I've tried helos on and off for a couple of years, and have never gotten very good at making them a: fly at more or less one altitude, b: I never can seem to go faster than 20KPH. Any suggestions?

Push the nose down and give a little more throttle and off you go! :(

Hovercontrol is your best bet for advice. Lots of info and some real life pilots there too. They actually can teach you if you want to go through getting a pilot certificate at sim level. Also are recommended FSX settings for you to get the most out of your experience.www.hovercontrol.comBest, Jeff

Try this in FSX Settings - Realism: All slider full right EXCEPT General at 50%. Unchecked Autorudder.Controls - Sensitivities: All slider full right and Null zone full left. Cheers,aussiedin

Hovercontrol is your best bet for advice. Lots of info and some real life pilots there too. They actually can teach you if you want to go through getting a pilot certificate at sim level. Also are recommended FSX settings for you to get the most out of your experience.www.hovercontrol.comBest, Jeff

Yes, agreed, Hovercontrol is far and away your best resource. Genuine expertise available there, much better than trying to follow the advice you get in the schoolyard...

What Jason says,the things only fly cos' earth rejects them.

Study the control functions of a real helicopter a bit. Then go to Hovercontrol.com. Chances are, if you do not know how a helicopter works, you will not understand the computer control equivalent functions. Such as, in a helicopter you lift the collective to go up. In the computer, you will advance the throttle slider which is used as a collective. Not the throttle. Sounds confusing. But is is not really. Most folks jump into the Jetranger and try to fly it without any research. Then they get frustrated and quit. Do a little research, then fly NOTHING for 30 days or so. You will get the hang of it.

Hovercontrol is your best bet for advice. Lots of info and some real life pilots there too. They actually can teach you if you want to go through getting a pilot certificate at sim level. Also are recommended FSX settings for you to get the most out of your experience.www.hovercontrol.comBest, Jeff

+1

I agree with the advice to do homework and search the online resources. Even with the realism sliders maxed-out you will not fully appreciate gaining proficiency flying helicopters until you have done it a few times in real life. And when you come back to the pc simulator you will recognize the characteristics that are either good or not so good about the aircraft you are flying.