So I see thunder tiger is discontinuing the e700 for the v2 version and the x50's for what we don't know yet. But I found they are coming out with a 3 bladed e360 and e550 so my question is can u do 3d with 3 blades or just scale flying ? Is thunder tiger doing this just to be different or because it looks cool ...

MJM

We see many more manufacturers offering 3 blade heads as of late. Last reports suggest less collective and cp to achieve similar results as 2, and more reactive than 2. If you're going to equate 2 to 3 blades just divide 2 blades into 3rds removing 1/3 of the two and create another blade = 3 blades. It's often additive to put the 3rd blade on as in a 700. Blades stay the same but a third with the same area is added to create more lift. Plus side is less noise also.

In the case of 3 blades shorter blades with less area to match the area of two blades will result most often in efficiency. I read the pros add expo and reduce sensitivity in the gyro. More blade area, more lifting, more response.

Because multi blade heads have recently been perfected in non rigid design the future is anyone's guess, and playground.

and it LOOKS COOL

more cyclic response
more lift
better stability
and more DRAG!!!!!

RPMs are reduce with 3 blades heads to operate in a more efficient regine and in lower drag per blade, trying to equate the drag of 2 blades at higher RPM.

Keep in mind that 3+ blades systems must be design as a whole to preclude blade intercation and resonance points. Good examples are the JR and Minicopter heads which are paired with their own blades which are MATCHED to the head. In other words, the blade flexibility is different so they can dampen vibrations and work smoothly with these rigid heads.

Three blades are being used by FAI competitors looking for more hover stability. Utility helicopters with high payloads also benefit with the extra blade.

I think 3 blades are also an advantange for folks residing/flying at high altitudes.

For the rest, is just cool

S

Team Minicopter - PeakAircraft.com
bavarianDEMON- Team Kontronik - Scorpion Motors-

Two blades are still the most efficient.
3 blades with the same total blade area and same tip speeds = about same efficiency.
Responsiveness and efficiency are mutually exclusive.

they can sell more blades...

showing a preference will only get you into trouble, 90% of everything is crap...

Excellent job of cutting through the BS, RM3...

they can sell more blades...

Straight shooting there

I being a sucker for new things heli would like to a 3 blade someday though.

Heli-itis sufferer.

Almost forgot, I'd like to see 3 bladed tails. You can't have too much tail!

Heli-itis sufferer.

Id buy one probably for the same reasons And I can just see myself now scoffing at all the '2 Bladers'. ...

Anything to be different in the fast moving marketing game. Only question is will it take hold to become the standard.

they can sell more blades...

I guess one upside is that if only one gets damaged in a crash you still have a complete set for a two blade setup.

Wynn

Logo 550sx

At the risk of repeating myself:

My only hope is that someday 16 blade heads will be the must have item and I can then break 8 pairs of blades in a single mishap.
I look forward to the explosion of $800 in carbon blades...
Adjust sarcasm to taste...

Bill

"Well, Nothing bad can happen now."

You can't have too much tail!

I LOVE it!

The fastest new machines are 3 bladed, probably will get one for my TDR if/when it becomes available...especially if it means getting a TDR II.

P.S.
Sarcasm adjusted...pretty funny Bill

With two blades, you only have to balance them against each other.

With three blades . . . they all have to match.

With three blades . . . they all have to match.

I've been flying a 3 blade auto gyro lately. Really fun and pretty challenging. And you're right - all blades must match. The first time I flew my auto gyro I didn't balance the blades and it almost shook the tail off.

If 3 or more blades become popular a see a big jump in the sales of Koll Rotor Pros.

Bill

"Well, Nothing bad can happen now."

There's that Kroll . . . again.
Match the moments and you're all set

With two blades, you only have to balance them against each other.
With three blades . . . they all have to match.

With a two blade, they all have to match too...as you noted.

With a 3 blade, any imbalance is divided into thirds...which has less impact than when only divided in half.

Team POP Secret

Don't you also have more chance of imbalance with 3 blades though?

Kinda depends on how you look at it. If you balance all 3 blades to within the same accuracy, then no.
In fact, it will be better balanced. As an example, imagine a heli with 30 blades. The imbalances will be randomly spread out.

Hmmm, 30 blade heli...I must have one...mmmmmm.

Team POP Secret

I am still wondering how this is a simple division problem, maybe this is the wrong thread for that.

Wynn

Logo 550sx

The way to balance 3 or more blades is, (all blades are same make and model)

1) take 2 blades, balance against each other, see-saw style, and find the heavier one

2) set the lighter one aside and check the heavier one against the next blade

3) go back to step 2 until you have gone through all blades to be used on the same shaft

4) take each of the set-aside blades and weight the tips until they balance against the heaviest blade

5) mount blades and fly.

. . . and don't give me any of that Koll coolaid . . .