3D Helicopter Flying Mode - How it Works

To fly aerobatic maneuvers, the helicopter must be in 3D Flight mode.  The flight Mode toggle switch is located in the upper right of the transmitter switches between normal and 3D mode (Fig 9). In Normal Flight Mode, the first 50% of the throttle movement is for spooling up the rotor head. As throttle passes the 50% mark, the CCPM system gradually increases the the pitch of the blades to create lift and get the heli into the air. Note: All flying in normal mode will occur above 50% throttle. Landing will also occur in normal flight mode.

In the 3D flight mode, the throttle stick functions switches from controlling the throttle to controlling the pitch angle of the rotor blades. The VNR 3D must be flying to switch into the 3D Flight Mode when the throttle input is 50% or higher. When the heli is in 3D Flight Mode, the CCPM system, will hold the motor at a constant RPM. The throttle stick is now controlling the pitch. At 505 throttle stick, the blades have a 0% pitch (they are flat). Increasing the throttle input above above 50% will add positive pitch to the blades and generate more lift. Decreasing the throttle input below 50% will add negative pitch to the blades and force the heli down when flying upright. Understanding this factor is the key to successful 3D flight. There are very few instances where you will use negative pitch while flying upright but when you are inverted, less throttle will create more negative pitch which translates into positive pitch (because you are upside down) and the VNR 3D will gain altitude.