Definition of Collective?

[Helifino]

Obviously I'm a newbie.

I have been attempting to learn to fly on a FP Hornet with a cheap 4 channel TX. NOT
EASY!

I'm considering moving on and up to a T Rex 450 XL. I understand the concept behind pitch, roll and ruder. But, I don't have a clue about the term collective on a 6+ channel TX and what effect it has on the heli. Is the collective on the same stick as the throttle? Is collective the same as pitch? :confused:

Any explanation would help.

Thanks ahead of time

[Motions]

Yes and yes. the collective is the variable pitch of the main blades. As you move the throttle/collective stick, the pitch of the blades change accordingly. As you move the stick up, the pitch of the blades increase and as you move the stick down, the pitch decreases. This is directly proportional to the throttle depending on your curves to sustain a constant throttle at any pitch.

[kaji]

Simply put, the collective is the twisting of the blade on the heli. Imagine your hand out the window in your dads car. Level hand would be zero pitch, twist hand up a bit and your entering positive pitch and climbing. Twist hand down and your at neg pitch and going down. That's what the heli blades do when you move the throttle up and down. At the same time your throttle is working with the collective, all on the same stick. To go up, move the stick up, which then gives more power and more bite from the blades allowing you to climb. Fixed pitch blades don't twist. Their set at say 5 degrees pitch and you have to run the engine allot faster to get it to climb.

Sorry Motions, you type faster

[Helifino]

Thanks guys. Now I get it! ;)

That's one of the many things that I enjoy about this hobby, the willingness for those who know to help those who know not. :D

[Motions]

:D Always happens. I start replying with a long reply and as soon as I save it, there's 1 or 2 people that have already posted. Don't you hate that?

[newtoit]

Yes and yes. the collective is the variable pitch of the main blades. As you move the throttle/collective stick, the pitch of the blades change accordingly. As you move the stick up, the pitch of the blades increase and as you move the stick down, the pitch decreases. This is directly proportional to the throttle depending on your curves to sustain a constant throttle at any pitch.




so on a t-rex , would all 3 servos be moving when applying throttle or just 2?

[tdswan]

so on a t-rex , would all 3 servos be moving when applying throttle or just 2?

That depends on if it's a CCPM or a standard mix. I'm assuming you mean a CCPM and then the answer is all 3 servos move up and down in unison when you add or reduce collective. When you roll, the front 2 will change (opposite of each other) to tilt the swashplate, and when you change pitch (attitude) the two front will move up or down and the rear servo will move the opposite direction to tilt the swash forward & back.

On a standard mix, only one servo controls collective, one controls pitch and one controls roll.

[newtoit]

That depends on if it's a CCPM or a standard mix. I'm assuming you mean a CCPM and then the answer is all 3 servos move up and down in unison when you add or reduce collective. When you roll, the front 2 will change (opposite of each other) to tilt the swashplate, and when you change pitch (attitude) the two front will move up or down and the rear servo will move the opposite direction to tilt the swash forward & back.

On a standard mix, only one servo controls collective, one controls pitch and one controls roll.

yes, CCPM.
so if all servos are basically moving for control all the time then what would be the best way to set up a futaba 7ch radio and would you use the H-1 swashplate settng as opposed to HR-3? i dont know if i know what i am talking about so i probably cant make you understand. see my topic "futaba defective"

[Motions]

You can't use H-1 if you have a CCPM setup. You must use the HR3 mode.

[newtoit]

thanks folks. i have a better understanding. just need to settle down and take it one step at a time. trial and error and hopefully little to no replacement costs.