I DON'T GET IT

[Solitaire]

I guess it comes down to the addage of "to each their own", ferg.

I suppose some don't have the patience or want to put in the time to learn how to control a heli and use whatever means they can to get it in the air. Maybe it's a way to help with the confidence factor? Never really thought about it.

I figure these gizmos would be handy if you are into aerial photography where you need a good solid and steady platform.

I'll stick with learning the old fashioned way.

[19000rpm]

If used to aid in the learning process and minimize crashes: the copilot and helicommand can be valuable. I think that's the way most guys use them; not as permanent subsitutes for developing flying skills.

Happy landings

[Raygun]

I Love the advancement of technology if it makes it so easy anyone can enjoy it then lets have it

[akent]

I don't have a clue about those flight systems, so can't comment on them.

But, I DO use expo on my 450. Not on the 500.

My 450 in idle 2 turning 3k headspeed is just too twitchy without a little bit of expo on the cyclic. I can easily fly it without the expo, but it sure makes it smooth with a little of it.
Kent

[elkmaster01]

Here's the deal about this "SH*T".

I wanted to fly helicopters,,,period. And I wanted to fly big helicopters.

Here's the normal progression; cheap little indoors co-axle,,,,fix-pitch,,,small collective pitch,,,,,,450,,,500,,600,,,,,,buy-fly-crash-buy parts-fix,,,at every stage along the way. Two years later and hundreds/thousands of dollars later,,you are finally profficient and flying like a champ with little to no crashes.

It took me 2 months from the time I ordered my very first heli to flying a T-Rex 600ESP 3 or 4 times a day with no crashes. I have spent less money in the long run. I'm at the point of flying mild 3D without the aide of the Helicommand but I have as an emergency button.

And,,,,I'M HAVING FUN!!!!

So,,,,I LIKE this 'SH*T"!!!!

[mimir]

Elkmaster has a very good point about why some people want technological assistance while they learn and you sure cannot argue with the results in his case especially

It is very much like having a very experienced trainer ready to take over and recover your helicopter if you start to lose control.

Even if they never get to the point where they can fly without the assistance - so what? They are still flying and having fun, which in the end is what this hobby is all about.

You could easily say the same thing about heading hold gyros or any gyro for that matter. My brother's first helicopter didn't have a gyro, they were not even an option back then. Does that mean that we are somehow not a "real" pilot because we rely on gyros to steady the tail? I think not.

I am all for anything that expands the fun and shrinks the frustration.

[Raygun]

I really think it would be a great training tool (any of them) once you have the confidence the less you will need it and the more time you spend learning how to fly instead of crashing. Crashing is just going to make you a good mechanic not a good pilot. When I first learned to fly the pilot I was with had his hand on the yoke all the time I thought he was helping me when I made mistakes, later he told me he was not doing anything to control the aircraft I was flying it and landing it by myself the first time!! But that helping hand builds confidence and a feel for the aircraft.. Ray

[rcdbutz]

Yeah, it's nice to have the stabilization device as a back up, or golden parachute if you will. When you put $2000 into a heli, it seems worth while to have something to keep it safe in case you lose orientation. They end up saving you money on parts in the long run. As for dependence on these devices, to each their own.

RC helis are not for lazy people, they are for people who enjoy a challenge and would like to improve on something that is difficult. That being said, I think many people use the stabilizers as a training tool, which is gradually set to be less sensitive to a point where they fly without it. If people really wanted the easy hobby, they would stop at the RC cars and be good. Not me, after I get good at one challenge, I want to move up to a harder challenge. This results in pushing the limits and a lot of crashes. I like to make the crashes fewer and the growth consistent, so even if I use a stabilizer on the big helis, I still like to go back and fly the little ones without it. My goal is not to be dependent on them, but I like knowing I have that failsafe.

As for others who do photography with their helis, they probably just want a stable heli with the least amount of work, so the stabilizers work great for them too.

Elk, it doesn't exactly take 2 years and thousands of dollars to get going at this either. It's all about the time you put into it. You are a retired vet who needed something to occupy your time with, so you were able to spent a great deal of your time on the hobby. Nonetheless, it can still be cheaper to learn on the smaller helis, but the real key is in practice on the sim and having a heli that is setup well. It's hard to start from scratch and know if your heli is even set up right. Either way, when we move up to 3D and start flying serious helis, we're going to spend a good amount of money eventually. I've only been at it for 6 months myself, and I've spent as much time on this hobby as I could, but I'll bet that you've spend much more time on this in the last 2 months than I have in the last 6. I decided to take the various steps, and I think it's smart to have a good solid foundation of knowing how to fly the 300 size helis. They are much trickier usually don't even have gyros. They are much more challenging to fly than 600 or 450 size. I would like to see how well you would do with one of these actually, could be easy as pie, but it could be enlightening. Moving up to the 450 from the 300 size made the 450 much easier, and from the 5 seconds I spent flying my 600, it was even easier than the 450 size, but I digress.

It's about being persistent and putting in the time, but with stabilizers, you get more flight time and less waiting for parts time. As for the fiscal aspects, it depends. If you spend enough time on simulators before even trying to fly, you might have only spent $100 on extra parts before getting the hang of it. If you go out and fly without sim time, but with a $250 stabilizer, and don't spend any $ on spare parts, then have you spent less than the person who put in the sim time? No. Either way, it's going to take time and money to get good at RC helicopters and stabilizers allow you to trade off some of the money to spend less time.

[elkmaster01]

RC,,,,,BINGO!!

And you are right,,,in the two months(now about 3),,,I have probably averaged about 8 to 10 hours/day on this hobby,,,and I mean EVERY day. I still fly the simulator every day too.

I just felt be-littled by the opening post,,,as if I were "less than" because I have a Helicommand. The HC WILL NOT FLY THE HELI!!

I got my 450 back from FMA, I have some work to do on that. And I have my Flasher 450 flying without any stabilization system on it. I can fly it well but it is hard and I haven't attempted any 3D with it. But the 600 with the HC is very easy to fly and a bunch of fun.

I'm building a T-Rex 500 ESP with all the hop-ups you can ask for,,,there won't be any HC on that either.

So,,,I have the 450 for learning,,,,,the 500 will be my extreme 3D bird and the 600 is my 'Caddilac- show and tell' cruiser. I get the most training with the 600,,,,with the HC I can afford to make mistakes!

[rcdbutz]

Randy, I am incredibly jealous that you not only have the time to spend with your ladies, but the money to put together so many nice ones. The 500 will have to wait until I recoup from the 600 purchase. Of course, that engagement ring coulda bought me a few nice helis.

If you have stock components on either of those 450 size helis, I recommend just keeping it easy with them. I've learned the hard way that you need to spend some $$ to get a heli that does decent 3D. Otherwise, be sure you have the heli WAY up in the air and at least have a good gyro.

You're right though, the HC will not fly the heli for you, unless it's the HC profi, but who has $6000 to spend on one of those? Not I. Like you said, you're having fun and that's all that matters.

[Dave]

Ernie I must agree with you on one thing and that is that this is way out of character for fergie and I am sure there is a good reason. I have sent him a PM to see if he wants to talk about it in private. Will ask everyone to take it easy on the post here until we can find out what is up.

Thanks guys I hope you understand.

Dave

[rcdbutz]

I don't think Fergie meant to pi$$ anyone off or anything, he just thinks that the flight stabilizers are are bit of a crutch is all. I use them and I don't have hurt feelings because of it. I used to dis on the mCx until I got one, now I know the value of the little guy.

I'm sure that for some, the flight stabilizers might impede on learning how to fly these things in the long run, so maybe he was trying to understand why someone would want to impede their progress. IDK

[elkmaster01]

RC,,,,I am concentrating on the Flasher,,,,my Genesis 450 PE needs a main gear and 'you know who' has been out of stock for over 6 weeks now, no telling when I'll get one.

Yea,,,the 'ladies and the money',,,,,,,I really DO have it good. My Aunt(wife) is very happy that I'm busy and having fun. She doesn't care what I spend my money on as long as I pay the bills and put groceries on the table. She works for her own mad-money. When I started this hobby I fully expected to dive in head first and get what I 'want',,not just what I need. The well has run dry thou,,,LOL. The 500 is my last project 'til after Christmas. I have all I need and want and enough to keep me busy 'til winter hits!! THEN,,I'll get the MXC to buzz around the tree!! ;D

[rcdbutz]

Randy, so I take it the Genesis isn't compatible with anything else? Someone else has got to have the gear, but I'm sure you've checked out any options. Shoulda gotten the BlueRay 450, it's compatible with the Trex 450 SE V2, so parts are all over the place.

OK, so why do you call you Wife your Aunt? Are you originally from the south? LOL, j/k tho.

You deserve it though, you're retired, you've done your work. If I ever get to a point where I can retire, I'll probably do the same thing.

You'll love the mCx when Christmas time comes. It's gonna be rough, I'll just go get some floaties to put on the skids, I ain't gonna let the snow get me down. I'll need to find some large indoor area I can fly around in.

Anyways...cheers!

[elkmaster01]

LOL,,,,yup,,I actually married my Aunt!! She was married to my Uncle,,,,he pi$$ed me off so I stole his wife!! ;D So,,,her kids are really my cousins,,,they call me CAD,,,Cousin Dad!! ;D

Great story!! Truth is stranger than fiction!!