Information About the Types of Radio Control RC Helicopters
Conventional Electric RC Helicopter Types:
Most radio control RC helicopters use a common layout, with one main rotor generating lift, and one tail rotor. This is called the Sikorsky layout. When the RC heli's main rotor turns, it generates torque which causes the helicopter to rotate in the opposite direction. This is countered with a vertically mounted tail rotor. By varying the thrust produced by the tail rotor, the RC heli can remain in one position, or rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise.
RC Helicopters With Counter-Rotating and Co-Axial Rotor Blades:
An RC helicopter using a counter rotating system will have two rotors spinning in opposite directions. The torque generated by the rotor blades is canceled out, and the RC helicopter will not require a tail rotor to keep it from spinning. This allows the RC helicopter's tail boom to be eliminated, saving weight. One possible layout has one rotor blade mounted at each end of a long fuselage, as it is for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, and is known as a tandem rotor. Alternatively, both counter-rotating rotors can be placed on the same shaft, resulting in a co-axial design. Co-axial RC helicopters are very stable and easy to fly. The Mini Stinger series indoor RC helicopters use co-axial designed rotor blades.
RC Helicopters With Multi-Rotor Design:
It is possible for an RC heli to use more than two main rotor blades. The thrust from all the RC helicopter's rotors is combined to generate lift, and the thrust produced by each rotor can be varied to allow the RC heli to maneuver. Decreasing thrust on rotors near the front will cause the RC helicopter to tilt forward and move in that direction. The same method can be used to allow the RC helicopter to move backward and side to side. Draganflyer RC Helicopters use multi-rotor design.
What Does Fixed-Wing And Rotary-Wing RC Aircraft Design Mean?
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft:
- Fixed-wing refers to an RC aircraft which uses wings that do not move relative to that aircraft. RC airplanes are a fixed-wing design.
- Rotary Wing Aircraft:
- Rotary-wing refers to an aircraft which uses rotating wings to generate lift. RC Helicopters are rotary-wing design.