A radio-controlled helicopter is model aircraft which is distinct from an RC airplane because of the differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight training. The more maneuverable designs are often harder to fly, but benefit from greater aerobatic capabilities.

The Story Behind RC Helicopter

More advanced coaxial constructions with two swash plates and/or pitch control (common for full-scale coaxial helicopters like Kamovs) have been realized as models in individual projects but have not seen the mass market . To reduce mechanical complexity and increase precision of the control of the swashplate some model helicopters use cyclic/collective pitch mixing. On a 4-channel transmitter, there are four different modes in which the control sticks can be set: Transmitters may include trims for each axis to correct any undesired movement of the helicopter.

Many modelers join a club so they can be instructed by experienced RC pilots, or follow on-line guides. Models of this type, as in the case of a full-scale helicopter, eliminate rotational torque and can have extremely quick control response, both of which are very pronounced in a CCPM model. In the United States, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) publishes and updates safety rules for all model aircraft operations, including fixed and rotary wing models.

How RC Helicopter Plays

Some RC Helicopters can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet. 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. Systems such as Spektrum and JR use the DSM2 and later, DSMX direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) method, where they transmit on a pair of fixed channels chosen when the radio and receiver are turned on.

A September 2013 incident in New York City highlighted the possible dangers of remote controlled model helicopters when a 19-year-old enthusiast, who was very experienced in flying remote controlled helicopters, died after one of his helicopter's blades struck his head. Learning to fly a collective pitch RC helicopter takes time and practice. RC Helicopters usually have at least four controls: roll - cyclic pitch, elevator (fore-aft cyclic pitch), rudder (yaw) and pitch/throttle (collective pitch/power).

Why Players Still Load It Up

Any subsequent systems would avoid using these channels and continue searching for another unused pair of channels. Safety precautions, proper maintenance, and an understanding of the mechanics and flight characteristics of the models are necessary to prevent accidents. Most RC helicopters make use of a handheld transmitter with an antenna that sends signals to the helicopter's receiver, usually a radio frequency of 27 MHz, 49 MHz, or 2.4 GHz.

Small fixed-pitch helicopters use a 4-channel radio (throttle, elevator, aileron, rudder); while collective-pitch models need a minimum of 5 channels (throttle, collective pitch, elevator, aileron, and rudder). In some cases, satellite receivers with secondary antennas need to be used to maintain better line-of-sight with the transmitter radio. 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 United States.

RC Helicopter — Frequently Asked Questions