13,212
edits
Howto:Fly a helicopter: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
Template:key press + Spelling
(Redo change- with the sentence not flying but the whole physics behind are meant, as this are simulated physically correct in FlightGear and this a feature of FlightGear!) |
m (Template:key press + Spelling) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
== Preface == | == Preface == | ||
'''First:''' in principle everything that applies to real helicopters, applies also to helicopters in [[FlightGear]]. Fundamental helicopter | '''First:''' in principle everything that applies to real helicopters, applies also to helicopters in [[FlightGear]]. Fundamental helicopter manoeuvres are described at 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 not possible to damage a helicopter in flight. | ||
[[File:bo105_cockpit.jpg]] | [[File:bo105_cockpit.jpg]] | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
=== Control hardware === | === Control hardware === | ||
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 removing or disabling the | 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 removing or disabling the centring 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 auto-coordination: | If using a mouse it's recommended to turn off auto-coordination: | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
== Lift-Off == | == Lift-Off == | ||
First reduce the collective to minimum. To increase the rotor thrust, you have to “pull” the collective. Therefore for minimum collective you have to push the control down (that is the full acceleration position (!) of the thrust controller). Equally, “full power” has the thrust controller at idle. Started the engine | First reduce the collective to minimum. To increase the rotor thrust, you have to “pull” the collective. Therefore for minimum collective you have to push the control down (that is the full acceleration position (!) of the thrust controller). Equally, “full power” has the thrust controller at idle. Started the engine by pressing {{key press|<nowiki>}</nowiki>}}. After few seconds the rotor will start to turn and accelerates slowly. Keep the stick and the pedals approximately entered. Wait until the rotor has finished accelerating. For the Bo105 there is an instruments for engine and rotor speed on the left of the upper row. | ||
Once rotor acceleration is complete, pull the collective very slowly. Keep your eye on the horizon. If the heli tilts or turns even slightly, stop increasing the collective and correct the position/movement with stick and pedals. If you are successful, continue pulling the collective (slowly!). | Once rotor acceleration is complete, pull the collective very slowly. Keep your eye on the horizon. If the heli tilts or turns even slightly, stop increasing the collective and correct the position/movement with stick and pedals. If you are successful, continue pulling the collective (slowly!). | ||
As the helicopter takes off, increase the collective a little bit more and try to keep the helicopter in a | As the helicopter takes off, increase the collective a little bit more and try to keep the helicopter in a levelled position. The main challenge is reacting to the inadvertent rotating motion of the helicopter with the correct control inputs. Only three things can help you: practice, practice and practice. It is quite common for it to take hours of practice to achieve a halfway good looking hovering flight. Note: The stick position in a stable hover is not the centre position of the joystick. | ||
Quick Reference: | Quick Reference: | ||
# Press } to start the turbines | # Press {{key press|<nowiki>}</nowiki>}} to start the turbines | ||
# Disengage parking or rotor brake. (If applicable) | # Disengage parking or rotor brake. (If applicable) | ||
# Wait for your turbine to come to full speed | # Wait for your turbine to come to full speed | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
== In the air == | == In the air == | ||
To avoid the continual frustration of trying to achieve level flight, you may want to try forward flight. After take off continue pulling the collective a short time and then lower the nose a slightly using the control stick. The helicopter will accelerate forward. With forward speed the tail rotor does not have to be controlled as precisely due to the relative wind coming from directly ahead. Altogether the flight | To avoid the continual frustration of trying to achieve level flight, you may want to try forward flight. After take off continue pulling the collective a short time and then lower the nose a slightly using the control stick. The helicopter will accelerate forward. With forward speed the tail rotor does not have to be controlled as precisely due to the relative wind coming from directly ahead. Altogether the flight behaviour in forward flight is quite similar to that of an badly trimmed airplane. The “neutral” position of the stick will depend upon airspeed and collective. | ||
Transitioning from forward flight to hovering is easiest if you reduce speed slowly by raising the nose of the helicopter. At the same time, reduce the collective to stop the helicopter from climbing. As the helicopter slows, “translation lift” is reduced, and you will have to compensate by pulling the collective. When the speed is nearly zero, lower the nose to the position it was when hovering. Otherwise the helicopter will accelerate backwards! | Transitioning from forward flight to hovering is easiest if you reduce speed slowly by raising the nose of the helicopter. At the same time, reduce the collective to stop the helicopter from climbing. As the helicopter slows, “translation lift” is reduced, and you will have to compensate by pulling the collective. When the speed is nearly zero, lower the nose to the position it was when hovering. Otherwise the helicopter will accelerate backwards! | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
# Keep it level | # Keep it level | ||
# Don't come down too hard | # Don't come down too hard | ||
# Land and turn your turbines off by pressing { | # Land and turn your turbines off by pressing {{key press|<nowiki>{</nowiki>}} | ||
[[File:bo105_landed.jpg]] | [[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 | 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 {{key press|<nowiki>{</nowiki>}}. 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]] | [[File:bo105_auto.jpg]] | ||