From the type of helicopter to the control scheme and the number of channels, there are many things to consider when purchasing an RC Helicopter. And, as beginners, it’s easy to get lost. There are three channels on an RC helicopter: the aileron, the elevator, and the rudder. In this blog post, we will discuss what each of these channels does and how they work together to control the helicopter.
The aileron channel controls the helicopter’s ability to roll left and right. The elevator channel controls the helicopter’s ability to pitch up and down. And finally, the rudder channel controls the helicopter’s ability to yaw left and right. All three channels must be used together to achieve coordinated control of the helicopter. For example, if you want to make your helicopter bank to the left, you need to input a command into the aileron channel while simultaneously keeping the elevator level. This will cause the helicopter to tilt to the left and start moving in that direction. Similarly, if you want to make your helicopter climb, you would need to give it an upward command with the elevator while maintaining a horizontal position with the aileron.
It’s important to note that each of these channels can be controlled independently, which allows for a lot of flexibility and maneuverability while flying your helicopter. For instance, if you want to make a quick turn without ascending or descending, you can use the rudder channel to yaw your helicopter in the desired direction and then use the aileron and elevator channels to correct its position.
While these are the three primary functions included in an RC helicopter, the channels can also be divided based on numbers. The number of channels of an RC helicopter determines the number of independent functions of an RC helicopter that can be controlled by the user. The higher the number, the greater the number of independent functions that can be controlled, and vice-versa.
2 Channel RC Helicopter Radios: These helicopters only have two channels: the aileron and the elevator. As a result, these helicopters are limited in their ability to perform complex maneuvers.
3 Channel RC Helicopter Radios: These helicopters have three channels: aileron, elevator, and rudder. This allows for more coordinated control of the helicopter and makes it easier to perform maneuvers such as banking or climbing.
4 Channel RC Helicopter Radios: The four-channel RC helicopter is the most common radio-controlled helicopter on the market today. It has four channels: aileron, elevator, rudder, and throttle. This gives pilots greater flexibility regarding what they can do with their helicopter. The throttle channel controls the power delivered to the rotor blades, allowing you to ascend and descend at will. The other channels allow you to roll left and right, pitch forward and back, and yaw left and right.
5 Channel RC Helicopter Radios: These helicopters are often rare and are only used by advanced pilots. The five-channel RC helicopter also operates similarly to the four-channel. Channel 1 controls the engine/motor speed; the second controls the tail rotor, the third controls swashplate cyclic pitch, the fourth controls the swashplate cyclic roll, and the fifth controls the collective pitch of the main rotor blades.
6 Channel RC Helicopter Radios: These helicopters are even rarer than the five-channel RC helicopter and are only used by expert pilots. The six channels allow for more control over the helicopter, such as controlling each servo motor or having more cyclic pitch available on the swashplate.
7 & more Channel RC Helicopter Radios: Seven channel helicopters are amongst the rarest types of helicopters. And while they offer greater control to the pilot, these are difficult to fly, especially for new novices.
Which channel helicopter should I buy?
This question is difficult to answer as it depends on your skill level and what you want to do with the helicopter. If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with a four or five-channel RC helicopter radio. This will give you enough flexibility to perform basic maneuvers while still easy to control. If you are an advanced pilot, you may want to consider purchasing a six or seven-channel RC helicopter radio to have more precise control over your aircraft.
Keep in mind that these helicopters are more challenging to fly and should only be attempted by experienced pilots. There are also many different brands and models of RC helicopters. When purchasing a helicopter, it’s essential to make sure that you select one that has the channels that match your needs. If you’re just starting, we recommend choosing a three or four-channel helicopter so that you can learn the basics of how to fly them. As you become more experienced, you can move on to more complex helicopters with more channels. If you have trouble selecting the perfect helicopter for your use, consider talking to a professional.