Helicopter Testing
- illusionist
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- chia
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Re: Helicopter Testing
I'm not really sure where to put this, but: what's up with the dime-sized "flat balsa wood disk" we need to put on our helicopter? It seems a little silly to me that if that comes off, timing stops. Is it to encourage people to test in flat-ceilinged rooms without obstructions so that it doesn't come off?
(avatar is by xamag)
Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Re: Helicopter Testing
Some teams were attempting to put metal spikes on top of their helicopters and jamming the spike into the ceiling to increase flight time through the added friction. The balsa disc is intended to prevent that practice.chia wrote:I'm not really sure where to put this, but: what's up with the dime-sized "flat balsa wood disk" we need to put on our helicopter? It seems a little silly to me that if that comes off, timing stops. Is it to encourage people to test in flat-ceilinged rooms without obstructions so that it doesn't come off?
National event supervisor - Wright Stuff, Helicopters
Hawaii State Director
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Re: Helicopter Testing
Hmm. Wouldn't the disk itself increase friction to an extent also? Not nearly as much as the spike, of course, but couldn't the rules simply have addressed that problem directly by not allowing the "spikes"?
(avatar is by xamag)
Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Re: Helicopter Testing
The issue is defining a "spike." Anything that goes into the rules has to be explicitly defined and easily measurable. We want teams to still be able to put standoff sticks on the top of their helicopter to keep their rotors, but it is actually very challenging for a lot of supervisors to accurately, carefully and quickly measure something as small as wire or individual sticks (which is why towers/bridges/boomilever/etc no longer have max/min dimensions).chia wrote:Hmm. Wouldn't the disk itself increase friction to an extent also? Not nearly as much as the spike, of course, but couldn't the rules simply have addressed that problem directly by not allowing the "spikes"?
National event supervisor - Wright Stuff, Helicopters
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Re: Helicopter Testing
Okay. I just hope I don't end up with a 30-second time at states just because the thing came off, though
(avatar is by xamag)
Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Re: Helicopter Testing
My best advice is to make it a solid component!chia wrote:Okay. I just hope I don't end up with a 30-second time at states just because the thing came off, though
National event supervisor - Wright Stuff, Helicopters
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Re: Helicopter Testing
Chalker7, I absolutely love this year's helicopter rules. My thanks goes out to everyone who added these components
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Re: Helicopter Testing
I agree. It leaves a lot more freedom for experimenting (that Chinook thing sounds like a good challenge).illusionist wrote:Chalker7, I absolutely love this year's helicopter rules. My thanks goes out to everyone who added these components
(avatar is by xamag)
Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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- chia
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Re: Helicopter Testing
Sorry for double posting, but I was thinking... a Chinook-style helicopter with two separate motors would be really hard to wind and launch, wouldn't it?
(avatar is by xamag)
Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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Favorite events: Anatomy, Microbe Mission, Ornithology, Circuit Lab, Helicopter
NCHS '13
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