fjrcrazed

I will be buying a helicopter (30) in the next month or so. Still not sure what I'm going to get. What I did see that I thought was pretty interesting was the FMA Co-Pilot. Is this good for somone starting out? Or does it defeat the purpose of "learning" how to hover, etc... Im looking at the Century Hawk or Kyosho Caliber. Any feeling oneway or another would be great.

thanks

BrainFade

My Feedback: (1)

I really don't think you need the co-pilot to learn to hover, and I would probably recommend against it. Learn to hover with the sim, and then the real thing, unaided.

When you are ready to begin forward flight however, the co-pilot is fantastic and I believe will pay for itself in prevented crashes. When you lose orientation, or you panic, just teach yourself to release the cyclic and give it collective. The co-pilot will level it out when you release the cyclic and collective will give you altitude, getting you out of trouble.

It will make hovering easier, although it won't help you learn to hover.

SPARK

SAVE THE MONEY YOU WOULD SPEND ON BUYING THE CO PILIOT AND GET YOURSELF A DECENT FLIGHT SIM TO LEARN TO HOVER ON. I STARTED OUT USING A FLIGHT SIM AND COULD HOVER THAT WELL BEFORE I TRIED WITH THE REAL THING. A FLIGHT SIM WILL SAVE YOU LOADS OF MONEY IN THE LONG RUN AND CRASHING ON A FLIGHT SIM COSTS NOTHING. FLIGHT SIMS ARE GOOD FOR GETTING USE TO CONTROLS AND ORIENTATION OF THE HELICOPTER. IF YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT INPUT YOU SHOULD PUT IN WITH THE REAL DEAL, ITS NORMALLY TO LATE. OUCH[sm=lol.gif]

GOODLUCK

fjrcrazed

thanks for the info. I'm out of luck with a flight sim. I use MAC's not window

BrainFade

My Feedback: (1)

Do whatever you can to get one! You will save yourself money and frustration, and it's great for when the weather is too bad to fly!

Get an inexpensive PC or a laptop just for the sim (just make sure it meets the minimum requirements), it is a MUST have.

Wright Flyer

I've got a Co-pilot and several sims. The Co-pilot made learning to fly a helicopter far easier than any of the simulator programs. It's a bit like learning to ride a bicycle with stabilisers fitted. I'd rate the CP as possibly the best piece of R/c electronics I ever bought.

Cliff

sniper887

Have you used FMS (flying model simulator) and if so do you think it accurately represents helis? I've flown helis quite a bit on that sim and was wondering if it's doing me any good.

warlock1174

My Feedback: (23)

Nah, get the Co-Pilot. Sims are toys that don't offer the dynamics of good old-fashioned hands on experience.

Look here:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_68...%2Cneed/tm.htm

PhilK

Warlock:

THis copilot link appears not to be working, can you direct me to info on heli's and using fma copilot?

I have a sim,and can hover, but would like the insurance of not busting my chopper (corona 120) into the ground!

thanks! Phil

Stormovic

My Feedback: (29)

Sure,sims are just toys and nobody ever learns anything from them. Tell that to the pilots at Fort Rucker who train everyday on them. Its quite clear that you are full of Bull on that subject. The sim will be the best tool a new flyer can invest in. To call it a toy just shows how ignorant you are. But of course that cant be true about the great know it all that you think you are.