Flight School Definitions
This page defines common terms that I reference throughout Flight School. To return to this page at any time while browsing through Flight School, simply click the term you would like defined and if it is covered on this page (or if I didn't forget to link it here) then it will take you to this page. Happy reading and pleasant flying!
Cyclic
Your cyclic stick is the left stick on mode 2 radios (the most common type in the United States). It consists of elevator (forwards and backwards cyclic) and aileron (left and right cyclic). For those with mode 1 radios, the "cyclic" stick will be on both sticks; left and right on the right stick for mode 1 radios will be aileron (left and right cyclic) and just forwards and backwards on the left stick will be elevator (forwards and backwards cyclic).
Helipad
Your helipad is the place where you take off and land during Flight School. It should be something that is about the size of an 8.5" by 11" sheet of paper for a micro heli, 4 sheets of paper for a small or medium, and 9 (arranged in a squarish shape) sheets for a large heli. In fact, this size sheet of paper works great so long as you can secure it to the ground with tape. In order for an object to work as your helipad, it must be able to be secured to the ground, because if not the rotor wash of your helicopter will blow it away as soon as you near it. However, you do not want something thick or Flight School will be harder. This also applies to paper; tape the entire edge down or you'll end up sliding the skids or training gear under the paper, tipping the heli, and causing a blade strike.
Tail In
A tail in orientation is a position in which the tail of the helicopter is nearest to the pilot (you); in other words, the nose of the helicopter is pointing away from you. While in a tail in orientation, all the controls of the helicopter are normal: a left cyclic command initiates movement to the left, a throttle / cyclic increase results in an increase in altitude, etc. This is the orientation you want to be in when learning to fly an RC Helicopter.
Of note is the fact that when learning in a tail in orientation, you should avoid thinking of a left, right, forwards, etc. movement as a movement in that direction. Instead, think of a right cyclic command as a move to the helicopter's right, a backwards cyclic command as a helicopter backwards movement, etc. This will make Nose In learning much easier (see below).
Of note is the fact that when learning in a tail in orientation, you should avoid thinking of a left, right, forwards, etc. movement as a movement in that direction. Instead, think of a right cyclic command as a move to the helicopter's right, a backwards cyclic command as a helicopter backwards movement, etc. This will make Nose In learning much easier (see below).
Position 1
Position 1 refers to a place you (the pilot) stand in relation to the helipad. Stand about 12-15 feet behind your helipad. This position will be referred to throughout flight school as POSITION 1.
Nose In
A nose in orientation is a position in which the nose of the helicopter is nearest to the pilot. It is the opposite of a tail in orientation. When flying in a nose in orientation, elevator and aileron are reversed relative to the pilot. However, you should learn to fly Nose In by imagining all controls relative to the helicopter instead. Thus, a right cyclic would cause the HELICOPTER to always move to the right, regardless of the direction it is facing relative to the pilot.
Circuit
A circuit is any circular flight pattern that is flown with the nose of the helicopter facing into the direction of flight (or movement).
Projected Circuit
This is a circuit that is flown out in front of the pilot; at some point in a projected circuit the pilot will view the helicopter from all orientations, nose-in included. This kind of circuit is the basis for hurricanes and funnels, except these two are not circuits because the nose points in a direction that is not the direction of flight.
Fast Flight / Fast Forward Flight (FFF)
This is any flying (usually forward, because it is the easiest and nicest to your gyro / tail rotor) in which the helicopter is moving rather quickly. In FFF, translational lift produces a significant amount of the total lift of your heli, so in order to avoid gaining too much altitude the throttle / collective needs to be reduced. However, as soon as FFF is stopped, the extra lift gained from translational lift ceases, and the helicopter will begin to fall unless throttle / collective is increased.