Getting the most from sim time?

[t-rex pedro]

Ok guys, Ive always loathed putting time in on the sim but everytime I do it pays off with me learning a new move (or at least the inputs required) so I'm determined to hammer it this winter and come out a better pilot in the spring.

My question is do you guys set specific targets/goals when on the sim? Do you set yourself time limits? Somebody suggested slowing the sim down to get the inputs correct then gradually speeding things up. Anyone used this method?

So, how do you lot get the most from your time on the sim (particulary the hotshot 3D guys)?

Cheers

[moonmanflyer]

Haven't used the sim for a few weeks, should really.
I just decide what i want to learn next and keep trying until i crack it, then you have to brave it for real Pedro, when you are allowed out to play that is (sorry couldn't help the dig....lol)

[Mart61]

Watching this thread with interest.

I spent an hour last night practising right hand turns. Can't say I've nailed them, but I was getting better towards the end.

As such I think the target setting idea is a good one.

[cupracing]

my goal is to have a complete session on the sim with out a crash. If im still crashing then I have keep practicing. I dont think you should set yourself any time limits as its supposed to be enjoyable

[scoobystig]

Quite simply i have now set myself a time limit

now i know i have 1 hour of quality sim time while the wife watches Bl##dy celebrity get me out of here

so i am going to try a new manouvre solidly for an hour each night for 3 weeks

and at the end i will hopefully be able to do one of them

[mark lane]

I recently posted on here that i would commit to half an hours sim time a day.... i have to say thats hard to achieve and i am realistically doing half an hour every three days but it definately making a difference

I'm flying really well on the sim and starting to feel it at the field. I'm not doing that much new stuff for real yet but i'm much more confident and not suffering the shakin stevens that infected me this summer.

It won't be long at all before i'm flying the three or four additions to my routine for real and the sim is pivotal in getting there for me.... even if i'm only on it to top up my confidence

[Tim Procter]

Bizarre thread this Pete.

Only last week I was speaking to Mattie Lodge on the phone regarding learning "Chaos" and trying to grasp it mode 1. (Matt is mode 1 as I am)

After a lengthy chat with Matt he offered to send me a Phoenix recording breaking the move down into two parts. Piro flip it into inverted and piro flip back again to correct side up.

After studying the video for quite some time (at a reduced speed) I have finally got to grasp turning piro flips into chaos after around 15 hours on the sim last week after work.

Took the maneuver out to the field this weekend and duly tried it with my T-Rex 700 at a decent height and actually performed several very untidy chaos.

The moral of using the sim is........... Have a goal to reach and stick with it until you are ready for putting a hammer through the computer screen.

I actually got back to enjoying using the sim again last week and will continue to use it to further my progress.

It does work.

[StuSmith]

Sit on the sim learning hovering inverted sideways and tail in/nose in for hours.. If you do it on tutorial then the sim will move the heli around so you have to keep it in one place.

Forget about manouvers

Then when you come to learn new manouvers u will learn them in half the time..

Boring yes it is but in the long run it will pay off!

p.s if you dont do this your wasteing ur time watch im a celebrity get me out of here with Emma hehehe

[mark_w]

you have inspired me!! off to the land of phoenix!!

[mattie-lodge]

Interesting this Pete and a dam good thread to raise.

Stu hit the nail on the head. You have to learn the boring sh1t first to put yourself in good stead for anything complex. (Richie has also mentioned this to me once I think as well )

However you have to have an awful lot of determination and patiences to go this route. I keep drifting off this road alot but when I struggle with a move badly I always go back to the basics and all becomes alot clearer after.

[unwind-protect]

I have two lists of things to improve on.

My first is things that I'm capable of doing in real life, but are messy or uncomfortable. On this list is: clockwise turns off to my right, pie dishes, piroetting hover, inverted hovering and autorotations.

My second list is things that I'd never rarely try in real life but have some success on the sim. Here are inverted piroetting hover, rapid transitions between upright and inverted, tictocs and piroetting flight.

This way, I like to think, I have a steady (if slow!) stream of things moving from impossible to possible to controlled. I don't think I ever have "nothing" to practice;and the variety is open enough to keep it interesting, but restricted enough to avoid spreading the practice too thin.

Don't forget to warm up first with what you know you can do; if you're having a bad day you can quit while still happy

Edit: "3d hotshot"? Er, maybe I'm in the wrong place ...

[richieclarkie]

I'm with Stu in that the sim is brilliant for developing the instinctive responses when you learn new orientations. If you don't get yourself spot on in ALL orientations then learning the more complex 3D stuff is much harder and some moves are impossible to master without the key orientations nailed.

I would also add that what I term as "transitions" which is being able to track the heli from one orientation to another is something the sim is invaluable for.

I have learned every move I fly in the sim first so I consider it essential.

[Rctintin]

I would be most grateful for some help from the more experianced flyers here as to a planed route to follow for us beginners who have a grasp of the basics etc.

I am, weather permitting, having 3 hours of lessons from Paul Heckels on friday. This should get me heading along the right road.

I can hover and lazy '8's, and now getting used to flying sideways, and in forward flight around me. (no one near by when I do that!) What is my next step?

Thanks for any help guys, Rob

[t-rex pedro]

This is real interesting guys. Thanks for the replies so far.

Just want to say the '3D hotshots' comment was purely meant as an invite for the best pilots on here to share their wisdom (something I dont think we take full advantage of). Obviously anyone is welcome to comment no matter what skill level.

Tim, Richie, Matt and Stu - Brilliant advice guys. Particulary Stu as I never sit down and just practice hovering in various orientations.

A question on piro'ing - Is it best to learn to piro on the spot both upright and inverted then work on travelling piros/circuits before trying anything like chaos/piro flips?

Keep it coming guys. Great stuff.

[Jamin_00]

I dont set any goals on the sim as I dont like it so when I go on I just go where ever the mood takes me.

But I must change this and start setting goals.

Also the idea of slowing it down sounds good as this must help