Learning to fly Helicopters

[G-DAVE]

Hi chappers and raptorite

I always thought it would be good idea to produce an agenda for learning, a chronological Programme of tasks to be under taken by the beginner starting with 1 and only go to 2 when 1 is fully mastered!
How about it gentlemen ?
Dave

[chappers]

sounds good. ill start 1) buy a helicopter

chappers

i have a helicopter a nexus what is next

[philiphenderson]

Fly that nexus. Fly it some more. Buy more fuel and keep flying.

Phil.

[chappers]

yeah dave, pete and i talked about this very matter only a little while ago... watch this space as they say!!!


psst! did you start it pete?




chappers

[Raptorite]

Hi Kieth,

Yes, I have been giving this some thought, the overall picture is actually more complicated than it sounds. The basics of flying are the easy parts, its the other things like understanding radio and model setups like for example a beginner would normally start with a mid stick pitch of about 5 to 6 degrees for hovering, at what point does this get changed to a 3d curve of 0 degrees at centre stick etc.

I would say that the first part of the process should look something like this;

1. Hover the model tail in

2. Move the model 5 yards to the left (or right) stop and hover there for 20 seconds and then bring it back in front of the pilot.

3. Do the same as in step 2 but in the opposite direction, i.e. if you have previously moved the model to the left then this time move it to the right and vice versa.

4. Moving the model to the left and right as in steps 2 and 3 now start putting a bit of rudder control in to get the model to point to the right when moving to the right and left when moving to the left.

Now you are doing lazy eights


5. Now start adding some side cyclic in when changing the direction of the model at the end of movement either side, in other words when you have moved as far right as you want instead of just using the rudder control to change direction start adding some aileron to bank the model into the turn, you will also need some up elevator to maintain altitude.


Now you are starting to do full figure eights, at this point you need to set the model with an idle up 1 throttle curve.

6. Start practicing bringing the model to a stop as it flies across you from side to side by adding some back elevator and compensating pitch to bring the forward speed to a stop.

7. Start slowly increasing the altitude of the model a little bit each flight and decending to about a 2 foot hover when you bring the model to a stop in front of you.

8. Start flying the model a little bit further out each time to make the circuits a little bit larger and having bigger and bigger banks and turns at the ends of either side of the circuit.

9. Start bringing the model back in towards you at a sharper and sharper angle until it is not just flying past side on but is getting closer and closer to nose in.

10. On the nose in part of the circuit start slowing the model down until eventually it is in a nose in hover at a fairly good altitude so if you get into trouble you have got time enough to give it some rudder until it is tail in and back in your comfort zone.

Hows that for a start? clearly it needs a bit of polishing and embelishing but I think the basics are there.

Cheers,

Pete.

[chappers]

excellent work pete, however without being critical in any way may i suggest more reference to the BMFA safety guide?

chappers

[Raptorite]

Kieth,

Yeah, you are right it does need a little more aligning with the BMFA codes, as I mentioned before it does need a little polishing

I am still working on it and hope to have something a little more accurate fairly soon.

If you have any other suggestions that would be great, also at what point in the process would you recommed the change over from beginner to 3d pitch and throttle curves?

Stuart,

Where is the best place to publish the finished article? do you want it in one of the review sections or did you have somewhere else in mind?

Cheers,

Pete.

[chappers]

hi pete dont assume the trainee needs or indeed wants to fly 3D there is more to helis than 3D! (and thats from a 3D pilot) however assuming he does want to fly 3D why not right at the start? (tamed down curves obviously)

chappers

ps. you carry on you dont need my input

[Stuart]

I believe the finished article should be in the How To.... forum just open a new post once done based on the topic....

We could run a copy in the news section as a piece of editorial too. The reviews are aim towards products and members opinions on what they feel are the fair pro and cons of each product.

[chappers]

with petes recent news in mind (instructors are legally responsible for any damage to their students model!!!) should we be giving advice to people? who then act on it, crash and sue!!!! or am i thinking to much like an american?

chappers

[G-DAVE]

L Drivers

How do Driving Instructors come on with this theory - could they be sued by a driver they have given instruction to if he/she was involved in an accident sighting there method of instruction as cause.
The worlds gone mad!!!
Keith does this mean you might wind your neck back in on the subject of back seat instructors.
Dave

[Raptorite]

Chappers,

I dont think we should be too wary of it, granted I am a little more cautious in test flying but all other forms of help and advice are unaffected.

I will continue to help and advise all who ask for it on this site and at the field with confidence and give a little judgement (hopefully good ) on questions, problems and general beginners advice.

Cheers,

Pete.

[chappers]

was that a bite mr.D ?

[G-DAVE]

No it was BAIT ! to catch a big one .
Dave