simulator

[dandeman]

I had ago on my zoom 400 the other day and crashed, then i had ago on a reflex simulator and its so easy!!! Is it because it was quite windy when i was flying the zoom? Maby i just dont care about crashing on the sim so i have more confidence... Did you find it easyer on the sim or flying the real thing???

I can finaly order my part tomorow from midland helis!!! Can wait to try fly agen!

[Mojogoes]

Not wanting to burst your bubble but its a lot easier on the sim

[beerdeor]

Not wanting to burst your bubble but its a lot easier on the sim

What he said keep at it dan you should also really consider getting a contra like the mcx an invaluable learning tool in my limited experience of the sport

Jim

[Mojogoes]

Yep!!

[moyesboy]

Holding the hover absolutely still where you want it is harder in phoenix than with a real heli.
flying most othermanoevres is easier in real life. however in real life the heli can getyaway from you and then you make a mistake and the wind takes it further away and rapidly it becomes a disaster. That doesn't happen so much on the sim.
Panic sets in earlier in real life.
Messing about on the sim, doing 3Dbefore you can really manage it, is invaluable becuase it really does help you get through orientation problems with the heli for real. however sim time can be a lot more productive if you ry to stick to a task rather han mess about (I just mess about though most of the time).

Maby i just dont care about crashing on the sim so i have more confidence...

Everyone will agree withyou there. On the sim i can piro hover inverted right next to the ground but for real I hear that familiar windy noise in my ears, as soon as it starts revolving 50 feet up!

[cambs flyer]

Agree totally with the others.

Before I started to fly in the physical form on the cyber field there wasn't much I couldn't do or dare, due to not having the crash and burn your wallet scenario in real life.

Sim's prepare you greatly for the stick control and for general flying, but it would be a virtual impossibility for a Sim to create "your days" conditions, the physical set up of the machine, yes on paper you can, but it's so different.

When you next take your zoom out (and may I say what a babe she looks in your sign') start as if you'd never flown anything before, understand you know how it all works but focus on small hovers tail in only, have plenty of space, training gear on, as it's amazing how many blades and shafts they save you replacing when you start your journey to flight.

When I read your post I thought, "I've been in just the same place," take your time & gently wear yourself in and within a few weeks you'll be holding her tail in like a pro, then it's orientation training.

I practiced having her 10 ft to the left & right while tail in to get comfortable with her being away from me, also for a while you'll find controlling her "tail in" going left right, forward reverse easiest, but there all all flight maneuvers you need to master so it's by far an easy to fly route.

Then have her in front of you and gently with caution practice having her side on hovering, you may find having her nose left easier to beginning with, this isn't uncommon, and the transition to nose right seems a little scary to start with, but you'll be surprised how quickly you'll adapt.

Little tip, I used the red and yellow strips that come with Align 315 blades, and I had the reds on the outer skids and the yellow on the inner facing skids, that way I found while mastering orientation so long as I didn't see yellow she was level, however if I saw yellow below or above I knew the machine wasn't level, I found this most helpful while I practiced like crazy to perfect it, I'm far from perfect, please don't get me wrong, but I can do it now without blowing every trip switch in the brain box.

Then the real fun starts when you start flying her sideways on, be careful to begin with by going say 15 ft, stopping her turning her to you and flying her back, but you'll find you start combining the cyclic with the rudder and when you bring her back she's banking into the turn and so on.

I broke about three set of blades and F/Shafts before I got comfy with these new maneuvers, and in a way that's all part of the fun, be prepared for a few kisses with the dirt, but its well worth it mate, and parts are easily replaceable hence back to looking like new.

I hope this helps a little Bro, it's exciting and frightening a little all at once, but that's part of the thrill ride.

[cjcj1949]

I agree with all that but it's different for everyone. I know I can hover and move about ok and I've done it about a month ago for a full battery. But confidence tends to grow ahead of ability and then you crash and lose the confidence. Also it took me a while to realise that I'm a lot better after 2 batteries than at the beginning, but I think I can continue from where I was. I now rehearse all the stick controls for a minute before I take off and I just start with a gentle hop to see how I am and how the heli is. Still I'm a bit older than you so I learn slower than you. Real trouble is they are so easy to break. Just keep going.

[cambs flyer]

Having the more then usual crash count say for a few weeks, or not flying for a bit can easily effect your ability's, but it only takes a few batts to bring yourself too speed.