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R/C Helicopter

The helicopter is an Ergo 60 Sport with a P-5 Webra engine. Modifications were made to increase lift and reduce slop, the uncontrolled movement on a servo. To increase lift, semi-symmetrical carbon fiber blades, an aftermarket drive gearing, and a tuned heli muffler replaced the stock parts. To reduce slop, the nylon servo arms were replaced with aluminum servo arms and servo output horns were added.

The helicopter is controlled with a JR XP642 6 channel radio transmitter. On the helicopter is an R600 receiver, five 517 ball-bearing servos, and a Piezo gyro. The receiver, servos, and gyro are powered by a Sanyo 1000 milliamp battery. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Specifications:
Helicopter Heli + Rig
Height 19.2 in 32.7 in
Length 57.5 in 61.0 in
Width 9.5 in 47.0 in
Weight 12 lbs 7 oz 15 lbs 2 oz
Main Rotor 61.0 in same
Tail Rotor 10.3 in same
Engine P-5 Webra same

Note that the weight specifications for the helicopter include modifications from the stock assembly of the helicopter. Modifications include:

  • CPVC tubing to hold struts
  • Extra battery and wiring to run servos on camera rig
  • Plastic container to hold batteries, and acts as a ballast to counter the weight of the camera and camera rig


Personnel to contact about a specific subject are listed on the staff page.
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
221 North Broadway, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
URL: http://il.water.usgs.gov/proj/lirb/aerial/heli.html
Maintainer: djfazio@usgs.gov
Last modified: 14:09 CST Wed 10 May 2000