The 'collective' lever also has the aircrafts throttle attached to it. (Oh, I should also add, most collectives also have the rescue hoist wire cutter control as well - which makes most winch men twitch. Stay away from black and yellow switches) PLEASE!! :thumb2:Thanks for the correct names for those items Doug. I only know how to build and bad at describing parts of flying things...it's worse when it comes to the floaty things. I don't even have plans to work with and just eye balling photo references. Now at least I can describe the cockpit parts properly as I post.
Ha ha me too then later on seeing some movies notice the handle can be twisted and elevated up and down while flying and didn't see it abruptly stop. :tears-of-joy:
Cheers,
Wabble
In essence, to take off, the pilot has to slowly pull the collective lever up whilst applying power by twisting the throttle. Lifting the lever, alters the pitch on ALL the rotor blades, (hence the term 'collective'), giving lift to all the rotors. At the same time, specific to single rotored craft with a tail rotor. The pilot simultaneously applies pressure to the rudder pedal so as to keep the helicopter pointing the same direction to counter the loss of torque when the collective was applied!!!! (In simple terms, stamp feet, rub stomach and pat your head!)
To get forward flight, the pilot then applies a forward input on the cyclic and the helicopter will start moving in a forwards direction. At the same time altering the collective and rudders to maintain a smooth transition from a hover to forward flight. (The reality isn't as straight forward but tbh, Explaining it would get lost in-between my brain and my fingers on the keyboard)
There is a device on the rotors called a swash plate. This converts the pilots inputs on the cockpit controls to movement on the rotor head. (One part being stationary and the other rotating).
Obviously, the tandem rotor craft you are building would apply a few differences due to the addition of the second rotor. One would be rotating clockwise, the corresponding rotor would be anti-clockwise to counter the torque reaction!!
Phew, time for a brew and admire more of the builds on here!!!














