Parts of a RC Helicopter

Radio

• The letters "RC" stand for radio-controlled, not remote-controlled, and the radio is what allows the operator to fly the helicopter from a distance. A radio system includes the transmitter, servos, receiver and receiver battery. RC helicopters operate on a radio frequency channel, and instructions are sent from the handheld transmitter to the receiver inside the helicopter. The receiver, powered by its own battery, translates the radio signals into electrical signals that are read by the servos. The servo converts the electrical signals into physical movement of the aircraft.

Engine

• RC helicopters have an engine that supplies power to the aircraft. The engine is located inside the helicopter and can be accessed by the user to add fuel or perform maintenance. Engine types vary in power and capabilities, including electric, gas, nitro and turbine-powered engines. Turbine engines are the most powerful and realistic choice, but they are also the most expensive.

Rotor

• The rotors, powered by the engine, spin rotor blades that allow helicopters to fly. When blades of the main rotor spin on top of the helicopter, air is pushed down, allowing the helicopter to lift. Coaxial RC helicopters have two main rotors with two sets of blades that spin at different speeds to allow greater directional movement. An additional tail rotor attached to the tail spins blades that give the helicopter thrust for forward momentum.

  RC helicopter main rotor blades are either fixed pitch, where the blades maintain the same angle, or collective pitch, where the blade angle can change by operator commands from the transmitter. Fixed pitch helicopters are easier to fly, but collective pitch allows RC helicopters more flying versatility to do tricks.