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Howto:Fly a helicopter: Difference between revisions
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Helicopter Tutorial: Getting started section complemented
(Fly a helicopter: Hardware section complemented) |
(Helicopter Tutorial: Getting started section complemented) |
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== Getting started == | == Getting started == | ||
The number of available helicopters in FlightGear is increasing rather quickly. In my opinion the [[Eurocopter Bo105|Bo105]] is the easiest to fly, since it reacts substantially more directly than other helicopters. | '''Launch''' | ||
The number of available helicopters in FlightGear is increasing rather quickly. As helicopters have become more popular in FlightGear, many others have been developed. Each of them have their unique flight behaviour. | |||
In my opinion the [[Eurocopter Bo105|Bo105]] is the easiest to fly, since it reacts substantially more directly than other helicopters. | |||
The Bell UH-1 is also recommended, though behaving completly different as the Bo105. Nethertheless both models shows very realistic handling qualities, are tested by their real pilots, | |||
and their real counterparts are used in some armies for training of pilot novices. | |||
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]] | [[File:s76c_landed.jpg]] | ||
'''Controls''' | |||
The helicopter is controlled by four functions. The (joy)stick 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 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 (joy)stick 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 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]] | [[File:ec135_in_the_air.jpg]] | ||
'''Behavior of helicopters''' | |||
Helicopters are natural unstable. It is like balancing a ball sitting on another bigger ball, which is sitting on a much bigger ball. | |||
Every control input leads to another control input to compensate: So if you increase the collective, you have to push the pedals to compensate the torque. With this you are increasing | |||
the tail rotor thrust and the helicopter wants to drift to the side. So you have to compensate this with the stick...And so on, and so on. | |||
This makes helicopter flying much more difficult than fixed-wings. But with some practice it will become as easy as riding a bicycle! | |||
== Lift-Off == | == Lift-Off == | ||