RC Copters - Three Main Types of Blade Design
Over the last few years, battery-powered RC copters have become much more common and even more popular. This is in part because they are less difficult to operate than earlier electric or gas-powered models, meaning even beginners can quickly and easily enjoy success flying them. Today's electric RC copters are also smaller, lighter and easier to transport and perhaps most significantly, far less expensive than in the past.
There are three main types of RC copters, each of increasing complexity and difficulty to master: coaxial, fixed pitch, and most demanding of all, collective pitch helicopters. Until fairly recently, the majority of RC copters mirrored standard helicopters, in having one main rotor and a tail rotor. Main rotors generate lots of torque, which left unchecked would result in the helicopter ceaselessly spinning around in circles. The tail rotor generates torque in the opposite direction, canceling the main rotors torque and allowing controllable lateral, forward and backward movement. Coaxial helicopter technology works differently: coaxial RC copters have two main rotors, each turning in the opposite direction and canceling out the others' torque. Without getting too technical, suffice it to say that this type blade design provides the most stability and ease of flying and many beginners choose to learn on coaxial models.
Both fixed and collective pitch helicopters employ a single main and tail rotor. Fixed pitch helicopters are more challenging than coaxials but still suitable for novices who are willing to put in a bit more initial effort. They are capable of more complex movements and so more enjoyable to fly once the basics are mastered. Hardest of all to operate, and definitely not for beginners, are collective pitch helicopters. With additional channels of control to enhance maneuverability, collective pitch models are capable of performing 3-D aerobatics, a very advanced and highly competitive style of helicopter flying. They are also the least stable of the three, have the highest initial cost and replacement parts do not come cheaply. If you are serious about flying RC copters, you will almost certainly want a collective pitch model at some point but not until you have logged many hours of practice and become quite the accomplished pilot.
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