Newbie Helicopter Control Question
02-23-2004, 02:00 PM
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Newbie Helicopter Control Question
Hi All,
I just finished building my first helicopter this weekend, a TT Raptor 30 V2. I was a little surprised when it came time to install the radio equipment. I always assumed that R/C helicopters were 4 channels (I come from an airplane background), yet the Raptor has 5 servos. I guess that the "pitch" and "elevator" servos are both controlled by the "elevator" stick on my radio? Do I connect them together using a "Y" cable, or plug them into separate channels and mix them at the Tx?? Of course, this pre-supposes a computer radio! Will the Futaba 6EXA cut it in this application??
Thanks!
John
I just finished building my first helicopter this weekend, a TT Raptor 30 V2. I was a little surprised when it came time to install the radio equipment. I always assumed that R/C helicopters were 4 channels (I come from an airplane background), yet the Raptor has 5 servos. I guess that the "pitch" and "elevator" servos are both controlled by the "elevator" stick on my radio? Do I connect them together using a "Y" cable, or plug them into separate channels and mix them at the Tx?? Of course, this pre-supposes a computer radio! Will the Futaba 6EXA cut it in this application??
Thanks!
John
02-23-2004, 02:55 PM
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RE: Newbie Helicopter Control Question
All collective pitch machines are 5 channels. I'm not familiar with the transmitter you are using. Is it a heli radio? If it is the mixing will be automatic.
Now, you must understand that the elevator has nothing to do with the pitch. The pitch servo is mixed with the throttle. The idea is that the heli will maintain a constant rotor speed throughout the power range. When you increase power (on the throttle stick), you wnat the heli to rise. Pitch increases and the increase in lift also increases drag on the rotors. To maintain rotor speed, the power is also increased. As I said before, the pitch and throttle are mixed on a heli radio. If it is not a heli radio, I suggest getting one. When you plug the servos in, they are set up just like your airplanes: throttle, aileron, elevator, rudder. The pitch servo is plugged into its own channel. This way you can adjust both the pitch curve and throttle curve independently of one another.
Hope this helps.
Now, you must understand that the elevator has nothing to do with the pitch. The pitch servo is mixed with the throttle. The idea is that the heli will maintain a constant rotor speed throughout the power range. When you increase power (on the throttle stick), you wnat the heli to rise. Pitch increases and the increase in lift also increases drag on the rotors. To maintain rotor speed, the power is also increased. As I said before, the pitch and throttle are mixed on a heli radio. If it is not a heli radio, I suggest getting one. When you plug the servos in, they are set up just like your airplanes: throttle, aileron, elevator, rudder. The pitch servo is plugged into its own channel. This way you can adjust both the pitch curve and throttle curve independently of one another.
Hope this helps.
02-23-2004, 06:04 PM
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RE: Newbie Helicopter Control Question
Yes, the throttle and collective are the two servos in question. The book explains pretty well what channels to plug the servos into and what they do.
From the sounds of it though, I would highly suggest finding someone to help you set it up correctly so you don't end up crashing it on your first flight. They are not impossible, but someone helping can make things so much easier for you.
From the sounds of it though, I would highly suggest finding someone to help you set it up correctly so you don't end up crashing it on your first flight. They are not impossible, but someone helping can make things so much easier for you.
02-23-2004, 08:23 PM
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RE: Newbie Helicopter Control Question
The 6EXA will not work with a helicopter. It does not have heli functions. It is possible to use a standard airplane radio with a helicopter in some cases but I don't recommend it. What it involves is either using a Y cable to connect the throttle and collective pitch servos to the throttle channel or doing some form of mechanical mixing. It's a nightmare to set up and you can't separate the functions.
For example, to do (or practice) an autorotation, landing w/o power, you need to idle the engine while being able to control the collective pitch. Obviously this isn't possible if the throttle and collective pitch functions are coupled together. Fortunately there are several good low priced heli radios available like the Futaba 7C, Hitech Eclipse and the JR 6102.
Regards,
Mike
For example, to do (or practice) an autorotation, landing w/o power, you need to idle the engine while being able to control the collective pitch. Obviously this isn't possible if the throttle and collective pitch functions are coupled together. Fortunately there are several good low priced heli radios available like the Futaba 7C, Hitech Eclipse and the JR 6102.
Regards,
Mike
