I have a helicopter - I am a designer and a pilot: radio-controlled models of helicopters

Collecting models of auto and aircraft has always been a fascinating hobby. Constructors are a favorite children's toy. Today, this occupation has become more mechanized - radio-controlled cars filled the space. Moreover, these are far from always children's toys; adults do this with no less enthusiasm. Cars with remote controls became the most popular toy for children, helicopters for teenagers and older.

dragonfly helicopter

What is a remote controlled helicopter? A complex design, because it was not possible to make a miniature apparatus with propellers fly until 1970, when even robots were already walking around children's rooms. The attempts of the German engineer Schlüter, who came up with the Bell-Hiller scheme (a two-bladed rotor that changes the pitch of the blades), were crowned with success. Today, in this scheme, only the blades have been replaced with electronic stabilization systems.

For the best flight data, aircraft are made of fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber. Blades can be wooden. You can buy an aircraft fully assembled, semi-assembled, a set of parts. There are brands with and without equipment. Everyone decides for himself whether it is interesting for him to assemble a “dragonfly” or buy a ready-made one, be content with a simple scheme or add additional channels. Knowing the main indicators, you can choose what you need.

The first question that needs to be answered is do you need a home or outdoor rotorcraft? Indoor turntables are small, light, they won’t hurt anything in the apartment. It is very convenient to learn the basics of piloting on such models. In complete calm, they can be walked on the street.

Having become the owner of a street helicopter, in the absence of “driving” skills, you can crash it in a matter of seconds.To operate such equipment requires training. For example, you can work out on computer simulators. That is why the choice of the first helicopter is not an easy question.

Classification

Radio-controlled rotorcraft, repeating the characteristics of real ones, have a complex classification. They differ in:

• engine type;
• screw diagram;
• electronics;
• management.

Before choosing a toy-real flying autogyro for yourself or your children, let's deal with its filling.

Instead of a heart - a fiery motor

An aircraft (LA) is lifted into the sky by a power plant, here the choice is as follows.

Glow two-stroke internal combustion engine

By engine size is divided into classes:

• 30 - 5.5 cm3;
• 50 - 8.2 cm3;
• 60 - 10 cm3;
• 90 - 15 cm3.

The volume of the engine is more powerful - the blades are wider, the sample is larger. This can loiter for up to 14 minutes, guarding the owner with a remote control.

Gasoline internal combustion engine

A more modern fuel type has its pros and cons:

• gasoline is cheaper than glowing internal combustion engine fuel;
• gives a clean exhaust, without soot;
• flies longer.

• the engine is heavy, you can put it on large bases (class 90 and more);
• complex design requires a change in frame design.

Gasoline models are not yet the most popular due to the size and complexity of its maintenance.

gas turbine engine

This type requires a lot of electronics to manage fuel delivery, RPM, throttle, temperature. Therefore, it is not in demand.

Electric brushless with battery

At first, small battery-powered turntables flew exclusively in apartments, they had no exhaust, but their dimensions and weight did not allow them to be lifted into open air. Today it is the most popular type. Electric aircraft are classified:

Class	Main rotor blade length (mm)	Flight weight (gram)
100	70-190	50-150
250	200-210	250-350
400	230-250	300-500
450	290-350	800-1200
500	420-450	1700-2200
550 (class 30 glow engine)	550-570	2500-3500
600 (50 cells)	600-620	3300-4000
700 (60 cells)	690-720	4000

Mechanical control

Radio-controlled helicopters (RCH) can be quiet or nimble. Maneuverable, of course, more interesting, they allow you to arrange cool aerobatics, but heaped up in control. According to the principle of operation, the circuits are mechanical or electronic.

Varieties of helicopters are determined by the scheme of screws:

Classic

The main propeller is large, the tail propeller is small.

• develops high speeds;
• responds quickly to commands
• wind resistant.

• need a big sky.

coaxial

On the axis there are two rotors, spinning in different directions. Fixed blade pitch - stable machine. Great for beginner pilots. Works in rooms where it is easier to correct mistakes. The downside is the ban on flying in windy weather on the street, the difficulty in keeping the aircraft on the desired course.

• stable flight;
• accuracy of command execution;
• budget price.

• not suitable for flying in windy weather.

Multi screw

Aeromodellers call this scheme a multicopter. More often it is a quadrocopter - 4 screws are installed at the ends of the crosspiece. Then there are modifications of 3-6-8 beams, etc.

• can move loads;
• stable, thanks to the design;
• reliable.

• high price;
• It doesn't look like a real autogyro.

Electronics

The transmitter mixes the channels (pitch/throttle curve). They give out a signal by frequency modulation, which can be of two types:

PPM - pulse-position, used in inexpensive types of aircraft, responds to interference;

PCM - pulse-code, more resistant to interference.

With the help of an external transmitter, fuel and collective pitch indicators are adjusted and changed, which helps to increase maneuverability. In addition, the helicopter has servo motors that are responsible for the operation of the propellers, there may be several of them. To set a specific course, there is a gyroscope, it controls the spin-up of the tail rotor.

How many channels are enough

According to the complexity of management and capabilities, RUM differ in the number of channels:

Number of channels	Functional	Who is suitable for
2	slow speed, straight ahead	- the smallest pilots.
3	up-down, forward-backward, turns in both directions, pitch (forward-backward tilts)	- children 5-10 years old; - adults who first saw the RU turntable.
4	added right-left movement, swashplate helps control roll	- children from 10 years old; For those who are tech savvy.
5	plus control of the collective pitch of the main rotor and tail boom	- techies who understand aerodynamics.
6	gyroscope to help, 3-D model	- those who have learned to operate the 4-channel type.
7-9	needed for aerobatic RUM, sports	- assembled by the pilot himself, a professional model, not a toy.

There are additional channels that do not affect the flight mode: side lights, cameras and other bells and whistles. This is for beauty and convenience. Helicopters with 4 channels are considered the most popular:

	Channel	Control
1	ailerons	Roll (cyclic step)
2	Elevator	Pitch (cyclic pitch)
3	Rudder	Yaw
4	Pitch/gas	collective step/throttle

Communication between the receiver and the transmitter is mainly carried out through radio interface technology. Children's turntables can work on infrared control. Coordinated via smartphone or tablet using Wi-Fi.

Price corridor

The price, as well as the complexity of piloting a dragonfly, depends on:

• device size;
• channeling;
• screw diagrams.

The larger and more powerful the helicopter, the more expensive it will be. Small RAM (less than 25 cm) will cost from 900 to 1,300 rubles. Further, the amounts will grow in proportion to the size and filling.

When purchasing a RUM, you need to be prepared for frequent breakdowns until experience and confidence come. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately buy spare parts, the stores do not always have everything you need right away. The helicopter also eats electricity actively. Batteries, for example, are discharged in 7-10 minutes, and you want to fly longer. When going to nature with equipment, stock up on batteries and a charger to fly in plenty.

Choose a brand or...

Of course, in every industry there are better, more reliable, more promising manufacturers. But in this case, it does not work very well, because radio-controlled autogyros appeared literally 20 years ago. Components (gyroscope and radio module) can be taken from any supplier, they do not differ much. Therefore, it is better to choose not a brand, but a functional: the number of control channels, size, weight, electric motor. Now the actual device of the flying machine is the camera.

But if you prefer to choose by brand, then pay attention to the trademarks:

• WL Toys;
• HUBSAN;
• Syma;
• Align;
• Pilotage.

What the experts suggest

Having studied the rating of the most favorite radio-controlled toys for children for December 2018, we find two of the best helicopter models among robots and cars. Experts recorded the highest popularity of these samples in 2018 and already in 2019.

Syma Fregata (F3)

1 990 - 2 690 rubles.

Radio-controlled rotorcraft measuring 24.5 x 5.5 x 9 cm, made of plastic with a remote control included.Designed for outdoor launches. Powered by an electric motor powered by 4 AA batteries (removable battery not included). Communication - 2.4 G. Listens to commands from the remote control at a distance of up to 80 meters. Four channel system. There is a gyroscope.

• from the remote control it is easy to control turns, rotations, adjust the height, set the roll;
• the receiver is powerful, the signal is stable up to 80 meters;
• the car can be in the air for 8 minutes;
• battery can be charged via USB port (60 minutes to full charge);
• the plastic of the case is shock-resistant, the tail is metal, it will not fall apart at the first inept peak.

• children and husband refused to walk, flew in turn.

Syma Phantom (S107G)

1 038 - 1 680 rubles.

The small machine (22 cm) is designed for flying indoors. The body is metal. It has a propeller on the tail and a coaxial system, which gives stability, average speed, calm control. From the remote control (included, IR control) you can command the "dragonfly" without even seeing it. Built-in battery, you can charge via USB adapter or remote control (full charge - 40 min.). Batteries (6 finger-type) are enough for 10 minutes of flight. Channels -3, there is a gyroscope.

• the battery is of high quality, it charges well, it works as indicated;
• I flew around the apartment for a year, until I rammed the door, the gyroscope broke, it does not fly without it.

• the battery lasts for 14 minutes, but after 7 minutes the motor overheats and you need to rest for 10 minutes.

TOP 6 best radio-controlled helicopters

Top identified three best options in the "price-quality" and "Top-3" segments.The first list is preferable to consider for beginners and as a gift to children, the second - for experienced pilots who understand fancy dummies.

Best for Beginners

Syma CH-47

1 830 - 2 460 rubles.

The original collectible model of a transport rotorcraft measuring 46 by 18 cm, scale 1:32. Designed for indoor and outdoor flights. It has a collector engine, two sets of blades, five windows on each side, a landing gear, like a car - the aircraft lands on four landing gear. The color of the equipment speaks of a military purpose.

An indisputable advantage is that the toy can be immediately sent into the air, no settings or connections are needed, only the battery needs to be charged in advance. Remote control for three channels (27, 40, 49 MHz), range - no more than 30 m. It can explore the sky for up to 12 minutes. without recharging. A great gift for a child - a start to the knowledge of aerodynamics, mathematical calculations and an entertaining pastime at the same time.

• reliable engine;
• very comfortable price;
• cool design in the style of "military";
• very easy to manage.

• the capture radius is small, you won’t fly much on the street;
• The battery takes a long time to charge - 2 hours.

Silverlit Power in Air Attack aircraft

1 716 - 2 313 rubles.

A cute radio-controlled attack aircraft - aggressive and cheeky. Very light - the body consists of pieces of plastic. It rises up on four blades of unusually different diameters. Turns with a screw on the tail. The filling is metal, reliable, hidden inside.

A three-channel remote control is included, control is IR. A great addition is a gyroscope: a flying vehicle will not roll over and fall, unless, of course, you pull it out into the street, where it is windy.The range is not very large, for enclosed spaces this is not such a problem. The attack aircraft is good for teenagers who are starting to master the airspace.

• recharging - only half an hour;
• the remote control is convenient, it is easy to operate;
• stylish design, miniature size, LEDs illuminate in the dark;
• the gyroscope is a cool thing, the stability is excellent;
• quite reasonable price.

• the remote control works with an infrared transmitter, there is no radio communication;
• beyond 10 meters, the remote control does not work;
• very afraid of the wind;
• flies in the air for a very short time.

Syma S107

1 290 - 1 404 rubles.

Chassis, tail - made of metal, body - plastic, coaxial system. The engine is collector, there is a gyroscope. Three channel console. infrared control. More reliable, thanks to additional blades.

The helicopter has three modifications. The basic version is equipped with a remote control. The version with the letter P (Syma S107P) has a soap bubble generator among which a small dragonfly will fly. The device with the letter C (Syma S107C) is equipped with a camera, although the recording level is very low, it looks more like a primitive decor.

"Dragonfly" has a miniature size and weighs 40 g. You can even drive a microfly around the office during breaks, and then charge it via a computer's USB port.

• miniature, no problems with transportation;
• the gyroscope is flawless;
• charging lasts no more than 50 minutes;
• small but strong;
• budget price is good.

• as many as 6 batteries are needed in the remote control, they weigh more than the flyer itself;
• you have to follow him, the remote catches up to 10 meters;
• no more than 10 minutes flies, then charging.

The most top helicopters

These are advanced modern models that do not look like children's toys, require piloting skills, and have quite a lot of functionality.

Align T-Rex 600L Dominator Super Combo

RUB 63,890

Not a toy at all - 116 cm in length, height - 32 cm, weight - 2.9 kg. The model is stuffed with smart programs, equipped with a new processor. Customizable using smartphone, computer, tablet. Commands are processed very quickly and clearly. The servos are brushless, durable, with decent torque. Remote control - at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

Of course, this car is waiting for experienced pilots. The seven-channel remote control allows you to enjoy not only speed, but also all sorts of tricks of the car in the air. Pilots will love the G-Pro system, which is flyerless and customizable. Flight range - 500 m.

• Software can be customized for yourself and your interests;
• instant execution of commands, the motor does not heat up;
• in a set — 3 servos;
• large and powerful, reliable;
• decent range.

• the more items in the configuration, the much more expensive it becomes;
• assembly is done independently after purchase, not everyone is ready, very high accuracy is needed.

Hubsan Westland Lynx FPV 2.4G-H101F

10 350 rub.

The model is not budget, but not the most advanced. Its feature is a color camera on board, FPV technology - first-person view. The clarity of the picture at 5 megapixels is not very high quality, but it costs several times cheaper than the GoPro Hero. The video will be stored on the CD card. You can watch it in real time on the remote monitor. The sun visor protects the LCD display from the sun's rays. Flight duration - 10 minutes, range - 100-300 m.If the camera is working, the turntable cannot be released far, the connection will be lost.

The length of the helicopter is 34.2 cm, the flight weight is 0.2 kg. The screw pattern is a classic. The four-channel remote controls altitude, pitch, roll, heading. The signal is transmitted at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Feature - two launch options - for beginners and experienced pilots. We must remember that the machine will not cope with strong winds. Requires 8 AA batteries to operate.

• remote control with a screen and a visor - very convenient, video glasses are connected;
• for variability there is a rotor with a fixed frequency;
• radius - up to 300 meters, and responds to commands from the remote control quickly and accurately;
• CD-card slot, camera, video archive - just a great bonus.

• batteries need finger 8 pieces;
• flight time is not enough - only 10 minutes, and battery charging is long.

Align T-Rex 600 Nitro DFC Super Combo

RUB 54,900

Most of all it looks like a real helicopter. Starting from the fact that the fuel is gasoline, the length of the model is 1 m 16 cm, the height is 35.7 cm, the propeller diameter is 135 cm, the tail rotor is 24 cm. The volume of the gas tank is 440 cm3. With an empty tank, it weighs 3.2 kg. Of course, this colossus is not very afraid of the wind, it has its own blower - a fan that cools the engine.

Equipped with software, configured via smartphone or computer. The gluttonous “dragonfly” devours a full tank in 10 minutes, but you can fill it with gasoline in a couple of minutes, this is not an hourly battery charge. When the rotorcraft takes to the skies, the pilot easily controls it from the remote control, but it looks very impressive.

There is no transmitter or remote control included. This and a few more parts need to be purchased additionally (servo, starter, muffler, engine).

• FBL system G-Pro to help;
• a powerful machine, not afraid of the wind at all, inspires respect;
• the software is reliable, works clearly;
• the design is as light as possible with plastic and carbon fiber;
• seven channels - a lot of opportunities for turns;
• flies far away, but executes commands from the remote control instantly.

• very expensive, even if without a remote control;
• noisy, like a real one;
• short flight time, you have to return it in advance so that it does not fall with an empty tank.

Time to learn helicopter slang

If you have read the article to the end, then you will soon become the owner of a radio-controlled helicopter. And you will discuss on forums and real parties the technical data of machines, the possibility of performing figures, options for convenient control. This propeller-air environment has its own slang, which is difficult to understand right away. Let's start with some of the most popular terms:

• Appa - remote control, transmitter, joystick, everything that controls the copter;
• Sticks - control knobs on the joystick;
• Flybar - mechanical gyroscope (stick with weights);
• Canopy - body, cabin;
• Lipolka - batteries (Li-Pol) used for power;
• Bind (bind) - having bought the receiver and transmitter separately, they need to be combined, tied to each other - bound;
• Hanging like a nail - good work of the gyroscope, the stability of the autogyro;
• Toilet bowl, funnel, butterfly - various movements of the machine that occur when the shaft or blades are damaged;
• Pancake flights - this is how inexperienced pilots fly, without performing figures, along the horizon;
• Brew tea in a glass with a helicopter (slalom around the legs of a chair) - an experienced pilot emphasizes his skill;
• Crash - an accident;
• Bano - side lights.

Now you can safely go for the first turntable - you are ready to discuss constructive moments, you will not fly by with a canapa, flybar, and you will not be mistaken by the price tag. Fly and grow in technical equipment, vocabulary, expand the company of helicopter fans.