ben1000
Senior Heliman
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
| Howdy...
Unfortunately, that last post was a little 'semiarticulate' :-)...
Actualy, throttle hold and idle up are not channels, but are computerized functions that most heli-radios have...
The actualy channels you need to fly a heli are 5:
Two on the cyclic (which function like elevator and aeileron)
One on Rudder
One on Throttle
One on Pitch
As 'Semi' stated, throttle and pitch are both controlled by the left stick up and down movement, but they are controlled at different amounts, and are 'mixed' together on the stick. For example, at low stick, the throttle channel may be at 10% (idle) and at high stick, 100% (full throttle), the pitch, however, at low stick may be at 30% (-3 degrees, for example) and at high stick, 90% (+9 degrees, for example)...
These are controlled by the 1 left stick up and down motion (not left to right, as that controls the 'rudder', or tail rotor), and is acutally 'un-mixed' by the transmitter's computer and send to the two different channels on the receiver (pitch and throttle). That's why you need 5 channels, rather than an airplane's 4.
Idle up and throttle hold still only require 5 channels, they are just switch positions where the computer mixes the amounts of those two channels differently (Idle up will usually limit how low the engine idles, and throttle hold forces the engine to the idle position regardless of the left stick position, used to practise autorotation).
These don't require any additional channels, and really only effect the throttle and pitch (unless you have a fancy radio and want to do fancy stuff). In fact, most heli condiitons only affect throttle and pitch unless you get fancy. These include Idle up 0,1,2, throttle hold and throttle cut, hoever pitch, and hover throttle.
Other conditions, like dual rates, revo mix and expo effect the cyclic and rudder, but they only effect what the transmitter sends out. The receiver and servos don't know anything different, and still only 5 channels are used.
So why is 7 channels the recommended minimum for most heli radios? And why do people buy 8, 9, 10 channel radios? Well, there's lots you can do with more channels. Here are some popular uses
On radios with 6 or more channels, the pitch control defaults to channel 6 (not 5 as you might think), so the heli uses channels 1,2,3,4 and 6.
Channel 5 is normally used for the GYRO gain control. This lets you adjust your gyro in while in flight by switching a switch, or rotating a knob.
Channel 7 is typically used to control a governer, if you have one. Again, this lets you adjust the governer while in flight.
8, 9, 10? These can be used for auto-pilots like the FMA co-pilot, retractable landing gear, or a list of other items as long as you like.
Hope that helps...
- Regards,
Ben1000 |
