practice for b400 this spring

[dontrinko]

I have a B400 i intend to fly this spring. i am practicing indoor with a msr and a nano qx. Is there an indoor heli that would be better practice for the B400? Thanks; Don

[Harbormaster]

I would think that any CP heli would be good practice. (And daily sim time is always good, too, of course, though a lot less fun...

[Bee_random]

+1
MCPX-BL, nano or maybe the 130....definitely NOT the Align-150.

Definitely yes to lots and lots of structured sim time. Don't get fooled into using your model on the sim. Just go for the biggest for best visibility and then adjust sim speed slow to start getting to a beyond 100% as you build that essential muscle memory.

[Harbormaster]

The guy who runs the local hobby shop's answer to "Which heli should you fly in the sim?" is "All of them!" and I think he has a point. I sometimes "fly" a big 700 that's stable and easy to see and at other times fly a little 250 that's fast and twitchy and hard to see. Each has something to teach you. I draw the line at planks, though.

[Bee_random]

That's OK if you're playing. To seriously learn I'd stick to one (larger) model. There are so many variables that they can be tuned to feel like your own heli - as we know EVERY heli setup feels a little different.

Personally I'd never recommend anyone using less than a 500 size on the sim. The smaller they get, the less realistic they are and harder to see on the screen.

The fastest easiest way the adjust difficulty is to adjust the sim speed.

This hobby is great for many reasons. One of them is that there are very few black and white discussions, loads of opinion. IMHO any noob has to listen respectfully and then do what they want to do and work out from experience what is best for them.

[Usman]

I use Pheonix flight simulator and it is great, although what I have found is that with the blade4003D I can't seem to fly inverted with my sim, but I can with the Blade4503D model. Maybe its because im using the factory settings for the program with my DX6i, as I imagine I could fly inverted with the stock blade4003D in real life. Just found that to be odd that inverted flight just doesn't seem to happen with my sim, but maybe I should change to some more realistic settings.
For a newbie with the Blade4003D, I would also suggest using appropriate beginner, tamed down, Dual Rate Values so the helicopter isn't soo move-ie and is rather more passive to allow a good feel for it.

[dontrinko]

I have no intention of ever flying upside down. I will be happy just to keep it in the air. Don

[Harbormaster]

Originally Posted by dontrinko

I have no intention of ever flying upside down.

That might change...

[Usman]

I hear you, I used to be the same way and right now I don't fly my Blade400 upside nor have I ever, but on the sim I've tried and its got the capability to do so, and with practice on the sim, you can. I enjoy just hovering my Blade400 sometimes, as much as sport flying it.

[907Heli]

Your msr will be good practice. Fly fast circuits. Do figure 8s. It will help with collective control and holding altitude. It will improve your cyclic control, especially coming out of turns.

[dontrinko]

I have a used nano cp on the way. I'm told if I can keep it in the air the B400 will be no problem. Don

[Bee_random]

Lol. It will if set up well, if not it'll bite you in the ass