Struggling with an angle!

[Gate88]

Ok so I've been practicing for my A-cert, it's all good except for the circuit.

Now I can complete the oval on the sim, with my blade MCX, and my 450 but when i try with my TR600 I just cant get the area circled in red.



I can do it high up no problem, I can do it fast no problem and I can do it anti clockwise without even thinking, but low & slow with the 600 and everytime I go round the last bit of that curve my brain freezes, I just lose it and end up having to bring it full on nose in or take it up higher.

Of course the answer is practice practice practice and I'm trying but I have a massive mental block and cant seem to stop myself taking preventative action every time it reaches that point and its driving me mad!

Anyone got any advice that doesnt involve the words "alcohol" or "relax"?

[Biggles]

Just push both sticks gently forward!!!!!

[Holst]

It might help to try some slow clockwise pirrouettes and try stopping when you get to that uncomfortable angle as your confidence increases.

[trillian]

The slow stuff is giving me grief as well. I can go in a circle both directions but trying to connect them into a figure 8 and it all falls apart

[Biggles]

All parts of the circuit are the same.....ie same inputs for all turns.....it's just your perception of the model that has changed.

[Dedcalm]

I need to check up on my A cert requirements then as I wasnt aware that a circuit was required for heli - only fixed wing...

[Steve]

Keeping it slow is very difficult as well. Once you enter forward flight, the heli will tend to want to keep accelerating so it's a fine balancing act between collective and elevator to keep the height constant and the forward speed constant. If you don't, then by the time it has come right round and is back in front of yourself, it's going at a fair old lick and the examiner is likely to deem you as not in control.

Getting this stuff right will stand you in good stead for all your future flying as it instils flying discipline and control.

Keep up the good work and keep trying. You have a good escape plan worked out which is working for you, so let it go a little bit further each time before bottling out.

[Tim Procter]

Just push both sticks gently forward!!!!!

Spot-on.

[Gate88]

All parts of the circuit are the same.....ie same inputs for all turns.....it's just your perception of the model that has changed.

Yea but it's that perception that's driving me mad!!

I had a few lessons in the early days and had escape routes hammered into me which means whenever I get into trouble I instinctivly get on the power and swing the tail towards me.
It's one of the most important skills that I've aquired.
The trouble is that now my brain is hardwired into that mindset it's proving a hard habit to break, and its rather annoying when you want to push through a particular barrier and dont want to keep bailing out.

[Dedcalm]

Just re-read the heli A-Test and all there is, is hovering the points of a T and then a couple of lazy 8's and return to start position for tail in hover.

[electricsceadu]

the A doesn't have a circuit in it
but with your problem with the circuit practise the circuit in that direction twice as much as the other way, once you have nailed it then do both circuits in equal amounts to help stop yourself getting handed

[Gate88]

Just re-read the heli A-Test and all there is, is hovering the points of a T and then a couple of lazy 8's and return to start position for tail in hover.

Are you sure DC? I watched someone take their A this weekend and he was having to do that oval shape. Maybe not as my diagram because he started both the turns tail in so it was a sort of 8 but he still went thru the angle that I'm struggling with.

[crash-alot]

Sounds like the examiner got confused between helis and planes LOL

[waveydavey]

There isn't any circuits in the heli A test. It is a measure of the pilots basic flying skills and safety. Go to the BMFA website and download the latest examiner notes (Examiners Notes). These will give you what they are expecting to see. The area you are talking about will still be a problem as you have to do a lazy 8. Just rely on the fact that you have put the correction in, it's a difficult perception area for anyone so don't lose heart. Just about everyone I've spoken to has trouble with this particular bit. Don't practice something that isn't in the test. The test has changed compared to that in the book so read up to avoid any mis-understandings. Good luck with it, remember when you spool up to test the direction of all controls and to check the flightline left and right, and don't put your hand on the head button to stop the blades when you have finished.

[snapshot]

The heli 'A' schedule is available here http://www.bmfa.org/achievement/2009/Hel-A-Issue6.pdf

The only 2 manoeuvres are the hovering 'T'



and the 'lazy 8'