Key Helicopter Flying Tips

[DougM]

Hello all,
Apologies for what is probably a much asked question.
I am buying a TREX 600 Helicopter in the near future, but in the meantime have bought an Esky TWF Hobby 4 channel USB controller to practice with. I have also downloaded a version of a TREX helicopter for the simulator.

All I know is that flying on the simulator is really difficult - I have experience with RC cars but of course this is different. I want to really master the sim before moving on to the real thing.

I know I'll get the hang of it soon enough, and I've got the controller set up nicely, but in the meantime do any of you have any key fundamental tips/tricks/advice that will help me improve more rapidly? Especially any really obvious basics that I may be ignorant of.
Thanks in advance.

[smcxx66]

Just know a sim is not going to replace the real thing, but
it can assist you.

learn how to hover, you can't land if you can't hover.
Get a training skid or make one. it'll save your blades.

learn one manuver at a time.

Turn off the FIX camera position in the view option.
This will allow the model to float away from the center of the screen.
Trun up the wind a little bit

Basically have the tail of the heli pionted to you.
Try to keep tail pionted at you..once you get use to that.
Hover with front of the Heli facing you.

Then hover to left, hover to the right.

keep the model in front of you...it''s a no..no to fly behind
the flight line in real life.

i know it's 360, 3D in a sim and objects ...
but realisticlly...I wouldn't fly with trees or power lines
or fly behind me or through me, or stupid close to me.

Trust me..I've been hit with a tail rotor that came loose.
it took a nice piece off of me.

I can hover inverted inches off of the deck in FMS or Heli-x...
until I get a sponsor that'll replace my raptor it crash..I won't do that
with my raptor in real life.lol

Trun off the auto zoom...realiticly...if you can't see it
it means it's too far away and it's time for you to manuver it back

hold the sticks as if your pitching it. This will give you more
precise control in the long run.

Get a TX tray if you have too or build one.

I'm not sure if you're going electric or nitro.
when a nitro engine cuts out..you need to learn how to auto rotate

If it's an electric..when the batteries gets low..lets just hope
there's enough for the gyro at least.lol

bascailly fly all types of model . it'll help you if you get
in trouble

[DougM]

Hi smcxx66
Thanks very much for your reply - there's some good info there. I've been practising often on the sim now, and although I know its only a sim, I guess its a good starting place.
Thanks again