| Leonardo da Vinci created on paper, at least with the | | | | any of the modern connivances that make today's |
| first helicopter, and the very first piloted helicopter was | | | | Helis fly so well and easy. We even had to |
| invented by Paul Cornu in 1907, however, this design | | | | mechanically set the lead/lag of the main blades, until |
| was not successful. Another Frenchman, Etienne | | | | we just left off 2 of the 3 bolts on the main blades |
| Oehmichen built and flew a helicopter 1 kilometer in | | | | and let them seek there our lead/lag. |
| 1924. An early practical helicopter that flew for a | | | | But the RC Model helicopter matured quickly and by |
| decent distance was the German Focke-Wulf Fw 61 | | | | the '80's the RC Model Helicopter could fly quite nicely, |
| invented by an unknown inventor. ( | | | | the radio manufacturers started making good |
| Igor Sikorsky is considered to be the "father" of | | | | Helicopter Radios, the Helicopters themselves had the |
| helicopters not because he invented the first. He is | | | | modern style Bell/Hiller control system, single point Main |
| called that because he invented the first successful | | | | Blade attachment for self Lead/Lag and gyros |
| helicopter, upon which future designs were based. | | | | became common place. Direct drive or belt drive tail |
| So where when did the RC model helicopter begin? | | | | rotors still were used. |
| Well I do not know who is credited with the First RC | | | | In the '80's and '90's the Far East began to create |
| Model Helicopter, but it was in the 70's that the RC | | | | beautiful Models of all sizes. And the "Ready To Fly" |
| Helicopter revolution really began. | | | | models became common place. The race was one |
| For the most part, they were all Nitro powered, using | | | | and the things they started doing with the RC |
| standard Model Airplane engines (40 and .60 size) and | | | | helicopter was only limited by ones imagination. |
| 4-6 channel airplane radios. | | | | I would think that this century is know as the "Age of |
| Using a 4 channel radio to control the 5 functions of a | | | | Electrics" and today you can get an Electric Helicopter |
| model helicopter was quit unique in it challenges and | | | | in any size, (small enough to fix it your hand) to 40-60 |
| results. What they did was used a "Y" connector for | | | | size. |
| the throttle and pitch servo. Then you mechanically set | | | | And can they ever fly, they are competitive with your |
| up the throttle and pitch curve on the heli. | | | | fuel choppers, only quiet and no smoke, no starting |
| In the '70's there were 2 basic type of Helis, the | | | | equipment needed and are fully 3D capable. |
| teetering head, fixed pitch and soon after came the | | | | So if you're flying interest lean toward the rotary wings |
| collective pitch. And just like today, some had direct | | | | birds, check out the new electrics. They make then so |
| drive tail rotors systems while other went with belt | | | | simple today that you can buy one, open the box, and |
| drive. | | | | charge the batteries and fly, even if you have never |
| The first of these Heli's where hard to fly, had very | | | | flown before! |
| poor control and lacked any tail gyros, radio mixing or | | | | |