Article 1.001 - Why is the Jakadofsky turbine the best choice for helicopters?

The Jakadofsky turbine engine has been designed from the start for use in model helicopters. The integrated direct-drive gear box is extremely reliable and maintenance free and does not rely on questionable belts in the transmission of power to the helicopter. The internal drive gears are guaranteed for life. The turboshaft design reduces the engines output to 16,600 RPM at the clutch bell which correlates perfectly with our model helicopter drive-train design. This greatly improves the reliability because there are fewer rotating parts and no additional gear reduction is needed.

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Article 1.002 - Will a Jakadofsky turbine fit into my sport helicopter mechanics?

The short answer is no. When the first compact turbine engines were introduced for use in scale models, many model helicopter manufacturers invested development time with turbine companies to find a direct fit solution. Modelers can make it work, but even mechanics designed for gasoline and very large glow engines are still under-engineered for turbine power. Turbine models need dedicated turbine mechanics that have been designed specifically for the particular turbine engine and will handle the higher model weight and stress imposed from flight maneuvers. We offer a selection of sport and scale mechanics designed for the Jakadofsky engine line which combine superior strength and a clean layout to allow easy maintenance and inspection.

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Article 1.003 - Do I need a special license to fly a turbine model?

The introduction of turbine engine technology into our models has repeatedly raised a question about their safety. Onboard gaseous and a large quantity of liquid fuel present a significant fire hazard if the model has a hard landing or crashes; but the fire hazard is no greater than in gasoline powered models. While turbine certification is not mandatory for modelers, we highly recommend modelers become certified if they wish to operate turbine-powered models. As many have found out already, to fly a gas turbine powered helicopter at an AMA sanctioned flying club, there is stringent and mandatory testing required to become certified to operate and fly our turbine models. Becoming certified essentially comes down to being issued a turbine waiver from AMA that extends their liability insurance coverage to your gas turbine model.

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Article 1.004 - How do I monitor my engine's performance?

Welcome to the turbine electronic era! Unlike two stroke engines that have carburetors which are manually adjusted to obtain the best engine performance, our turbine engines are completely controlled by the AECU and use the data console to store turbine flight data. Even today, the best way to analyze the mixture of a two stroke engine is to listen to how it runs. This won't work in a turbine engine. Instead, we monitor the fuel system which gives use clues to how the engine is performing. The data console should be used at the end of each flight to monitor the Kerosene fuel pump voltages. This data should be recorded and monitored over time. Simply put, as the voltages start to rise, this is a key indicator of a fuel leak or an air leak in the fuel system that should be corrected. Likewise, the mean and maximum operating temperatures can be tracked over time which can help you detect warning signs before they become problems. Developing good habits with turbine engines will lead to a long, healthy engine life.

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Article 1.005 - I heard the RS is discontinued, can I still get support for this engine?

Officially, Jakadofsky has discontinued the RS turbine engine and we sold our last RS in February 2010. Although you can no longer purchase this engine new, we fully support it along with all of the other Jakadosfy turbines that we carry. This was the first production Jakadofsky turbine engine we started selling in 2004 and there are plenty of them around still powering model helicopters. Following the recommended service interval we expect to see the RS turbine performing well into future decades and we will continue to service these turbines.

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