| RC Helicopters have become the hobby of choice for | | | | easier to fly, and can perform more intricate flight |
| anyone who wants to be outdoors and has a love of | | | | maneuvers flawlessly. They are a tad more advanced, |
| flying, in any form. Radio controlled helicopters have | | | | thus requiring a longer learning curve, as well as a |
| captured the imagination of many new hobbyists, and | | | | more complex transmitter, and they are quite a bit |
| some of them have become confused at the meaning | | | | pricier than the fixed pitch variety. They also tend to |
| and significance of the terms "Fixed Pitch" and | | | | be a bit more delicate, with many more moving parts |
| "Collective Pitch". These are often found on the box | | | | that can and do break once in a while, thus keeping |
| and you do need to know the difference. | | | | you grounded more. So, basically, you pay for better |
| First off, "pitch" itself refers to the angle of the main | | | | performance. |
| blade of the helicopter. This measurement is made as | | | | The fixed pitch RC helicopters, while somewhat easier |
| it relates to the aircrafts horizontal plane. With a fixed | | | | to fly and usually ready to fly right out of the box, have |
| itch helicopter, lift is generated by increased speed of | | | | the advantage for beginners of getting the basics |
| the rotor blade, and conversely, decreases lift when | | | | down before moving on to a more advanced setup. |
| speed is reduced. Now with collective pitch helicopters, | | | | This, of course, is a matter of choice. If you want to |
| the pitch itself becomes a factor in the way lift is | | | | dive right in, by all means do so! The point here is |
| generated. While flying at a constant speed, the lift can | | | | simply to point out the differences between the two |
| be affected by the pitch of the blade as well. | | | | types of RC helicopters and let you decide for |
| So what makes one pitch better or worse than the | | | | yourself which flight plan you file. |
| other? Well, the answer lies in the effects that each | | | | Whatever you decide, flying these birds are a gas! (Or |
| type of pitch has on the flight of the helicopter. | | | | an electric, if you prefer!) Get out there today and get |
| Collective pitch RC helicopters are more responsive, | | | | in the air! |