RealFlight G3 Manual - Great Planes Software Support

HELICOPTER FLIGHT
HOVERING
The machine hovers by adjusting the collective control to maintain altitude, the
rudder to maintain heading, and minute adjustments to the cyclic controls to maintain
location. Hovering is the most important aspect of heli flight to master, since every
other movement of the machine starts and stops with a hover.
FORWARD FLIGHT
The heli moves forward by increasing cyclic (moving the cyclic control forward).
This causes the helicopter to tilt forward, resulting in a forward thrust. As the cyclic
increases, the collective must also be increased to maintain the desired flight path.
As forward speed increases, the collective can be reduced slightly.
BACKWARD FLIGHT
Backward flight is accomplished by moving the cyclic control aft, which causes the
helicopter to tilt backward. As the cyclic is moved aft, the collective must also be
increased to maintain desired flight path. As backward speed increase, the collective
can be reduced slightly.
SIDEWAYS FLIGHT
Moving the cyclic control left will cause the helicopter to tilt left. Add collective
and right rudder to cause the heli to “slide” sideways to the left. As speed increases,
it will require progressively more rudder to maintain heading.
To move right, simply follow the same procedure, but reverse the cyclic and rudder
movements (move cyclic right, apply left rudder).
TURNING:
FROM FORWARD FLIGHT-
Moving the cyclic control left, while applying a small amount of aft cyclic and
feeding in left “rudder”, will cause the helicopter to make a coordinated turn to the
left. Right movement of the cyclic and rudder sticks will cause the heli to turn to the
right.
FROM A HOVER-
Use the rudder to rotate the nose of the heli in the direction you want.
Learning to fly a model helicopter is more difficult and challenging than any other
radio control models, but is also the most rewarding as you master the techniques
required for sustained hover and forward flight. Computer simulation of model
helicopter flight is an excellent tool for learning the basics and dramatically reducing
the learning curve when you move on to the actual model itself.
R/C Simulator RealFlight Appendix A. Basics of Flying • 349