Newbie help Stabilisation systems

[Corky Jnr]

Just getting to grips with my CX2 and have seen that heliguy gives some advice stating that learning on a Trex 450 SE V2 RTF with a HELICOMMAND is a alternate method of learning basic flight skills.

"Robbe Helicommand 3D: The icing on the cake. The helicommand calculats various variables with its onboard processor and makes constant adjustments to ensure that your helicopter remains stable.

This really is regarded as the ultimate beginners buddy! The helicommand has two main advantages:
1) minimises the likelihood of a crash
2) gives the pilot the added confidence needed to progress his flying. Obviously confidence becomes very important when you are flying a helicopter of such value"

Do you guys think this is a good idea? I'm going to buy phoenix to aid me in the step just would appreciate any advice suggestions or have any of you gone been down route?

Regards

Corky

[waveydavey]

I don't think you learn basic flight skills at all. The box sorts it out for you and you look like your in control, not. Just my opinion but there is no substitute for training gear, a 50 size in a field, and a twitching bottom to focus your attention and learning. Also, welcome to the forum.

[tonystevens]

pheonix is the best learning tool you can buy and im sure that others will say the same.
dont waste all that money on something that will only build up false confidence. helicommand has its place in this hobby but i dont think it should be with the begginners.imo

[Corky Jnr]

Cheers guys thanks for the speedy response, Just eager to get on one of the bigger heli's hooked and i've only been flying since Tuesday, crashed on Wednesday and boght another heli thursday to play whilst the replacement parts come over the bank holiday.
Looks like i'll be spending time on phoenix until i'm confident enough to jump to the trex then. Was still thinking when I o have the confidence to fly a CP would it not be a worthwhile investment as a get yourself out of jail free card .i.e. if you really need it its there to switch on it. At the end off the day these things are not cheap to crash?

[tonystevens]

there even more expensive to crash with a £300 helicommand unit strapped to it!at the end of the day a helicommand wont stop your heli from crashing .i think they are more commonly used in scale flying where the pilot is trying to fly the heli as realistically as they can ie.not twitching about.
dont get me wrong i think they are a great bit of kit but shouldnt be encouraged onto helping begginners to fly
join a club,fly on the sim as much as you can would be my advise and when youy do fbuy a bigger heli you will find its much easier to fly anyway as they are more stable the bigger they get

[Tim Procter]

I don't think you learn basic flight skills at all.

You cetainly don't Dave but it sure as hell saves you hundreds of pounds in broken helis.

I had one fitted to a Raptor 50 when I was learning and can reccomend them 100%

Everyone has an opinion, This is mine.

at the end of the day a helicommand wont stop your heli from crashing

Sorry Tony but if setup correctly they do.

[tonystevens]

Sorry Tony but if setup correctly they do.

fair enough tim,
but surely you would need a lot of height on you side for it to right your heli,i've been in situations where you dumbthumb and the heli rapidly decends into the ground even from height lol.and if youve got some throttle behind it its gonna struggle too?
i just think that the best way to learn to fly and 'control' your own heli is on your own

[Tim Procter]

i just think that the best way to learn to fly and 'control' your own heli is on your own

I think that too Tony but at the time when I was learning I purchased a Helicommand and believe me it saved me some cash on many occasions.

If you leave the pitch/throttle with enough power to hover the heli it "WILL" settle down into a stable hover choose how fast or whatever angle it is approaching the ground.

The things are quite astonishing really but recently I agree.... my advise is buy a Phoenix sim and spend some weeks getting to know your stick inputs,

Cheaper and a quicker way to learn.

[tonystevens]

i can see the benefits of using one as a beginner and must admit that i was also tempted when i started but am so glad i didnt go that route as maybe it would make the learning curve that much steeper by having to go 'cold turkey' when you take it off the heli.
anyway it doesnt seem to have hindered you tim ive seen your flying mate and its good!
or have you been fooling us all and still have a helicomand hidden on your heli! he-he!

[chopperaddict]

Hi

Nobody has mentioned the Alien Command system, which is a lot cheaper than Helicommand, and does most of what HC does as well. It doesnt have position holding, but otherwise, it will recover your heli to a stable hover if you let go of the cyclic.

I agree with phoenix as well, a great way to get some finger training to avoid dumbthumb moments, but ALien command will save its own cost in a very short time

Just my view ?

[dam74]

The only thing I would of thought these devices would be good for is aerial photography or surveillance.

[POLAR BEAR]

You just cant beat wrestling with a heli and getting the better of it without gimmics!!
You will have a better sence of acheivment as time and practice turns into sucsese! there is no need to rush and crash if you take your time
+ you will learn that adrenalin is BROWN
Kev.

[dam74]

I'd have to agree Kev, I'm a beginner who has been flying about 3mths now. Took the training gear off about a month and a half ago probably prematurely but felt they were a pain more than an assistance especially if the heli was out of trim/setup. Anyway I've just been playing around the past few days with the Blade400 just maintaining hover and fighting the wind. Had a few hairy moments but the heli came back in one peice.

[POLAR BEAR]

Practice practice practice thats all it takes! You dont have to be the top 3d pilot of the day just have fun! Start by saying to your self "right im gona take off and hover till I wont to land NOT when the heli says so!! the feild where I started had paving slabs as pilot boxes i used to try and stay over the top of them for a hole tank to start with!

[dam74]

Practice practice practice thats all it takes! You dont have to be the top 3d pilot of the day just have fun! Start by saying to your self "right im gona take off and hover till I wont to land NOT when the heli says so!! the feild where I started had paving slabs as pilot boxes i used to try and stay over the top of them for a hole tank to start with!

At the local playing field they have astroturf cricket pitch which I use to take off on as the heli doesn't get bogged down in the wet. I always try to maintain my hover over this but it's hard with the wind and a 400 class heli and we're only talking about an approx 1.5m wide area. The length of it always seems to be perpindicular to wind direction. However I do try to return to land on it and most times succeed.