K'nex R/C Helicopter Obstacle Course

This isn't an instructable so much as an idea. I was bored one rainy day, and decided to fly a helicopter. Then I decided to make it a little more interesting.

You can build as many "gates" as you want so long as you have enough pieces. Here's what you'll need for per type of gate though:

Landing Pad:

• 4 red connectors
• 4 grey rods (easy)
• 4 red rods (hard)

Suspended Gate:

• 8 Green Connectors
• At least 2 gray rods
• 6 gray rods (easy)
• 6 red rods (medium)
• 6 yellow rods (hard)
• 2 white connectors
• 6-8 orange connectors

Independent Gate

• 6 green connectors
• At least 2 gray rods
• At least 4 yellow rods
• 6 gray rods (easy)
• 6 red rods (medium)
• 6 yellow rods (hard)
• 2 blue slider connectors
• 2 gray slider connectors

Vertical Gate

• 16 green connectors
• 16 red rods (or gray for easy)
• 6 blue rods
• 2 yellow (or red) rods
• 12 orange connectors.

Obviously this is probably confusing, so I'll explain. The larger the gate, the easier it is to fly through it. You will need at least 2 gray rods per gate (or larger, depending on the size of your helicopter and your confidence), and then different-length rods for different difficulties.

I'd also recommend having a spare set of propellers for your helicopter, in case you crash and burn.

Independent gates stand up on their own using a small base at the bottom. Build the layout and set the pieces together to build each gate. Remember, the longer each rod, the easier the gate will be. These gates will be located closer to the ground, which might things a little easier during flight. Build more of these if you're starting out, and build more large ones.

These gates can hang from tables, as long as they have a relatively square edge. Simply follow along to build them. They are set off the ground and near other things, so these will be a little more difficult to fly through.

To attach them to tables, put the rod with the connectors on it next to the table and slide them shut until they grasp the table at both the bottom and the top. Use tape if necessary if they can't stay on.

This one is the most difficult of all the gates, both to build and to fly through. Build two hexagons (I wouldn't go any smaller than red, unless you're really confident.) Attach them together as shown using the blue rods and the yellow rods. you can replace the yellow rods with red ones if your tables are too big. Attach them the same way you attach a suspended gate, and fly through it vertically. This will test your control when changing altitude.

Obviously this is not very hard. It's a square. Although landing in them can be a little tricky. This will build your skills with landing. The red one is harder to land in, obviously.

The best thing about this build is that you can get creative when setting up the course, and build any number of different courses with these. You can even build more gates and make bigger courses.

If you plan on flying through the course, I'd advise you to read the following.

The independent gates are located near the ground, which may make your helicopter a little more touchy as far as throttle is concerned. When you are close to the ground, the area below your helicopter where the air is moving downward will produce more lift since it is being reflected off the ground just below.

When flying through a suspended gate, be sure to put them near places without anything fragile nearby. These gates will test your ability to maintain flight higher in the air, but also require a lot of precision with side-to-side movement. Be careful to not crash into the table that is holding the gate.

To pass each gate, I find it is easiest to take your time, aim the helicopter, then dart through quickly once the helicopter is aimed. This course is fun, but also will require some flying skill based on what kind of gates you're using. I also recommend flying with a helicopter that has at least 3 channels (that is, throttle, yaw, and pitch.) However, four channels (those plus bank) can be useful. Anything below that will be very difficult to fly precisely. Good luck flying, and have fun.

Also, feel free to share your courses or ideas for any altercations made to the gates. These are obviously very simple, and can easily be modified.