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What is Flybar Paddles? |
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Flybar paddles are the two little wings 90º in
offset to the main rotor blades. These little paddles play a vital
role in controlling and stabilizing the helicopter during flight.
The paddles will give the necessary change to the rotational plane
of the rotor disc so that the helicopter can fly into the desired
direction. |
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What is the rotational plane? The rotational
plane is the path that the main rotor blades travel viewed from the
side. In hover flight, the rotation plane will be horizontal to the
ground. The flybar paddles will alter the rotational plane of the
rotor blades when the angle of attack of the paddles are changed.
When the rotation plane change, the lift vector will be tilted. This
will result in the helicopter moving in the direction of the tilt. |
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With that in mind you can clearly see the
importance of flybar paddles. You will notice that most paddles will
have a small weight connected to it. The heavier these small
weights, the more difficult it is for the paddle to move up or down.
For a slower paddle response, the paddle weights must be heavy. For
a faster paddle response, the paddle weights must be lighter. The
lighter the weights, the easier the paddles will move up or down.
Sometimes you can remove all the weight on the paddle depending on
your flying skills. |
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Paddles without weights |
Paddles with weights |
Flybar |
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The principal
of paddle weight can be explained as follows. Take a bucket half
full of water and swing it around. While you swing the bucket, move
your arm up and down. Empty the bucket and do the same. You will
notice that it is much easier to move the bucket up and down with no
water in it (less weight) while you swing it around.
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