E-flite Blade CX
Encyclopedia
The E-Flite Blade CX is an entry level, ready-to-fly, electric, micro sized, radio-controlled(R/C) helicopter
. It was designed and distributed by , a division of Horizon Hobby
of Champaign, Illinois
, USA.
tail rotor
, the CX is fitted with a coaxial, counter-rotating main head. This system, driven by two 180-series motors, cancels the rotational torque
that makes a standard helicopter difficult to learn to hover, especially a helicopter the size of the CP. The CX, by comparison, is stable enough so that inexperienced R/C users can learn to hover relatively quickly, some learning alm
ost immediately. Turning, or more correctly yaw, is accomplished via the slowing of one blade or the other without affecting stability. Compared to a single rotor helicopter, the improved stability is at the expense of a trade-off in control responsiveness, but one can theoretically step up to the CP or other standard micro helicopter once the basics of helicopter flight are mastered with the CX.
A sophisticated four-in-one onboard control unit similar to the one found on the CP contains a radio receiver
, gyro
and two motor controls
. Like the CP, each E-flite Blade CX is individually test-flown at the factory prior to shipping. A lithium polymer battery with DC charger is standard as is an instructional DVD. The other requirement is eight "AA" batteries for the transmitter.
Options include a police helicopter fuselage
, training skids, and upgrades for various parts of the helicopter that are generally stronger or perform better than the original.
, a division of Horizon Hobby, replaces the original. The new radio uses a digital protocol as well as spread spectrum
modulation, allowing many transmitter/receiver pairs to operate simultaneously without swapping crystals. The radio also uses far less power compared to the CX, requiring only 4 AA batteries in the transmitter. Parts, such as the rotor blades, and body are otherwise compatible with the original.
The general experience has been that the stock Blade CX Helicopter is only capable of flying indoors, or outdoors on a completely calm day with no wind. Any wind can cause the helicopter to "Blow over" and crash, or cause the upper rotors to collide with lower set as the helicopter tries to correct itself. Third-party modifications, however, do exist to allow better performance in windy conditions outdoors.
Radio-controlled helicopter
Radio-controlled helicopters are model aircraft which are distinct from RC airplanes because of the differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight training...
. It was designed and distributed by , a division of Horizon Hobby
Horizon Hobby
Horizon Hobby, Inc. is an international hobby product distributor, headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, U.S.A.. It currently manufactures various Hobby grade radio control models, as well as Athearn model trains, rockets, and die-cast models, which it sells direct and to hobby retailers.An...
of Champaign, Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
, USA.
Blade CX
This model was introduced in late 2005 as an easier-to-fly alternative to E-Flite's Blade CP, also introduced in 2005. Unlike its predecessor, intended for experienced pilots with its standard two-blade main rotor and gyro-controlledGyroscope
A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...
tail rotor
Tail rotor
The tail rotor, or anti-torque rotor, is a smaller rotor mounted so that it rotates vertically or near-vertically at the end of the tail of a traditional single-rotor helicopter. The tail rotor's position and distance from the center of gravity allow it to develop thrust in the same direction as...
, the CX is fitted with a coaxial, counter-rotating main head. This system, driven by two 180-series motors, cancels the rotational torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
that makes a standard helicopter difficult to learn to hover, especially a helicopter the size of the CP. The CX, by comparison, is stable enough so that inexperienced R/C users can learn to hover relatively quickly, some learning alm
ost immediately. Turning, or more correctly yaw, is accomplished via the slowing of one blade or the other without affecting stability. Compared to a single rotor helicopter, the improved stability is at the expense of a trade-off in control responsiveness, but one can theoretically step up to the CP or other standard micro helicopter once the basics of helicopter flight are mastered with the CX.
A sophisticated four-in-one onboard control unit similar to the one found on the CP contains a radio receiver
Receiver (radio)
A radio receiver converts signals from a radio antenna to a usable form. It uses electronic filters to separate a wanted radio frequency signal from all other signals, the electronic amplifier increases the level suitable for further processing, and finally recovers the desired information through...
, gyro
Gyro
- Science and technology :* An abbreviation for gyroscope, an orientation-stabilizing device* An abbreviation for autogyro, a type of rotary-wing aircraft* The casually used brand name of a detangler mechanism, part of a stunt-adapted BMX bicycle...
and two motor controls
Electronic speed control
An electronic speed control or ESC is an electronic circuit with the purpose to vary an electric motor's speed, its direction and possibly also to act as a dynamic brake...
. Like the CP, each E-flite Blade CX is individually test-flown at the factory prior to shipping. A lithium polymer battery with DC charger is standard as is an instructional DVD. The other requirement is eight "AA" batteries for the transmitter.
Options include a police helicopter fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
, training skids, and upgrades for various parts of the helicopter that are generally stronger or perform better than the original.
Blade CX2
The Blade CX2 is a newer version of the Blade CX. The gyro mixer has been updated with new software to make it easier to fly, there are minor chassis changes, a new body is available with a military-themed body and dummy missiles as separately available options, and a 2.4 GHz radio system made by Spektrum RCSpektrum RC
Spektrum is brand of radio control systems designed for use with hobby radio-controlled cars and aircraft. Spektrum is a division of Horizon Hobby....
, a division of Horizon Hobby, replaces the original. The new radio uses a digital protocol as well as spread spectrum
Spread spectrum
Spread-spectrum techniques are methods by which a signal generated in a particular bandwidth is deliberately spread in the frequency domain, resulting in a signal with a wider bandwidth...
modulation, allowing many transmitter/receiver pairs to operate simultaneously without swapping crystals. The radio also uses far less power compared to the CX, requiring only 4 AA batteries in the transmitter. Parts, such as the rotor blades, and body are otherwise compatible with the original.
Specifications
- Rotor span: 11.6"/345 mm
- Weight: 12 oz/212 g with battery
- Length: 15.72"/300 mm
- Height: 8.17"/175 mm
- Included radio system: Four-channel 72 MHz FM (SpektrumSpektrumSpektrum may refer to:* Oslo Spektrum, a sports, event and concert venue in Oslo, Norway* Trondheim Spektrum, a sports and event venue in Trondheim, Norway* Spektrum Flyers, a former ice hockey team based in Oslo...
2.4GHz Digital Spread SpectrumSpread spectrumSpread-spectrum techniques are methods by which a signal generated in a particular bandwidth is deliberately spread in the frequency domain, resulting in a signal with a wider bandwidth...
for the CX2) - Servos: E-flite S75 microservos
- Main drive motors: Dual 180-series motors
- Standard battery: 7.4 V, 800 mAh 2-cell lithium polymer
- On-Board control electronics: E-Flite 4-in-1 control unit / 4-in-1 for CX2
- Flight duration: 10–15 minutes per charge
- List/street prices: US$199.99 / $149.99
- Catalog number CX: EFLH1200
- Catalog number CX2: EFLH1250
General Comments
As the Blade CX uses a simplified coaxial rotor system similar to many other entry-level coaxial model helicopters on the market, it is relatively simple to control and to hover, but has some inherent control and aerobatic limitations common to this type of R/C coaxial helicopter.The general experience has been that the stock Blade CX Helicopter is only capable of flying indoors, or outdoors on a completely calm day with no wind. Any wind can cause the helicopter to "Blow over" and crash, or cause the upper rotors to collide with lower set as the helicopter tries to correct itself. Third-party modifications, however, do exist to allow better performance in windy conditions outdoors.