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What is a Swashplate?

The swashplate is the mechanical part of the rotor system that transfers the cyclic and collective movements from the servos to the rotor head. The swashplate consist out of two parts. The bottom part of the swashplate is stationary with the main shaft running through it, while the top part rotates with the main shaft. The top part of the swash plate rotates inside the bottom part on one ball bearing.

You get a 120º and 90º swashplate. On the 120º swashplate, the ball joints are 120º apart, and is situated on the bottom half of the swashplate assembly. There will be three servos connected to this swashplate (usually 3D capable helicopters) via linkages. These three servos will be mixed together (CCPM) to accomplish cyclic and collective movement. The top part of the swashplate has four ball joints 90º apart that are connected via linkages to the flybar ensemble and main blade holders.

On a 90º swashplate, the ball joints are 90º apart on the bottom part of the swashplate. Fixed pitch helicopters normally use a 90º swashplate. There will be two servos connected to this swashplate via linkages. One servo for elevator and one servo for aileron. The top part of the swashplate has four ball joints 90º apart that are connected via linkages to the flybar ensemble and main blade holders.

90º swashplate

90º Swashplate

120º swashplate

120º Swashplate

With changes in collective, the whole swashplate assembly will move up or down on the main shaft. This will change the main rotor blade pitch positive or negative.

With cyclic changes (elevator and aileron), the bottom part of the swashplate will be tilted forward, backwards, left or right. These tilting forces will be transferred directly to the flybar assembly to give the desired movement to the rotor head.

The mechanics involved in helicopter rotary systems are very complicated and difficult to explain on pen and paper. So I hope you have a better understanding of the swashplate after reading my explanation.

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