Radio Control: Helicopters

RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS AFTER YOU CAN HOVER. received questions asking what next step learning process once new flier has mastered hovering Although isnt right answer several alternatives depending specific situation desires whether have experienced flier help learning process best teachers flight simulator because lets practice comfort own home time weather fear crashing So have wondering useful worth money answer definite yes several simulators market programs always under improvement Im sure can find features like PC like NHP simulator because can use own transmitter other fliers local hobby shop can also make some recommendations Just important simulator maybe having experienced flier help progress using compatible radios has experience being instructor buddy box can big help getting safely away ground forward flight However careful make sure has experience instructor buddy box because relying skill judgment keep out trouble can find such person few points go over him prior flying Before asking help watch him fly own helicopter make sure flying technique matches yours have seen some people fly very fast very high matter preference would make hard novice see control helicopter master slave transmitters have same frequency make sure matched far setups concerned Transfer control between two transmitters check helicopter make sure no control movements switch moved Before starting helicopter talk instructor about will change control helicopter Will rely say have will take control deems necessary What terminology will used between two transfer control helicopter may sound rather funny being very important have seen student instructor buddy box thought other control helicopteras flying away Discuss coming flight will perform takeoff What type patterns maneuvers will practiced What problem areas pattern maneuver can avoid recover problems Both should well-briefed prior flight knows what expect other last point like discuss prior flight us will stand like slightly side slightly behind student Im out direct view gives him feeling hes flying alone wind sun must also taken consideration would ideal have sun back facing wind way wind will help bring helicopter back you become slightly disoriented during flight have seen some people practice downwind helicopter can shrink small dot hurry gets away comes time talking writing world will have come end will just have try yourself what have neither flight simulator nor experienced flier help post-hover stage learning fly helicopter feel very comfortable hovering doing small figure 8s front thought getting helicopter well away ground important trying get back safely has less fully confident mood few techniques hope will help fly field other helicopters airplanes wait period very little flying activity before trying first circuit Although should never fly yourself safety reasons will need airspace yourself wont have worry about others sky Wait nice day morning afternoon wind blowing toward face steady five 10 mph sun behind very high sky slight wind will provide translational lift reduce ground speed having sun back will definitely keep out eyes during flight Hover model tank two get warmed up before attempting first circuit Make sure engine set correctly helicopter feels good trimmed properly make sure start circuit full tank fuel readers also fixedwing pilot told technique strap small aluminum pole across skids rubber bands keep better oriented during flight used aluminum pole flag kit others available Home Depot etc painted end red other green better visibility during flight Another idea along lines add three-inch piece colored tape main rotor blade near tip another piece about six inches down blade pieces tape will form bulls eye rotor disk during flight making easier see Try making racetrack pattern everincreasing figure 8s get helicopter away remember speed controlled nose-up nose-down position right stick altitude controlled collective pitch Try keep helicopter slow flight paying particular attention orientation tail dont get nose-in situation As helicopter turns left right turn body keep oriented its flight path descending landing always wind sun back planning arrive hover well out front position wont looking nose approach doesnt look good add power fly around try again know lot think about comes time talking writing world will have come end will just have try yourself think about first circuit plan helicopter will look what control inputs will make better chance very successful first flight thrilling times helicopter flying hope hear success other pointers come up can pass along later columns Good luck Model Aviation