Scioly.org

Helicopters Wiki
Image Gallery
2010 Trial Event Thread

What are the advantages of having a longer/shorter motorstick (greate/less distance between the two rotors)? Stability?

Also, In a dual counter-rotating rotor design, do the two rotors have to be aligned directly on top of each other, or is it okay if the top one is further away from the center of the motorstick than the bottom fixed one?

Motor stick length, longer is 'probably' more stable. Still need to hit the min weight target.

Rotor axis alignment. Theoretically aligned axes will be easier to balance/smoother spinning. That said, these things are pretty lite and slow spinning so some offset doesn't seem to be a problem. At some point it will be a problem, but not something that takes a lot of effort to avoid.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

For attaching the rotating rotor, can I use a propeller shaft holder, such as the ones used for WS planes, except with my own rotor replacing the blades?

illusionist wrote:For attaching the rotating rotor, can I use a propeller shaft holder, such as the ones used for WS planes, except with my own rotor replacing the blades?

im pretty sure u can as long as its not made of rigit plastic. we used plastic ones last year so this year we will have to make it from scratch

Don't the rules state that the rotors cannot be made of rigid plastic? I believe that the rules don't talk about the prop hanger.

Rule 2.b. states "[t]he functional components must not be constructed from rigid plastic."

"Functional components" are defined in the prior sentence and the definition does NOT include bearings.

Rule 2.e. states "[r]otor thrust bearings may be commercially available items."

This implies that an Ikara prop hanger may be acceptable.

If you want to be safe and not risk a DQ, submit a rule clarification or an FAQ to the nationals web site.

OK, I will submit a clarification and post it here. thanks

I know this may be an ENORMOUSLY stupid question, but are there any resources you guys can pass along that would help me and my teammates understand the mechanics of this type of helicopter flight?
(Such as best wing shape, big blades on top vs. big blades on bottom, optimal length of shaft, etc.)

Sorry, no one on my team has ever done this event before and I am pretty clueless about what to do.