Strange helicopter problem

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 30 Jun 2007, 18:16

I've decided to have another crack at flying helicopters, and for some strange reason, they wont take off. I've downloaded Jordan Moore's Bell 412, and although the rotor speed varies, ( and when stopped, you can see the blades altering pitch ) with my throttle, the thing never actually leaves the ground. Same goes for the default R-22.

What have I done to break it ? Is it something I've altered in the sensitivity settings or sommat ? HELP

Post by **TSR2** » 30 Jun 2007, 18:31

Are you adjusting the collective Paul? Helos use collective and speed to get off the deck. I think this depends on your controller set up as some don't seem to use collective at all (it seems to be automatic based on rotor speed)

Post by **Garry Russell** » 30 Jun 2007, 18:46

I know little about flying Helicopters but when I do if I open the throttle it doesn't take off and if anything the rotor RPM drops :think:

But if I open part way then wait.....the note changes the rotor speeds up and I then increase, take off....... and crash. :redface:

It seems, you have to wait for something to catch up....no idea what

But try that part up and wait and see what happens

Garry

John · Post by **John** » 30 Jun 2007, 19:00

A silly idea, but it works for me, if the problem's what it sounds like... start the flight in the default Cessna, then imediatly change (so you haven't gone anywhere) to the 412... it just might work

let me know either way

Kind regards

John

Captain Pugwash · Post by **Captain Pugwash** » 30 Jun 2007, 21:35

don't worry it's not just you that has been affected by the speed up no take off thing. firstly the bell 412 has to be manually switched on, ie all systems are not covered by the easy start. i have had the same thing happen to me many time's with many types of helo's.
as coverd by another chap, try to open with a default aircraft ( cessna) then go to the helo's. if all fails stop ms and re start. this has worked for me getting the aircraft to perform as they should. hope this has helped you.

Post by **Trev Clark** » 30 Jun 2007, 23:11

It looks like 'LOW RPM' is the problem. Hold down CNTL plus F4 until the rotor RPM is in the green area. I also concurr about the default Cesna needing to be loaded first. Even the default Bell can have this problem.

snave · Post by **snave** » 01 Jul 2007, 07:37

Yep, the sim models the governor system very badly - the simple soution is to launch the helo, then sit and wait AFTER the engine is running for the governor to kick in and the `low rpm` light to go out. It can take some time - up to a minute, depending on the chopper.

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 01 Jul 2007, 15:24

Ben, yes the collective is working. When the rotor is static, I can see the blades altering pitch with the throttle movement.

Gary, thats what was happening to me. Id open the throttle and the rotor would slow down to a stop.

John, Captain Pugwash...switching from a default aircraft to the 412 does work. I can get airborne doing it that way. But, not all the systems are working. There are two attitude indicators, the smaller one works, while the other one remains all droopy as if the power is switched off.

Trev, Simon, thanks for the info. Could be vital, that.

So, I can now get it off the ground, partially powered up, but flying it is still like balancing on a beachball in an ice rink. I really would like to become proficient with helicopters, because there are so many fantastic models available, not least Alphasim's new MH-53.

John · Post by **John** » 01 Jul 2007, 16:55

ha ha! Cheat and turn your realism down... that's what I do :redface:

John

Michael davies · Post by **Michael davies** » 02 Jul 2007, 01:16

Paul,

One thing is for certain, you wont have to wait for systems to catch up on the MH-53....there not modeled LOL, its simple as simple does, the MH-53 follows the default bell set up, but doesnt need the throttle boost at 15-25% torque to get it going ( the old Seaking did ).

Whats happening to you is that your trying to get away before the rotor RPM has got up to speed, look for the torque gauge, it needs to be 90% or above and it takes a while to get there from stand still ( dependant on rotor mass ), if you apply say 15% throttle it will get there a little faster but best thing to do is just sit calmly, enjoy the view and wait for the rotors to spin up, when your up to 100% torque then you can go fly.

Jordans 412 works lightly different as does the default R-22 in that you also have to apply something else....whos name has totally deserted me at this un godly hour, but its a little joystick icon that you have to twist to get full power, you have to do that in Vc or 2D panel, there is no key command for it as far as l know, once you have done that you fly on the joystick throttle lever.

With a good stable FDE you will soon get the hang of helo flight, theres plenty of them out there to try for free before parting with any cash.

Hope that helps.

Best

Michael

Paul K wrote:Ben, yes the collective is working. When the rotor is static, I can see the blades altering pitch with the throttle movement.

Gary, thats what was happening to me. Id open the throttle and the rotor would slow down to a stop.

John, Captain Pugwash...switching from a default aircraft to the 412 does work. I can get airborne doing it that way. But, not all the systems are working. There are two attitude indicators, the smaller one works, while the other one remains all droopy as if the power is switched off.

Trev, Simon, thanks for the info. Could be vital, that.

So, I can now get it off the ground, partially powered up, but flying it is still like balancing on a beachball in an ice rink. I really would like to become proficient with helicopters, because there are so many fantastic models available, not least Alphasim's new MH-53.