When checking the swash plate alignment on RC Helicopters, it is best to choose the ‘C- shaped’ swash tool. These allow you to slide the tool over the rotor shaft without dismantling the head. Since you may well have to adjust the swash whilst out on the field, this is by far the easiest and best kind to use.
This tool is invaluable for checking that the swash plate remains level, and gives an accurate response, throughout its entire range. It is common to discover discrepancies in travel, especially in Radio Control Helicopters that are equipped with CCPM (Cyclic-collective Pitch mechanisms). This can seriously disrupt matters when flying at the extreme cyclic pitch ranges.
Instructions
First, check that the main rotor shaft is aligned 100% vertically. Place the tool on any surface of the helicopter that is 90 degrees perpendicular to the main shaft, and check the helicopter itself is completely level to the ground by checking against the spirit levels. Adjust the helicopter using blocks if need be.
Now slide the tool on top of the swash plate. This may be difficult on some Electric Helicopters, in which case you may have to dismantle the head assembly.
Switch the RC on, and check the collective is set at the mid-range point. Now look at the spirit level indicators on the levelling tool. If they show the plate isn’t level, adjust the linkages until it is.
Electric helicopters can be ‘trimmed’ to allow the best response in flight – remember to take this into account when setting your swash plate against your transmitter, or you might make things worse.