Rolling Harriers
 

Hey Mark,
I have been watching videos of you out on the web doing lots of really fantastic flying, Im beginning to think you are the best freestyle pilot out there, no joke. Its just flat awesome watching you do what you do. I told some of my buddies about your flying a couple of weeks ago and they looked for you at the Nats. They came back really bragging on how well you flew and agreed that you are as good as anyone out there if not the best.

The part that really is just incredible to me is your ability to do extremely clean and fast rolling maneuvers that just go on forever. Also being able to put a plane exactly where you want it in a hover.

Other than thousands of hours of practice what would you say are the keys to good rolling harriers? What are you watching as the plane moves? Are there any drills you worked with to get so proficient at it?
Im getting pretty ok at rolling harriers but the things I am working to correct are
Climbing a little while rolling,
Maintaining constant AOA of the fuselage while rolling, that is maintaining that perfect axis that makes a rolling harrier look nice,
Making the last 1/4 circle of a rolling harrier circle, the part where it is starting to come at me.

Also in 100 words are less could you explain how to torque roll an airplane in any direction you want it to go? i.e. over fences, and through doorways???? hehe just kidding..;)

Seriously though Im at the point where I have a pretty good touch at keeping the plane in a torque roll but it sortof goes where it wants to, now I need to learn how to keep it in one spot where I want it. Any quick flight, plane setup or progamming tips for harriers and hovering??

Thanks Guy,
Mike

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

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RE: Rolling Harriers
 

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Thanks a lot guys! I really appreciate your kind words.
It is very difficult to try and explain how someone does something without being physically present to teach.
Draw a line from the tip of the spinner through to center of thrust to the end of the rudder. Don't ever let the aircraft deviate from this plane. It should be drawn infinitely through space along the XYZ axis. Therefore rolling Loops and Circles become the same maneuver. Start with rolling circles, then rolling loops. Start with a few number of rolls in the loop or circle to make it easier. Past that, Start moving your fingers really fast. If you can do the first half you, can do the second. It all depends on how bad you want it. Practice on the Sim five hours a day for as long as it takes. Mind over Balsa Gentlemen. Watch the movie Phenomenon!
Hope this helps,
Mark Leseberg Jr.

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

LOL,
Mind over balsa,,, you got that right. Plus I remember when the Dr. asked him how he moved the pencil or paperclip and he said something like "I dont know, I just do it".
Since I started this thread, plus about a years worth of practice before I posted this thread, I have finally started to get some complete and pretty darn axial rolling harrier circles. What I have learned so far is that as I get better the plane appears to be rolling slower even though it isnt. At 1st it seemed that the plane was rolling so fast that I just flat would never be able to keep up. But as I have improved I can acutally see the plane progress through each roll and Im not guessing, I actually KNOW when to feed in the next input the keep the roll progression right and its somewhat intuitive.

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Hi Mike.. I'm someways away from doing a rolling harrier.. But working
at it.. Anyway What plane are you learning on?

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Hey Mark, if I remember right you spoke that you might make a little 3-5 minute video on rolling circles demonstrate some and then show the actual finger movements etc, I wish you could put this together that would be great, and what in a ballpark guess are your throws when doing a rolling circle, 10 degrees ailerons or 20 degress elevator or what,, thanks...

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

I am really trying to get the video done! I have a few other small projects before I can get to this one. Will Buyers from Quiet Flyer magazine is going to help me with this one. I want to make sure that it is done right. I hope to have something up before Christmas.
Your question about rolling circles is very easy:
I have two rates when I fly!
Pattern and Freestyle.
Pattern
35 degrees up and down Ailerons
20 degrees up and down Elevator
70-80% D/R Rudder

Expo is set at 25-50% on all rates

Freestyle
45 degrees up and down Ailerons
35-40 degrees up and down Elevator
100% Rudder

Expo is set at 45-90% on these rates

I fly a very responsive airplane, especially in the roll axis.

I fly the same CG in Pattern and Freestyle. Less Change this way and easier to predict what the airplane is going to do. No switches to remember! Learn to fly the airplane as if you didn't have a $1000 computer radio. Remember that you just might have to fly a plane someday in a competition that you have had zero practice with. Fly an airplane to learn an airplane. Airplanes are very difficult to master. If you do it this way, I promise that one day you will fell like part of it.

Hope this helps,
Mark Leseberg Jr.

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Mark, you are the second person I heard stay this. I know a guy that flys with no expo and high rates. He barely moves his fingers but he is a good flyer. I told him that with a little expo, his maneuvers may be smoother but he says he cannot feel the plane if he uses expo. I guess to each his own!

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Absolutely! You must fly with what you are comfortable with. Don't let anyone try and tell you that you are doing it wrong, if you are comfortable.
Mark

RE: Rolling Harriers
 

Cool I would love to see the video that would help alot of people out,,,with the rolling harriers and or rolling circles