I have just recently started forward flight, and discovered that once the heli gets 100 feet or so away from me I start to have problems with orientation (especially against a cloudy sky). Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what graphic / color combinations are better than the white canopy with the original stickers?

Thanks!!

When I first started into forward flight I also had terrable problems with orientation. Even with bright colored canopies, see my photo gallery. I just kept with it and finally it just clicked and I started doing much better.

My problem was exiting turns and not knowing if the heli was still rolled to the right or left when far away. Somone told me to remember the heli is doing just what you are telling it to with the sticks. After making close in turns I knew how the heli responded to stick movements so I started the realize it was doing the same thing although further out.

Now I am flying 100'+ high and probably 400'-500' out without any problems at all. Just like anything I think it just takes practice to get used to it.

When I first started forward flight, I also had the same problems. Since I changed the color scheme on my Rappy, Dark Navy blue over bright Yellow Orange, I have not experienced the same orientation problems. The dark color contrasts well with the white clouds and the bright Yellow / Orange contrasts well with the blue skies. Because of orientation problems, I try to never stop and hover at a distance greater than about a hundred feet from me and only at altitude. These machines will get out of sight in hurry, thats for sure.

I wish you well and many happy landings.

One of the easiest birds to follow at our field is a .30 size raptor. The owner nailed it with flourescent orange spray paint.
Hurts your eyes up close.

But you can see it in the sky any day!

I think I am going to go with some sort of bright orange color for the canopy and fins, and maybe even the boom. Maybe I will try to get some of the Raptor 50 decals (purple to match some of my upgrade parts!!!).