Bitten to pieces figure 8

[Ritchieme]

Had a spare half hour just as it was getting dark, hardly any wind for a change. I went to the field to agttempt my first figure 8, didn't go too well at all, although I was really pleased with the way it banked on the first half, long way to go, I even managed a pirouette :-) its so nice to have some space away from the restrictions of the garden.

The missus wasnt over happy as we both got bitten to pieces ! :-)

Does anyone have any tips on how to progress from my current level please ?

Ritchie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XwD...e_gdata_player

[Ruston]

I've been stuck at a similar level myself for a while. I would suggest trying to fly slower tighter and much more controlled circuits/8s. Firstly this will teach finer control and secondly you will be able to see better what the heli is doing. I have found once you have slow circuits sorted, flying fast is easy.

[Ritchieme]

Thanks Ruston, makes sense, the trouble I have is it just wants to fly away :-) I will try as you say, cheers

[Ruston]

As one of my club mates pointed out to me, if the heli just wants to fly away then you're not really flying it, rather it is flying you!

[ROCKET RONNIE]

keep 20foot up in the air ( + ) small inputs and slow moving, just go left to right, stop and turn and hold then come back across, hold, turn, hold, back across, all nice and slow. that way you can see what the heli want to do. other than that it looked bloody good, keep going and have fun, more stick time the better, good luck mate

[adieuk]

get yourself the phoenix sim and practice more
the more you practice the easyier it will get

[Ritchieme]

As one of my club mates pointed out to me, if the heli just wants to fly away then you're not really flying it, rather it is flying you!

To tell the truth thats what it feels like

[Ritchieme]

keep 20foot up in the air ( + ) small inputs and slow moving, just go left to right, stop and turn and hold then come back across, hold, turn, hold, back across, all nice and slow. that way you can see what the heli want to do. other than that it looked bloody good, keep going and have fun, more stick time the better, good luck mate

Thanks Ronnie, I've really only just left the garden, been at it 6 months, feels I have so far to go but when I look back I feel I have come a long way, problem is I'm learning on my own, my brother started at the same time but seems to have given up at the hover stage :-(

[Ritchieme]

get yourself the phoenix sim and practice more
the more you practice the easyier it will get

Thanks but thats the strange thing, I have had phoenix and a dx6i since I started 6 months ago and for some strange reason I can't get on with it, as an example I couldn't hover with phoenix even after 2 months ! I bought an mcpx, learnt to hover that and then I could hover on phoenix, I couldnt get nose in on phoenix, I bought a cheap fixed pitch and learnt with that and now I can do it with phoenix. Very strange.

[ROCKET RONNIE]

try and get in to a local club, that will help you loads

[pgkevet]

Insect repellant.. then you can concentrate on the flying!
Without it it's horseflies here.....

[nobbycopter]

I was at a similar stage (still am really as confidence has taken a knock recently after putting in 2 helis) and found that as Ruston and Ronnie said keeping things nice and slow (I was practising for my A cert) and precise really helped me to advance a bit as you learn to control the heli rather than steering it which is what you are doing when it's flying fast. Again sim time will help as it builds the muscle memory needed to stop thinking about flying

[dani_r]

+1 on getting Phoenix. Once setup it allows you to get out all (well, most ) of that initial nerves and crashing and gives you a clear understanding of what the helicopter will be doing when you do XYZ. Always try stuff out on the sim first, get it nailed down then give it a whirl on the real one! But for that, height is your friend! But not too high though!

[cjcj1949]

The figure of eight is very difficult. Especially slowly with a small heli. You need a bit of speed to keep the bank going, but a heli accelerates very quickly and slows down very quickly. Bigger helis are easier, but it is still very difficult. Flying faster is much easier. It is easier if you do it with a plank first or try it on the sim first. You need to bank first and then use up/ down to make the turn. You need to coordinate all four controls. I find the right turn easier if it is started in front of me, rather than to the left. I find the A cert figure of eight done slowly and accurately as the BMFA say is more difficult than some B test moves like the nose in hover. It also must be done outdoor which usually means wind which makes slow accurate moves more difficult. I've been flying for 30 years and how anyone who has flown a heli can think this equates to a solo flying test is beyond me.

If it really was a lazy eight it would make sense with sideways movement allowed except for the pass in front of the pilot which would be side on. About 10 mph would make sense as well.

[AlastairC]

Nice piro. As others are saying get on the sim and work on your orientations so you are in control of the heli as all times :-) The sim helped me no end with getting the 8's working (still lots to go in making them cleaner and better a lower speeds).