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Howto:Fly a helicopter: Difference between revisions
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'''First:''' in principle everything that applies to real helicopters, applies also to [[FlightGear]]. Fundamental maneuvers are well described on: http://www.cybercom.net/~copters/pilot/maneuvers.html Some details are simplified in FlightGear, in particular the engine handling and some overstresses are not simulated or are without any consequence. In FlightGear it is (up to now) not possible to damage a helicopter in flight. | '''First:''' in principle everything that applies to real helicopters, applies also to [[FlightGear]]. Fundamental maneuvers are well described on: http://www.cybercom.net/~copters/pilot/maneuvers.html Some details are simplified in FlightGear, in particular the engine handling and some overstresses are not simulated or are without any consequence. In FlightGear it is (up to now) not possible to damage a helicopter in flight. | ||
[[ | [[File:bo105_cockpit.jpg]] | ||
Since the release of version FlightGear 0.9.10, important improvements have been made to the [[helicopter]] flight model. | Since the release of version FlightGear 0.9.10, important improvements have been made to the [[helicopter]] flight model. For this reason, version 1.0.0 or later should be used. With these improvements the helicopter flight model of FlightGear should be quite realistic. A notable exception is “vortex ring conditions”. These occur if you descend too fast and perpendicularly (without forward speed). The heli can get into its own rotor downwash causing the lift to be substantially reduced. Recovering from this condition is possible only at higher altitudes. On the Internet you can find a video of a SeaKing helicopter which got into this condition during a flight demonstration and touched down so hard afterwards that it was completely destroyed. | ||
The parameters for FlightGear helicopters are not completely optimized and thus the performance between model and original may deviate. | The parameters for FlightGear helicopters are not completely optimized and thus the performance between model and original may deviate. On the hardware side I recommend the use of a “good” [[joystick]]. A joystick without centering springs is recommended for cyclic control. You can achieve this with a normal joystick by by removing or disabling the centering spring(s) or you could use a force feedback joystick with a disconnected voltage supply. Further, the joystick should have a “thrust controller” (throttle). For controlling the tail rotor you should have pedals or at least a twistable joystick; flying helicopters by keyboard is very difficult. ('''hint:''' Flightgear supports more than one joystick attached at the same time.) | ||
If using a mouse it's recommended to turn off the Auto-coordination in the [[FlightGear Wizard]]. | If using a mouse it's recommended to turn off the Auto-coordination in the [[FlightGear Wizard]]. | ||
== Getting started == | == Getting started == | ||
The number of available helicopters in FlightGear is increasing rather quick. In my opinion the [[Eurocopter Bo105|Bo105]] is the easiest to fly, since it reacts substantially more directly than other helicopters. As [[helicopter | The number of available helicopters in FlightGear is increasing rather quick. In my opinion the [[Eurocopter Bo105|Bo105]] is the easiest to fly, since it reacts substantially more directly than other helicopters. As [[helicopter]]s have become more popular in FlightGear, many others have been developed. Each of them have their unique flight behaviour. | ||
Once you have loaded FlightGear, take a moment to centralize the controls by moving them around. In particular the collective is often at maximum on startup. | Once you have loaded FlightGear, take a moment to centralize the controls by moving them around. In particular the collective is often at maximum on startup. | ||
[[ | [[File:s76c_landed.jpg]] | ||
The helicopter is controlled by four functions. The stick (joystick) controls two of them, the inclination of the rotor disc (and thus the inclination of the helicopter) to the right/ left and forwards/back. Together these functions are called “cyclic blade control”. Next there is the “collective blade control”, which is controlled by the thrust controller. This causes a change of the thrust produced by the rotor. Since the powering of the main rotor transfers torque (as a twisting or turning force) to the fuselage, this must be compensated by the tail rotor. Since the torque is dependent on the collective and on the flight condition as well as wind can add additional torque on the fuselage, the [[tail rotor]] is also controlled by the pilot using the the pedals. If you push the right pedal, the helicopter turns to the right (!). The pedals are not a steering wheel. Using the pedals you can yaw helicopter around the vertical axis. The number of revolutions of the rotor is kept constant (if possible) by the aircraft. | The helicopter is controlled by four functions. The stick (joystick) controls two of them, the inclination of the rotor disc (and thus the inclination of the helicopter) to the right/ left and forwards/back. Together these functions are called “cyclic blade control”. Next there is the “collective blade control”, which is controlled by the thrust controller. This causes a change of the thrust produced by the rotor. Since the powering of the main rotor transfers torque (as a twisting or turning force) to the fuselage, this must be compensated by the tail rotor. Since the torque is dependent on the collective and on the flight condition as well as wind can add additional torque on the fuselage, the [[tail rotor]] is also controlled by the pilot using the the pedals. If you push the right pedal, the helicopter turns to the right (!). The pedals are not a steering wheel. Using the pedals you can yaw helicopter around the vertical axis. The number of revolutions of the rotor is kept constant (if possible) by the aircraft. | ||
[[ | [[File:ec135_in_the_air.jpg]] | ||
== Lift-Off == | == Lift-Off == | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
# Wait for your turbine to come to full speed | # Wait for your turbine to come to full speed | ||
# Push the throttle '''Down''', not up. Pushing up makes the chopper go down | # Push the throttle '''Down''', not up. Pushing up makes the chopper go down | ||
# When at desired altitude, | # When at desired altitude, push throttle to about 60% | ||
# Fly freely | # Fly freely | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
# Have a nice day | # Have a nice day | ||
[[ | [[File:bo105_landed.jpg]] | ||
== Back to Earth II == | == Back to Earth II == | ||
It is worth mentioning autorotation briefly. This is an unpowered flight condition, where the flow of air through the rotors rotates the rotor itself. At an appropriate altitude select a landing point (at first in the size of a larger airfield) and then switch the engine off by pressing "{". Reduce collective to minimum, place the tail rotor to approximately 0 degrees incidence (with the Bo push the right pedal about half , with Russian or French helicopters (like the [[Aérospatiale Alouette II|Alouette 2]]) the left). Approach at approximately 80 knots. Don't allow the rotor speed to rise more than a few percent over 100%, otherwise the rotor will be damaged (though this is not currently simulated). As you reach the ground, reduce the airspeed by lifting the nose. The descent rate will drop at the same time, so you do not need to pull the collective. It may be the case that the rotor speed rises beyond the permitted range. Counteract this by raising the collective if required. Just above the ground, reduce the descent rate by pulling the collective. The goal is it to touch down with a very low descent rate and no forward speed. With forward speed it is easier, but there is a danger of a roll over if the skids are not aligned parallel to the flight direction. During the approach it is not necessary to adjust the tail rotor, since without power there is almost no torque. If you feel (after some practice), that autorotation is too easy, try it with a more realistic payload via the payload menu. | It is worth mentioning autorotation briefly. This is an unpowered flight condition, where the flow of air through the rotors rotates the rotor itself. At an appropriate altitude select a landing point (at first in the size of a larger airfield) and then switch the engine off by pressing "{". Reduce collective to minimum, place the tail rotor to approximately 0 degrees incidence (with the Bo push the right pedal about half , with Russian or French helicopters (like the [[Aérospatiale Alouette II|Alouette 2]]) the left). Approach at approximately 80 knots. Don't allow the rotor speed to rise more than a few percent over 100%, otherwise the rotor will be damaged (though this is not currently simulated). As you reach the ground, reduce the airspeed by lifting the nose. The descent rate will drop at the same time, so you do not need to pull the collective. It may be the case that the rotor speed rises beyond the permitted range. Counteract this by raising the collective if required. Just above the ground, reduce the descent rate by pulling the collective. The goal is it to touch down with a very low descent rate and no forward speed. With forward speed it is easier, but there is a danger of a roll over if the skids are not aligned parallel to the flight direction. During the approach it is not necessary to adjust the tail rotor, since without power there is almost no torque. If you feel (after some practice), that autorotation is too easy, try it with a more realistic payload via the payload menu. | ||
[[ | [[File:bo105_auto.jpg]] | ||
Not all helicopters will autorotate correctly in Flightgear. Here's a list of those which have been tested (missing rating and difficulty indicates lack of capability): | Not all helicopters will autorotate correctly in Flightgear. Here's a list of those which have been tested (missing rating and difficulty indicates lack of capability): | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
[[pl:Lot śmigłowcem]] | [[pl:Lot śmigłowcem]] | ||
==Challenging places to fly== | == Challenging places to fly == | ||
Once you have mastered to take off and land safely, you might want to try more challenging places to take your heli. Here are a few suggestions: | Once you have mastered to take off and land safely, you might want to try more challenging places to take your heli. Here are a few suggestions: | ||
* One of the [[ | * One of the [[Aircraft carrier|aircraft carriers]] | ||
* An [[oil platform]] in the North Sea | * An [[oil platform]] in the North Sea | ||
* After all - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7aHqDkCzCw who needs a helipad?] | * After all - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7aHqDkCzCw who needs a helipad?] | ||