Radio-controlled helicopter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
It has been suggested that Miniature helicopter be merged into this article or
section. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2011.
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its
sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this
article by introducing more precise citations. (August 2010)

Nitro-powered Align T-Rex 600 NSP

Electric-powered Venom Air Corps Ocean Rescue

Electric-powered Align T-rex 450SE

Electric-powered E-flite Blade 400 3D

Electric-powered Syma S107

This Heli-Max Axe Micro CX model helicopter is an example of a micro-sized coaxial

model. Note the size comparison with the cellular telephone at right.

Radio-controlled helicopters (also RC helicopters) are model aircraft which are distinct
from RC airplanes because of the differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight
training. Several basic designs of RC helicopters exist, of which some (such as those with
collective pitch, meaning blades which rotate on their longitudinal axis to vary or reverse
lift) are more maneuverable than others. The more maneuverable designs are often harder
to fly, but benefit from greater aerobatic capabilities.

Flight controls allow pilots to control the collective and throttle (usually linked together),
the cyclic controls (pitch and roll), and the tail rotor (yaw). Controlling these in unison
enables the helicopter to perform most[citation needed] of the same maneuvres as full-sized
helicopters, such as hovering and backwards flight, and many that full-sized helicopters
cannot.
The various helicopter controls are effected by means of small servo motors, commonly
known as servos. A piezoelectric gyroscope is typically used on the tail rotor (yaw)
control to counter wind- and torque-reaction-induced tail movement. This "gyro" does
not itself apply a mechanical force, but electronically adjusts the control signal to the tail
rotor servo.

The engines typically used to be methanol-powered two-stroke motors, but electric

brushless motors combined with a high-performance lithium polymer battery (or lipo) are
now more common and provide improved efficiency, performance and lifespan compared
to brushed motors, while decreasing prices bring them within reach of hobbyists.
Gasoline and jet turbine engines are also used.

Contents
 [hide] 
 1 Types of R/C helicopters
o 1.1 Nitro (glow fuel)
o 1.2 Electric
 2 Radio gear
o 2.1 Radio
o 2.2 Modulation
 2.2.1 PCM
 2.2.2 PPM
o 2.3 Spread spectrum
o 2.4 Controls
 3 Construction
 4 Competition
 5 Commercial applications

 6 See also

[edit] Types of R/C helicopters

Common power sources are nitro (nitromethane-methanol internal combustion), electric
batteries, gas turbines, petrol and gasoline.

Mechanical layouts include cyclic/collective pitch mixing (CCPM) in all power sources,
fixed-pitch electric rotors and coaxial electric rotors.

Practical electric helicopters are a recent development but have rapidly developed and
become more common, overtaking nitro helicopters in common use. Gas-turbine
helicopters are also increasing in popularity, although the high cost puts them out of
reach of most people.

[edit] Nitro (glow fuel)

Nitro or glow fuel helicopters come in different sizes: 15, 30, 50, 60 and 90 size. These
numbers originated from the size of engine used in the different models (0.30 cu in, 0.50
cu in and so on). The bigger and more powerful the engine, the larger the main rotor
blade that it can turn and hence the bigger the aircraft overall. Typical flight times for
nitro helicopters is 7–14 minutes depending on the engine size and tuning. The maximum
height of operation for RC helicopters, be it nitro or electric, is only limited to the height
at which the controller can see the model. Most radio systems have a range of over a
mile, and the person controlling the model will have long lost sight of the model.

[edit] Electric

The 252 km/h fast electric helicopter TDR

Two small electric helicopters emerged in the mid 1990's. These were the Kalt Whisper
and the Kyosho EP Concept, flying on 7/8 1200 mah NiCad batteries with brushed
motors. However, the `540' brushed sized motors were on the limit of current draw, often
20-25 amps on the `hotter' motors, hence brush and commutator problems were common.

Recent advancements in battery technology are making electric flying more feasible in
terms of flying time. Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are able to provide the high
current required for high performance aerobatics while still remaining very light. Typical
flight times are 4–12 minutes depending on the flying style and battery capacity.

In the past electric helicopters were used mainly indoors due to the small size and lack of
fumes. Larger electric helicopters suitable for outdoor flight and advanced aerobatics
have become a reality over the last few years and have become very popular. Their
quietness has made them very popular for flying sites close to residential areas and in
places such as Germany where there are strict noise restrictions. Nitro helicopters have
also been converted to electric power by commercial and home made kits.

The smallest remote-controlled production model helicopter made (Guinness World

Records 2006) is the Picooz Extreme MX-1 sold at many toy stores (although this is
infrared controlled, not radio), electronics stores and internet stores, costing about $30
(£28). The next smallest is the standard Picooz helicopter.
Several models are in contention for the title of the smallest non-production remote-
controlled helicopter, including the Pixelito family of micro helicopters, the Proxflyer
family, and the Micro flying robot.

A recent innovation is that of coaxial electric helicopters. The system's inherent stability
has, in recent years, made it a good candidate for the design of small models for beginner
and/or indoor use. Models of this type, as in the case of a full-scale helicopter, eliminate
rotational torque and extremely quick control response, both of which are very
pronounced in a CCPM model.

While a coaxial model is very stable and can be flown indoors even in tight quarters, such
a helicopter has limited forward speed, especially outdoors. Most models are fixed-pitch,
i.e. the collective pitch of the blades cannot be controlled, plus the cyclic control is only
applied to the lower rotor. Compensating for even the slightest breeze causes the model
to climb rather than to fly forward even with full application of cyclic. More advanced
coaxial constructions with two swash plates and/or pitch control - common for the big
coaxial helicopters like Kamovs - have been realized as models in individual projects but
have not seen the mass market as of 2009.

[edit] Radio gear

[edit] Radio

Small fixed-pitch helicopters need a 4-channel radio (throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder),
although micro helicopters that utilize a 2-channel infrared control system also exist;
while collective-pitch models need a minimum of 5 channels with 6 being most common
(throttle, collective pitch, elevator, aileron, rudder and gyro gain). Because of the normal
interaction of the various control mechanisms, advanced radios include adjustable mixing
functions, such as throttle/collective and throttle/rudder.

Radio prices vary from $50–$2,000 USD.

Well-known manufacturers of helicopter-specific radio controllers include: JR, Spektrum,

Futaba, Hitec, Sanwa (known as "Airtronics" in North America), Multiplex (a division of
Hitec). The original preferred user interface for helicopter-oriented RC transmitters at the
beginning of the RC helicopter hobby, from the early 1970s through about 1990, was the
so-called "single-stick" or "knobby" style of multi-channel RC transmitter, possessing a
single primary two-axis joystick with a special rotatable, self-centering knob atop the
single joystick's shaft for all three of the helicopter's aerodynamic controls, combined into
only one primary control mechanism. The horizontal/vertical joystick movements of such
a joystick provide cyclic contol, and the knob is used for operating the tail rotor control.
Such radios became unavailable as factory-built new units at the start of the 1990s, but
newer units are still made by RC-flying electronics hobbyists well into the 21st century in
North America for their own personal use, for flying both RC helicopters and fixed-wing
RC model aircraft.
[edit] Modulation

Radios emit the FM signal in two types of modulation.

PPM is cheaper than PCM and is generally used in low-end helicopters. The lack of a
failsafe in PPM makes it more suited to small, less dangerous models. Higher-end radios
offer PCM and PPM modulation for better compatibility with all radio receivers.

[edit] PCM

Pulse Code Modulation. A scheme in which the commanded position for each servo is
transmitted as a digitally encoded number. Manufacturers use their own proprietary
system to encode this number with various levels of precision (i.e. variable number of
bits per servo position). JR use Z-PCM (9 bits, 512 different values: 0...511) then S-PCM
(10 bits, 1024 values: 0...1023). Futaba use PCM-1024 and G3 PCM (11 bits, 2048
values: 0...2047). With PCM not all positions are broadcasted at one time (each frame) to
save time. The odd numbered positions are sent as absolute in one frame, with the even
sent only as differences from their previous values. The next frame the opposite is done.
PCM includes a checksum at the end of the frame to check the signal's validity. Hence, if
there is interference and the signal arrives distorted at the Receiver, utilizing the
checksum it is able to know if it is the original. In case it is not, a feature called Fail-Safe
is implemented to set servo positions to a predefined position, or to hold them at the last
valid position.

[edit] PPM

Pulse-position modulation. A scheme in which the commanded position for each servo is
transmitted as the duty-cycle of the transmitted pulses 1 per servo position.

[edit] Spread spectrum

Spektrum DX6i six-channel spread spectrum computerized aircraft radio which may be
used for both helicopters and fixed-wing models

Systems such as FHSS(Frequency-hopping spread spectrum) used by Futaba employ

frequency hopping on the 2.4 GHz band instead of the various frequencies in the lower
MHz ranges. The advantage is that radios are no longer using a fixed frequency during
flight but a multitude of frequencies.

Systems such as Spektrum and JR use the DSM2 DSSS(Direct-sequence spread

spectrum) method, where they transmit on a pair of fixed channels chosen when the radio
and receiver are turned on. Any subsequent systems would avoid using these channels
and continue searching for another unused pair of channels.

With either method many radios can be transmitting at once without interfering with each
other. The Futaba systems change frequency approximately every two milliseconds, so
even if two transmitters are using the same channel they are not doing so for long. The
pilot will not notice any abnormal behavior of the model in the 1/500th of a second that
they are interfering. This gives one the advantage of turning on a transmitter without
regard to channels currently in use by other pilots' radios.

One downside to 2.4 GHz is that precautions must be taken during installation since
certain materials such as carbon fiber can mask the signal. In some cases, "satellite"
receivers with secondary antennas need to be used to maintain better line-of-sight with
the transmitter radio. Another drawback is that a 2.4 GHz standard has yet to evolve so
that receivers and transmitters can be mixed regardless of their respective manufacturer.

[edit] Controls
RC Helicopters usually have at least four controls: Roll - Cyclic Pitch, Elevator (Fore-Aft
Cyclic Pitch), Rudder (Yaw) and Pitch/Throttle (Collective Pitch/Power).

For simple flight, the radio is usually configured such that pitch is around -1 degree at 0%
throttle stick, and somewhere around 10 degrees at 100% throttle stick. It is also
necessary to modulate the throttle in conjunction with the pitch so that the model
maintains a constant 'head speed' (the rotor's RPM). This is beneficial for consistent and
smooth flight performance.

If aerobatic '3D' performance is desired, then the 'idle up' mode of flight is used. In this
mode, the collective pitch ranges from its negative limit at 0% throttle stick input, up to
its positive limit at 100% throttle stick. The throttle, on the other hand, is modulated
automatically by the radio transmitter to maintain a constant head speed and is usually at
its lowest value when the throttle stick is centered and the pitch is zero. This mode allows
the rotor to produce a thrust 'upwards' (by using negative pitch) which, when the model is
inverted, allows sustained inverted flight. Usually a more advanced computer radio is
used for this kind of flying, which allows customization of the throttle-collective mix.

The cyclic and yaw controls are not by definition different in these two modes, though
3D pilots may configure their models to be much more responsive.

[edit] Construction

Radio controlled model of a Bell 222 helicopter with pilot.

Construction is typically of plastic, glass-reinforced plastic, aluminium or carbon fiber.

Rotor blades are typically made of wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber. Models are typically
purchased in kit form from one of about a dozen popular manufacturers and take 5 to 20
hours to completely assemble.

These model helicopters contain many moving parts analogous to those on full-size
helicopters, from the swashplate to rotor and everything in between.

The construction of helicopters has to be more precise than for fixed-wing model aircraft,
because helicopters are susceptible to even the smallest of vibrations, which can cause
problems when the helicopter is in flight.
Additionally, the small size and low weight of R/C helicopters and their components
means that control inputs, especially cyclic (pitch and roll) can have a very fast response,
and cause a rotation rate much faster than the equivalent input might produce on a full-
size aircraft. In some cases, this quick response can make the model unnecessarily
difficult to fly. For this reason, most model helicopters do not use the (simpler) Bell rotor
head design, but instead use the Hiller design with a flybar, or Bell-Hiller mixing, the
former providing a much greater degree of stability, and the latter mixing the quick
response of the Bell system with the stability of the Hiller design. Some models use the
simple Bell design, but this is limited mainly to scale models that are more challenging to
fly, or models using advanced electronic stabilizing equipment.

To reduce mechanical complexity and increase precision of the control of the swashplate
some model helicopters use Cyclic/collective pitch mixing.

[edit] Competition
Aerobatic helicopter flying has historically followed the Fédération Aéronautique
Internationale rules, which for helicopters are labelled F3C. These include a
predetermined routine of hovering and aerobatics.

An advanced form of RC helicopter flying is called 3D. During 3D flying, helicopters

perform advanced aerobatics, sometimes in a freestyle form, or in a predetermined set of
moves drawn up by the organisers of the competition. There are a number of 3D
competitions around the world, two of the best known being the 3D Masters in the UK
and the eXtreme Flight Championship (XFC) in the USA.

[edit] Commercial applications

Although RC helicopters are generally used by hobbyists for recreational purposes, they
are sometimes used in applications such as low altitude aerial photography, filming,
policing, and remote observation or inspection. Some companies make RC helicopters
specifically for these uses.

Recent (2006) FAA regulations grounding all commercial RC model flights have been
upgraded to require formal FAA certification before permission to fly at any altitude in
USA. Refer to http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-video-industry-news/145993-rc-
aerials-illegal-says-faa.html

Remotely piloted or autonomous helicopters powered by electric motors instead of by

gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine, with electricity provided by fuel cells or
batteries include a type of small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) [1] which can carry 10
pounds (4.5 kg) weight of payload.

[edit] See also

 Miniature helicopter

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Radio controlled model helicopters

[hide]
 v
 d
 e

Radio-controlled models

Type
s Aircraft · Boat · Car · Glider · Helicopter · Hovercraft · Submarine

See also: Remote control vehicle · Remote-controlled animal

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radio-
controlled_helicopter&oldid=469243311"
View page ratings
Rate this page
What's this?
Trustworthy
Objective
Complete
Well-written
I am highly knowledgeable about this topic (optional)
Submit ratings
Saved successfully
Your ratings have not been submitted yet
Categories:
 Radio-controlled helicopters
 Unmanned helicopters
Hidden categories:
 Articles to be merged from April 2011
 All articles to be merged
 Articles lacking in-text citations from August 2010
 All articles lacking in-text citations
 All articles with unsourced statements
 Articles with unsourced statements from May 2010