Helicopter Testing

[lllazar]

My copter's fine on stability now but i still can't seem to keep it up in the air as long as i'd like. It's still wavering around 1:40 flight times, after i changed the pitch around a few times. Gah, if i could just get more lift for longer, im sure i could easily break 2:00 with the number of winds im putting in....

[illusionist]

And for stability, the top rotor needs to generate more lift than the lower. Try fiddling with the pitches of the rotors and see what works best.

From what I've heard (from multiple people), the lower rotor should be at a higher pitch. I think there is a discussion on that somewhere in the Helicopter threads.

[thewinner]

And for stability, the top rotor needs to generate more lift than the lower. Try fiddling with the pitches of the rotors and see what works best.

From what I've heard (from multiple people), the lower rotor should be at a higher pitch. I think there is a discussion on that somewhere in the Helicopter threads.

I think that's because when the lower rotor is at a higher pitch, it increases it's drag, therefore making the top rotor spin faster and produce more lift.
I may be terribly wrong, though.

[mrsteven]

My copter's fine on stability now but i still can't seem to keep it up in the air as long as i'd like. It's still wavering around 1:40 flight times, after i changed the pitch around a few times. Gah, if i could just get more lift for longer, im sure i could easily break 2:00 with the number of winds im putting in....

what design are you using? double rotor with 1 fixed? Rubber width?
^^ all stuff that can effect it.
(and just for my curiousity I saw you were also from IL, what team are you on?)

[aubrey048]

I've got a double rotor with one fixed. It worked pretty well for us, more predictable than double free-spinning rotors.

What kind of lubricant did you all use? (Just wondering. We used Armorall)

[illusionist]

I've got a double rotor with one fixed. It worked pretty well for us, more predictable than double free-spinning rotors.

What kind of lubricant did you all use? (Just wondering. We used Armorall)

Do you mean for the rubber motor, or for the rotor bearings? If for the rotor bearings, I know powdered graphite works well, but I use oil because that's what I have. Seems to work just fine

[mrsteven]

I've got a double rotor with one fixed. It worked pretty well for us, more predictable than double free-spinning rotors.

What kind of lubricant did you all use? (Just wondering. We used Armorall)

from what I'm hearing/ using Armor All is a good way to go. There are a few better options like using silicone grease, but Armor All is deff a good way to go. Just don't use anything patrolium based, that'll break down the rubber...

[chia]

So I popped into my dad's workplace in Chicago yesterday, and it occurred to us that the lobby would be really great for helicopter. The ceiling is really high (I think about 2.5 stories high), and even though it has a bit of a curve, it's very very flat, and there are few things that a helicopter could get stuck on anywhere in the room. But... it's in Chicago. -shrug- I'll see later if we can't find anywhere closer.

[mrsteven]

Ya, I would be a bit concerned about it in transit. But sounds like a cool place.