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How to Align a Model Helicopter

Model helicopters rely on two rotors for flight. This means that the rotors must be in alignment to lift the vehicle off the ground. There is a simple way to align a model helicopter with a method that will work for almost any model variety and that should be part of your pre-flight checks. After you have tested the servos and examined the helicopter for worn or cracked parts, fire up the model and inspect its alignment.

Things You'll Need

Spirit level
Ruler
Red marker or tape
Two books of the same width
Pencil or skewer

Instructions

Main Rotor Alignment
- 1
  Place the helicopter on a flat surface. Verify that the helicopter is level by checking the main rotor with a spirit level.
- 2
  Measure the sides of the helicopter to make sure the skids are the same length if the helicopter is not flat. If the skids are uneven, adjust them according to your helicopter's directions. Repeat until the helicopter is level.
- 3
  Place a small piece of red tape on the tip of one rotor. Fire up the motor, turning it so that the blades spin, but the helicopter doesn't take off.
- 4
  Watch the rotor from the side. Look at the blade with the tip and make sure it turns evenly and flatly. If not, turn off the helicopter and adjust the servos and ball joints to make the helicopter turn smoothly.
Tail Section
- 5
  Place two books side by side with about half an inch between them.
- 6
  Remove the tail rotor of the helicopter and place it on a skewer or pencil, so that the rotor hangs evenly on it.
- 7
  Place the rotor in the gap between the books.
- 8
  Look at the helicopter rotor from the side. See whether one of the ends of the rotor tilts up or down. If one end tilts, apply tape to the tip of the tail rotor until the rotor evens out.

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