Great flight training method.

[ForceFedDSM]

Well I just wanted to be the first to post in the new section. :rolleyes: Go check out Radds (http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html) school of rotary flight. This got me flying and hovering in about a week or 2.

Jared

[Balr14]

It should be pointed out that Radd's is really meant for CP helis.

[Hellraser]

I think what this forum needs is a sticky explaining the difference in flight charectistics of coax, FP and CP heli's and giving some guidance on learning path as say stage 1 coax, 2 FP and 3 CP.

How many times have we all seen "there is a fault with my Heli it will not stop drifting left"

Although Radds is not ideal for fixed pitch it does help the beginner to understand flight charecteristic's.

Regards David

[poboy62]

Yeah, wish I had the patience to do it..I just get mine out and fly. Thank goodness my replacement parts are so cheap..lol..

[ForceFedDSM]

It should be pointed out that Radd's is really meant for CP helis.

I think Radds is for both, I did it with a Esky HoneyBee FP2 with no problems and performed all lessons with no problems relating to the style of heli I used.

[mrschultz02]

I think Radds is for both, I did it with a Esky HoneyBee FP2 with no problems and performed all lessons with no problems relating to the style of heli I used.

I also used Radds, had to scale it down for the 4#3B indoors, and had to make my own training gear to allow the tiny skids on the B to slide around easy, but I pretty much followed the steps in Radds. I tried to just fly it for a day and was getting no where fast, a few hours sliding it around on the floor and then I could pop it up for for short hovers at first and then longer and longer, then it just clicked in.

Didn't start using the sims until a week after I got my first 4#3B, so I did things a little backwards. :D

Still hasn't clicked for nose in hovering, decades of flight sims on the computer make it hard for me to reverse the sticks without thinking real hard, can do it in the sims but not on the real things... Side in isn't completely thought free but close.

Later,
Marty

[ollk]

+ another who used radds. I agree with David above (who initially advised me to go their) that it makes more sense with CP's BUT what I think I gained from Radds more than anything was discipline & logical order of learning.

1 month & 1 x tail boom & cracked canopy later (nothing else other than motors) and I am side on no probs, pretty good at landing / take off small spaces and am starting to turn the nose from side on to nose in but I am crashing a lot as a result :rolleyes:

I also sat down for ages moving the tx controls and tried to visualise how the heli would react. I think this sort of wired my brain to know what to expect which might / might not have helped! The control system, after all is the hardest hurdle to master I think!

[gravityKills]

discipline & logical order of learning
amen.
Add to that, the ability to concentrate for x minutes without any single "glitch" (because then you have to put down the heli and start over, and it gets old after a while so you stop "glitching" :) )

"logical order of learning": I can almost hover nose-in. Can you now show me how to do piroflips? Hehehe...

[247rememberme]

i did look at RADDS but to be honest it just seemed too restrictive and not much fun!i really enjoyed skating around the floor with my hbfp and when i eventually got airborne it felt awesome :D i`m now hovering nose-in pretty good,still inside because of the weather,so all i want to say is just keep having FUN!if it ain`t fun what`s the point :rolleyes:

[gravityKills]

have the fun with the HBFP, but with a CP heli comes the insight that fixing helis is not much fun (and paying for the parts even less).
I have observed some guys who started on FP and then went to CP. Often, they are quite proficient with flying in the sky, but they are lacking exactly what RADD is trying to teach - to keep the heli in one place (and: "in one piece") above everything else...

I know, I take this whole hobby too seriously. Darn... this should be fun. But why is there always so much money in the air...

[247rememberme]

have the fun with the HBFP, but with a CP heli comes the insight that fixing helis is not much fun (and paying for the parts even less).
I have observed some guys who started on FP and then went to CP. Often, they are quite proficient with flying in the sky, but they are lacking exactly what RADD is trying to teach - to keep the heli in one place (and: "in one piece") above everything else...

I know, I take this whole hobby too seriously. Darn... this should be fun. But why is there always so much money in the air...
i don`t like fixing my fp now,a necessary evil,so that is something else that is putting me off a cp.but what`s the point of keeping your heli in one place?it may stay in one piece but that is no FUN at all!

[jasmine2501]

Learning to transition from the various flights is important - forward, hovering, backwards, inverted, etc... but the RADD method is not for everyone. As long as you learn what it teaches, then it doesn't really matter how you learned it. But if you are not learning this stuff, then maybe you should give the RADD a try... it can't hurt.

[gravityKills]

but what`s the point of keeping your heli in one place?
yes... it's a common misconception - the more exciting the flying, the more skilled the pilot. Often it is just the opposite. My favourite example is: slow piros on the spot. You can practise them in your living room :)
Most maneuvres get a lot easier, when more speed is involved.
Now watching the F3A program (hovering competition) is about as exciting as watching grass grow while standing in a cloud of nitro smoke. That's not fun.
But of course, once flying indoors, it's the way to go. All the wild buzzing-around-in-the-sky may impress grandma who doesn't know nothing about helis, but it's not going to impress walls or ceiling :D

[247rememberme]

Learning to transition from the various flights is important - forward, hovering, backwards, inverted, etc... but the RADD method is not for everyone. As long as you learn what it teaches, then it doesn't really matter how you learned it. But if you are not learning this stuff, then maybe you should give the RADD a try... it can't hurt.
as i can hover just about in every direction and can do slow figure 8`s in my garage(without crashing)is the RADD gonna be able to teach me anything else?i am by no means a skilled pilot nor do i go flying helter skelter trying to impress the grannies!,but i am having FUN ;)

[gravityKills]

... can do slow figure 8`s in my garage(without crashing)is the RADD gonna be able to teach me anything else?
Nope - it won't.
Go and have fun :)

PS if you're looking for a garage-level challenge: Try piroing circles / figure 8s... difficult, but it gives you the unfair advantage further down the road, when it comes to piroflips...

[247rememberme]

Nope - it won't.
Go and have fun :)

PS if you're looking for a garage-level challenge: Try piroing circles / figure 8s... difficult, but it gives you the unfair advantage further down the road, when it comes to piroflips...
this is gonna sound dumb,but what are piroing circles? :confused:

[gravityKills]

this is gonna sound dumb,but what are piroing circles? :confused:
Hmmm, I meant it as a long-term target, but don't read it as "run-before-you-can-walk".
So you know how to fly circles / figure 8s forwards. The next step could be, do it backwards. Then both side-in directions. Finally piroing, i.e. the heli is slowly rotating all the time.
Backwards and side-in aren't that difficult - it's essentially the same as learning forwards flight again, with the heli facing the other way. Piroing can be a tough nut to crack (still a lot to learn myself).

Here's my EP 100 going through 3/4 of an inverted piroing circle at 0:28.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuo7zrt7BxU&eurl=http://www.kopterit.net/index.php?action=recent;start=10

The reason I mentioned this: You can do them (upright of course) also with a FP.

[247rememberme]

Hmmm, I meant it as a long-term target, but don't read it as "run-before-you-can-walk".
So you know how to fly circles / figure 8s forwards. The next step could be, do it backwards. Then both side-in directions. Finally piroing, i.e. the heli is slowly rotating all the time.
Backwards and side-in aren't that difficult - it's essentially the same as learning forwards flight again, with the heli facing the other way. Piroing can be a tough nut to crack (still a lot to learn myself).


The reason I mentioned this: You can do them (upright of course) also with a FP.wow :eek: amazing flying man!i can probably see myself being able to fly like that in a minimum 2yrs!i went down to my local heli club a few weeks ago but they weren`t very welcoming to me so that is why i can only fly in my little single garage at the moment.to be able to fly in a room like that must be so good.thanks for the information,something else to try out

[jasmine2501]

wow :eek: amazing flying man!i can probably see myself being able to fly like that in a minimum 2yrs!i went down to my local heli club a few weeks ago but they weren`t very welcoming to me so that is why i can only fly in my little single garage at the moment.to be able to fly in a room like that must be so good.thanks for the information,something else to try out

I hear this about clubs periodically and it really irritates me. They are not supposed to be that way, and it's possible you just ran into the wrong people that day. I would call the club president and ask them "do you want new members or not" - most clubs do. Sometimes in very small and crowded clubs they don't want new members because it makes it more crowded, but my club has over 300 members and when you go out there, you always get plenty of flight time in. You never have to wait very long for the air to clear, although sometimes you do have to wait a few minutes.

[mrschultz02]

as i can hover just about in every direction and can do slow figure 8`s in my garage(without crashing)is the RADD gonna be able to teach me anything else?i am by no means a skilled pilot nor do i go flying helter skelter trying to impress the grannies!,but i am having FUN ;)

That means you are not a beginner. Radd's is pretty much for people that can't hover yet.

One of the problems with a beginner forum is people's definition of "beginner" changes as they learn new skills...

Later,
Marty

[247rememberme]

I hear this about clubs periodically and it really irritates me. They are not supposed to be that way, and it's possible you just ran into the wrong people that day. I would call the club president and ask them "do you want new members or not" - most clubs do. Sometimes in very small and crowded clubs they don't want new members because it makes it more crowded, but my club has over 300 members and when you go out there, you always get plenty of flight time in. You never have to wait very long for the air to clear, although sometimes you do have to wait a few minutes.
it is a small heli club i think,there were about 20 people there and they were all in there own little "clubs".i emailed the club chairman 3 times before going and he seemed nice enough and invited me down to their flying field.when i got there and introduced myself to the chairman he barely acknowledged me,he seemed too busy talking to his little "club".so for two hours i was basically standing about feeling like a spare part,i tried to talk to some others but i could tell they weren`t interested.maybe i was just saying or asking dumb noobie questions,i came away feeling really angry.what made it worse was their website says"come on down,we`re a friendly bunch"

[247rememberme]

That means you are not a beginner. Radd's is pretty much for people that can't hover yet.

One of the problems with a beginner forum is people's definition of "beginner" changes as they learn new skills...

Later,
Marty
totally agree!i am not an absolute beginner but feel like it when i`m learning something new and keep crashing :mad:

[jasmine2501]

it is a small heli club i think,there were about 20 people there and they were all in there own little "clubs".i emailed the club chairman 3 times before going and he seemed nice enough and invited me down to their flying field.when i got there and introduced myself to the chairman he barely acknowledged me,he seemed too busy talking to his little "club".so for two hours i was basically standing about feeling like a spare part,i tried to talk to some others but i could tell they weren`t interested.maybe i was just saying or asking dumb noobie questions,i came away feeling really angry.what made it worse was their website says"come on down,we`re a friendly bunch"

Usually I find that, instead of asking for help, which takes a special kind of person and requires a little effort on their part, if I ask about someone's aircraft, they are more than happy to talk about it. For the most part though, this is a world of geeks, and geeks are well known for a lack of social skills. It might not be an issue of not wanting you there, but more an issue of not being able to relate to other people. Yesterday I was helping someone with their Blade 400, and several times he was very apologetic about "taking my time" - but it's not like I was busy with anything else, and I like to help people, and I got to fly a Blade 400 that wasn't mine, so you know, I had fun and it wasn't an issue. I told him, there's nothing like a 15mph wind to test gyro issues :)

You just have to figure out what gets people interested, and most of the people you run into are probably very introverted, so you have to figure out what gets them out of their shell, and focus on that. It may not be helpful to you in terms of getting your questions answered, but it's helpful to them in terms of making friends with you, and then they will find themselves able to be helpful.

[247rememberme]

Usually I find that, instead of asking for help, which takes a special kind of person and requires a little effort on their part, if I ask about someone's aircraft, they are more than happy to talk about it. For the most part though, this is a world of geeks, and geeks are well known for a lack of social skills. It might not be an issue of not wanting you there, but more an issue of not being able to relate to other people. Yesterday I was helping someone with their Blade 400, and several times he was very apologetic about "taking my time" - but it's not like I was busy with anything else, and I like to help people, and I got to fly a Blade 400 that wasn't mine, so you know, I had fun and it wasn't an issue. I told him, there's nothing like a 15mph wind to test gyro issues :)

You just have to figure out what gets people interested, and most of the people you run into are probably very introverted, so you have to figure out what gets them out of their shell, and focus on that. It may not be helpful to you in terms of getting your questions answered, but it's helpful to them in terms of making friends with you, and then they will find themselves able to be helpful.very wise words indeed.my wife found it really funny when i told her that i was going into this hobby,like a silly little boy!

[jasmine2501]

That's what women are good for - to tell you when you're out of your mind :)

[247rememberme]

Usually I find that, instead of asking for help, which takes a special kind of person and requires a little effort on their part, if I ask about someone's aircraft, they are more than happy to talk about it. For the most part though, this is a world of geeks, and geeks are well known for a lack of social skills. It might not be an issue of not wanting you there, but more an issue of not being able to relate to other people. Yesterday I was helping someone with their Blade 400, and several times he was very apologetic about "taking my time" - but it's not like I was busy with anything else, and I like to help people, and I got to fly a Blade 400 that wasn't mine, so you know, I had fun and it wasn't an issue. I told him, there's nothing like a 15mph wind to test gyro issues :)

You just have to figure out what gets people interested, and most of the people you run into are probably very introverted, so you have to figure out what gets them out of their shell, and focus on that. It may not be helpful to you in terms of getting your questions answered, but it's helpful to them in terms of making friends with you, and then they will find themselves able to be helpful.so do you think it might be a good idea to try this heli club again?i just felt so uncomfortable,i loved watching them flying their helis but as people i got no feedback from what i was asking/saying.maybe it`s me that`s the problem but if i was a member i would make any noobie feel welcome and part of the club

[jasmine2501]

Well I don't let people snub me like that. I would say probably the next step would be to contact the president again, tell him you just didn't feel welcome and wonder if maybe people are too busy to answer a lot of questions, and ask if maybe there is a training program, where you could get someone who is there for the whole purpose of focusing on you and getting you ready to fly safely. There's another issue there, and it's worth mentioning - helicopters are dangerous in the wrong hands, and they will want to make sure you can fly safely. We have a training program at my club, and people are checked out to make sure they can fly safely, and they are discouraged from flying without a trainer until they are good enough.

There are many reasons why they might not want you around - some of them are legitimate, some are just poor social skills.

[247rememberme]

Well I don't let people snub me like that. I would say probably the next step would be to contact the president again, tell him you just didn't feel welcome and wonder if maybe people are too busy to answer a lot of questions, and ask if maybe there is a training program, where you could get someone who is there for the whole purpose of focusing on you and getting you ready to fly safely. There's another issue there, and it's worth mentioning - helicopters are dangerous in the wrong hands, and they will want to make sure you can fly safely. We have a training program at my club, and people are checked out to make sure they can fly safely, and they are discouraged from flying without a trainer until they are good enough.

There are many reasons why they might not want you around - some of them are legitimate, some are just poor social skills.i don`t know,they all seemed so happy in their `little clubs`.as for the chairman,if you had been snubbed like that would you really want to go back?i thought i would have got an e-mail from him saying it would be nice to see me again,nope,nothing at all.i`m not saying i won`t go back,i might try another one to see what they`re like first.

[gravityKills]

Well, don't let it discourage you. It happens that groups are "closed" for whatever reason, people may simply not like your face and sometimes life just isn't fair.
Here, a lot of flying happens in public places, that makes it much easier.

On the other hand, some people who show up are just outright annoying. Fortunately those are few (and usually things settle down after a couple of sessions).

[jasmine2501]

Actually I would definitely go back. I got kind of a cold reception at one of the local clubs when I was new - so I joined another club and learned to fly and then went back to the other one a few times. I got a much better reception when people saw me fly fairly well. Then they all wanted to ask me questions about my stuff.

[1320fastback]

Here's my EP 100 going through 3/4 of an inverted piroing circle at 0:28.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuo7zrt7BxU&eurl=http://www.kopterit.net/index.php?action=recent;start=10


Is this at some sort of RC track? What are the blue looking hillclimbs in the background for?

[Alpha-77]

Is this at some sort of RC track? What are the blue looking hillclimbs in the background for?

I was wondering the same thing... :confused:
Very nice flying, though!

Oh, by the way I'm completely new to rc. :) My BCX2 should be here before the end of the week, and I was thinking of attending a local avionic rc club this Wednesday. Thoughts on this, or should I wait until I can actually fly decently and understand things a little better? I was just thinking it might be a good place to start out at, looking for advice. After all, most people around this part are the "happy-hippy" type that would probably be willing to lend some advice (no offense to anyone).

Thanks for the link to Radds site, very helpful and I look forward to learning with it.

Thanks for all the info guys.
~Gabe

[gravityKills]

Is this at some sort of RC track? What are the blue looking hillclimbs in the background for?
yes, I think it must be some car thing - not sure, if it doesn't have a big propeller sticking out of the roof, it's not for me :)

There's a bunch of ordinary bumps, one banked turn that rises to vertical. On the other side of the room there is some "track" for slow crawlers (I didn't recognize it before somebody told me - it looks like a pile of garbage, but once you look closely it becomes clear that it's an obstacle course).

[247rememberme]

Actually I would definitely go back. I got kind of a cold reception at one of the local clubs when I was new - so I joined another club and learned to fly and then went back to the other one a few times. I got a much better reception when people saw me fly fairly well. Then they all wanted to ask me questions about my stuff.i can see your point about going back when i can fly better.the other club i`m thinking of trying is more for aeroplanes,they have a lovely grassed runway :D they do let helis fly tho`(so it says on their website),what difference do you think that will make?