E-sky Lama - a family of serial-produced by the company E-sky radio - controlled helicopters . All helicopters of this family are based on a coaxial scheme, which simplifies and reduces the cost of implementing an inexpensive model. In addition, the simplified coaxial scheme has a fairly high stability, which is suitable for initial training in controlling the RU-model of a helicopter . The manufacturer and third-party companies produce not only a full range of spare parts for the model, but also all kinds of “ upgrades ” that improve the handling , thrust-weight ratio , appearance or reliability of the helicopter. The model is so popular that the market is replete with cheap copies built even more simplified: the lack of a roll channel, servos and a swashplate (replaced by a special tail propeller that changes the pitch angle of the model).
Varieties and main characteristics
| Modification → Characteristic ↓ | Lama v3 | Lama v4 | Kob | Comanche | Hunter | Dauphin | Robins 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prototype | Aérospatiale lama | Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil | - | Boeing / Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche | Eurocopter EC 130 | Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin | Robinson r22 |
| Length | 408 mm | 408 mm | 415 mm | 435 mm | 380 mm | 400 mm | 360 mm |
| Width | 78 mm | 85 mm | 77 mm | 95 mm | 73 mm | 72 mm | |
| Height | 168 mm | 180 mm | 174 mm | 185 mm | 188 mm | 180 mm | |
| Flight weight | 215 g | 230 ± 10 g | 226 ± 10 g | 242 ± 10 g | 216 ± 10 g | 240 ± 10 g | 220 ± 10 g |
| The diameter of the bearing rotors | 340 mm. | ||||||
| Flight time | About 10 minutes | ||||||
The main differences between the models are limited by appearance. Lama V3 and KOB differ from other varieties in open gears and a tail boom with a fake tail rotor instead of fenestron . The Lama V3 has a truss tail beam, and the KOB has a tubular beam, similar in appearance to large RC helicopters. The mechanics and electronics of the models are identical. Only the external shafts have a slight difference: the holes for attaching the head of the lower rotor can be located higher or lower (two options).
Device
E-sky Lama is supplied only in the form of an RTF-set ( Eng. Ready to Fly ), that is, the kit allows you to start flying immediately, without having to buy additional accessories. The control is carried out with the FM PPM equipment supplied: 35, 36, 40, 41, 72 M Hz (with replaceable quartz ) or Spread Spectrum equipment 2.4 GHz. The helicopter is controlled through four proportional channels:
- By pitch - by tilting the plate of the swash plate with a servo machine.
- On the roll - by tilting the plate of the swash plate with a servo machine.
- On the course - an asymmetric change in the rotational speed of the rotors.
- For gas - a symmetric change in the rotational speed of the rotors.
Despite this, the electronics of the control equipment is 6-channel (similar to the older models produced by the company). Missing controls (gyro control, etc.) are simply not displayed. In thematic forums, one can often find a description of inexpensive and simple ways to refine the control panel to the 6-channel version [1] .
The so-called “4 in 1” block is installed in the helicopter cockpit. This is bundled into one module: a regular 6-channel FM receiver (can be easily removed from the common unit) with a replaceable quartz (or Spread Spectrum ) and a board with a piezo gyroscope , mixer and a pair of travel controllers for collector motors. The cab itself is a mechanical protection for the electronics. In the lower part of the model, a removable 7.4-volt Li-Po battery (about 800 mAh) is installed. The tail of the model performs mainly a decorative function and is equipped with a freely rotating false tail rotor or a fenestron .
Two collector motors of the 180th series (each for its own rotor ), two main gears, internal and external shafts driving the rotors and two servos (control of the swash plate) are mounted on the helicopter frame. The swashplate allows you to control only the cyclic pitch of only the lower rotor. The upper rotor changes only the cyclic step, but set not by a plate of the swashplate, but by a flybar (mechanical stabilizer-gyroscope). Due to such control of the cyclic pitch, the helicopter is very stable, but the maximum angles in roll and pitch of the helicopter are relatively small, which, combined with a small thrust ratio, does not allow for complex aerobatics . Such characteristics are excellent for initial training in controlling the helicopter's RU model .