I'm using the HeliX (free one) sim and when I turn the tail in any direction the bird drops like a stone. Is this something that actually happens for real when hovering, slow maneuvers etc. If yes then I will need to practice adding collective when bringing the tail around.

If this is something that doesn't happen so much in real I'm thinking that this might cause problems later no?? I'm practicing getting a stable hover right now.

Thx

I'm sure you can learn to counter that in time, takes a while for the fingers to move instinctively.

Probably a couple reasons for your problem with the sim but first an explanation geared towards the real world.

When hovering a real heli with a tail driven by the main engine (via torque tube or belt) you should notice the heli want to climb or descend depending on the direction you rotate the nose. Reason for that is when you give a rudder command, one direction increases pitch and loads the tail up thus sucking more power and rotor rpm from the main rotor. When you give a command to go in the other direction, you are rotating with the natural gyroscopic forces and basically taking some drag off of the rotor. So, rudder command in one direction gives you a bit of free rpm while the other direction will use some of that power to force the rotation against the natural rotation.

Today's computer radios can easily compensate for this by programming a mix to increase/decrease throttle by a few percent when rudder commands that would normally sap/give power from/to the head are given. This minimizes any climbing or descending tendencies.

This shouldn't be that much of a problem in real life, you can notice it but I fly without any mix to combat it without any real problems. As far as your sim goes, you might be able to tweak and adjust it so it isn't as bad. In this hobby, I suppose you get what you pay for; if your sim works at all and it was free I guess you can't expect much more.

I use phoenix for my sim time and have enjoyed ever since opening the box.

Well I have a HBK2 and the TX doesn't allow for programming... so a new tx will be called for down the road I'm sure.

Thx for the explanation on why the bird drops or rises on tail movements. The sim it just drops going any direction. But this does give me a heads up and a reason ( which I like) of why it does what it does.

I just finished spending about $500 on the bird and a few 'parts' that will likely need replacing due to expected 'mishaps'. But to spend another 2 - $350 on a sim?? my wife would have my knackers for sure. Plus I just can't justify it myself. I've downloaded some of the demo's and many just look like eyecandy. AND... I have found just such as this... ordered an expensive piece of software and found it to be junk and no way the company will refund you your money... ur stuck with it.

So for now unless someone gives me a present I'll have to stick to the freebie.

Yep, Dawg beat me to it. Piro in one direction, loose altitude, piro in the other, gain.

There is a realy nice, realistic FREE sim over at www.helifreak.com in the TREX450 stickie section.

It's very basic, only has a TREX450 and no sound for now. But the flights characteristics are very realistic...and you can program in expo, etc.

Skarn

DumbDawg,

Phoenix is about 150 bucks and is simply amazing. I felt the same way for the longest time and still couldn't bring myself to shell out for a sim like realflight. I have seen a lot of folks reccomend phoenix so I decided to give it a try and have not regretted it for one second.

Personally, I started without the sim and didn't end up getting it till well after I could hover. I had my share of crashes same as anyone would but looking back I think the sim could have saved me what it cost easily. It's definitely been useful now that I'm playing around with aerobatics.