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For the last twelve years I have been lucky enough to be chief
designer for Snelflight Ltd, which has provided a wonderful opportunity
for me to explore my interest in unusual and novel flight concepts,
and turn ideas into reality. Our debut product the Hoverfly, was
launched in 1999. At that time it was the world’s only indoor
helicopter, and worked using a completely new mechanism which
replaced the complex mechanics of conventional helicopters with
an electronic system. The result was a small helicopter which
had the flight characteristics of a 60-sized model, but was lightweight,
robust, and had a very low rotor speed. These characteristics
made it ideal for indoor training.
The Hoverfly helped to solidify our interest in models which
offer genuine assistance with the frustrating process of learning
to fly a model helicopter. From the outset we identified a number
of key difficulties, which result in a high "drop-out"
rate amongst would-be pilots. These are:
- Many models have to be assembled after purchase and then adjusted
for flight. But it is impossible to adjust a model correctly
without flying it, but a badly adjusted machine is difficult
or impossible for a beginner to fly. The first few flights are
very difficult, and frequently result in a crash.
- The re-build is expensive and time consuming, and requires
the adjustment process to be repeated.
- Model helicopters have high-speed whirling blades, which are
hazardous and damaging indoors.
- Flying a helicopter requires three distinct control processes
to be carried out at the same time. The machine will not fly
unless all are done adequately, so it is impossible to learn
one-at-a-time without assistance from an instructor. The controls
are:
- Collective (throttle): Controls the overall lift of
the aircraft. This is in some ways the hardest control
to master, but it is an absolute prerequisite for flight,
to be able to control the height of the machine.
- Cyclic (directional) control: This allows attitude and
the horizontal movements of the helicopter to be controlled.
- Rudder (tail): This allows the aircraft heading to be
controlled – the direction in which it is pointing. It
is crucial to learn to operate this correctly, since the
cyclic controls operate in relation to the aircraft. So
beginners generally need to keep the machine pointing
away from them, so that its left is the same as their
left, etc.
In our designs we have used novel methods to address each of
these issues, so that we can offer a set of models which provide
a graded means of acquiring piloting skills. All of our aircraft
arrive ready to fly, and are robust enough to withstand bumping
about. Any damage that does occur tends to be superficial, repairable,
and the parts are normally replaceable. There are no large exposed
whirling blades to worry about.
The Microfly is a delightful and inexpensive introduction
to the hobby. It is tiny, and requires only one control (throttle)
to operate. Everything else is automatic, so the beginner can
concentrate on height control. Everyone can have a go, and most
will learn to hover the aircraft in a controlled way. This important
skill transfers directly to all other hovering aircraft.
The Flying Saucer provides a gentle way into fully-controllable
hovering flight. Its unique design makes it both robust and self-levelling,
so it is relatively easy for a beginner to learn to hover it,
but it still has a full set of effective direction controls so
that it can be manoeuvred freely and swiftly.
The
Jump Jet replaced our Hoverfly, and provides a more powerful
aircraft which is self-levelling and docile as supplied, but with
the replaceable foam body removed it becomes fast and agile, flying
like a helicopter. Pilots of all abilities enjoy it. Jump Jet
also offers
the unique chance of elegant and controlled forward flight in
the most confined spaced. Mishaps can result in bending or crumpling
the wings and tail, but these can easily be replaced without upsetting
the trims.
For the enthusiast the Jump Jet can also be upgraded in two ways:
for a Harrier appearance, a separate near scale body is available,
and for real hobbyists a radio receiver option allows the
use of conventional radio control transmitters, working in or
out of doors. No other flight system we know of combines all of
these virtues.
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