Hey, love the video😀. I was wondering what film you used for you covering and how you built your airplanes(did you buy a kit or did you make them from scratch)?
Rotors for the current year (2024-25) prototype heli demonstrated are from a 2018 Freedom Flight Models kit. At 30 cm diameter they are a little smaller than the maximum that will fit in the maximum sized box allowed by the 2024-25 Science Olympiad rules. Ultrafilm covering. Fuselage is scratch built, but is essentially an appropriate density and weight stick with kevlar thread lateral and top trusses. Chinook is the exact 2018 Freedom Flight Models kit (3.5 grams). Other helicopters were scratch built or used parts from the 2017 Freedom Flight kits - Coach Brian
Where can I find a kit for that design (Freedom Flight rotors on a custom fuselage) you gave me? Can you give a link to the website? I'm doing Science Olympiad this year and helicopter is one of my events. Thanks!
As to "how to build", watch the "Build and Fly" video in the National Free Flight "Helicopter" playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLe1IYdMr0FSyo1P6k_XtNtan85pKvXQB4.html Be sure to read the description text for the build video as it contains my notes on simplifying the build and slight changes in the design to meet the 2024-25 Science Olympiad helicopter rules.
The 2024-25 prototype my teams have been testing uses rotor from a previously constructed Freedom Flight kit from 2018. Of course, this is not legal for my students to use in competition as they did not build it. It has allowed us to gather data to point us in a good direction though. The rotors are 30 cm diameter with 8" average pitch top and bottom. The fuselage stick is 14.75" long. Interestingly, these dimensions are close to the same as found on the two top kits on the market so far, the J&H Aerospace and Freedom Flight Models kits. As all of these helis fit easily in the rules maximum size box, I am thinking that they are partially designed so that they are flyable with commonly available rubber size (1/8" wide strip) and are not necessarily the absolute optimum design solutions. However, larger rotors that this will require very high winding torque and thick rubber motors and most teams do not have the equipment (winders, torque meters and rubber strippers) to go high torque and thick rubber.
@@FreeFlightDigest I understand that the 2025 rules specify the helicopter must fit within a box measuring 47cm x 32cm x 24cm. Could you clarify whether these dimensions refer to the internal or external measurements of the box? I assumed these are internal dimensions to account for potential variations in box material thickness, but our students believe they may be the external measurements. Could you confirm which is correct?
Three of the helicopters shown in the video were built for different Science Olympiad rules (2017, 2018) and flight time comparisons would not be relevant. Longest flights so far by the teams that I coach this year are using the Freedom Flight rotors on a custom fuselage.
@@FreeFlightDigest Where can I find a kit for that design you gave me? Can you give a link to the website? I'm doing science olympiad too this year. Thanks!
Helicopter demonstrated is not a kit. Closest would be the Freedom Flight Models kit, but there are key differences. Read the materials on the National Free Flight Society webpage under "Education/Science Olympiad/Resources for Students".
See kit manufacturer links (and much more) in the new for 2024-25 Helicopter event resources and videos on the NFFS Science Olympiad webpage here: www.freeflight.org/science-olympiad/science-olympiad-resources/ On the "Building" tab there is an Overview Document and this video and on the "Flying" tab there are five more resources (videos and write-ups).
Create a topic and ask questions in the Scioly.org forum here: scioly.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=452 Expert Science Olympiad coaches (including me) monitor this forum daily to answer questions. Also, see info added to this video description for more videos to watch and docs to read.
Hey, love the video😀. I was wondering what film you used for you covering and how you built your airplanes(did you buy a kit or did you make them from scratch)?
Rotors for the current year (2024-25) prototype heli demonstrated are from a 2018 Freedom Flight Models kit. At 30 cm diameter they are a little smaller than the maximum that will fit in the maximum sized box allowed by the 2024-25 Science Olympiad rules. Ultrafilm covering. Fuselage is scratch built, but is essentially an appropriate density and weight stick with kevlar thread lateral and top trusses. Chinook is the exact 2018 Freedom Flight Models kit (3.5 grams). Other helicopters were scratch built or used parts from the 2017 Freedom Flight kits - Coach Brian
Where can I find a kit for that design (Freedom Flight rotors on a custom fuselage) you gave me? Can you give a link to the website? I'm doing Science Olympiad this year and helicopter is one of my events. Thanks!
A list of kit manufacturers can be found here www.freeflight.org/science-olympiad/science-olympiad-resources/
What did u use to make the helicopter? And how?
See the reply to the latest question. This reply answers your question to hopefully. - Coach Brian
As to "how to build", watch the "Build and Fly" video in the National Free Flight "Helicopter" playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLe1IYdMr0FSyo1P6k_XtNtan85pKvXQB4.html Be sure to read the description text for the build video as it contains my notes on simplifying the build and slight changes in the design to meet the 2024-25 Science Olympiad helicopter rules.
Quick question. What is the string that is coming down the sides of the heli used for?
They are bracing wires to keep the motorstick from bowing under the strain of the rubber motor.
Hey, great video! Is there a link attached specifically for the Chinook model kit?
Chinook demonstrated was from a 2018 science Olympiad rules kit. There is no Chinook kit being sold this year
What are the measurements of your designs, or avg measurements?
The 2024-25 prototype my teams have been testing uses rotor from a previously constructed Freedom Flight kit from 2018. Of course, this is not legal for my students to use in competition as they did not build it. It has allowed us to gather data to point us in a good direction though. The rotors are 30 cm diameter with 8" average pitch top and bottom. The fuselage stick is 14.75" long. Interestingly, these dimensions are close to the same as found on the two top kits on the market so far, the J&H Aerospace and Freedom Flight Models kits. As all of these helis fit easily in the rules maximum size box, I am thinking that they are partially designed so that they are flyable with commonly available rubber size (1/8" wide strip) and are not necessarily the absolute optimum design solutions. However, larger rotors that this will require very high winding torque and thick rubber motors and most teams do not have the equipment (winders, torque meters and rubber strippers) to go high torque and thick rubber.
@@FreeFlightDigest I understand that the 2025 rules specify the helicopter must fit within a box measuring 47cm x 32cm x 24cm. Could you clarify whether these dimensions refer to the internal or external measurements of the box? I assumed these are internal dimensions to account for potential variations in box material thickness, but our students believe they may be the external measurements. Could you confirm which is correct?
@ciphersingla this question needs to be posed to the Science olympiad FAQs as science olympiad is the ultimate arbiter of the rules..
I loved this video! I have one question though. Out of all of the designs that you showed us, which one flew the longest? Thank you!
Three of the helicopters shown in the video were built for different Science Olympiad rules (2017, 2018) and flight time comparisons would not be relevant. Longest flights so far by the teams that I coach this year are using the Freedom Flight rotors on a custom fuselage.
Where can I find kit for that design be found? Can you give a link to the website? I'm doing science olympiad this year. Thanks!!
@@FreeFlightDigest Where can I find a kit for that design you gave me? Can you give a link to the website? I'm doing science olympiad too this year. Thanks!
Where can I purchase this exact kit?
Helicopter demonstrated is not a kit. Closest would be the Freedom Flight Models kit, but there are key differences. Read the materials on the National Free Flight Society webpage under "Education/Science Olympiad/Resources for Students".
where can I buy the kit?
See kit manufacturer links (and much more) in the new for 2024-25 Helicopter event resources and videos on the NFFS Science Olympiad webpage here: www.freeflight.org/science-olympiad/science-olympiad-resources/ On the "Building" tab there is an Overview Document and this video and on the "Flying" tab there are five more resources (videos and write-ups).
How to reach out?
www.freeflight.org/science-olympiad/
Create a topic and ask questions in the Scioly.org forum here: scioly.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=452 Expert Science Olympiad coaches (including me) monitor this forum daily to answer questions. Also, see info added to this video description for more videos to watch and docs to read.