Has any one tried "From tail-in to all 8s and funnels in 6 months" ?

[chrisleematt21]

As anyone tried From tail-in to all 8s and funnels in 6 months if so was it any good?

[bigpops]

I've certainly read it, and heard quite a bit about it.

If you aren't already good on your orientations (upright and inverted), you have nothing to lose by following it. The one minute slow pirouettes really show up your weaknesses. I was a little bit too far on in the program to be interested in following it religiously, but I certainly took some practice tips from it.

The basics are key to 3D. You'd be amazed at the number of people who fly decent 3D, and can't fly backwards or hold a nose in upright hover.

[myxiplx]

I know a lot of people on Helifreak did, with a lot of them reporting great results. I've read posts from newbies and people who have been in the hobby for years all seeing significant improvements after following it. I didn't follow it religiously, but but I did end up taking pieces from there and applying it to my practice sessions last year. I was about 6 months into the hobby when I read that guide, and it definitely gave me a bit more focus with something to aim for.

One of the best things from it was the suggestion to track your progress. I hit a slump at one point last year, while I was practising a lot I didn't feel I was progressing and was really getting frustrated. I decided to take up the advice to make a spreadsheet to see how I was doing, and that made a huge difference. It really was eye opening! I realised I'd been massively underestimating how much I was learning, which is so easy to do in a hobby like this which can literally take you years to master.

When did start tracking things and looked back I could see a huge difference each and every month. It really helped keep me focused, and played a huge part to me getting as far as I have. I'm two years into the hobby now and can happily fly all kinds of 3D. I've overtaken tons of guys at my club and I'm having a blast!

If you're interested in taking a look, the spreadsheet I made started small, but after a year it'd morphed into something a little more complex:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...#gid=615055709

Also, another good resource for you: The guys over at RC Heli Nation have also put together a 'Pilot Proficiency Program' challenge for this year, and one of their listeners built this website which is a great way to track your progress. They're generally aiming to get to levels 3-5 this year and I'm also working my way through it. It works great on a phone, next time I'm at the field I'm just going to ask one of the guys to read out the moves for me to work though:
RC Heli Nation - Pilot Proficiency Program

And finally, there's another great site for tracking your progress, and it comes with some excellent descriptions and videos for all the various moves:
Moves Explorer

[myxiplx]

By the way, I see from your signature that you've got AccuRC and neXt. I'm hearing some good things about neXt, how does the flying compare against AccuRC?

[chrisleematt21]

By the way, I see from your signature that you've got AccuRC and neXt. I'm hearing some good things about neXt, how does the flying compare against AccuRC?

I like next a lot, it seems to have the most up to date models. I learnt how to hover inverted using next, its a bit easier than the other sims in some ways.

Accurc is good but does need a high spec pc to get the best graphics etc, its probably the most realistic although I swear that the 550 on next flys exactly the same as mine does!

I think that accu rc is a little over complicated in some ways but its a good sim. The only thing that lets it down for me is that it needs such a high spec machine to run well.

[waveydavey]

Richards site Moves Explorer is outstanding, great work Rich. Myxiplx thats some spreadsheet and dedication to spend time recording all the info you have, fair play. Is it to measure your route to 3D competition or just for your records

[Thor]

I have been working on "From tail in..." for 4 months now. Can't recommend it enough!

[chrisleematt21]

I have been working on "From tail in..." for 4 months now. Can't recommend it enough!

Can you do funnels yet?

[Peteski]

I've used bits of it so far, particularly the slow piro practice, and will probably refer to it again for some of the basic 3D exercises. But I really cannot be bothered to keep a spreadsheet of my progress. I'm sure that approach works for some, but spreadsheets and fun don't mix well for me! The advice at the start about using pinch grip on the Tx didn't work for me either. I find thumbs much more natural and realise it's entirely a personal preference. So I'd ignore that and just hold the Tx however you feel like. Overall I think it's a great guide to make you think what you are doing.

[Thor]

Can you do funnels yet?

Not yet, I'm afraid. But they are next on my list to get started on. Upright forward and backward circles and 8s I have almost nailed on the sim and looking forward to "getting" them IRL too, now that spring is fast approaching. Inverted circles and 8s are coming along nicely on the sim, but not ready for prime time yet.

As the saying goes: your mileage may vary ;-)

[chrisleematt21]

ive just started, done lesson 1 4 times now and there has been slight improvement have to admit its harder than i thought. My 8s are f!@king awful!!!

[myxiplx]

Richards site Moves Explorer is outstanding, great work Rich. Myxiplx thats some spreadsheet and dedication to spend time recording all the info you have, fair play. Is it to measure your route to 3D competition or just for your records

Nah, I'm not aiming at competing, but I do want to ensure I've got a solid grounding in the core skills. I wanted to make sure I learnt all the basics before messing around with too much 3D stuff, and that was my way to ensure I wasn't missing anything out.

Slow piros and all fig-8's are a really great way to get your orientations down. Once you can fly all the variations of a fig-8 you can be pretty confident in your basics.

Oh and Peteski, I'm a thumber too, feels much more natural than pinching to me and I always wanted to fly 3D so I was more interested in being able to use the full throw of the stick than having precise control.

[Holst]

I have tried doing this and it definitely helped a lot.
My main problem is keeping it up, initially I did it every day but I've not had the time lately.

I really struggled with backwards flight but after a few weeks of slow piro I could do it in real life.

I can do a very messy funnel in the sim, but it would be dangerous to try it for real, until I get more practice.

Definitely recommend giving it a go.

[trexamanic]

I think its how you are wired in the brain as to how quick you can do this.

Personally having never touched a gaming console in my life, i am very slow. i need sim time i think.

[Rachel]

Interesting...... I have flown with a hundred sim pilots who can kick a heli so hard it will explode.................most if not all of them can do amazing things, but most if not all bypassed the basics in their rush to 3d..
In my opinion to be a master , first you must master the basics...........
f3N seems to be the ultimate skill test for me ...... try one of their simple moves , a stationary piro inverted hover at eye level....... trust me thats mind numbingly difficult.
anyway the choice is yours , enjoy your hobby .
x Rachel