| RC Helicopters are becoming so popular that | | | | Now that we know the technical difference |
| it attracts many new enthusiasts everyday. | | | | between the two pitch setups, the next |
| Upon getting their hands on this new | | | | question is: how does it affect my flight? |
| enjoyable hobby, many beginners become | | | | Quite simply, a collective pitch helicopter |
| puzzled when they know that RC helicopters | | | | is more responsive, agile, and smoother to |
| come labeled either as "fixed pitched" or | | | | fly. Nevertheless, there is a tradeoff. They |
| "collective pitch". For this reason, many new | | | | are much harder to learn, require a more |
| pilots have come to wonder what exactly the | | | | complicated transmitter, and cost much more |
| difference between the two is. | | | | than fixed pitched helicopters. They also |
| | | | have more moving parts, which means they |
| To understand how these two pitch setups | | | | break more easily and requires more |
| differ, the first step is to come to know | | | | maintenance. |
| what "pitch" means. The "pitch" of a | | | | |
| helicopter is the angle of the main rotor | | | | So which one should you choose to fly? Fixed |
| blade. Generally, the measurement of this | | | | pitch or collective pitch? It all comes down |
| "pitch" angle is done relative to the | | | | to your own choice and how serious you are |
| horizontal plane. Helicopters generate lift | | | | with this hobby. A fixed pitch helicopter has |
| by rotating their rotor through the air. With | | | | fewer moving parts, making it more ideal for |
| a fixed pitch helicopter, when the rotor | | | | beginner as it requires less maintenance. |
| spins faster, more lift is generated and the | | | | Many also claim that a fixed pitch helicopter |
| helicopter ascends. On the other hand, slower | | | | is easier to fly (but this claim is often |
| rotor rotation generates less lift and the | | | | challenged by avid pilots). Also, most of the |
| helicopter descends. For collective pitch | | | | helicopters that are fixed pitch comes in an |
| helicopters, the pitch of the blade becomes | | | | RTF (Ready to Fly) set, and usually includes |
| another factor in the lift generating | | | | a radio transmitter (which won't work on |
| equation. In this setup, the lift can also be | | | | collective pitch models though). However, if |
| altered by the angle (pitch) in which the | | | | you plan to stay in this hobby for a long |
| main rotor blade is positioned. To put it | | | | time and fly in more demanding ways, then |
| another way; while to rotor is rotating at a | | | | perhaps making a bigger investment and |
| constant speed, the lift generated can be | | | | getting a collective pitch helicopter will be |
| altered by changing the pitch alone. | | | | worth while. |
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