seaside cliff or a Hidden Waterfall Wedding? Imagine, the cascading water falls in the background, tropical plants and lava rock provide a surreal setting and all stand ready as the bride and her party arrive from the skies with a dramatic entrance with a private Helicopter Flight as your Hawaii Wedding Photographer catches every moment! Maui Wedding at a Private Estate
For larger or more formal wedding parties, private estates offer the best of everything. These provide a perfect setting for both wedding ceremony and reception while enabling your Hawaii Wedding Planner to create a completely customized and ultra romantic setting for both. These locations are also some of the best Maui wedding reception places in Hawaii. Wedding Receptions at these estates can include full-service seated dinners, private Hawaiian Luaus, hors d' oeuvres and cocktails or even a variety of food stations with offering a host of local delicacies offered by a professional Maui Wedding Caterer or personal chef. Include a dance floor with a DJ, Jazz Combo, a full band or just a roving Hawaiian Duo on guitar and Ukulele with Hula Dancers to entertain as you dine and dance the night away to your favorite wedding songs! Hawaii Resort Weddings on Maui
Numerous resort settings also enable couples to have more customized celebrations. With gazebos, waterfalls, wedding chapels, little gardens and hidden foot bridges, setting a luxurious stage for both wedding and reception is easily accomplished. A variety of in-room pampering services allow the bride to sit back and relax while you have a manicure and pedicure, personal hairstylist and even a massage before donning your wedding dress and making a grand entrance! Your wedding consultant can also bring your dreams to life with the addition of personalized wedding favors, place settings, the best in wedding cake design, tropical Maui wedding flowers and other dcor created by the very best Hawaii Wedding Florist. Hawaii Wedding Churches and Chapels
Looking for a Maui Destination Wedding in a church? The Wailea Seaside Chapel is a combination of New England and Hawaiian architectural influences. The wedding chapel features beautiful hardwoods, Italian glass chandeliers, a vaulted ceiling, and brilliant stained-glass murals. Holy Innocent's Chapel is a lovely, open-air church with a beautiful garden setting overlooking the ocean. While it is a more casual setting, the hand-painted murals and rich fragrance from the abundant Plumeria trees make this a delightful place to exchange your wedding vows. Keawala'i Church, also known as Makena Church is a lovely chapel situated literally steps away from the ocean. The church was built in 1855 entirely lava rock and coral, and sits on a tranquil sandy cove, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Whether you dream of a simple sunset wedding on the beach with just the two of you or a lavish wedding ceremony and reception with all the frills, any couple would be sure to find their fantasies come to life by planning Destination Weddings in Maui! http://www.adreamweddinginparadise.com/htmls/locations.html http://www.visitmaui.com/beaches.html
All Maui Beaches are open to the public and they are abundant. The shores of South Maui, including Kihei and Wailea are prime spots for Sunset Beach Weddings in Hawaii. There are numerous long stretches of sand, parks overlooking the beach and tiny hidden coves, surrounded by lava rock and tropical plants. The West side beaches of Kaanapali, Lahaina, Na Pili and even Kahana are the perfect place for morning Maui Beach Weddings as well as sunset weddings for smaller groups. The mornings offer empty stretches of sand, calm, clear waters and little to no wind, especially in the early mornings. Maui Wedding Flowers for beach weddings often include flower circles and flower hearts for the happy couple to stand in as they share their wedding vows, adding a touch of romance and color for your wedding photography and just a little something special. Hawaii Tropical Garden Weddings
Very romantic Tropical Garden sites are available in both public and exclusive spots and are ideal for small and large groups alike. Offering unsurpassed ocean views, privacy and a variety of landscapes for your Wedding Photography. For couples enjoying a romantic Hawaiian getaway far from the resorts, staying Upcountry in Kula or Pukalani, Maui wedding plans on the peaceful grounds of a lavender farm or Maui's winery allow for an almost surreal setting. The rolling green fields and panoramic ocean views will enhance the ambiance of any wedding! Maui Helicopter Wedding Hawaii
If you are you an adventurous couple, why not opt for the excitement of having your Maui Wedding on a secluded seaside cliff or a Hidden Waterfall Wedding? Imagine, the cascading water falls in the background, tropical plants and lava rock provide a surreal setting and all stand ready as the bride and her party arrive from the skies with a dramatic entrance with a private Helicopter Flight as your Hawaii Wedding Photographer catches every moment! Maui Wedding at a Private Estate
For larger or more formal wedding parties, private estates offer the best of everything. These provide a perfect setting for both wedding ceremony and reception while enabling your Hawaii Wedding Planner to create a completely customized and ultra romantic setting for both. These locations are also some of the best Maui wedding reception places in Hawaii. Wedding Receptions at these estates can include full-service seated dinners, private Hawaiian Luaus, hors d' oeuvres and cocktails or even a variety of food stations with offering a host of local delicacies offered by a professional Maui Wedding Caterer or personal chef. Include a dance floor with a DJ, Jazz Combo, a full band or just a roving Hawaiian Duo on guitar and Ukulele with Hula Dancers to entertain as you dine and dance the night away to your favorite wedding songs! Hawaii Resort Weddings on Maui
Numerous resort settings also enable couples to have more customized celebrations. With gazebos, waterfalls, wedding chapels, little gardens and hidden foot bridges, setting a luxurious stage for both wedding and reception is easily accomplished. A variety of in-room pampering services allow the bride to sit back and relax while you have a manicure and pedicure, personal hairstylist and even a massage before donning your wedding dress and making a grand entrance! Your wedding consultant can also bring your dreams to life with the addition of personalized wedding favors, place settings, the best in wedding cake design, tropical Maui wedding flowers and other dcor created by the very best Hawaii Wedding Florist. Hawaii Wedding Churches and Chapels
Looking for a Maui Destination Wedding in a church? The Wailea Seaside Chapel is a combination of New England and Hawaiian architectural influences. The wedding chapel features beautiful hardwoods, Italian glass chandeliers, a vaulted ceiling, and brilliant stained-glass murals. Holy Innocent's Chapel is a lovely, open-air church with a beautiful garden setting overlooking the ocean. While it is a more casual setting, the hand-painted murals and rich fragrance from the abundant Plumeria trees make this a delightful place to exchange your wedding vows. Keawala'i Church, also known as Makena Church is a lovely chapel situated literally steps away from the ocean. The church was built in 1855 entirely lava rock and coral, and sits on a tranquil sandy cove, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Whether you dream of a simple sunset wedding on the beach with just the two of you or a lavish wedding ceremony and reception with all the frills, any couple would be sure to find their fantasies come to life by planning Destination Weddings in Maui! http://www.adreamweddinginparadise.com/htmls/locations.html http://www.visitmaui.com/beaches.html
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Electric RC Helicopters
Electric RC Helicopters - What You Should Know Before You Start
(All links open new windows)
Electric RC helicopters
can be a challenge! Most everyone agrees that RC model helicopters are the single most challenging R/C models to build and operate, and electric helicopters are no exception. In fact, because their flight times are shorter than gas powered units, it can hinder someone just learning the ropes and their sensitivity to wind can intimidate beginners too.
They're mechanically complex and they require you to master two distinctly different skills, forward flight and hovering. To pilot them successfully, your FULL attention is required. There have recently been some very impressive advances which give more hobbyists a good shot at getting electric RC helicopters in the air and keeping them there.
But if the question is, "Should my very first R/C model be a helicopter?"...I'd have to say no. You'll be much more ready and relaxed with a heli if you learn to fly a plane or glider first. We strongly recommend that you visit our airplane section, where there's no shortage of other exciting ways to go airborne. But if you've already mastered a plane and feel ready for the demands of a an electric RC helicopter...read on for more details!
What Can an Electric RC Helicopter Do?
The answer is, just about anything that involves flying! They'll hover in one spot. Fly backwards and sideways. Do pirouettes while in forward flight. Perform stall turns, loops, rolls, standing loops and rolls (a loop or roll with no forward speed)...even fly upside-down and hover while only inches off the ground. Let's see an airplane, or even a full-size helicopter, do that! In normal forward flight, electric helicopters fly at about 20-30 mph and approximately 150 feet high.
PREREQUISITES
It helps to have good building skills for assembling electric rc helicopters. If not, take the time to develop them in this hobby. You'll need a sufficiently large space and hopefully uninterrupted time...from 2 hours for a simple setup to hundreds of hours for more complex RC model helicopters. Have an open mind and be willing to learn new things. Being methodical will help solve many problems you'll encounter in the hobby. You don't need fast reflexes to succeed, but you must be able to develop new ones. Optimism and sense of humor can help, especially after an electric RC helicopters mishap. More often than not, patience is a virtue.
DUE DILIGENCE
Find a local club and flying field to get a firsthand look of the exciting world of electric helicopters and meet the flyers - they will become valuable help. If there are no local clubs, check out Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and its monthly publication Model Aviation and try to find the closest club in your area. Try to attend a fly-in of electric helicopters or an airshow nearby (see calendar posted in Model Aviation or ask your local hobby shop) and watch how the pros do it.
Once you're committed to the hobby, apply for an AMA membership as soon as possible. It's a requirement for clubs/flying fields, and you'll get a very good insurance policy, too. Get some literature, either an RC heli magazine, a book, or video tape and I highly recommend checking out these
RC heli videos.
(All links open new windows)
Electric RC helicopters
can be a challenge! Most everyone agrees that RC model helicopters are the single most challenging R/C models to build and operate, and electric helicopters are no exception. In fact, because their flight times are shorter than gas powered units, it can hinder someone just learning the ropes and their sensitivity to wind can intimidate beginners too.
They're mechanically complex and they require you to master two distinctly different skills, forward flight and hovering. To pilot them successfully, your FULL attention is required. There have recently been some very impressive advances which give more hobbyists a good shot at getting electric RC helicopters in the air and keeping them there.
But if the question is, "Should my very first R/C model be a helicopter?"...I'd have to say no. You'll be much more ready and relaxed with a heli if you learn to fly a plane or glider first. We strongly recommend that you visit our airplane section, where there's no shortage of other exciting ways to go airborne. But if you've already mastered a plane and feel ready for the demands of a an electric RC helicopter...read on for more details!
What Can an Electric RC Helicopter Do?
The answer is, just about anything that involves flying! They'll hover in one spot. Fly backwards and sideways. Do pirouettes while in forward flight. Perform stall turns, loops, rolls, standing loops and rolls (a loop or roll with no forward speed)...even fly upside-down and hover while only inches off the ground. Let's see an airplane, or even a full-size helicopter, do that! In normal forward flight, electric helicopters fly at about 20-30 mph and approximately 150 feet high.
PREREQUISITES
It helps to have good building skills for assembling electric rc helicopters. If not, take the time to develop them in this hobby. You'll need a sufficiently large space and hopefully uninterrupted time...from 2 hours for a simple setup to hundreds of hours for more complex RC model helicopters. Have an open mind and be willing to learn new things. Being methodical will help solve many problems you'll encounter in the hobby. You don't need fast reflexes to succeed, but you must be able to develop new ones. Optimism and sense of humor can help, especially after an electric RC helicopters mishap. More often than not, patience is a virtue.
DUE DILIGENCE
Find a local club and flying field to get a firsthand look of the exciting world of electric helicopters and meet the flyers - they will become valuable help. If there are no local clubs, check out Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and its monthly publication Model Aviation and try to find the closest club in your area. Try to attend a fly-in of electric helicopters or an airshow nearby (see calendar posted in Model Aviation or ask your local hobby shop) and watch how the pros do it.
Once you're committed to the hobby, apply for an AMA membership as soon as possible. It's a requirement for clubs/flying fields, and you'll get a very good insurance policy, too. Get some literature, either an RC heli magazine, a book, or video tape and I highly recommend checking out these
RC heli videos.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
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