What is the trick to learning to fly a helicopter?

boB wrote:
> Peter Olcott wrote:
>> I have tried practicing on two different simulators:
>> Microsoft flight simulator
>> GE Real Flight
>> and I just don't seem to be able to keep the helicopter from
>> spinning wildly out of control, what kinds of things can I
>> do to begin improving my skills?
>>
>>
>
>
> I usually recommend to someone starting new on FS9/X helicopters to go
> to Hovercontrol.com and download one of the great UH-60's there. You can
> then taxi on the wheels and practice approaches landing on the wheels
> with some forward ground speed. The more you practice the slower you
> can land. Until you have it down pat and can terminate at a hover.
>
> Someone mentioned getting a HUD from hovercontrol.com. Do it. Get rid
> of the 2d panel and use the hud by itself. Get the one that has the
> bare minimum of indicators. You don't really need an instrument panel to
> learn to hover or even to fly but be careful, don't use the hud for much
> of anything, especially any hover strobe that you use to try to keep the
> ground speed low. Trying to use a hover strobe to maintain a constant
> position over a spot changes FSx from a simulator to a game. Power
> settings are about the only thing I can think of to use at a hover. In
> flight just glancing at the airspeed, altimeter an VSI is all you need
> VFR. Later on you can use the panel while flying but if you have it in
> your way at first it will take a lot longer to get the hovering down.
> Someone also nailed it, get to a place where there are sharp, in focus,
> ground references to use as a reference for your hover. This is the
> real reason you use only a hud, you need all the "*outside*" reference
> points possible to maintain your hover.
>
> =========================================
> Approaches:
>
> You don't maintain a constant speed in swing wings on final approach.
> You maintain approach airspeed of 70 Knots (OH58) until you intercept
> the approach angle (Normal - steep or - shallow) You begin your descent
> by reducing collective. (You know that already)
>
> You then maintain a constant apparent ground speed of a "Brisk Walk"
> over the ground below you. At 400 feet AGL an apparent ground speed of
> a brisk walk will be somewhere near 70 Knots. The same apparent brisk
> walk at 30 feet AGL is way down around 15 - 20 Knots. You continue
> until you touchdown with no forward ground speed.
>
> Now, saying that, It's difficult to see what a brisk walk looks like in
> a Sim Helicopter but with some practice you will get it. You can
> forget the airspeed indicator once the approach begins (Unless you can't
> see the ground)
>
> ===========================================
> *Pedals:* (This is my experience)
>
> Check the "Autorudder" check box.
>
> If you have pedals, use them sparingly and only while in a flat hover.
> If you try to coordinate pedals with cyclic at the same time you will
> get frustrated. Unless you have Si's Torque Enhancement program which
> does allow you to fly a helo that will respond to power changes, don't
> worry much about the pedals. If you have a twist grip for rudder
> control, use it very sparingly and only only at a 0 groundspeed hover.
> Stop the helicopter, use pedals/twist grip to turn the aircraft to the
> desired heading, and then taxi/takeoff. Racing wheel pedals work great
> with a helicopter
>
> I made a video of a Bell 206 in FS9 hovering out onto a runway, taking
> off and the landing without ever touching the pedals. Maybe Dalli knows
> where it is, I believe I made it for him. I did it using the CH Yoke
> for the controller. The Yoke does fine flying helicopters and can be
> trimmed so you barely need to touch it in flight.
>
> Here is a joking video I made back when there were no great masterpiece
> videos being made. Now I'm embarrassed to make another.
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khpRLspE-JY
>
>

Just as an addition to Bobs comments about ground references, I added
some freeware ground textures from avsim (I think) a while back. They
have some fairly high resolution grass textures which I found made the
landing easier. When I can actually see the grass in detail, I know I'm
nearly down!

Might be helpful to you too.
I find trackIR very helpful in all aircraft. The ability to turn and
look out the window, or down through a helicopters floor window without
taking my hands off any other controls makes it the best possible addon
for fsx IMHO. Needs to be used in a vc though.