Learning to loop

[scorchio]

I have been flying since last September, I have a Raptor 50.
I practice a lot on the sim (Relex) as the weather in Manchester has not been that great.
I can hover both tail and nose in and fly circuits. I would like to progress a little more.
I can loop on the sim without any trouble, but the real thing is different kettle of fish.
Do I just bit the bullet and give it a go or is there somthing else I need to do before.

Any advice is more than welcome.

[Raptorite]

Hi Scorchio,

Learning or trying new things on the simulator is a great start to being able to do them at the field. If you can do something like a loop, roll or something else on the sim then you will be able to do it at the field without any problem.

I dont know how you found learing things like circuits and nose in hovering at the field, I assume you did the same, i.e. practice on the sim first. If youre like me once you have gathered the nerve to try it you will find that it feels easier to do than it does on the simulator.

I was the same when I learnt low and slow pirrouettes both rightway up and inverted, once I had practiced enough on the sim I could do them easily but as you say trying it at the field is a different matter all together. I actually found that once I had the nerve to try it I found that it felt easier than on the sim.

So its just a matter of having the nerve to try things and remembering that the way the model reacts on the sim IS the way the real model will react at the field, If you can get past that barrier then you will do just fine

To answer your question in a few less words, go for it

Cheers,

Pete.

[scorchio]

Hi Raptorite,

Thanks for this, I suppose I'll just have to have ago.

I had my first heli (Raptor 30) checked out by a modeler with over 30 years of flying heli's he set up the radio and flew it (thrashed it) around.
I had 2 lessons from him and he said your on your own you don't need me to hold your hand. Unfortunatly he does not come down to the field much, he might once the weather has picked up. My other flying mate has been flying for about 4 years he just does circuits and although he's got a lot more experience than myself I think he is stuck in the comfort zone.

I've since sold the 30 and bought a 50 theres a lot more power and I don't fly it like I did the 30. I've built it and set it up myself although it fly's nicely its a lot different than the 30.

I have been trying slow pirrouettes but I have struggled to hold the heli in one spot. I can do the pirrouette but I'd like to hold the thing a bit more stable.

Thanks again for the advice I'll let you know if I get the nerve to try it out.

Rick

[mo]

LOOPS OR WOOPS

Hi.
Like Scorchio I have at times the urge to be a bit more venturesome in my flying, and I have spent enough time on my sim to be comfortable in inverted flight,loops,rolls.ect,but as I have set up my helli in the manner that gives more stable hovers and as yet I have to master that fine art of throttle hold on my radio among other things (too many other things),I am frightened that when I go inverted my negative pitch which is only -3 will be insufficient and the helli will drive out of the sky inverted.My troubles may be coming to an end with the purchase of my new radio, as I feel sure that in the future I will find a brave soul to show me how it is done,but until that time I will make my actions second nature with the sim in these manouvers and wait until I have seen the experienced try it first with my machine.ANYONE LIKE TO SHOW ME HOW IT IS DONE.

GOOD FLYING.
MO.

[scorchio]

Loops or Woops

Hi Mo,

You've hit the nail on the head, until I see someone fly my raptor in a loop and or inverted all the sim practice in the world is not going to give me the confidence to try.

If only I knew someone with a 'buddy box' who could do the loop and inverted then it would make it a lot safer.

I'm confident that I'd get the loop or the invert just that little insurance of a buddy box would make all the difference.

Let me know if you go over the top.

Rick

[Stuart]

Okay boy's...

1. Make sure you have an idle up setting done
2. Pitch range from -3 to +8 to +10

Start to learn a loop with first stall turns

Step 1. Get high, get fast and get into the wind, (obviously assuming your in idle 1).

When you pass yourself from left to right start to pul back gently on the stick at the same time lower the pitch to 0, your flying straight up and high before reaching a halt rudder left (Keeping the nose away, if not comfortable with nose in)....then at the 180 your be on your way down.

This helps you get used to hitting the 0 pitch and the transition between forward and vertical.

Once comfortable.

Step 2.

Take the get high, get fast again in idle 1.

On passing from left to right again pull back, this time keeping the elevator as is drop off the pitch to 0 and watch the heli go over the top, then once on your way down start applying positive pitch to fly off. 8)

Its the heli's forward and entry speed your relying on to get you round the loop.

If you find that you haven't enough speed and the heli's not going to make it, don't fret - yes I know its easy said...Just pull hard back on the elevator and it will flip on the spot then left rudder and fly off and try again.

I know what you mean when you say that you want to see someone else fly your heli before you try it, once they've done it you know the heli can its just a matter of you doing it now.

The sim is near as dam it to the real deal, so don't get scared, just make sure if it all goes Pete Tong you know what your exit plan is.

Good Luck

[mo]

LOOP

You make it sound so easy peasy Stuart, but as I have said all I need is someone to show me with my own Helicopter and then there will be no stopping me.It was the same with my first flight, that once someone had successfully flown my helli I knew that I would do it.When are you coming down to demonstrate for me, and I will show you that I can.The greatest problem that I have is getting the radio set up.

Thanks for your reply Stuart.
MO.

[scorchio]

Loop

Thanks Stuart,

My idle1 pitch curve is -6 to +10

I used to use -3 on the bottom on my 30 but I had trouble in getting it down.
I had been used to -6 on the sim and the -3 on the model made the stick position feel wrong.
Once I'd adjusted the model I had no problem.

If the weather is kind this weekend I'll start with the stall turns.

Just tried it on the sim and it is harder than the loop to get it going straight up and down.

I understood your comments about the flip, I had been doing them on the sim before the loop. I used to practice the flip to get into an inverted hover.

Fingers crossed for the weekend.

[Raptorite]

The times I have taught people to loop and roll helis, I take my hand off the left stick and just use the cyclics, yes, in a roll it will barrel but if you are high enough and have enough speed it doesnt matter, the point is the heli will go round without worrying about the pitch.

I take your point about seeing someone else fly your heli as it gives you cnfidence in the fact that the heli will do it, Im not sured where you are located but if youre around on the 19/20 June my club is hosting a fly-in at the Royal Bath and West showground, Shepton Mallet, if you fancied coming along I will gladly check over your models and test fly them for you

If you are interested, check the calendar here for more info.

Cheers,

Pete.

[philiphenderson]

One last thing to remember when looping, or performing a staff turn, is that the heli doesn't require much back cyclic to climb. Too much and you'll just bleed all the speed off.

Phil.

[chappers]

what a load pf rubbish is talked! for your first loop: ensure you have sufficient height, tank it along straight and level, ease back the cyclic to approx hovering position and pull back! yes it will look like a number 9 but it will go round! once you have the confidence you can start making it look nice and round, by flying the loop with a combination of pitch and cyclic.

chappers
(BMFA instructor and examiner, ex.GBRCAA pilot and 3D MASTERS pilot)

[mo]

HI Chappers.
I do not know whether you are honest or not with your claims,but one thing I do know is that you are going to start some balls rolling.Nothing like lively discussion just so long as it does not get too personel.

HELICOPTER PILOT FAILED.NO BOTTLE FOR THE LOOP.

GOOD FLYING.
MO.

[chappers]

hi mo check my credentials with our illustrious leader stuart.
chappers

[mo]

I believe you Chappers, now just tell me some more.

MO.

[chappers]

ps. i meant pull back the collective, but i guess you worked that out?

chappers