how to start heli

[dredge3]

This may seem a daft question but,,,,,,When (long time ago) I used to start r/c planes, I stuck a 12 starter on the tip of the plane (nearly lost finger at 15..oooch) and of she spun.I know there are diferent start up types, but with the same starting method, how do you start it up with such large blades without hurting your knees (ooooch)

[colin]

Hi Dredge,

The blades on a RC Heli is not coupled directly to the engine. There's a butterfly type of clutch which is connected to the engine, with a bell connected to the blades.

When the engine starts at low RPM, the clutch is spinning, but it doesn't engage the clutch bell until enough centrifugal forces on the clutch spreads it open, and it engages the bell.

Therefore, unless you put full throttle on starting the engine, the blades are not going to move an inch.

We normally start engines with about 1/4 throttle open. On a stubbon engine, 1/2 throttle is still okay to start without getting the blades to hurt you. It take a few rounds before the heli blades can spin up to speed.

Also a practice before starting engines is to hold the mast with one hand. If the clutch does engage, your hand will prevent the blades from swinging and hitting you.

Cheers

[dredge3]

Thanks again colin.
Its funny, I have a 1960/1970 lawnmower which uses that very same idea. Simple but good.
Do most helis start this way, with just a few using other methods?

[colin]

Originally posted by dredge3
Thanks again colin.
Its funny, I have a 1960/1970 lawnmower which uses that very same idea. Simple but good.
Do most helis start this way, with just a few using other methods?

Hey that's cool... how high does the lawnmower fly?

[dredge3]

lol
Hey that's cool... how high does the lawnmower fly?
Its flys the same way as an heli..lol
BUT! it has 5 blades and hate to think how many rpm's it spins at