Is it time for the towel

[treff]

I have been trying to fly cp helicopters for the last 15 months or so. I am 69 years old and to be honest I am
no further along the learning curve than I was in the first month. Yes I have a flight sim it's just that my
brain seems to react to the heli a few seconds after things happen. I know there are a lot of older guys and gals out
there flying helis there are also an awful lot of guys and gals who can not ride a bike and will never be able to learn. Something in the old grey matter
that just does not let you get by a certain level, does not let the co-ordination between thumbs and brain to happen not matter how many times you
try to get that muscle memory locked in. Unfortunately I am not really a joiner of clubs and I think the only one near me does not look on the rotary aircraft to favourably
I have spent quite a few pounds on this hobby over the last months and I am wondering if its time to throw in the towel and
move on. I hate being defeated by things but is it time to be sensible and try something more sedate like rc gliding?

[Sheldrake]

Hello Treff, which heli have you been learning on?
I started with everyone else's favourite the TRex 450 and it was a disaster! I just could not get to grips with it at all! My club encourage ed me to get a Raptor and although progress was slow and steady my confidence and skills steadily improved. I then went flybarless with a mini Titan back to 450 size and I love it too!
for me I needed the stability of a bigger heli to get to grips with the controls and muscle memory that can now be used back to the more agile 450size.
i am still at a basic level but I have my own goals and achievements, I was so pleased to take part in the RCHA GWR! Flying with others really helps even if you do not normally join clubs.
Finally remember this is a hobby and having fun only you know if it is for you!

[1chris]

I am nearly as old as you, I learnt on a Trex 600N with a hula hoop on it to give it a larger footprint, did not have too much of a problem hovered around for about 4 months before I got into some serious flight, that was 3 years ago, flying quite nicely now, I can loop flip, roll, fly backwards, just getting to grips with inverted, big learning curve, but do not give up............

[jimmyhorns]

What are you doing to learn?..

Just flying it without some form of agenda for the flight isnt going to yield much improvement.

[tomatwalden]

What heli are you trying to learn on? Perhaps look at fixed pitch, or co-axial, or quads maybe ?

[Planehazza]

IMO It's only time for the towel when you stop having fun, or when the cost starts eating into more important things in life. It doesn't matter if you're a fresh newbie, or a pro demo pilot, as long as you're having fun. I should be much better than I actually am after being in this hobby for 4 years, but I'm having fun so I don't care.

[bikerflier]

Book a two hour lesson flying a heli on a buddy lead with Noel Cross.
If he can't get you going then you will know it's time to give up.
Bit of a journey to Banbury but well worth the time and effort and will save you all the cost and problems you are experiencing.


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[pgkevet]

Where in Wales are you?
I'm mid 60's and have been messing about with these things for a few years and also have reached a sort of plateau but i recognise that a lot of that is down to simply having other thigs to do and not taking practice time seriously enough. It is a huge learning curve and older brains and limbs take longer to larn that muscle memory needed for relaxed flying. You rpobbaly also feel the cold and damp more than younger folk and that reduces the enthusiasm and keenness to get out on miserable weather days.

I also find the sim has limited use for me .. a loack of discipline on my part since there's none of the adrenaline and fear that flying for real gives and it's easy just to mess about aimlessly and fruitlessly. Having someone to fly with makes you take it more seriosuly and gives support.

[Varelco]

IMO It's only time for the towel when you stop having fun, or when the cost starts eating into more important things in life. It doesn't matter if you're a fresh newbie, or a pro demo pilot, as long as you're having fun. I should be much better than I actually am after being in this hobby for 4 years, but I'm having fun so I don't care.

+1 great advice, ultimately this is a hobby, hobbies are meant to be enjoyed. If it is providing you with endless frustration and you feel you have exhausted all the options then perhaps it isnt for you. Obviously we will try and help assist in the learning process, fortunately there are a few routes you can try in this hobby to help grasp the nack of it.

For what its worth RC gliding is definitely easier to grasp and pretty relaxing, if it appeals to you try it

[helimadness]

I think we have all moments like this. But like everyone says as long as you can enjoy it why stop. When I went through a difficult patch when learning I set out a simple task and worked on them one at a time. I got 4 tennis balls and put them out in a 10m square. Then just practiced hovering from one to the other and stopping above them on the way. Slowly progressed that into forward flight changing orientations between the balls and so on.

I have just done the Sydney to Hobart race. One of the toughest ocean races in the world. The owner of the boat is 86 and while he knows his limits he get involved where he can and enjoys it greatly.

Either way you go good luck.

[treff]

Thanks for the many replies and suggestions I am most grateful to you all. I've been into rc one way and another for over 40 years and been flying rc gliders of all descriptions in that time. I think the biggest mistake I
made in trying helicopter was tring to convert from mode 4 to mode 2. After 40 years mode 4 it is pretty well burned into my brain.
The helicopters I've been trying to fly are 450's. Nothing special, they all started life as HK but now 99% Align I have fly barred and FBL.
Someone pointed out and to be honest I think I had forgotten the point over the year is that this is a hobby and should be enjoyed. The enjoyment
has gone for me. With this point in mind I will return to flying gliders and put the helicopters to one side. Who knows maybe the call of rotary
flight may return. Thanks again to all that replied to my post.

[forza]

IMO It's only time for the towel when you stop having fun, or when the cost starts eating into more important things in life. It doesn't matter if you're a fresh newbie, or a pro demo pilot, as long as you're having fun. I should be much better than I actually am after being in this hobby for 4 years, but I'm having fun so I don't care.

Best answer yet. Couldn't agree more. This hobby is worth persevering with and the rewards are great but not at the cost of your sanity, health or wealth. All you can do is set small goals, take one step at a time and go from there.

[trillian]

I first started with a sim (RealFlight G3) because I didn't know at the time if it was something I could really do. I got to where I could fly fixed-wing on the sim pretty early on but every attempt at helis was a disaster because I did not yet have the reflexes up to speed to where I could hover. I began to think maybe it was just something I couldn't do. But slowly I began to get the hang of it. I spent about 6 months on the sim before I got a real heli. Then my first flights with the real thing didn't go like the sim and this made me worried that perhaps the sim wasn't accurate enough (in retrospect the sim was accurate it was just my lack of attention to the heli setup that was the problem along with the factor of nerves which you don't have on the sim). So I went out to a fliight school and did a couple hours with an instructor on a buddy box flying a Raptor 30 and 50. After that I was on my way but it still took me a long time before I broke out of just circuits and basic upright flying. (partly due to not being able to get to the field enough, I'm sure I would have progressed faster if I would have been able to fly every week).

Anyway, the point being, I think it just takes time and patience and it WILL come along if you keep at it (and I am not a particularly patient person and certainly had no 'natural ability' just relentless determination).

[RcRotaryMadness]

IMO It's only time for the towel when you stop having fun, or when the cost starts eating into more important things in life. It doesn't matter if you're a fresh newbie, or a pro demo pilot, as long as you're having fun. I should be much better than I actually am after being in this hobby for 4 years, but I'm having fun so I don't care.

Hit the nail on the head there Harry!

In answer to Treff's question though, it sounds like your stuck in that beginners loop that can take forever to get out of. I'd highly, highly recommend you find someone to help get you past the basics (lessons) - Yes they cost money BUT so do crashes. If you can find someone local (ish) whos willing guide you through the initial stages I bet you'll surprise yourself on what you can actually do.

I believe you can learn new things whatever your age is, perhaps just takes a little longer. The added trouble with Heli's is they are difficult to get started in and cost a fair bit of money, which is why just a few lessons with a Pro will help in leaps and bounds.

Good luck anyway!

[treff]

Big thank you to all for the replies and the very good suggestions. I think what I did wrong when I started to learn to fly helicopters was to change the mode on
my TX from mode 4 to mode 2. I have had over 20 years flying mode 4 and changing really has confused. I also learned something I had probably forgot
and that is this is a hobby to be enjoyed and I seemed to have lost that enjoyment over the last year. I have been flying gliders of all styles for the last 40
years so I will put the helicopters to one side for the time being and indulge myself again. There are some very nice people on this site and I intend to dip in from
time to time to see if that spark can be reignited. Thanks again.