Helicopter CG

[Robert Cracknell]

Perhaps a basic question but is the centre of gravity in a helicopter in the same position as the main rotor shaft?

[Allan Bennett]

Ideally that's where it should be.  If it's forward or aft it's not so bad as it is with fixed-wing aircraft -- it simply means you'll always be applying either forward or rearward pitch control to keep it in a steady hover.

[Robert Cracknell]

Thanks Allan.....

[Futura57]

For 3D flying I believe the CG on the main mast is preferable since it's likely to be flown in any direction. This is what I tend to do. I tip the heli on its side so the main shaft is horozontal, then hold the main blades vertically and let the fuselage pivot to see if it's tail heavy. However, I prefer a slightly forward CG for scale helis because they tend to sit better in the air. But that's me.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Hold the helicopter on it's side using the main shaft, it should slowly go nose down.