Step 1: Learn the Left Stick
The following describes a step-by-step process for learning to fly your Lite Machines
helicopter. The process consist of driving the helicopter on the ground using just the
left control stick on the transmitter until your control actions become unconscious and
automatic. After mastering the left stick to steer, you learn the right stick to hover.
Hint:
Are your fingers comfortable on the transmitter control sticks? Stick length and
centering tension are adjustable on most transmitters.
Place your helicopter on a paved surface with the nose pointing into the wind, and the
engine adjusted and idling. Stand about 15 ft (5m) behind the model, and slightly to
the left or right (review Fig. 6-1). If you have an electric helicopter, plug the motor
speed controller into the battery, and arm the speed controller.
Slowly open the throttle (move the left stick forward) to increase rotor speed until the
model is light on the skids, but not actually flying. Move all controls to see if they work
properly. Moving the left stick (tail rotor control) to the left and right should cause the
NOSE
to turn left and right. Moving the right stick (cyclic control) should cause the
main rotor to tilt.
Increase the throttle (left stick) slightly and tilt the main rotor forward to pull the
helicopter along the ground. Steer the
NOSE
with the left stick as the model moves
forward. Do not look at the tail when steering your helicopter.
Drive around without actually leaving the ground until you have mastered steering
with your left hand. Note that the tail rotor control appears to operate backwards
when the helicopter is pointed towards you.
Step 2: Practice Small Hops
While concentrating on the left stick, slowly open the throttle until your helicopter
rises into the air. Pull the left stick back gradually to slow the engine and return to the
ground. Repeat this step until you are accustomed to the throttle control. While
practicing these hops, notice that the nose tends to turn to the left or the right as the
model lifts into the air. Move the left stick in the opposite direction to compensate.
Remember to concentrate on the
NOSE
when using the left stick to turn. Do not look
at the tail rotor. If the nose rotates to the left, push the stick to the right, and
vice-versa. The objective is to keep the
NOSE
pointed away from you. Learning the
right stick later will be nearly impossible if the nose turns toward you.
If the nose turns in the same direction on every hop, adjust the trim lever under the left
stick to neutralize the turn. You can also adjust the length of the tail rotor pushrod by
screwing the clevis in or out a few turns (if the nose turns left, shorten the pushrod; if
right, lengthen it). In either case you are changing the pitch of the tail rotor blades
slightly to neutralize the turn.
Op er a tor's Guide
Learning to Fly
LITE MA CHINES
6-3
