Tuesday, August 26, 2008

How Radio Control Helicopter Models Fly 1

Changing the angle of these spinning blades controls much of the motion of the helicopter. Changing the angle of both blades at the same time causes collective motion. Changing the angle of an individual rotor blade causes cyclic motion, the direction depending on how the blade is angled.


The main rotor blades of radio control helicopter models are connected to the rotor head, the component in between them that spins, which is in turn connected to both the swash plate and the main shaft.


The main shaft is the rod responsible for the rotation of the rotor head and the main rotor blades. The swash plate, which is located below the rotor head, is responsible for the angling of the main rotor blades. Part of the swash plate is stationary, connected to the main body of the helicopter, while the other part is connected to the rotor head and rotates.


The swash plate transfers motion to the rotor head through pitch control rods. These rods move in response to changes in the swash plate and angle the rotor blades accordingly. All of these components working together control the flight of the helicopter.


Another important part of the radio control helicopter models relating to these controls is the gyro, or gyroscope. When the engine transfers energy to the rotor head and main rotor blades, causing them to turn, the natural reaction of the main body of the helicopter, the fuselage, is to turn in the opposite direction.

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