Negative pitch and crashing

[Paulig]

I've read about negative pitch. My instinct is if i get in trouble is to pull down on the stick but this would drive the heli into the ground. How do i minimise this if i get in trouble?

[Vikki]

Set your pitch curve to start at 50% so it can't go negative. Of course idle-up is a different kettle of fish as negative is needed but not for learning.

[Mark_T]

First off, learn not to do it!

Secondly, make sure you have a pitch curve without too much negative in it.

You could start with just a couple of degrees of negative and work up from there.

You need some negative or you'll be unable to bring it down if the wind catches it.

Main trick though is fighting the desire to just chop the throttle when you get into trouble, try to replace that with a reaction to hit throttle hold when you know it is going in as that will kill the throttle but not drag the pitch to the bottom (unless you still chop the stick as well).

[dave j]

if you get into trouble hit throttle hlod it will help you sort yourself out, its just a case of not panicing

[Mark_T]

... as negative is needed but not for learning.

Depends on how windy it is where you fly

[Vikki]

I'll remember that when I start flying in higher winds. What would you suggest as the lower end? I just looked and I start at 48% not 50. Must have found I needed a little negative.

Thanks, Mark.

Vikki.

[Mark_T]

What would you suggest as the lower end?

Just a couple of degrees of negative is enough when first learning I'd have thought. With smaller models perhaps it is not quite so vital.

I tend not to quote percentages as not everyone has their model setup to give 0 degrees at center stick, some people prefer to have the hovering point around mid-stick (say 6 degrees or so).

[Vikki]

Didn't realise that, Mark. Wouldn't suit me, though, as my quads lift off a good bit above centre stick - but I can see why you'd want to though. I'd consider it but I've got used to mine hovering above mid now.

And fair comment, too

Vikki.

[Paulig]

Thanks
I will take that onboard. Any transmitter setup videos anywhere???
I do have throttle hold but i find the placement of the switch a bit awkward on the DX7. I pinch the sticks so i have to stretch for the throttle hold.
Can throttle hold be reassigned to another switch??

[Delarado]

if your ever interested in ever flipping any of your helis, I cant stress enough how much you need to set your pitch to 0 degrees at mid stick and have full range of movement NOW.

It is just a case of getting used to not dumping the stick, its as simple as that.

If you learn one way your just going to have to unlearn it in future.

Do yourself a favour and run -12 / 0 / +12 from the outset. You might dump the heli into the ground once but you wont do it again I can assure you!

[DaveJones]

Took me a while to realise I'm often better off hitting the gas when I'm in trouble rather than cutting it. Turns out you only crash when you hit the ground and the extra height gives me the time to recover.

I have mastered the habit of using throttle hold when past the point of no return. But still bottom the stick!!!!

[Biffa]

if your ever interested in ever flipping any of your helis, I cant stress enough how much you need to set your pitch to 0 degrees at mid stick and have full range of movement NOW.

It is just a case of getting used to not dumping the stick, its as simple as that.

If you learn one way your just going to have to unlearn it in future.

Do yourself a favour and run -12 / 0 / +12 from the outset. You might dump the heli into the ground once but you wont do it again I can assure you!

I fully agree. You really need to learn to fly in IU to get the best from you and your helicopter, not to mention the ESC/motor and packs. Flying a CP the same as a FP is just asking for trouble, get out of the habit of dumping the throttle as soon as you can.

[Jez N]

+1 to setting it up midstick with 0 pitch and getting used to flying in IU with +12 to -12. Have normal mode at -4 / -6 at full negative to +12 at full positive pitch for learning basic hovering etc.

You've just got to learn that the sticks need to be caressed and not man-handled and you will be fine.

Also hitting TH everytime you get out of shape is only going to lead to endless repairs and damage to your confidence. Take it slowly, plenty of height and lots of sim time. TH is a last resort when you have reached the point of no rescue, rather than the go-to option everytime you feel a little anxious!!

[Mark_T]

Do yourself a favour and run -12 / 0 / +12 from the outset. You might dump the heli into the ground once but you wont do it again I can assure you!

There really isn't much point in having -12 at the bottom until you are going to start on inverted and plenty of danger in having that much negative on tap when you first start. Easy enough to increase the negative once you start doing things that may need it . Obviously no harm in having it there on the hold curve I guess just in case, but you will never use it until you start flying inverted so why carry the risk of having it there until then?

You can keep 0 at centre stick if you want, but you just don't need -12 at the bottom end

FWIW, one of the benefits of having the hover point mid-stick is that it gives you a wider range of control for hovering manoeuvres rather than compressing the range into an unnecessarily small part of the stick movement.

If you have no interest in hovering manoeuvres then 0 at centre is understandable of course.

[Delarado]

Dont agree mark.

Lets say a newbie gets in trouble, hits throttle hold and dumps the stick?

You might as well get used to having it there so it doesnt surprise you when you find it by accident.

Its personal choice, but I think not having full pitch range and 0 degrees centre stick is just silly.

How would you feel if you trained for years riding a racing bicycle and then when it came down to going into a competition someone changed all the gearing? All your training would have been worthless.