3D

[ALANXP]

hi Can some one post me tips to fly3D,setups expo etc.....I dont have a heli but im just going to learn how to fly3D on a sim and maybe get a heli.Which is the best sim aero flyd or real lfight G3 for helis. Thanks Alan

[BarracudaHockey]

The best tip I can give you is to take the time and patience to learn how to hover in all orientations then some basic aerobatics. All the complex 3d moves are based on the building blocks of the basics and those that don't take the time to learn them suffer in their flying or crash when the helicopter ends up in an orientation they arent comfortable with.

[ALANXP]

	Quote: Originally Posted by BarracudaHockey
	The best tip I can give you is to take the time and patience to learn how to hover in all orientations then some basic aerobatics. All the complex 3d moves are based on the building blocks of the basics and those that don't take the time to learn them suffer in their flying or crash when the helicopter ends up in an orientation they arent comfortable with.

I know how to fly heli on the sim and a bit of 3D i just need some info.thanks

[ALANXP]

anyone?

[main_gears_bent]

I can fly a heli on the sim too, but the real thing is a completely different animal, take the above offered advise and learn to fly a heli, really fly it, not just on a sim, and then learn to fly it well, then learn the basics, like life, flying is all about steps.

[Flyinfool]

The absolute hardest maneuver to do well with a real heli is to hover well.
The sim will get you close but don't fool yourself into believing that just because you can do 3D on the sim that you are any good at all with a real heli.
There are things that I can make the sim do that I can not do with a real heli, there are things I can do with a real heli that I can not do on a sim.
There is also the pucker factor with real since none of the radio manufacturers that I am aware of, have put one of those red reset buttons on a TX that will instantly repair and set up the heli for free.
Your best bet is to get heli and start progressing.
As far as setup and expo, that is very dependent on personal preference and choice of equipment. There is no magic setup.

[RappyMan]

Here's my basic setup. Run a straight line pitch curve in stunt modes & throttle hold. I've got mine at -10 to +10.... but the max pitch is what your motor will do - or how smooth you are on the sticks. I've got 30 or 40 in on expo to make things smoother around the center. Crank up the gyro to a piro rate that's quick, but still something you are comfortable with. I run a govenor to make it easier - the throttle curve is still there, but the gov makes the little changes needed (Raptor 50 by the way.)
As everyone else is saying - getting comfortable in different orientations makes a big difference. Don't every stay too long in a new orientation - or you may have difficulty popping back into the normal mindset. Just keep mixing it up a bit. Actually getting a hang on a slow piroetting hover was one of the best things for me to get "okay" with all orientations. I put a bunch of time on a Mini Dragonfly in the basement just working on the piro hover in the winter.

[ALANXP]

what about sims?

[RappyMan]

I basically don't use a sim - just get out & fly. It's more that I don't have a good one than anything. FMS is free, but isn't perfect. My buddy has Realflight 3.5 and it's quite good. For me it always seems easier flying the real helicopter than trying to do it on a sim. The sim is excellent for getting the feel of different manuvers though - if you have one... put it to use!

[ALANXP]

thanks rappyman

[RappyMan]

My Raptor 50 is in pieces in a cereal box right now. Not sure if I'm anything of an expert, but happy to help. The Blade 400 is fun - I seem to get it out to fly more often. If anything... that's the secret of getting better. More flying and especially the more days in a row. That way you don't loose/forget the good stuff that you have just learned. I hope to get the repair parts for the R50 this spring. It's fun!

[BarracudaHockey]

A good sim is the best money you can spend in helicopters.

But it should be properly used. Its great for muscle memory, orientation training, practicing new manuvers etc.

But.....its a different mindset when you are flying the real thing than the sim, the pucker level is higher, your engine tuning and weather aren't variables you can tweak on the sim ect.

The biggest thing that will help you be a better pilot is practice as much as you can. There's guys that fly circles around me that have only been flying for a year but they are out three or four times a week (single guys mostly ) and burn a gallon or two of fuel a week.