R C Helicopters ... A Man Toy?

It has been said in regard to the Helicopter that "A helicopter is an assembly of forty thousand loose pieces, flying more or less in formation" and that the helicopter is “the most versatile vehicle known to mankind”.

While fixed-wing aircraft receive most of the attention by historians, helicopter flight was the first flight envisioned by man. In fact, the ancient Chinese had a design for a hand-spun toy that rose upward as early as the 4^th century AD.  The great Italian Leonardo da Vinci made drawings of a machine that we now know to be the helicopter as early as 1490.  While the concept of rotary-wing aviation had been conceived, the necessary technology for the creation of a helicopter was not produced until the advent of the internal combustion engine.  

 There was a test flight on November 13, 1907 of a Frenchman’s design which flew for approximately 20 seconds at an altitude of 30 centimeters (that’s only 11.81 inches).    This is considered a landmark in the successful flight of a helicopter and its progression.

By or during the late period of World War I (1914-1918) major helicopter advances were made. The quality and extent of production materials increased, and great advances were made in the field of engine technology.  With better technology and more need, (the U S military had recognized the potential benefits by then) advancements developed swiftly.

Currently, the most well-liked “man toy”, when considering R C (radio controlled) hobby flying machines, is the helicopter.   At any rate, it wasn’t until 1968 that R C helicopters for hobbies came of age, primarily resulting from the research and development of Dr. Dieter Schluter of West Germany.  

There have been no short cuts in R C helicopters, its development for the engine, drive gears, rotor blades, control methods, etc. all had to follow the design of full-size helicopters and had to be built to the same exacting standards. 

So, just how difficult is the R C helicopter to control in fight?  It’s been described as being “similar to balancing a steel ball on a knife edge while riding a bicycle”!  This is of course an exaggeration!     Techniques involved can actually be mastered with a bit of practice.   However, apprentice RC helicopter users should be conscious of the notion that R C helicopters are measured by many zealots of the trade to be the most difficult to master.

Learn more: How to Fly RC Helicopters | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2041690_fly-rc-helicopters.html#ixzz1I8atiG00

Sources …    

How to Fly RC Helicopters | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2041690_fly-rc-helicopters.html#ixzz1I8atiG00 …

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-wing_aircraft ...

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/ …

http://www.rchelicopterweb.com/