Are they really that hard to fly, I mean really?

[AcidDrink]

Many thanks all, I hadn't realised you could change expo in the software as well as the tx

If my daughter ever gets off the TV I'll have another go at it today (desktop is plugged into TV)
Rich23 and Sacko, many thanks for your kind offers of help but I'm suffering a bit of manflu at the moment so wouldn't want to pass it on. If i can't nail it, I may well ask if anyone is free to offer some assistance in the future

Thanks again,

Chris

EDIT: It's a DX6i I'm using, so the expo should be correct (positive values)
I just can't believe how steep this learning curve is, everything is complicated!

Personally I keep expo and everything else in tx at default and set everything in Phoenix per model, I find it easier that way.
Whatever you do, set expo and dual rates in one place (ie. Phoenix or tx, not both).

[SaneAdam]

you can set expo and dual rates in Phoenix and in the tx. It has no adverse effects at all.

[SaneAdam]

all very well for a seasoned flyer Adam but how does a newby do that?[/QUOTE]

Thats why i said i would help him mate

[trillian]

Not knowing how your TX is setup and how well Phoenix is running on your PC etc. I will say that in general, yes, there is a steep learning curve in the bginning. When I first started I had RealFlight G3.5 which has its own controller and I could fly the planes around, takeoff, fly around and land etc. but helis seemed nearly impossible. In fact I did think at one point that maybe it's just something I couldn't do. But eventually you get the reflexes and it becomes 2nd nature and before you know it you wonder why it seemed so hard, it's just a matter of getting those reactions and little corrections going instinctively.

[squareben]

Different models respond very differently as well! The little ones in Phoenix are pretty sensitive and for my old eyes not so easy to follow, so I wouldn't recommend using the mcpx or trex 450 etc even if that's what you intend to buy.

Something like the easy fly 50 is very docile and should give you a lot more reaction time.

[Murv]

Many thanks all, this is about the best result so far (if it works!) using the trainer heli set on maximum beginner mode, no expo on the tx and 30% in Phoenix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgOkhsQrBuM

This is my attempt at nose-in hover, keeping it perfectly still in front of me. The first landing was when I hit throttle hold to abort it, the final crash landing was intentional as it was too far away for me to recover it

Apologies for the poor quality, I had to record it on my mobile phone as I couldn't find a way to convert *.pxr to something youtube would recognise (IT isn't my forte either!!!)

[BenjaminKenobi]

As soon as it lifts off, it starts the drift to the left. A very gently compensation for that sees it tip on it's side and eat dirt. So, next time, even more gently stick input (less than 2mm?) sees it careering across the field, left stick to bring it back sees it tip on it's side and eat dirt.

And repeat...

I'm happy to put the time in to learn to fly but it's just so tedious with the non-stop crashes. Is it really this hard?

Howdy. It really doesn't sound like it's setup properly. If you go full throttle/pitch (left stick) does the heli shoot straight up? It should. If it seems to start to flip or roll quickly when adding collective then you have the wrong swash settings. I went round another forum members house the other day and he had the same problem. The heli would just roll over pretty quickly. He had 120degree swash selected so adding collective also added aileron and elevator.

If you could get someone to check out your setup that would be great.

Ben x

[BenjaminKenobi]

Typical! And now you post a vid. Your setup looks fine. It does take practice. Hovering is harder on the sim than in real life. They programmed in the instability a bit too much. Turn the sim speed down to 75% and please lower your expo. 60% is gonna make it really hard to fly. Try 30%.

Cool?

[squareben]

doesn't look so bad Murv! Keep at it! I agree with the previous poster as well - maybe less expo will help with a very slow reacting model like that one.

Imagine if we didn't have the simulator to work through this stage! Phoenix has paid for itself a few times over already!

[Murv]

Cheers fellas, I'll give that a go a bit later. I got frustrated with it so went back to my old favourite the turbine A10 warthog lol (can't fly that either but it sounds good!)
Need to knuckle down and learn...

[Murv]

With all my crashes so far, it would make Britains national debt look like peanuts!

[AcidDrink]

Remove training gear from the heli on the sim, there is really no point having it.

[paulsouthport]

Many thanks all, this is about the best result so far (if it works!) using the trainer heli set on maximum beginner mode, no expo on the tx and 30% in Phoenix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgOkhsQrBuM

This is my attempt at nose-in hover, keeping it perfectly still in front of me. The first landing was when I hit throttle hold to abort it, the final crash landing was intentional as it was too far away for me to recover it

Apologies for the poor quality, I had to record it on my mobile phone as I couldn't find a way to convert *.pxr to something youtube would recognise (IT isn't my forte either!!!)

Looks alright to me, lose the balls though.
When you're flying create a imaginary fly zone in front of you. Try to keep within that zone and never allow the heli to fly over you or behind you. In real life that could lead to you hitting someone or something you didn't know was there.