OMG its so hard

[bcphill]

Just set up pheonix for the first and trying a few different FP and CP helis out as well as trying different control settings and realising just how hard flying non contra helis is.

Down the club people have sucked in air and shook heads when i said I am new and want to get into helicopters while they fly planks and I thought "ya wimps whats a matter with you it cant be that bad". But it chuffin is jeez lol

I am sure I will get the hang of it..

Are there any suggetsions for more forgiving units from the list of available craft

using phoenix 5 and the supplied with cheapo contrller at the mo but also have dx6i

Thanks
Phill

[SGD]

If it was easy there would be little or no satisfaction in the learning curve. As it is it's rewarding each and every step of the way like no other hobby I've had. From the first hops into the air through nose in to circuits and beyond. Each and every step on the ladder is very satisfying and just makes you want to move to the next. Welcome to the addiction!

[bcphill]

Just make you think what if there were no sims at all
Carnage all over the field of england

Thanks
Phill

[RCSimon]

hard but worth it. Stick with it - good luck

[Peteski]

Yep, not easy at all at first but certainly not impossible. I've been on the sim now for about 6 weeks and it does come together after a while. For me it took about 3 weeks before I felt I was in control most of the time. Been flying sim and micros since Christmas and now feel much more confident in my ability to fly without crashing. First few goes on the sim was very humbling, but now actually seems quite easy and almost second nature - as far as basic hovering in all orientations and flying circuits goes. I think it's worth taking your time at the start though, otherwise it's likely to be an expensive learning curve.

Considering the amount of stick time it actually takes to get proficient, I think it would be almost impossible to get that from flying a real CP heli on your own without spending a small fortune on crash repairs. The only other way to learn is with an experienced instructor, but the sim makes the whole hobby much more accessible. You can rack up serious amounts of stick time without any cost or maintenance.

You definitely want to get your DX6i hooked up to your sim. It will be miles better than the cheapo controller.

[james_2k]

Yep, not easy at all at first but certainly not impossible. I've been on the sim now for about 6 weeks and it does come together after a while. For me it took about 3 weeks before I felt I was in control most of the time. Been flying sim and micros since Christmas and now feel much more confident in my ability to fly without crashing. First few goes on the sim was very humbling, but now actually seems quite easy and almost second nature - as far as basic hovering in all orientations and flying circuits goes. I think it's worth taking your time at the start though, otherwise it's likely to be an expensive learning curve.

Considering the amount of stick time it actually takes to get proficient, I think it would be almost impossible to get that from flying a real CP heli on your own without spending a small fortune on crash repairs. The only other way to learn is with an experienced instructor, but the sim makes the whole hobby much more accessible. You can rack up serious amounts of stick time without any cost or maintenance.

You definitely want to get your DX6i hooked up to your sim. It will be miles better than the cheapo controller.

i didnt have a sim for ages, and still dont really use it as much as i should.

dont under estimate a good micros crash ability. my nano has taught me loads.

[Peteski]

dont under estimate a good micros crash ability. my nano has taught me loads.

Yeah I think sim + micro is probably the ideal starter package. I find the sim practice translates really well into flying the micro and the micro gives me confidence that I can actually do it for real too! Also started taking the micro out to my local flying field to get a feeling for the surroundings. It's strange how different it feels to the computer or even flying indoors. Next challenge for me is a larger heli and the associated fear factor. But I feel so much more confident now than a month ago.

[Grumpy]

If you are using a sim and you want easy to fly then pick the biggest helis. Big helis are much less twitchy and frenetic that the little ones, kinda like flying in slow motion in comparison with micro CP helis which need super human reactions.

Of course in the real world learning on a big heli has it's down sides as they dont like being crashed and they are expensive, plus they can hurt you, and there is the 'pucker factor' to consider, but in the sim world you dont need to worry about that real world stuff.

[Peteski]

I think the sim + large heli route is only for those fortunate enough to start with support from a local club. I wouldn't want to be rocking up at my local playing field by myself with a T-Rex 600 or whatever. I think that's where the micros are great. You can fly them almost anywhere without concern. Plus they cost next to nothing compared to a large heli, so you might as well have one to learn on regardless.

[bcphill]

I also have the blade msrx so should be able to get that up and ruing as i just bought 6 spare batteries for it !
Thanks for the tip re big helis grumpy

Phill

[Peteski]

As soon as you can hover reasonably well on the sim without crashing, I'd start pushing batteries through your mSRX as fast as you can!

[Cagey]

Lot of good advice there, 'specially to set up the sim with your DX6i.
Has to be said that not everyone gets on with Phoenix though, didn't work for me at all,just like trying to control a heli on GTAV But, a combination of simming with real time practicing will advance your abilities greatly.
It's a real steep learning curve well worth the input for the buzz when you go home with it all in one piece.
Good luck buddy.

[Leigh Beaumont]

Are there no heli pilots at your club

[tomatwalden]

It is difficult, but not as hard as you imagine. The trick is to walk before you can run! I started with a Blade 120SR - it's a single-rotor helicopter, albeit fixed pitch and inherently stable like a co-axial. From there I moved up slowly to an mcpx - a micro collective pitch and from there onwards.

Whilst a sim is a really good way to learn, it can be easier seeing something in 3-dimensional space, the sim can't give you this.

Take a look at the Blade 120SR or perhaps the newer 200SRX. Both will bind to your DX6i although the setup for the 200SRX is slightly "non-standard"

[waveydavey]

It took me 18 months on a 50 with training legs and someone giving me lessons to pluck up the nerve to go for a figure 8, probably 12 months to learn how to hover. No sim and fortunately no crashes. The crashes come as Tom says by running before you walk. I think the route into the hobby now is much safer and in ways easier, sims are good, the smaller models defo help you make the leap from hovering to ff quicker.

Stick with it, it does come and as everyone says it's the most rewarding of hobbies. Such exhileration from a collection of carbon and electronics.