Optic 6 Sport - Page 39
Model Setup Menu Programming for Helicopter
This section describes how to use the Optic helicopter functions (model type HELI). Descriptions of the other functions, such as
endpoints, dual rates, expo, etc., are contained in the aircraft (ACRO) section
The Two Common Types of Power: Electric and Glow
There are some subtle, but important differences in the setup methods for glow- versus electric-powered heli's:
If your Heli is powered by a glow engine:
1. A servo plugged into the Ch. 3 slot of the receiver controls the carburetor throttle plate of the engine.
2. Glow heli's also have their own "on-board" battery to power the receiver, gyro and servos.
If your Heli is powered by an electric motor:
1. A proportional ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is plugged into the Ch. 3 receiver slot to control the RPM of the motor.
The Speed Control may have settings that need to be programmed so check the Speed Controller manual.
2. In smaller electric heli's a large motor battery provides the power for the servos, gyro and receiver through a BEC
(battery eliminator circuit) of the ESC (electronic speed control). Larger electric heli's will carry a separate receiver battery
to power the servos, receiver and gyro.
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Tip
The Two Fundamental Types of Helicopter's: Fixed Pitch and Collective Pitch
There are two fundamental types of model heli's, fixed pitch and collective pitch. The fixed pitch heli is simpler to operate
and has fewer moving parts as the motor or engine RPM controls the speed of the "fixed" pitch blades of the heli.
For this fixed pitch function you will use the Throttle curve function of the Optic Sport, but not the Pitch curve function.
The other, more common, collective pitch setup uses a mix within the electronics of the radio transmitter to combine the
throttle RPM with the adjustable "pitch" or angle of the heli's blades. Both Throttle curve and Pitch curve functions of the
Optic Sport are used to fine-tune the performance of a collective pitch heli.
