Realflight G3.5 ?

[Laserdude]

I have realflight G3.5. The problem I'm having is the heli drifts to the left (with tail towards me). It does this pretty fast and adjusting the trim dosent seem to help. When observing the heli closely the rotor looks ok not tilted. When I adjust the trim I can see the rotor trim slightly and then it drifts to the right. At $200.00 I want to make sure that it isn't broken in any way. I read somewhere that helis do drift slightly due to the rotation of the rotor. I have had it for 6 months and practiced many hours. I made good progress for awhile but I seem to have stalled and was wondering if this drift may be adding to my slow down in control.

[aceman365]

I'm using version 4 and if it makes you feel anybetter about your purchase, the helis I'm learning to hover with also either pitch left or forward, which forces me to have to correct it constantly. I'm told this is in line with reality, and is inline with the program.

I've got myself to be able to hover rather well about about 10 hours. I'm now learning pattern flying, tail towards me.. soon.. forward flight.. without it being unintentional

goodluck
Aceman

[hawkman]

Its not so much the main rotor but the tail rotor that causes drift.

The tail rotor is there to provide a countering force to the main rotor...so its blowing air to the side...right hand tail rotor...blowing air to the right. This force will move the heli left...so you have to tilt the heli slightly to stop the drift.

The heli will go sideways because the gyro helps keep the heli pointing ahead.

Helis will wander about in the hover, keeping them in position becomes second nature after a while...tiny little movements are needed...over correction will cause more drifting.

Keep at it, the more you practice the better you will get....pretty soon you will be able to hold a good hover...and let go the sticks...the heli will more or less stay where you put it.

Its harder to hover at height, I do this to practice airborne camera work...its very difficult to do...you need a reference point. Hovering and slow control are VERY important in rc heli flight...any fool can zoom about...and make it look good...but hovering and slow moving are crucial skills.

You got a good sim there, I have used the G3 version...pretty darn good.

Rob

[Robb]

Just got 3.5 myself and mine's the same, drifts like crazy, man, if I'd known heli's were this hard I'd of stuck to beer drinking or something just as easy

[hawkman]

Stick with it...after you get used to it and look at your thumbs..its amazing at the twiddling going on, all those tiny corrections become second nature.

Rob

[Robb]

One helpful section of realflight is the virtual flight instruction, the picture in picture aspect showing the heli and the instructors tranmitter showed me just how much (or little) I needed to throw the controls, I keep going back to make comparisons.

[hawkman]

Sounds like a good idea, I have 'Phoenix' which is a pretty good sim...theres a balloon busting game on it, once you get good on the controls..this game really brings progress. The idea is to fly into all these balloons as you do they bust..and you get a score.

Add to this a fuel level of say 2 mins...go popping...and you run out of fuel which forces you to land...its darn good practice. In an emergency you will rely on these skills...thats what a sim is for...to save you a heap of money in real crashes

Rob

[Laserdude]

Thanks for the replies. I have been practicing more and it is getting easier. I can hover pretty good with towards me and tail left and right. I'm now working on tail away.