"Cheating" with a Helicopter
09-23-2004, 08:17 PM
#1
"Cheating" with a Helicopter
The other day I am in my LHS fooling around on Real Flight with a helicopter. I wasn't doing to bad. The owner whom I've known for years walks by and says, "you interested in helicopters,"
Oh no not now but we both saw dollar signs, His were positive and mine were negative
Oh no not now but we both saw dollar signs, His were positive and mine were negative
09-24-2004, 10:23 AM
#7
Senior Member
My Feedback: (13)
RE: "Cheating" with a Helicopter
Beware of guys who fly helis only. Most look upon fixed-wing models (known by the derisive term "plank") as a lesser form of r/c, etc. Of course, these same guys are adrenaline junkies and aren't happy unless they're "on the edge" (whatever that means
) all the time. A relaxing flight with a good sport airplane would not impress them.
They know not what they are missing. They're peasants- we'll let 'em live...
Being dual-rated is cool. Helicopters are a real challenge, but not near as much nowadays as they used to be. An accomplished r/c'er with a bit of patience can pick it up fairly quickly. I've been doing them since 1992 (airplanes since 1986), and I find myself bringing one to the field less and less. Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Make no mistake, they are never boring. But unless you fly with a small group of amenable guys, they really don't mix well with airplanes. I'm just getting into relaxing more these days, and you can never really relax while flying a helicopter.
Having said all of that, they are a hoot. If you've got the time and the funds, by all means give it a shot. For sure, it will improve your airplane flying.
Just be leery of the exuberant types who flatly tell you not to waste your time with a 30 machine, that you should get a 50, etc. They mean well, but have forgotten what a slippery slope learning these things is. Go with a proven plastic 30.
) all the time. A relaxing flight with a good sport airplane would not impress them. They know not what they are missing. They're peasants- we'll let 'em live...
Being dual-rated is cool. Helicopters are a real challenge, but not near as much nowadays as they used to be. An accomplished r/c'er with a bit of patience can pick it up fairly quickly. I've been doing them since 1992 (airplanes since 1986), and I find myself bringing one to the field less and less. Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Make no mistake, they are never boring. But unless you fly with a small group of amenable guys, they really don't mix well with airplanes. I'm just getting into relaxing more these days, and you can never really relax while flying a helicopter.
Having said all of that, they are a hoot. If you've got the time and the funds, by all means give it a shot. For sure, it will improve your airplane flying.
Just be leery of the exuberant types who flatly tell you not to waste your time with a 30 machine, that you should get a 50, etc. They mean well, but have forgotten what a slippery slope learning these things is. Go with a proven plastic 30.
09-24-2004, 10:54 AM
#8
RE: "Cheating" with a Helicopter
ORIGINAL: Steve Campbell
Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Either way, both are a ton of fun.
09-24-2004, 11:42 AM
#9
RE: "Cheating" with a Helicopter
See , now this guy "gets it."
ORIGINAL: Steve Campbell
Beware of guys who fly helis only. Most look upon fixed-wing models (known by the derisive term "plank") as a lesser form of r/c, etc. Of course, these same guys are adrenaline junkies and aren't happy unless they're "on the edge" (whatever that means) all the time. A relaxing flight with a good sport airplane would not impress them.
They know not what they are missing. They're peasants- we'll let 'em live...
Being dual-rated is cool. Helicopters are a real challenge, but not near as much nowadays as they used to be. An accomplished r/c'er with a bit of patience can pick it up fairly quickly. I've been doing them since 1992 (airplanes since 1986), and I find myself bringing one to the field less and less. Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Make no mistake, they are never boring. But unless you fly with a small group of amenable guys, they really don't mix well with airplanes. I'm just getting into relaxing more these days, and you can never really relax while flying a helicopter.
Having said all of that, they are a hoot. If you've got the time and the funds, by all means give it a shot. For sure, it will improve your airplane flying.
Just be leery of the exuberant types who flatly tell you not to waste your time with a 30 machine, that you should get a 50, etc. They mean well, but have forgotten what a slippery slope learning these things is. Go with a proven plastic 30.
Beware of guys who fly helis only. Most look upon fixed-wing models (known by the derisive term "plank") as a lesser form of r/c, etc. Of course, these same guys are adrenaline junkies and aren't happy unless they're "on the edge" (whatever that means
) all the time. A relaxing flight with a good sport airplane would not impress them. They know not what they are missing. They're peasants- we'll let 'em live...
Being dual-rated is cool. Helicopters are a real challenge, but not near as much nowadays as they used to be. An accomplished r/c'er with a bit of patience can pick it up fairly quickly. I've been doing them since 1992 (airplanes since 1986), and I find myself bringing one to the field less and less. Unless you're a high-energy type who gets off on pushing himself to the limit with radical 3D, once you become a proficient heli pilot your repertoire is the limiting factor. IOW, once you get over actually being able to keep the beast in the air, in one piece, the thrill is gone.
Make no mistake, they are never boring. But unless you fly with a small group of amenable guys, they really don't mix well with airplanes. I'm just getting into relaxing more these days, and you can never really relax while flying a helicopter.
Having said all of that, they are a hoot. If you've got the time and the funds, by all means give it a shot. For sure, it will improve your airplane flying.
Just be leery of the exuberant types who flatly tell you not to waste your time with a 30 machine, that you should get a 50, etc. They mean well, but have forgotten what a slippery slope learning these things is. Go with a proven plastic 30.
09-25-2004, 08:26 AM
#11
RE: "Cheating" with a Helicopter
After flying the real thing for many years in the military, I see it coming eventually. I have seen enough package deals locally to pick up at a good deal when the time comes. There are guys just wanting to unload one and they have been at a good price and good enough for training on. Thing is my second one will be that of some form of scale fuselage.
09-25-2004, 10:07 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ky.
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: "Cheating" with a Helicopter
I find helicopters to be very relaxing. Sure not at first. But after a few years you start to need the sound of those blades hitting the air. It takes a good amount of concentration so other life worries just fade away while your flying. The mindset that steve is talking about can be seen in other RC disiplines as well. Its just that paticular mindset tends to be the loudest and most obnoxious on the internet. You can fly sport, scale, 3D, FAI, or just hover and fully enjoy the hobby.
