diff --git a/ArduCopter/radio.pde b/ArduCopter/radio.pde
index d119b3e76a..7e9ec6de27 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/radio.pde
+++ b/ArduCopter/radio.pde
@@ -22,7 +22,12 @@ static void init_rc_in()
 	// set rc channel ranges
 	g.rc_1.set_angle(4500);
 	g.rc_2.set_angle(4500);
-	g.rc_3.set_range(MINIMUM_THROTTLE, MAXIMUM_THROTTLE);
+	#if FRAME_CONFIG == HELI_FRAME
+		// we do not want to limit the movment of the heli's swash plate
+		g.rc_3.set_range(0, 1000);
+	#else
+		g.rc_3.set_range(MINIMUM_THROTTLE, MAXIMUM_THROTTLE);
+	#endif
 	g.rc_4.set_angle(4500);
 
 	// reverse: CW = left
@@ -32,13 +37,6 @@ static void init_rc_in()
 	g.rc_2.set_type(RC_CHANNEL_ANGLE_RAW);
 	g.rc_4.set_type(RC_CHANNEL_ANGLE_RAW);
 
-	// set rc dead zones
-	/*g.rc_1.dead_zone = 60;
-	g.rc_2.dead_zone = 60;
-	g.rc_3.dead_zone = 60;
-	g.rc_4.dead_zone = 300;
-	*/
-
 	//set auxiliary ranges
 	g.rc_5.set_range(0,1000);
 	g.rc_6.set_range(0,1000);