please explain CP & FP to a newbie

[longbow]

someone please explain CONTROLED PITCH & FIXED PITCH is a fixed pitch for a newbie like me or the other way round?

[Danimal]

Fixed pitch is a rotor system that uses a main blade that is set at a fixed angle of attack (or pitch) that remains in that position at all times. It relies on motor RPM to control the amount lift produced. You speed up or slow down the head speed to control the heli's altitude and speed. Its slower to respond to control inputs and is limited to flying in an upright position.

A Collective pitch rotor system has mane blades that change their angle of attack (pitch) wile maintaining a desired head speed the hole time. Its a lot more stable system but its also much harder to setup properly. The CP setup has several more delicate parts to get damaged in a crash than a FP heli so it a bit of a trade off.

[kalonzo]

This article might help you further understand FP VS CP:

http://www.helifever.com/articles/69...llective-pitch

[longbow]

ok that helped me out alot thanks

[hawkman]

Collective pitch is superior by far, Fixed pitch is ok for a hack around...but it needs a good deal of anticipation in how the heli behaves.

I tried flying a fixed pitch a while ago...what a load of garbage! its ok for something like the CX2 which is a mighty fine heli for its price...and the picco Z seems to thrive...but these are indoor helis really.

Once you try a collective pitch heli you wont want to go back, true they are harder to set up...but if you are patient and willing to learn you will soon get the idea.

Rob

[Danimal]

I started out my heli addiction on a fixed pitch Walkera 22D. (A single rotor shaft driven tail heli.) After completely destroying and rebuilding two of them I finally got the hang of it. Rob is absolutely right about learning to anticipate how the heli will behave. They are slow and sluggish to respond to your inputs. You almost have to crash it to learn how it reacts to the controls. Once I moved on to the CP heli's I feel that the experience with the 22D was a huge benefit. But maybe a little more expensive than it needed to be.
On the other hand the coaxial type FP heli's like the CX and Lama are grate for the beginner to learn the basics of helicopter control.

[hawkman]

I think the co axial models like the Lama are nice and stable...the whole 'up and down' movement still needs that anticipation but at least the cyclic control isnt so bad.

There is a huge market flooded with FP helis, and if thats what the customer wants thats fine...but if you are more than a casual flyer then you will soon outgrow such contraptions.

I am not belittleing any models at all, basically you get what you pay for.

Rob

[SpeedyR]

so I have been considering getting a beginner heli to fly inside and learn some basics while I learn to fly somehting bigger on a simulator (probably phoenix or G4). I've been looking at the lama V4 or a Honey Bee FP. which would be better as a beginner and inside heli? eventually i'll end up wtih something bigger but for now just want to learn and have something to fly inside.

thanks!

jeff