User's Manual
Table of Contents - Page 34 Table of Contents - Page 35
Helicopter Controls and Switch Assignments
Helicopter Controls and Switch Assignments
This section describes how to use the Optic helicopter functions (model type HELI). Descriptions of the other functions, such as
endpoints, dual rates, expo, etc., are contained in the aircraft (ACRO) section
The Tip Sheet
The Two Fundamental Types of Helicopter's: Fixed Pitch and Collective Pitch
There are two fundamental types of model heli's, fixed pitch and collective pitch. The fixed pitch heli is simpler to operate
and has fewer moving parts as the motor or engine RPM controls the speed of the "fixed" pitch blades of the heli.
For this fixed pitch function you will use the Throttle curve function of the Optic Sport, but not the Pitch curve function.
The other, more common, collective pitch setup uses a mix within the electronics of the radio transmitter to combine the
throttle RPM with the adjustable "pitch" or angle of the heli's blades. Both Throttle curves and Pitch curves functions of the
Optic Sport are used to fine-tune the performance of a collective pitch heli.
The Two fundamental types of power: Electric and Glow
There are some subtle, but important differences in the setup methods for glow- versus electric-powered heli's:
If your Heli is powered by a glow engine:
1. A servo plugged into the Ch. 3 slot of the receiver controls the carburetor throttle plate of the engine.
2. Glow heli's also have their own "on-board" battery to power the receiver, gyro and servos.
If your Heli is powered by an electric motor:
1. A proportional ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is plugged into the Ch. 3 receiver slot to control the RPM of the motor.
The Speed Control may have settings that need to be programmed so check the Speed Controller manual.
2. Instead of a fuel tank, a large battery pack provides power to the motor, as well as powering the receiver, gyro and servos
through the BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit) of the ESC (Electronic Speed Control).
Helicopter Controls and Switch Assignments
Helicopter Functions Map
Helicopter Setup Example 15
EPA End Point Adjust (servo travels) 27
D/R Dual Rates 27
EXP Exponential Settings 28
STRM Subtrim(Netural settings) 28
SREV SERVO Reverse 29
P.MX Programmable Mixer 29
ELVN Elevon mixing(tailless models) 29
FLPN Flaperon(combined flaps & ailerons) 30
VTAL V-tail mixing 30
A->R Rudder Coupling 31
E->F Elevator Flap Mixing 32
CUT Throttle Cut(engine shut off) 33
CAMB Camber(combined flaps & ailerons) 34
FLT.C Flight condition(NOR, ST1, ST2, ST3)
Gear Swich (SW-1) controls receiver CH5
FLT MODE(SW-3)switch Aft = CAMB On
Volage/Timer Display
Normal Display Mode
End Point Adjust [EPA]
Press both Edit Displa
Dual Paste Set [D/R]
Expon ential [EXP]
Sub-Times [S.TRM]
Servo Resbrsing [S.REV]
Prog.Mix [PMX]
Thnottle Curve[R.CV]
Pitch curve[R.CV]
Gyro setting[GYRO]
Revolution[RVMX]
Throttle Hold[HOLD]
Throttle Cut[TCUT]
Swashplate[SWAH]
Flight Conditions FLT.C