While learning the left stick, it is sometimes helpful to have an experienced flyer
control the right stick (this requires a skilled pilot, since beginners often allow the
model to turn nose-in). Agree ahead of time who does what in case things get out of
control. If your helper on the right stick becomes disoriented, he should tell you
immediately, in which case you should lower the throttle and land as quickly as
possible.
If no one is available to help with the right stick while you concentrate on the left stick,
allow your helicopter to wander a few feet during each hop. If it drifts or tilts in a
particular direction on every hop, adjust the appropriate trim levers next to the right
stick in the opposite direction.
For example, if it always tilts to the right, move the trim lever below the right stick to
the left. You can also adjust the length of the servo pushrods controlling the
swashplate. In either case, tilt the swashplate
OPPOSITE
to the direction of drift.
Remember that it is impossible to trim any helicopter to sit still in the air. All
helicopters require constant control inputs from the pilot to maintain a stationary
hover.
Step 3: Learn the Right Stick
After mastering altitude and heading control with the left stick, increase the throttle
until your helicopter is at least three feet off the ground (where the air is less
turbulent), and use the right stick to hover over a spot. It will be difficult at first, but try
to keep the model within a small area.
If you become disoriented, reduce the throttle
and let the model settle to the ground. Resist all temptations to “punch” the throttle to
full power and climb higher than three feet (you won’t know how to get down).
Keep the nose pointed away from you at all times. When the nose is pointing toward
you (i.e. when you are flying “nose-in”), three of the four controls (fore/aft cyclic,
left/right cyclic and tail rotor) are reversed. Nose-in hovering is difficult for beginners,
and is typically not attempted without considerable experience.
When hovering, concentrate on the
TILT
of the main rotor disk (the circle made by the
rotating rotor blades) and not on the motion of the helicopter body. The
TILT
of the
main rotor controls the
MOTION
of the body. If you concentrate on the motion of the
body, your control inputs will be slightly behind the tilt of the main rotor, and you will
not be able to hold a steady hover.
Warning!
WHEN LEARNING TO HOVER, NEVER FLY CLOSER THAN 15 FEET (5 METERS)
TO YOURSELF OR ANYTHING ELSE, OR HIGHER THAN ABOUT 3 FEET (1
METER). YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH CAUSING SERIOUS
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Op er a tor's Guide
Learning to Fly
6-4
LITE MA CHINES
