Phoenix Vs The real thing ?

[shoot51]

So which is the hardest? The sim or the real thing ? I know the real thing has obvious hazards but apart from that is it easier to fly ? I have just finished building a Raptor 30V2 but after a week of sim time i,m not sure i should even put fuel in it ! Are there any training companies near West Wales (nearest)? A lesson/assessment could be money well spent. I have joined the local club only to find they are all into planks! Im really up for it but fear im too old a dog for new tricks, so who are the nearest company to me (i know there not going to be real close, nothing is from here)! Thanks, Richard

[acwman]

How are you getting along with the sim? and what makes you feel that you are not ready for the real thing? I remember my first heli was the shuttle, and while I was building it, I was practicing on the sim until I had the heli ready. I was quite accomplished in hovering tail in, and moving the heli around with tail in on the sim before I first attempted the real thing.

When I first took the heli out, I felt comfortable moving around and landing the heli, and took the training skids off after the first tank. All the sim time helped tremendously.

It would definitely not hurt to get as much simulator training before the real thing.. but also it would not hurt to take it slowly with the real thing just to get a taster… as long as you take it slowly.(training gear on etc.. bounces and hops etc)

Shame about the club that only flies planks.. Are there any other clubs local which do helis? A club with experienced heli fliers will help in making sure that you have everything set up properly. A badly set up helicopter will not feel the same as the ones you fly on the sim.

The phoenix sim is pretty much as close to the real experience of flying as you’re going to get..

Looking on the BMFA may help in finding a local heli club, and some of the helicopter magazines should have some heli instructors listed.

[adieuk]

i couldnt have said it any better andy

[shoot51]

As for the sim, i can tail in hover, side in, but lose it quite quickly nose in. i just seem move from hover to ballistic (unlike the training videos) and strangely find it easier to land on a cut motor! My local shop has scrutineered my build at intervals and she is due in Tuesday for engine run and final checks. I just want to find a company within a reasonable distance to try the real thing under supervision and assessment, thus answering any doubts. Richard

[Nick B]

The phoenix sim is pretty much as close to the real experience of flying as you’re going to get..

I agree,but some of the heli settings are a bit out and you may need to tweak to get it just like the real thing.

Take the blade 400,if i was to try before buy on pheonix then i would of steered well clear.Its got to be one of the hardest to fly on there with no tweaks,theres the hidden expo issue i believe.

If you have an experienced heli pilot nr you,then get them to set up and save a few helis into the favourites.

Have a go with the blade,you will see what i mean.

[Disc]

Sim is harder the perspective isn't quite right....

So for me the Sim is harder which is why I barely use it

[shoot51]

Yes tried the blade (had a go at most of them/as you do) and wondered why the hell so many choose it as a starter! Gave me serious concerns re., my ability or lack of it ! I see the sim/model speed is adjustable maybe i should turn it down? But would that give a false impression ? Serious lack of clubs/heli fliers down here, really need to go to a Pro who can put me right one way or another! Richard

[opc]

If the heli is set up ok then all you have to think about is that the heli WILL do the same thing as the sim.When you take off for the first few goes this is probably the hardest thing to get your head around,it's all down to confidence.
Wait for very little or ideally no wind at all and don't go more than a couple of feet of the ground and if you can do it off concrete/tarmac, it's better because your training gear won't catch anything.
The main thing is confidence in what you have learnt on the sim and putting that into the real world.
I was in the same position as you with nobody around me to teach me the basics,so I bought phoenix and learnt to hover tail in then just went for it.
It's nerve racking but the feeling when you've had it hovering for the first time is fantastic!!!!
We all had to learn in the beginning and really it's down to your own confidence and beliefs ,just don't give up!!!!!!!!

[shoot51]

I have found these guys ,www.phoenixmodelaviation.co.uk They are quite a way from me but may be worth it, What do you think? Richard

[Boggy]

rcslopesurfer , xygas and helitv all fly with pete at phoenixaviations field, drop them a pm im sure they would be happy to help you out.
pete's username is raptorite but i dont think he uses the forum much

[Chippy]

Pete(Raptorite) taught me to fly and he is ok,I was doing two hour lessons each time to make it worthwhile because he is about an hour from me but then found two hours too much for the brain to take in.
Would certainly recommend the lessons tho,it will save you a fortune.

[SimonV6]

I find the sim much easier, but then thats maybe down to the fact that I can crash the helis in the sim and reset without costing me money, and I hate spending unnecessary money lol

but the feel is very much the same......


Simon

[Holst]

I find the sim much easier, but then thats maybe down to the fact that I can crash the helis in the sim and reset without costing me money, and I hate spending unnecessary money lol

but the feel is very much the same......


Simon

I find the sim much more difficult than the real thing.

Mainly because you can see the heli more more easily in real life.

Also if im practicing on the sim I tend to get bored and start doing moves im not very good at and I just crash it. Its hard to treat the sim seriously, I think I only land the heli one flight in twenty, nineteen times I crash

[Chippy]

Just a few more thoughts,Before I had the lessons I spent a few months on Reflex sim just flying about (Planks aswell) just to get my brain to tell my fingers what to do,then I went for the lessons and didnt waste too much time learning the real basic stuff.
I think the lessons cost me something like £400 in total but then I have never crashed(yet!) since April 2007 when I started with the lessons but then I do not really push myself,done a few loops but not really into the 3D stuff just happy flying about more scale style I suppose.
Hope this helps.

[speedy jon]

i agree with holst, with the sim i get bored after say 30mins and try doing silly stuff like inverted autos ect. but it has helped me a big deal with learning how the movements i put into the tx translate to the heli.iv learnt to more smoother with the controls now which have all past over to flying the real thing. also the sim is good to get the flying fix when the heli is broken.