Adjusting the
Arlton Gyro
Stabilizer
The dual-gain mechanical
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer on the
Model 110
helicopter greatly
reduces tail swing caused by wind gusts or changes in engine speed. If the tail on
your
Model 110
helicopter swings excessively with throttle changes, check that all
parts of the gyro, tail rotor blades and spider slider linkages are oiled and move very
smoothly. Any friction or binding will reduce gyro effectiveness. Also, make sure that
your gyro is set to maximum gain (use upper pin location on spider slider/gyro
spindle).
Excessive tail swing may also mean that your main rotor and tail rotor are rotating too
slowly. Even though the
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer is quite sensitive, at low speeds the tail
rotor cannot produce enough thrust to keep the tail from swinging. Generally, adding
weight to your
Model 110
will increase main rotor speed and tail rotor effectiveness.
In addition, adding weight (like small metal collars) to your gyro paddles can increase
gyro effectiveness at low speeds.
The counterweight bolts on the
Model 110
tail rotor blades balance the blades in
flight, and influence the operation of the
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer. If the gyro is more
effective in one turn direction than in the other, or if the gyro paddles are tilted during
hover, the tail rotor blades may not be properly counter-balanced. Replace the 4-40 x
1/4" bolts with 4-40 x 3/8" bolts or 4-40 x 1/8" setscrews until the gyro rotor spins in a
vertical plane when viewed from behind.
For more information on helicopter stability, refer to the
Stability, Control Power and
Climb Performance
section of this Operator’s Guide.
Tail Swing and Revo Mix
Radio transmitters designed especially for model helicopters usually have a function
called “revo-mix” which electronically mixes the throttle control with the tail rotor
control. Revo-mix automatically adjusts tail rotor blade pitch each time the throttle
setting is changed. Radio transmitters designed for model airplanes do not have this
function.
An easy way to simulate revo-mix on an airplane radio is to manually move the
throttle (left) stick up and to the left or down and to the right when making rapid throttle
changes. Each day before you go flying, look at the throttle stick and repeat to
yourself “up and to the left”, “down and to the right”, “up and to the left”, “down and to
the right” and you will be able to climb and descend without significant tail swing.
Op er a tor's Guide
Learning to Fly
LITE MA CHINES
6-13
