What heli related lessons have you learned over the years?

[MikelG]

Over the years, I often look back at how my thoughts about the hobby and what I believed has changed. I'm curious to know what lessons others have picked up over the years.

Some of mine:

• I don't need as many helis as possible. Seriously, I'm down to 2 main machines.
• A new helicopter, blade, servo, engine, etc. isn't going to make you fly better. (However, based on science, you should have 2 different machines for best learning, can explain if interested)
• I don't need 50 million battery packs. Down to 2.
• My helicopter doesn't need to be in perfect condition to fly. I fly with busted up canopies and don't ask me what my settings are.
• Don't buy cheap. Self explanatory
• I don't like having too much stuff. Still consolidating and minimizing.
• I don't need to carry spares. Seriously, I bought a set of frames for a helicopter 5 years ago. They're still in the package. And the helicopter is still flying.
• There's no substitute for stick time. My helicopters are my sims now, just fly up high.
• Crashes are inevitable. Ironically, I crash much less since I've accepted this.
• A properly tuned heli is a dream to fly. Takes forever and a year to get that last 5% of performance, but man is it worth it.
• New doesn't always mean better. Self explanatory.
• Buy what you need and only what you TRULY want. You'll sink yourself with limited returns otherwise.
• You should do maintenance regularly, especially if you don't crash often. Otherwise, a crash is on the horizon.
• I'm never going to be a competitive pro. Those guys fly up to 50 times a day. Will never catch up to that.
• Fly because you enjoy flying, not to become sponsored or a pro. Self explanatory.
• The more you fly, the better you'll get, intentionally or otherwise.
• It's just a machine, it can be fixed and replaced, so...
• Shut up and fly!

[nightflyr]

Lessons learned ....

Common sense is not so common.

It's a hobby, enjoy it for what it is.

IMHO, maybe 20% of pilots are 3D wizards, the rest fly and should have fun no matter their skill level.

A good flying machine need not have a name brand attached to it.

Experimentation is never a bad thing.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, weather right or wrong.

There are suggestions / recommendations based from, experience, education, trial by fire.
Other from some who just assume.

Be grateful for what you have .... this isn't keeping up with the Jones.

The simple act of being able to lift one of these machines off the ground and land it in one piece is some what of a skill that many can't manage.

[CrashNburn420]

Stay away from the classifieds while drinking. Something may show up that you forgot you bought.

[Boinker]

Patients and how to fail with some class.

[Johnny31297]

Do not fly closer than what you're comfortable with. Never, for no reason whatsoever.

[ccpecot]

Be patient when learning how to fly.

"Practice" does not automatically equate to perfection. You should be realistic about your expectations when setting goals for your next maneuvers that you want to accomplish.

Joining a local club can be invaluable.

Weeding through emotional opinions vs. good ole fashioned, genuine advice.

Most of all, this can be a challenging, but fun hobby.

[Mr.Andersen]

My lessons over the years.

Treat helis with respect ore they will bite.

Buy deasent electronics.

I don´t thrust spektrum sats and will avoide them as the only receiver on board if possible.

Be shure your BEC handles the servos under any conditions as its expensive to find out it won´t while doing tic-tocks 20 meter up in the air.

If you crash alot, buy helis with good part availability locally and buy a known brand.

When don`t crashing so much buy what you like to fly and have at least 2 helis so you don´t get grounded if one is down.

Try out new manouvers 3 mistakes high.

Batteries are expendables so they do not have to be expensive if threated well.
9 years with cheap regular Zippy and Turnigy batteries have thought me that.

Modifications is fun.

High headspeed don´t impress me anymore as many manouvers can be done at lower headspeeds with a well set up heli.
I´m not Tareq and will never be, and as an extra bonus i get longer flight times.

Thats what`s come to mind.

[Diogenes]

That you can use parts from one name brand on another heli name brand. Sometimes direct bolt in. Makes it nice when you have a heli that u can't find parts for (forza) or you're in Dave Ramsey mode like I am now. Manufacurers seem to try to deliberately deceive you on this, lol

Already said, but you don't need,to keep up with the Jones's. Be happy with what you have. Desire is the root of all suffering and all that.

Accept where you are in the ladder in terms of abilitjes

Canopies will get beaten up, learn to glue and matting to repair

Don't get the wife upset regarding the hobby

Be safe when charging batteries, do it outside if at all possible. I nearly burned the house down last year

[ARM_Coder]

Don't be competitive.

Don't make it the central part of your life.

It's just a hobby.

[Raleighcopter]

The most convenient aircraft gets flown the most - a 700 is cool to fly but my x3 flys in any open lot.

Cool hobbies are expensive.

[elan]

When you first think to land and check that new noise or vibration out, land and check it out. Also, pre-flights are not wasted time...

[GREYEAGLE]

With all the autonomous crutches and cheats ?? You still cannot do it. Can Not Buy IT

learn TOO LEARN :

They sell it / They Buy It : the sticker THEN THE RESULT IN RETENTION

Absolutely the same has happened thru Model aviation in general -

$$$$$ is Not the answer nor the Pride of Notoriety : ME TOO !

The ARF does have it's position - however - It is Conditional

Some is heart breaking to watch the defeats

[ARM_Coder]

Suddenly it came to my mind the Star Trek TNG episode "Darmok"!

Cheers!

[Raptorapture]

Patience - whether learning how to fly, buy, build, repair, set up, tune, or maiden.
Safety - again patience, assume it will go wrong, test failsafe first, throttle hold must be learnt before hovering, heli dispensable, lives not so.

[Dogdipstick]

The lesson I have learned about 3D RC Helicopters is that I may never stop learning...

[MariaFan]

Originally Posted by nightflyr

snip...

The simple act of being able to lift one of these machines off the ground and land it in one piece is somewhat of a skill that many can't manage.

#1 fact of this thread.
It's why I'm happy with just puttering around in the front yard.

[FlyBri3]

Few of mine, Cry once meaning you will get farther and spend less over time with decent to hi quality components then less expensive ones!

Be patient, its not a race and don't push past your abilities. Learn new things on the sim and at least 3 mistakes high.

Encourage and be kind to new pilots and give help and advise when needed.

Most of all have fun and be safe!

[dl5973]

-Take your time to master the basics correctly in all orientations. It will be to your benefit later when you are learning 3d.

- If something feels odd or sounds odd land and inspect the heli.

- If a flying skill feels off on a day don't push it.

- Sim before you try new skills

- Set up a heli as light as possible and aim for longer flight time.

- Do a precheck the night before or after a days flight to check all bolts are tight and everything is in order

- Hang around guys with better flying skill than you if your aim is to progress.

- Patience is the key to longevity in this hobby. I have seen on many occasions guys that fly everyday and try to be the next 3d smack pilot burn out after 3 or 4 years in the hobby.

- Don't fly beyond your skill levels and don't fly too close to yourself for safety reasons.

- Don't get discouraged when you see a person with awesome flying skills. This hobby is about fun it takes years and plenty of practice to become good at what you do.

[TimBaconHeli]

Originally Posted by CrashNburn420

Stay away from the classifieds while drinking. Something may show up that you forgot you bought.

Hah, very good lesson.... Not nessecarily the classifieds for me but online shopping while inebriated in general.... Sam Adams and Helidirect/Amain/Progressive RC etc etc etc has been responsible for many orders showing up I don't quite remember buying. :/ I swear wifey started hiding the Surface on me at times so I could give my wallett a break.
Tim

[mattbeau]

Don't be impatient when troubleshooting a problem, if it's not flying right, pack it up and figure it out. Don't try to fly it. I've seen on more then 1 occasion, a pilot try to MAKE a heli fly, when it wasn't airworthy, that's just asking for trouble.

Have a backup but a fleet isn't necessary.

Focus on the fundamentals first, don't try to do too many new things too fast. Getting all of your orientations down pat, it makes everything else easier.



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