Flying FS2002 helicopters using Sidewinder Pro

[apoll]

Can someone please advise me if the Sidewinder Pro needs special settings, other than that used for fix wing flying, when flying FS2002 helicopters.
I seem to be having problems keeping steady in the air and I suspect that there are settings for the joystick which may help. I am spending too much time with the chopper half buried in the ground !
Thanks.

[toddrf]

The fact is, nothing really helps you fly a helicopter realistically in FS, ANY version.

I use the plain jane SW settings and then judiciously move everything.

Try flying not by grabbing the joystick as you would to fly an airplane, but by actually holding the joystick close to the base. In actuality this is how most helicopter pilots, including myself, fly the real thing. A helicopter demands fine inputs and the further up the cyclic you hold it, the larger the input is at the swash plate.

It is the reason why you'll find helicopter pilots flying 'hunched' over with their arm firmly against their thighs. All an effort to brace their movements and dampen large throws into the system.

By moving your hand down the stick toward the base you decrease the input and give yourself the advantage of finer inputs.

The next thing to remember is that a helicopter cannot be flown like an airplane, that is to say, line it up jam the throttles forward, hold on and allow it to fly itself. It just won't happen.

In a helicopter you have to add a bit, wait, compensate, add a bit, wait, compensate...and that is how it is done. So add collective (throttle) a bit at a time, adjust and pretty soon you'll pick up into a hover. Don't just dump the nose. Add a little forward stick and then wait, the pitch will come slowely and you'll start to accelerate and then fly.

It is very much a patience building exercise in the sim and in real life.

I like dumping the nose on the Blackhawk and barreling down the runway, just like I enjoy exaggerated flares like you'll see in an assault insertion, but they are very tricky maneuvers and they are also very unforgiving and can kill you quickly.

One great addition is the R22 in 2004. It is a much better training helicopter than the 206 and it will give you a lot of positive reinforcement as you learn to fly.

Todd :-wave

[apoll]

Thanks Todd - good advice and I feel better already ! I appreciate your advice. I have been working out on the Bell 47G2 - big learning curve.

First time ever on a forum and appreciate your contact

[aafuss]

I use the autopilot to make it eaiser to fly them-then I turn it off when the Bell 206 is airborne.

[northcape]

Try this non-default Bell from here in the files library: b205a-16.zip. This helicopter seems to have completely different flight dynamics from the default Bell: I can actually land on New York rooftops (another download from this site) because it slows, hovers and lowers to the ground rather than gliding down like a fixed-wing 'craft.

[Ironstar]

Perhaps lowering your realism settings while flying helicopters until you start to get the hang of them better might help.

Like Todd said above about your hand position on the stick try it with just holding the base of it with just your finger tips and use your other hand on the throttle it takes both hands to fly um. Try to use smooth gentler motions with those controls then you probably did with fixed wing aircraft. If your stick is force feedback increase the forces to slow your motions down also helps some.

Don’t give up and maybe you will want to try the tutorials here.
http://members.shaw.ca/hoversafe/Hoversafe.htm

[center][font color="purple" size="1" face="tacoma"][center]http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...541483b48f.jpg[center][center]
Jet power sucks.
Piston power cranks.

[MadMaster]

Yea like todd said flying a helicopter takes a lot of time. I found one way to help you learn. Just turn down the simulation speed from 1 to 1/2. I have found that it helps because you have more time to react.

After you get the hang of flying it at 1/2 than turn it up to 1 and get the hang of it.

Like todd said is that it takes a lot of time to learn how to fly a helicopter. Like it was said in the fs2000 manual it is like balancing a ball on top of another. It isn't easy and once you get it you will be glad you did!

Regards,
Paul

[bigal1977uk]

Hi Totem,

Add this line to the fs2002.cfg file under "CONTROLS" section.
stick_sensitivity_mode=0

You'll find controlling the helo's a whole lot easier but you will have to turn up your sensitivity slider's abit.

Enjoy.

[RyanbATC]

I'd recommend www.hovercontrol.com for learning to fly well.