RC Helicopters: Coaxial, Fixed Pitch and Collective Pitch Rotor Designs

In terms of popularity, RC Helicopters have really “taken off” in recent years--in some countries, they are now more in vogue than RC airplanes. Advances in technology, the growing number of models on the market, and the introduction of electric Ready to Fly (RTF) helicopters to fit any budget have all helped fuel the surge in interest. This is a great time to get started with RC helicopters; not only are there more choices than ever, but also, with the right kind of copter, it’s never before been as easy to learn to fly.

There are 3 main types of RC helicopters--Coaxial, Fixed Pitch (FP) and Collective Pitch (CP). Here’s a brief description of each:

• Coaxial RC helicopters have, instead of one main and a tail rotor, two mains and no tail rotor—the mains are set one above the other and rotate in opposite directions. Coaxials are the copter of choice for many beginners and for good reason: they’re the most stable and easiest to control and because of their design simplicity, they’re less likely to crash. When they do, replacement parts are inexpensive; and you can purchase a good quality model for under $100. They’re mainly for indoors but can be flown outside if wind conditions are absolutely calm.

• Fixed Pitch RC helicopters have a single main rotor and a tail rotor to counteract the main’s torque. They’re called fixed pitch because the pitch or angle of the blades can not be changed; altitude or lift is controlled by increasing or decreasing throttle pressure. More realistic than coaxials, they are also less stable and harder to fly—not impossible for beginners to master, but if you do opt for FP, training on a flight simulator is strongly recommended before you fly. FPs can be flown indoors or out, so long as wind speed is not more than 5 mph.
• With Collective Pitch helicopters, the angle of the main rotors can be changed. The engine is kept at a constant speed and altitude controlled by adjusting the blade pitch. For outdoors only, CP helis are faster and more maneuverable but less stable and much more demanding, with a truly steep learning curve; they are also more expensive and replacement parts more costly.

I would encourage anyone new to flying RC helicopters to initially steer clear of CP models but if you’re determined to buy one, please do yourself a favor and first train on a simulator—I can not stress this strongly enough: these babies are serious flying machines. Without proper preparation, you will crash your copter and then spend lots of money on repairs or a replacement. More importantly, when you do crash, you could very well harm yourself or others. If you are serious about flying RC helicopters, you will probably want a CP model eventually, but they are a very poor choice for the novice pilot.

Unless you choose a coaxial for your first helicopter, you really do need to invest in a flight simulator. They allow you to develop your flying skills at no risk to you, others or your machine, and good ones are available in the $200.00 range. With a simulator, you will be able to experience flying with dozens of RC helicopters, and when you pass the beginner stage, you can continue to use the sim to hone your skills and to acquire more advanced strategies and maneuvers.

Related Hubs:

Learn to Fly RC Airplanes and Helicopters through Club Instruction

Learn to Fly Remote Control Helicopters and RC Airplanes with a Flight Simulator

Learn to Fly RC Airplanes with a Buddy Box

Learn to Fly RC Airplanes with a Certified Instructor

Choosing Your First Remote Control Airplane