the idiot's guide to high alpha

[extra330ss]

I figured i'd make a thread to help some of the newer guys out with 3d flight....... yea, i know there's been "how to hover" threads before, but this will be the mother of all of em' so here's my input.....

harrier: when learning how to harrier, gain some altitude, bring back the throttle, and get the nose up in the air, try to keep the nose up without stalling a wing. as you improve, bring the nose up more, and give it some more throttle, slowing down the plane...... once you've mastered the harrier up high, bring the plane in as if you were going to land, try to gently flair with the elevator, but keep on it. the plane will get into the harrier position (depending on your plane, you might need some correction)
the plane will start to sink, so add a little bit of power in "pulses" to keep the plane from falling. keep the plane as low as you can, that way, if you have to bail, you can just chop the throttle, and the plane will land. try dragging the tail and if you feel confident, turn with the rudder, and correct with aileron. Now try it inverted.... you'll probably find this easier, because most planes harrier better inverted....... just remember that the rudder is backwards.....

hovering: hovering should be learned at either 3 mistakes, or REALLY REALLY LOW.
there are a few ways to learn how to hover.... you can pull the plane verticle, canopy towards you, and let it slowly accend. keep it upright as long as you can then chop the throttle and let it half waterfall around. (make sure your high enough up)
you can also try to harrier, or wall into a hover....... to wall in, get the plane to be fast enough that it's manageable, but slow enough that you don't wind up with a bunch of splinters... give full throttle, for about half a second (longer depending on your plane) and give enough elevator to get the plane verticle..... this all happens really fast so it takes some coordination. as the plane comes up, you'll realize that one wing will usually drop. try to give enough aileron to counteract this tendency. make sure to give it enough fuel to keep it hanging....... try to keep it there as long as you can.
you can also bring a harrier a bit farther, and wind up in the same position.

TR: the torque roll is just a hover that you let spin... get hovering, find your "sweetspot" and let go of aileron control... the plane will roll to the left.... try to cope with the change, and get used to it....... it helps to think "point the rudder stick to the low wing when the belly is towards me" this manouver actually becomes easier than hovering if you can get it down.

snapasourus: to do the trademark takeoff that elli does, take off, give full up elevator, while simultaniuosly adding full aleron, and opposing rudder..... i have found that this gives a verry similar (if not exact) replication of his signiture manouver. it may take some playing with, but it's really fun (maybe snappy can improve uppon this)

roller: you can learn how to do rollers with either elevator or rudder.... but it helps to try both...... roll the plane, and try to keep the nose high, by pushing towards whichever way's up with the rudder, or elevator.... as you get proficient in timing both meathods, put them together, so that you always have a control surface pointing up... you can give less or more input to do rolling circles, loops ect...

rolling harrier flatspin: when i first heard this, i thought it was a joke.... but it isnt, it's really one of the illest tricks you'll ever see.... it's basically a desending rolling harrier........ do a roller in one direction, then flip the plane over in a 3/4 waterfall type thing... then do the same in the other direction. try to make somewhat of a circle with the plane as you go, and you get an awesome effect.....

try putting tricks together, and you really wind up with some cool manouvers....... if you have anything to add, go ahead an post it..... if you have any manouvers that you want to know how to do, post the manouver, and you'll get a response shortly

i highly recomend doing these on a sim the first time out, as not to risk your pride and joy....... keep on practicing, and soon you'll be able to do all of these and more


-Extra

[66stang]

Cool, can I use your plane for practice!

[Stinger1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 66stang
	Cool, can I use your plane for practice!

If there is anything left put me next on the list. I even know where Mass. is. My question is, is this an Elie approved way to do it? He's the man.

[Ih82crash]

I can explain High Alpha in two words RIGHT RUDDER

[MikeC3D]

Here's one for you to twist your mind around.....at the beginning, right after the harrier and climb, the roller on the down line.

[extra330ss]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Stinger1
	If there is anything left put me next on the list. I even know where Mass. is. My question is, is this an Elie approved way to do it? He's the man.

hahaha....... no he didn't approve of it..... i just did it one day and said, "HEY THAT"S A SNAPASAURUS!!!!!!!"

[joeo78]

anyone else have any tips

[BoneDoc]

You can visit RCG and look up

"BoneDoc's 3D Clinic"


There's a whole host of threads, instructions, as well as videos with stick overlays to help you out.

[Edgeman 540]

Another place to check out is Blaine Austin's website.
Joe in order to do good 3D your airplane must be properly set up etc...as well.

[exeter_acres]

Wow... so all this time... A snap a saurus is just a shoulder snap??

[Cracky]

I too was thinking of this whole opposite rudder theory for the Snap-A-Saurus

[Cracky]

rewatching the Huckfesting STL 2007 video there is no opposite rudder.....sorry

[TheTank]

Cracky is correct, he uses the correct snap inputs for a positive snap (same direction rudder and aileron), but he buries the elevator in 3D rate to get his barrel-roll-a-saurus... i mean snap a saurus!

[TheTank]

Also, a maneuver I love to watch is known as the inverted pull to trashbag.

Here is how it works:

-Take off
-Half Roll
-Pull to trashbag

[gachezem]

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