Who flies Helos?

cthiggin · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:21 am Post subject:

Thanks Lee198,
I appreciate you input and will purchase the Saitek. I'm only flying choppers now and thoroughly enjoy the challenge. While the Logitech is a "pretty good" joystick, I must have better for the precise flying and especially hovering.

Did you ever try the Bell 430 from www.hovercontrol.com??? It's the closest helio I have found that "really" requires precision to fly.

Thanks again,
cthiggin

Lee198 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

Surprisingly, I've yet to visit Hovercontrol, as I've concentrated on the stock aircraft, but on your recommendation, I'll give it a go.
You're more than welcome, as always, for the input!
Please let me know how you get on with the Saitek system. Don't forget the pedals! They make all the difference.

Best wishes friend,

Lee
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"Any landing you walk away from is a good landing" ...well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

cthiggin · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

Hello Lee198,
I already have the CH Pro Pedals and they seem to work quite well.
In reference to the Logitech Pro I'm now using - the only problem I'm having is the "stick" is just now precise enough, even with the best calibration I can do - hovering is real "squirrelly" with this stick. I can fly just fine, just the hovering part - which of course is the hardest - BUT, I do know that IF the Saitek is more precise as you say, I can become very accomplished with the hovering part.
You "really" need to visit the site and download Jordan Moores 412. You won't believe how great it looks, especially the VC, and it's flying characteristics far surpass any of the "stock" FSX helio's.
Thanks and stay in touch.
cthiggin

Lee198 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject:

Take care mate. Wink

_________________
"Any landing you walk away from is a good landing" ...well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

Rogerpaolo · Trainee Joined: Nov 05, 2006 Posts: 8

I always had HUGE problems keeping my chopper in the air with my Saitek x36 HOTAS. Bought the x52 pro because I forgot to take the x36 coming out of a train. but I am so glad that happened. the first time I did the 2 challenges in FSX I made all the hoops without having to go back, and the landing on the yacht was difficult but in the end I made that too.

I wonder if the saitek pedals will even improve this.. aww.. there goes next months salary left-over Wink

Lee198 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

Tell me about it!!! Lol!

Worth it, though. Very precise control. Awkward, but that's not the control system, it's down to the fact that helicopters are inherently unstable and difficult to fly.

I once read an account of a helicopter pilot and he described flying them as akin to being balanced on a ball that keeps trying to roll over.

I've flown professional simulators and it's true, although not so much with the more modern helos.

I've also found that FS isn't that far removed from those simulators, so we may be closer to the real thing than we think!
_________________
"Any landing you walk away from is a good landing" ...well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

greystone · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: Helo Controls

I have a CH suite for helicopter missions in FSX: Pro Pedals, Pro Throttle, and CombatStick. The programable throttle device allows for good collective control and a good number of shortcuts common for helo work. The pedals work well for anti-torque and are adjustable for sensitivity.

The CombatStick has one small drawback, which I will come to in a sec, but the advantage of the CH stick is the little trim wheels. When you need to place the rotor plate in a slightly down configuration at speed, the electric elevator trim will not work; but the CH stick trim wheel actually lets you maintain a desired pitch attitude for a given airspeed. Any change in collective will require a reset of the wheel, so it'l not as good as autopilot, but it helps.

My only gripe, albeit a small one, is that you cannot place the cyclic in a given position without the springs trying to recenter it. Makes it inconvenient to try a left-hand crossover to use the mouse, and is a little tiring on longer trips. I have asked CH and they say removing the springs would just mean the stick would flop over unattended. Would be nice if it could be placed and stay there.

cthiggin · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

Hello fellow helio simmers -
I've mentioned this several times before -
To "me" - the FSX helios are very easy to fly, even with my CH Pedals and Logitech Force 3D stick - which has drawbacks also - will be purchasing the Saiteck 52 Pro -

If you helio fliers want a real challenge - go over to www.hovercontrol.com and download Jordan Moores Hovercontrol 412 - It's a beautiful chopper and the VC is just spectacular - THE Big Plus, - If you think the FSX choppers are difficult to fly - the 412 just surpasses anything you've tried - this bird replicates the real-deal - just give it a try - if you just sit idle, the eye-candy is worth it all. I feel we helio simmers have an affliction to choppers for whatever reason along with the increased challenge.
I was very close to "burn-out" with the fixed wings - but - NOT NOW -

cthiggin

greystone · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

ct: Ditto on the Hovercontrol 412. I first tried it out in FS2004, but was such a newbie to rotorcraft that I just couldn't seem to master it. Now, like you, I am hooked on helo's.

What is the skinny on keeping the turbines from burning up? I can start out with any aircraft, switch to the 412 (skipping cold start), flip the inverters on, but I get the same smoke you mention after about 10 min.

I checked the website but was too dumb to find a document on "Flying the 412." I have the checklist. Perhaps if I go through a cold start it will dawn on me.

cthiggin · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

Start a new flight with a C172 and make sure the engine is running. Change to the Hovercontrol 412 - Go to the overhead panel (Think it's panel 5) and turn ON invertors, and "make sure" that one battery and 1 generator are turned on - from there, no smoke - just flying. ALSO, if you save the flight, next time it will open with the "412", but YOU MUST again go to the overhead panel and turn on invertors and gen/bat - then all is well. You'll really enjoy the eye-candy with this craft as you already know, and the challenge far surpasses the defaul FSX helios. For "me", after flying the 412 for several months, the default FSX choppers are "so easy" it's like flying fixed wing.

Enjoy - cthiggin

greystone · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Inverters

ct:

Thanks. Good gouge. Now if only Hovercontrol could come out with a couple of missions for FSX to use this craft, I'd be a happy simavator.

BTW, I did SOS, ACSC, and AWC in Montgomery many years ago. Were you (are you) part of that scene?

Any Time, Anywhere. AWADS Herky.

cthiggin · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject:

Greystone -
The Hovercontrol site has some super videos - real & sim that are worth watching. Most of their downloads are for FS9 - although they do have a mission, CGA Adventures for FSX, BUT it "does NOT" function properly.

I am originally from the north, have been here in Montgomery, AL, east side, for 22 years. Have been on the bases as well as Rucker with the choppers, as a manager for my previous company - other than that, I am now self-employed now and having a great time.

cthiggin

puppy-paw · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject:

i find choppers hard to fly so i keep to the planes me sory to those chopper lovers
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I am just here to help and you can take it or just walk away. Live your life to the full and go were your heart takes you!

Lee198 · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

puppy-paw · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

well i know that you point the nose of the chopper down to get speed is that right? what alce should i do to learn how to be a good chopper flyer?
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I am just here to help and you can take it or just walk away. Live your life to the full and go were your heart takes you!

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