A Newb Question!!!

[Rhumba555]

I am trying to get into helicopters coming from flying "planks" and was wondering about fixed pitch vs CP. Why are FP main blades thicker, wider and have a higher angle of attack near the root like an airplane propeller and CP helis have straight blades? Wouldn't you want a higher angle of attack near the rotor hub where rotational speed is lower (therefore creating less lift with a straight blade)? I realize CP helis allow the blade pitch to go negative for inverted flight and 3D stuff but are straight blades actually thicker at the root and taper to thin at the tip or is the cross section at the root and the tip the same?

Thanks

[DebianDog]

I was always under the impression that there was little to no lift at the center of the blades. FP helicopter are made for beginners and "toys" and I would assume it has to due more with strength (crash resistances) than lift.

If you are not looking to spend a lot of money and want a FP helicopter to play with, the Blade CX is good value for your money.

[Pinecone]

FP blades are designed to work at various RPMs, CP blades over a much smaller range.

CP baldes, like yousay, are also designed to go inverted, so have to be the same down thelength.

Most blades are just one size/shape from root to tip.

[Rhumba555]

Thanks guys,

I was actually in the market for a T-rex 450xl since it seems to have a great following and it is CP. I have spent a lot of time with the Clearview sim and can keep the model 450xl within a 10 ft. circle in almost any direction but still need more practice. I am especially interested in building my own kit as I love to assemble mechanical things and I would understand the workings of the heli more that way. I have a Futaba T6xas that I want to use to save some money at the start. I was looking at the combos out there on the Internet, like the Heli kit, battery, esc, motor, servos and charger setups. I found one for about $340. Anyway, will the T6xas be good enough to start with?

[Pinecone]

1) I would go to the SE, SA, or S, versus the XL. Much updated with good stuff.

2) For a 6 channel I would get the JR 6102 or Hitec Optic 6 or DX6 over the Futaba 6 channel. More features in most of these. The Futaba 6 is a bit stripped.