helicopter control

[a1]

how do i control the defeat Bell. i can't seem to get it to go it's maximum speed. if i just let it go in a straight route it will just spin uncontrollably.

[an-225]

Welcome to the world of helicopters.  ::) Now I will tell you a few things:

1. Helicopters DON'T fly themselves. YOU must fly it.

2. DON'T PUSH IT TO ITS MAXIMUM SPEED. Why the hurry in a chopper? That is what JET PLANES were made for.

3. Make minute adjustments to hover and keep on course.

4. The chopper spins uncontrollably because of the torque caused by the tail rotor. Use the anti-torque pedals (Rudder!) to stop. Remember: MINUTE amounts of anti-torque.

5. Hover is the most important part of flying a heli. As mentioned, above, make minute adjustments to keep level and to also keep speed at 0 KIAS.

And if you think all THAT is hard try doing it with a CH Products Fighterstick USB (With extremly high sensitivity) and CH Products Rudder Pedals.  ::)

[a1]

thanks  ;D

[swordfish1227]

if you have to use a bell 206 i would recommend getting a different version. There is a good one by owen hewitt(i think) at hovercontrol and here on simv. I can fly almost any sim helicopter and still have trouble with the default 206.

[wji]

I've flown MSFS helos since they came out in FS98 and have thevideos-to-prove-it

The trick is to employ the two basic rules of flight:
1.) Power makes it go up and down
2.) Pitch controls speed

All FS9 & FSX helos fly about the same
TEST: Load any helo into either sim
slowly open the power levers
the machine slowly (in direct proportion to the power) lifts off
slowly close the throttle and the machine comes down
to go forward (increase speed) lower the nose (by pushing forward on the yoke)
if the machine tends to go 'into the ground', simply slowly open the power levers
landing is the reverse of the above
close the power and raise the nose and the machine will slow and head downward
control this downward motion by combining the two elements of flight: power and pitch

It is the learned combination of these two events which make it possible to fly any aircraft -- including helicopter correctly

[swordfish1227]

wji, your video is great but that is in the skycrane from hovercontrol, an amazingly simple(for its size) to fly. the default bell just didn't come out quite right in the flight dynamics department.

given most freeware helicopters i can land on something the size of an airconditioning unit on a school

[ashaman]

if you have to use a bell 206 i would recommend getting a different version. There is a good one by owen hewitt(i think) at hovercontrol and here on simv. I can fly almost any sim helicopter and still have trouble with the default 206.

I warmly suggest this Bell 206 too to whoever tries to learn to fly helos and is discouraged by the default Bell. I, though still being allergic to helos in general, am able to not crash (most of the times) with this eggbeater. I'm even able to pull a hover with it, though I'm not always successful in landing it yet. [smiley=happy.gif]

The default one has the murderous habit to let the engine stop dead and the rotor lock while in the air making you fall like a rock, if you try to hover or slow down to near hover. I'm VERY tempted to erase that default from the sim. It serves nothing beside taking space on the HD.

My control on it isn't good because I very rarely take it out for a spin seen that my flights are more oriented toward fixed wings planes, so I never "made my hand" in controlling it so well to be able to fly perfectly with it. But it's a nice helo nonetheless (and if I, one who is famed to never having been able to do anything with flying eggbeaters, tell you so...). 8-)

One suggestion I can give you is to use the controls feather-like. No sudden movements. Thread like you're carrying a heavy load of nitroglycerin on the seat near you and plan in advance. A LOT MORE in advance than what you'd do with a fixed wing plane.


PS
Do not, I repeat my suggestion, DO NOT try and use the Robinson if you're starting or like me not have a great hand in flying helos. It's a killing machine.

[Falcon500]

this is soo wierd, i just got done flying the default robinson at KAFF (USAF Academy airstrip), with a twelve knot wind, i tried nose into wind, and side wind landings,  i did good, tried with the B-206, couldnt even fly straight  :o  tried it with the UH60 did good, tried it with MIL-8 did good, tried again with Bell 222 and did alright..... I regret to inform you the Default 206 is stupid. :-/

[FlyinSolo]

Fly one of Jordan Moores Huey's... now thats a good time and flies surprisingly well. 8-)

[CSM]

i agree just jump in a huey they are the best

[microlight]

Hm - my eight-year old son is showing interest in helos - I think I'll go get that Huey...

[Fozzer]

Hm - my eight-year old son is showing interest in helos - I think I'll go get that Huey...

Micro...

Having observed your nice Avatar Name, (Microlight), for many years, I am forever confused with your fascination with bloody Helicopters... ...!

Helicopters are designed to crash, NOT fly... ...!

Paul...Like "Red Bull", it gives me WINGS... ...!

[ashaman]

Helicopters are designed to crash, NOT fly... ...!

Amen.

...in FS.

[wji]

" . . . but that is in the skycrane from hovercontrol, an amazingly simple(for its size) to fly"
Negative: It isn't whether something is easy or difficult it's whether one knows how to do it or not. If one knows how to do something, it's simple; if one does not know how to do something, it's difficult.

It does not make any difference to me which machine I fly, the Laws of Aerodynamics remain the same:
1.) Power makes it go up (reduced power makes it come down)
2.) Pitch controls speed

Here's a few more Youtube videos of mine in every type of helo one could imagine.
One either knows how to do fly or they do not. Anyone can learn how.

My Helo Videos at Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLrfSXCb3g0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRcq7mqo1_k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZkMo8wzcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tExL2cVA_bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwnlLW0SIBs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ZtSC2U3Jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvB2r4kgTxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1duA0ZwjE

[microlight]

Crashed and burned - now I remember why I don't fly helicopters, Paul!

Just cigar tubes...

Pass me a lighter, somebody.

Incidentally, anybody seen me avatar around anywhere? One of the mods must've spirited her away...