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I don't fly the Blackhawk but the Hughes 500D has a similar tendency as well as a tendency to fly backwards VERY easily!!Since you mentioned you are a rookie helo pilot, I would suggest you spend a little time in the default Bell getting the feel of helicopter control. It takes some practice to develop the fine touch necessary with the helos, especially if you have your controls set up using the HoverSafe recommendations. (I'm not knocking those recommendations; they are excellent. But they do take a little getting used to.) You need to develop the ability to anticipate to prevent the sideslip from occurring, and that takes practice. The default Bell is one of the more stable helos available and that cuts down on the frustration factor.Good luck.-Lindy :-rotor:-wave

Perhaps you should try going through the lessons - they will help you develop the touch necessary to fly any FS helicopter at FULL realism under all conditions.It sounds like just setting up your controls according to ours or other's recommendations isn't going to be the magic bullet for you. If you practise the "crash & burn" technique of learning to fly it for a long enough period I'm sure you will eventually be able to at least make STOL landings and takeoffs with fair reliability. This seems to be satisfactory to a large number of people but I can assure you, you are missing a lot by not learning to fully control it.Unfortunately, learning to fly the helo is not on the list of instant gratifications.Calhover long and prosper

Thanks for the advice and encouragement guys

I didn't see anyone else mention this, but a full HOTAS/pedals controller setup will go a long way towards your helicopter experience. I have this at home, and can fly the helos reasonably well. However, when I'm at my vacation home and I'm "flying" on my laptop PC, all I have there is a twist stick, and it's an exercise in frustration to fly the helo with it.You can probably pick up a gameport CH Products setup for cheap on EBay... Make sure you get the "Pro" version of the pedals.Dave Blevins