RC Helicopter Gyro Explained

RC Helicopter Gyro Explained - Part 3

I hope you've read my earlier posts on helicopter gyro (RC Helicopter Gyro Explained - Part 1 and Part 2).
Now let’s see how gyros are categorized by how they respond to yaw movements.

Yaw Rate Gyros

Yaw rate gyros (sometimes known as Standard Rate Gyros) are the simplest form of helicopter gyros. They work as a dampener to any yaw movements. This limits the amount of yaw movement because of torque variations from the main rotor, gusts of wind trying to turn the helicopter or even commands from the transmitter.

A yaw rate gyro doesn't stop a heli turning because of external forces; it just limits them to a controllable amount. For an example, if a helicopter with a yaw rate gyro is hit by a sudden crosswind, it will slowly turn in that direction rather than a sudden spin, making it easier to keep it under control.

Almost all the old mechanical gyros and few of the new piezo gyros are yaw rate type. They are mostly being replaced by the new Heading Hold Gyros.

Heading Hold Gyros

A Heading Hold Gyro (a.k.a. Heading Lock, AVCS, Tail Lock, Smart Lock etc.) works as its name suggests, it holds where the helicopter is heading. HH gyros have sophisticated mechanism that detects the amount of yaw and sends commands to the tail correcting any deviation from the original heading of the helicopter. The nose of the heli will keep pointing to the same direction unless you give a command to turn left or right. Therefore any external force, such as a crosswind, will not make the helicopter turn. With a HH gyro, you can even fly sideways without even touching the tail control.

Almost all the newer piezo gyros are HH type. Some of the more advanced gyros have a control on the transmitter which lets you select HH mode or Yaw rate mode. This is because while HH mode provides more stability, the Yaw Rate mode is useful while performing acrobatics with the heli.

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