One for the R/C guys

[gpwurzel]

Having flown a few r'c models, I got myself a helicopter. After multiple crashes (lol, go figure) I bought real flight, which is a r/c flight simulator.

My question is, would this transfer realistically to a model helo? I can now at least get the bird off the deck and not directly into any bushes etc (which is nice)

Wurzel

[CAP1]

Having flown a few r'c models, I got myself a helicopter. After multiple crashes (lol, go figure) I bought real flight, which is a r/c flight simulator.

My question is, would this transfer realistically to a model helo? I can now at least get the bird off the deck and not directly into any bushes etc (which is nice)

Wurzel

realflight will help you a lot.

your best bet, though, is to get a trainer. hook up with him on a buddy-box. also, they make(or you can make your own) training skids for them.
 basically, they're a pair of wooden dowels, crossed in an "X" pattern, with wiffle balls(sort of ) on the ends. rubberband these to your skids, and they should help a little.
 the best thing is to have a trainer help ya though. the guy that helped me, saved me from multiple crashes.


 it's addictive, isn't it?   

[gpwurzel]

Yep, got training skids Cap, even managed to break a couple of them lol.........I'm hamfisted shall we say. Addictive isnt the word, so far I've had to replace the rotors, rotor head, tail rotor etc, but its not that expensive (damn helo only cost me $250).

So far, since buying this sim thing, I can get the bird in the air, and as long as its reasonably close to me and not to far away (I have a problem with depth perception) I can keep reasonable control. I even managed to land it a couple of times, rather than it flop down onto the skids lol....

Fun fun fun tho,

Wurzel (and thanks bud)

[Sol75]

Definitely will help.  Even after 20+ years of R/C, I STILL use Realflight to practice new maneuvers both fixed wing and helis, before trying them in reality.  I have a progression I use which has saved me a lot of grief when learning new maneuvers.  I start on the sim, then move into the real world on one of my "park" flyers, then after perfecting it there, move up to my giant scale stuff.  Giant scale can be quite pricy, so this method has allowed me to fly Giant scale for about 6 years, with no crashes (of the giant scale planes), at least so far!

CAP is quite right, an instructor can make all teh difference in the world, although with helis, i taught myself, I did so after flying fixed wing for 15+ years.  As a neophyte, you would be MUCH better off with an instructor.

[Bosco123]

I find it harder, in some ways, to fly a simulator, than it is to fly in RL, in some aspects. The flight model is 10 times easier Than in RL, but the vision is 10 times worse than in RL. It helps a lot of people, but there is still some querks about it I don't like.

[Sol75]

I find it harder, in some ways, to fly a simulator, than it is to fly in RL, in some aspects. The flight model is 10 times easier Than in RL, but the vision is 10 times worse than in RL. It helps a lot of people, but there is still some querks about it I don't like.

In some ways, Yes this is true, but it WILL give you the "muscle memory" and reaction to the aircraft's behavior you need to keep it in one piece.  It's not perfect, but its better than nothing IMO.

Sol

[gpwurzel]

Thanks for the replies guys, so far, this is working nicely. We'll see when I next attempt to fly my real bird (small electric btw)

I've put together a small film for those who dont know what this is (not very long, not very good and not very clear lol, but its workable - first time using fraps etc)

http://www.4shared.com/file/119335718/7ec9a6a4/Movie.html


Like I said, i'm still working on getting the damn thing up and staying up, and this is on a rc sim.

Wurzel

[Bosco123]

In some ways, Yes this is true, but it WILL give you the "muscle memory" and reaction to the aircraft's behavior you need to keep it in one piece.  It's not perfect, but its better than nothing IMO.

Sol

Yup, in that aspect its good for a lot of things. Funny thing about it, I can take a Yak543D and do rolling circles touching the ground with the wingtips all at once. Then I can pull it into a hover and make the tail touch for 10 minutes if I wanted to, doing a torque roll

[Sol75]

you CAN, but keep in mind this, If you fly it as you really would fly one, it is much more valuable.  *I* for one, would not attempt to drag the wingtips on a rolling circle, or touch the tail for 10 mins in a torque roll   Doing things such as that is simply Gaming the Game, which yes, is FUN in the RC sim, eliminates it's value as a training aid.


Sol

[Bosco123]

Of course I know that. I don't think I'll  be doing a low inverted fly by with a Yellow Spit anytime soon. (Not saying it won't happen )

[Sol75]

Why not? I do low inverted passes at abt 5 feet high @ 220mph w/ my Yellow F/A-18 all the time 

[CAP1]

Why not? I do low inverted passes at abt 5 feet high @ 220mph w/ my Yellow F/A-18 all the time 

mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn......thatr is gonna be one EXPENSIVE oops............

[Sol75]

Just repeat the mantra... up is down, down is up... heheh

[Bosco123]

Why not? I do low inverted passes at abt 5 feet high @ 220mph w/ my Yellow F/A-18 all the time 

I remeber seeing a video on RCU during Joe Nall, two years ago. He was coming in for a high speed pass and it hit the ground and blew up pretty much. Was a disaster.