Article Suggestions

[MikeV]

Hello guys. Have any article suggestions? If so please post them. We're always looking for more ideas.

Thanks,

Mike

[Bugg77]

How about doing a heli focused comparison between Realflight G3 and Reflex XTR?

I happen to own G3 but I see many people recommending XTR in the heli forums. I'd love to know if I'm severly missing out on something in G3, how they compare as far as realism and training, and maybe even some tips on getting the most out of those sims.

[MikeV]

In Issue 2 we did a how-to on getting the most out of your sim and we did do a little comparo on those two along with Aero Flight, but it wasn't really a "shootout" so to speak. Thanks for the suggestion.

Mike

[Bugg77]

Ok Mike, I've got another article suggestion:

How about a piece that discusses how to get started with RC helis? It could discuss some of the myths of RC Helis as well as the pros and cons of starting out on Micro Electrics vs the scale nitros, and maybe add some unique tips, tricks, and training exercises that your writers used when they were beginners. Heck, you could even throw in a spiffy timeline showing how RC helis have progressed. This could help noobs (like me) gain an appreciation of RC heli history and it would give us a guide to getting off on the right foot with an otherwise intimidating hobby.

[André Luis]

Hello, the RC Heli magazine is great! Congratulations!

What I would like to see is a detailed description of the building of the helis that are being reviewed.

It would be great if you could show us a model helicopter factory inside (Miniature Aircraft USA, Bergen, Audacity, Century, etc).

If you could also show to us "antique" models (Schlütter Heliboy, Hirobo Falcon, GMP Legend, etc.) and how did technology progressed to what we've got today would be quite interesting.

Plenty of testing of blades, gyros, servos, etc.

I hope I am not asking too mutch!

Best Regards and keep up the good work!

André
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil

[chixwithtrix]

I personally would love to see an article on a gasser or gassers. Both from the 3D perspective of gassers, and the uses of aerial video and photo work.

[Motions]

I have to second Bugg77 on the micro vs. nitro controversy. You get way too many opinions from people one way or the other. I'd like to see a detailed article on the pros and cons of each category to help newbies decide which way to start.

[duke4332]

As a newbie to Heli flight I would like to see a comprehensive article on how to set up a radio for beginners. Something that would apply to ANY radio for ANY heli. An article that goes thru every step of the radio.

[darkfa8]

- Engine/Muffler shoot-outs ala Hot Rod

- Crash cost comparison among machines

- Training gear testing

- Gyro setups

- Orientation tips/tricks (nose-in upright, nose-in inverted, tail-in..etc)

- F3C coverage, tech and machine reviews... we Americans have a lot to learn from the best in F3C and the precision building, tuning, trimming and flying of the fielded machines

- engining tuning secrets

- fuel brand shoot out, one day, one heli, a menagerie of different fuels, same flight routine, you tell me the results

- tool and flight line gear reviews/tests

- battery technology/charging/tips/regulators/generators

- aerial photography setups/rigs/techniques

- pro-pilot insights on setups, tuning, practice regiments, pick their brains, and ask them about who they are.. I do care about what they have to say about helis, but what about their goals, other interests. get personal, get to know them.

- governor reviews and tests, setup, tuning, install, etc.

- safety tips, preventative maintence

- turbine power, take the curtain down and show off the Rolls of the heli world

- scale how-tos/reviews and shows , maybe include some new or unique full scale helis for people to build..inspire us!

... that all should keep you busy for a few issues ;)

[Terry]

I am new to this hobby. I spend most of my flying time tail in and want to be able to move on. I spend a lot of time on the sim but still have orientation problems and difficulty with the heli if it points towards me. I'd really like to graduate to doing circuits which I can do on he sim. I would appreciate some instructional basics, maybe some insight on how to get past orientation issues, etc.

[V8Buggy]

Terry, we all went thorough the same issue. There are some things that can help.
1) Don't think of the sticks moving the heli in a direction.
2) Do think of the sticks as changing the heli position. IE: Right stick forward is "Nose down", Right stick right is right skid down.
3) It was easier for me to learn by putting a different color on my skids.So it became right stick to the right was red skid down.
4) Left stick right is colockwise and vis-versa.
5) Say this out loud while flying. Who cares how silly it sounds.
Instead of thinking a little right, a little left, a little forward. Think a little red skid down, a little red skid up, a little nose down.
Once you start automatically thinking in these terms, orientation becomes less of an issue, because nose down is always nose down.
Take the sim up about a foot or two, turn it nose in, and fly it. Think in these terms, I think you'll be suprised.
Hope this helps.
Buggy

[darkfa8]

You can check out the many tutorials at www.raptortechnique.com also, one of my personal favorites is: http://www.rchelicopterweb.com/index.htm he has demonstration videos you can follow along and develop a firm idea on how each controlled manuever works.

Take each step slow. Before you start doing circuits you should be able to hover the heli in any orientation. You can practice moving the heli in a "T" shape where you have 4 points where you stop and hold the heli in a hover. You keep the orientation of the heli the same through the manuever. Once coming back to the start point (base of the T) you change the orientation (nose-in, side-in, inverted tail-in, etc.). This excercise will reinforce your control of a hover in any orientation.

This excercise pays off in that if you're flying FF or a manuever and have a problem, you can form a reliable bail-out from any orientation and regain control in the form of a upright hover position.

To do with that different color skid idea, it's not a bad one, but if you get used to identifying the heli by that to give you a orientation point, if you ever try and fly someone else's heli at the field, they likely won't have colored skids and you might run into a orientation problem.

The best sure-fire way of learning orientation for ALL helis is to start by assigning Left, Right, Front & Back as though you're actually IN the heli. This way, you can fly ANY heli and not worry about colored skids, canopies or any other difference. They'll all be the same. It may seem daunting at first, but practice makes perfect and eventually it will become second nature. Be patient, be diligient and focussed in your practicing and you'll progress.

good luck,

[rcfan]

Wow, so many things to talk/write about ...

- In-depth Synergy N9 article

- e-Heli 101 - motors (KV, RPM, temp., etc.)

- Battery 101 (everything about charging, discharging, storing, do/dont's, etc.)

- Heli theory - what makes helis fly

- Definitely need section(s) for gasser/turbine talk and scale modeling.

- Event/contest information - what is FAI et.al., rules, etc.

[rcfan]

A couple more:

- Pilot profiles/interviews (with folks like the Szabo's, Curtis Youngblood, up'n'coming hotshots)

- Meet the RCHeli guys: e.g. who is MikeV? What heli(s) does he fly? ;)

- Technical articles on R/C communication: how do radios work? how do they communicate with models (receivers)? Future technologies, e.g. 2.4 GHz Spectrum.

[kaji]

I'm getting back into R/C after being away for 20 years. Learned to fly choppers in the mid 80s with the GMP Cricket, fixed pitch, no gyro, and could actually loop and roll it, although you better start real high. Moved up to the Competitor with the old Kraft Gyro. Just hovering in those days drew a good size crowd , and I guess a loop, roll, and an auto rotate would be called 3 D flying back then. I'm with Andre and would like to see an article on the old choppers and flyer's such as Bob Gorham.