Getting the most from sim time?

[StuSmith]

Spunkmyre has hit on a good point. It is very important to think about what you actualy want to get out of the hobby. I know Pete so my replys to help him have been as such that i want him to grasp all basics possible before moving onwards. This is because i know in futrure he will probably want to compete.

For enjoyment of the hobby and no desire to compete and take on 3d manouvers, you really cant beat the real thing and i would say if this is your route you really are better off with the MCX ect for having fun and learning indoors whilst the weather is bad and then get out in the fresh air and have fun. You wont learn a great deal quickly, if atall using this method but as i say it is fun and is the route of alot of people i know through my parents having the shop and these people enjoy flying as much as the 3d and other flyers do.

[StuSmith]

Also i will add a shout out if Jack Kessock is following this thread to put in his views because he in my opinion is the perfect example of hard work on the sim transfer to real life BAM 3d championship success and no doubt next year he will do well in 3d masters. This lad has been flying what 2 years if that and is doing manouvers of K3 difficulty and well. He has the determination to learn new stuff so will sit on the sim and fly until he can do them, this in my opinion is the only way inwhich you can truely reach the 3d masters standard of flying.

[richieclarkie]

I agree Stu. Jack has astounded us all with his rapid progression and clearly shown what large amounts of sim time and real stick time can achieve.

Then again... so have you.... so I'm really interested in your methods as many people are ....

[moonmanflyer]

Yep i would like to thank Pedro too, gave me the will to get phoenix sorted out on my new laptop tonight and then me and my lad harry spent an hour on it, will try to keep using it daily again, so thanks dude.

[t-rex pedro]

Both Jack and Stu are fantastic pilots and its great to see such young British talent coming through. Then again, Richie is also in that bracket (talented, not so young!) demonstrated by winning the Intermediates at 3D Champs after a couple years of flying whilst holding down a family and a job. Pretty amazing achievement.

Suppose that sums up the thread really - Phoenix is the answer!!

[moonmanflyer]

Suppose that sums up the thread really - Phoenix is the answer!!

Spot on pedro, and what stu keeps telling me and my boys every weekend

[easypickingsere]

Tho no way near the standard of most if not all on this thread, I have read it with interest.

I must admit for a while the sim was getting, lets say a little tedious. Throw the sticks one way and another to achieve what already is sunk in up top. Tho take it out to the field and something unexpected happens I found myself totally unprepared, this is down to lack of stick time both on the sim and in real life!

I found in my real flying I was trying to get too far ahead of myself, tho I can do the moves on the sim in "a no worries situation", you get to the field there is alot more to deal with. Weather, light,nerves etc all play a part.

Up until a few weeks ago I was trying tic tocs down the field and nailing them of some description. Had a couple of ins and set me back in a big way.Took me back in a big way and seemed to get stuck in a rut. One Sunday was at the field and Richie turned up late on and kindly took time out to come out with me and told me to just fly as I would and not push myself cos anyone was around. This is one of the most beneficial battery packs Ive ever had. Within a minute or so hed noticed how I had a problem on my left side (heli pointing right). Gave me some excercises to do and pushed me a little outside my comfort zone.

Since then despite my "arseing around" on the sim I always practice hard on that side to try and overcome this and slowly but surely is paying off. Can now feel fairly comfy at side ons both left and right and all this is down to the sim and Richie for telling me to nail the basics.

All in all I think its invaluable to get as much stick time you can no matter what, if its for real or on the sim as far as I can see it really helps to iron things out and for me at least has made me a "little" better pilot"

Cheers

Mark

[moyesboy]

Its so easy to fall in to a repetition of what you are comfortable with.
The key to progress is to practise what you are least comfortable with - but its a balance of forcing yourself to do that and having fun.
I agree with short sessions, 20 mins or so - then take a break from the PC (not just from the sim).
Plus once you are tired in the evening its a waste of time.

As with everything in life the key to success is to set a series of achievable goals and work your way through them.

I also think it is a mistake to let your sim skills get too far ahead of your reality skills. That can lead to a big confidence barrier bulding up.

My progress is slow due to time constraints and age unfortunately.

[Jack K-P]

Hi guys,
I think sims are a real good tool, because i havn't got the time or access to go to a field regularly. If it hadn't been for the sim there is no way i would be much beyond circuits... but who knows.?
like what stu said, if theres something i want to learn i willl sit on the sim untill i have learnt it.
i didn't used to find the sim amazingly realistic but now the updates have come out it feels more like the real thing.
I know some people cant seem to do more than 30mins with out treating it like a game, but i seem to be able to sit there untill i have mastered the move as best i can untill i treat it as a game.
Thanks for the kind comments.
Jack

[moonmanflyer]

been really banging the sticks on phoenix lately, finding it really fun and great help with sets and b test practise, doing over an hour a night and will up that as much as i can stand to be in a good place to attack the moves for real.

[Bruinbear]

I would like to thank t-rex pedro for posting this thread.

Very interesting and useful for anyone learning to fly helis.

Yeah thanks Pete ! It's been really great reading.

[oscar9709]

Hmmmm i tend to find i fly round doing stupid things on the sim(just messing)
But now ive read this i think i need to start breaking things down and getting the single moves right rather than messing one move up just to go into another and bugger that one up lol.
Be good if some pilots could put some basic and advanced sim videos on here if they could spare thae time,for others to watch slowly and try and master!

[Jack K-P]

I havn't tried doing any recording, but i will try and post it soon.. not sure how to do it yet, never tried

[oscar9709]

I think you do a recording and it gets saved with the others in Phoenix which should be in "My documents/PhoenixRC/Recordings"

[oneandonlyian]

I just went into SYSTEM / PROGRAM SETUP and slowed simulation speed down to 65% and tried the chaos. How much easier is that spent 10mins doing that then upped simulation speed to 75% and it's supprising how slowing things down helps. not only that but the sim feels so much more realistic without having to set the heli up. I will keep upping the speed till im super smooth.

If you try anything with this sim try slow it down helped me.

good thread guys thanks for the tips

ian