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How to Adjust an RC Helicopter Rotor Pitch

Adjusting the rotor pitch on a remote control helicopter is directly related to adjusting the pitch angle over the rotor blades. While the helicopter is in flight, air is continually passing horizontally towards the blades, and the larger the pitch angle, the more lift you can obtain. Tilt the rotor blade up to catch the airflow underneath the blade, thus raising the helicopter so you can fly higher. However, changing this pitch angle takes into account both the positions of the swash plate and the rotating flybar.

Things You'll Need

Second flybar
Rubber band
Pitch gauge

Instructions

- 1
  Disassemble the main and tail rotor blades from the rest of the helicopter.
- 2
  Secure the flybar so it doesn't move by vertically positioning a spare flybar against it and fastening both flybars together with a rubber band.
- 3
  Position the pitch gauge directly in the center of the main rotor blade, lined up horizontally with the flybar. Set the radio transmitter to mid-throttle and check the pitch gauge's reading. If it is positive, you'll have a positive pitch or more lift. But if it is negative, your blades will produce less of a pitch angle.
- 4
  Adjust the main rotor blade's swash plate and control link in the rear of the blade. The longer the link, the steeper the pitch angle. Read the pitch gauge again and adjust again until you have the angle you want.
- 5
  Adjust the other blades in the same manner.
- 6
  Take the pitch gauge off the helicopter, remove the second flybar, and put the motors back into the main body of the helicopter.

Aviation