Learning To Fly with XTR

[annoy181]

Hi Heli Flyers,

I am new to this hobby and just got myself the XTR and a Futaba T9CAP Super :) . Been trying to learn hovering with the sim but can't seem to get the Raptor 50 stationery :( . Currently training on Raptor 50 only because thats the heli I intend to get once I am ready :p . I have no problem with the aileron and elevator separately but when I do combination training I can't seem to go any further :mad: . Is it supposed to be like that? I was told that flying the real Raptor 50 is a lot easier than flying the sim. I really hope so but I can't seem to be able to contol the sim.

Please let me know if there are other better ways to learn to fly the XTR. I am only at hovering stage.

One more question...I am learning this all by my own and I am not sure if I am learning the correct way. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Mode 2:
Left Stick up and down pitch control
Left Stick left and right tail rotor left and right
Right Stick up and down elevator up and down
Right Stick left and right aileron left and right

*Assuming upright position view from behind

Thanking you guys in advance...Spent some hard earned cash and really want to get something out of this sim.

[BurkhardE]

Look here (http://www.rchelicopterweb.com/), I think you will find all you need (special Raptor setups for Reflex which are suited to beginners, flying lessons, tips, ...).

[annoy181]

Thanks BurkhardE,

I hope it helps, already spent more than 5 flying hours but still no improvements. Maybe the settings on the sim is wrong. Thanks anyway.

[Charlie06]

Try some Expo in your radio, that will stop it from being so twitchy. Start with about 50% on the elevator and aileron and go from there until you find the fell you like.

[BurkhardE]

The Raptor 50 delivered with XTR is a tuned version, it's not suited to beginners! I myself once tried to learn heli flying using an unsuitable model (it was a micro heli, the first Piccolo). Even though I had a good simulator I made no progress. Only when I used a suitable model (calm and forgiving) in Reflex I learnt to fly in a few hours (but more than 5 ;) ).

If you intend to buy a Raptor later I'd strongly recommend to use the special Raptors from RC Helicopter Web. John Vugt adjusted the par files to match Raptors set up for beginners, that's paramount.

Mode 2 is just fine, exponential can't hurt (you could set it in XTR, too), and be sure to set the gyro correctly. The Raptors have a piezo-integral gyro. You have to assign a control at your transmitter (I use a rotary control) and set it above the mid-point (more than 50%, e.g. 80%). To learn more about it, hit F5 and click Help in XTR.

[AndyOne]

Annoy,

Try changing the time expansion factor so the sim runs slower than realtime, this is a real help in getting the instinctive control inputs learnt without the frustration of continually crashing and trying again. You will find that your control inputs aren't slowed just everything else so you can get ahead of the model.

Andy.

[annoy181]

BurkhardE,

I've been to the website but still can't find where the special Raptor 50 setup for beginners in Reflex. Where can I find John Vugt par files for Raptor 50? I've done all the setup in XTR but still it is very twitchy. As you have said it is not for beginnners. A very good sim but I can't seem to utilize it to learn to fly. Maybe the guys in Reflex should do something about this. They can add beginners models in the Heli choices.

[annoy181]

Thanks Charlie06,
Tried that too, a little improvement but still very difficult for me to hold it stationery. I can't believe why I am unable to do it when I can do it with only either aileron or elevator training. The moment I move to combination it's just not listening to my order...:))

[annoy181]

Andy,

I am not sure how to change the expansion time as you might notice I am a total newbie, ONLY a week old with Reflex XTR and Futaba T9CAP. I dont even know what are the dials and knobs on my radio for except for the two main joysticks. Of course I have the manual but I have yet to find out what are the use for those switches...

[heli-nek]

If you are new as in totally green, it will take some time before you can keep the heli in one spot. Welcome to this challenging hobby. :) By the way, aren't there trainer helis in XTR?

Edit: I just try the trainer and it too is very unstable, and you are right about the Rap 50, it can be a little had to hover, you may consider making a copy of that model and make changes in the hover stability setting. If you want something nice to fly, try the 3DMP.

[HoverBovver]

Andy,

I am not sure how to change the expansion time as you might notice I am a total newbie, ONLY a week old with Reflex XTR and Futaba T9CAP. I dont even know what are the dials and knobs on my radio for except for the two main joysticks. Of course I have the manual but I have yet to find out what are the use for those switches...

Time expansion:

Hit F6 for Simulation Parameters.

The option you're looking for under the 'General' tab is 'Time expansion factor'.

Default is 1...which is realtime.

Increase the number to slow things down...try 1.5 or even as high as 2. Gradually decrease it back to the magic '1' as you get better.

I learnt how to hover the planes by starting at ultra-slow 3. Now I'm comfortable with 1.2. Setting it to 1 is still a little hairy for me.

[annoy181]

Heli-Nek,

I really wanted to make a copy and change the parameters to slow it down. The problem is as you said, I am as green as veggie. So, I don't know what is the settings for beginners. And whats 3DMP btw? The closest I get in the Heli list is Three Dee NT. Thanks

[annoy181]

tikaboo,

Thanks a lot buddy, at least I can continue to learn without frustation.

[BurkhardE]

There is no true beginners heli delivered with Reflex, but they recommend the method described by tikaboo. John Vugts has his parameter sets under "Simulator". You don't need to practise with a Raptor 50 only because you will buy one later. It may be even better to learn with other models and later try the Raptor. Go to www.rc-sim.de, Reflex Heli Downloads, and search for a "KYOSHO Concept 30 SE Jet Ranger on Floats" or a "Hughes 500" by Eric Fague. Both are good beginners models.

[HoverBovver]

The Kyosho Caliber-30 starter is a good nitro beginners model. Nice, stable & smooth.

[annoy181]

Thanks to both of u guys...Beginning to see some improvements now. At least, the Reflex don't have to restart for 20 minutes. Really appreciate your help...Thank you very much!

Cheng