Flight fascinates people of all ages. Recent advances in battery technology have extended the capabilities of model airplanes and toy helicopters. For those who have never outgrown a childhood enthusiasm for the wonders of flight, it is possible to buy inexpensive, remotely controlled planes and helicopters. A toy helicopter offers an opportunity to investigate and study some basics of flight.1
REFERENCES
1.
The toy helicopter is an Air Hogs RC Apache Havoc. It is powered by a 3.7‐V lithium poly battery. The charge capacity of the battery is 50 mAh. The large rotor and the tail rotor are controlled by an infrared‐linked transmitter. This inexpensive helicopter is available in large discount stores.
2.
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The development of the equations in the appendix follows the outline of texts on helicopter aerodynamics. See for example Wayne Johnson, Helicopter Theory (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1980); J. Seddon and Simon Newman, Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics, 2nd ed. (Blackwell Science Inc, 2001); or J. Gordon Leishman, Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics, 2nd ed. (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2005).
7.
Thanks to the reviewer whose expertise provided many helpful suggestions throughout the article.
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