After seeing the FSX Preview featuring the Oil Rig Mission, I began wondering about the level of difficulty flying helicopters in FSX. I like keeping my level of Realism UP all the way in FS9 and not changing it to fly a helicopter...so, of course, I have great difficulty mostly in the landing of the copter. After years of occasional helo flying, I still usually crash on landing. I'm hoping that I'll be able to land successfully on that oil rig's helicopter pad...and rescue those poor souls.Do we know if the dynamics or flight characteristics of FSX's helicopters are any different from the current version?Maybe tdragger knows....and will give us a hint. Stan

Out of curiosity, where do you have your sliders for helis?Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

Hi there.Have you ever tried looking at the Hovercontrol.com web site?Its a really good resource for learning how to fly copters in FlightSim.I'm sure that even if they don't change that much in the way they fly in FSX, you'll find that Hovercontrol will help you fly better :) and as an added bonus they have some really beautiful models to download :)RegardsMark

>Hi there.>>Have you ever tried looking at the Hovercontrol.com web site?>>Its a really good resource for learning how to fly copters in>FlightSim.>>I'm sure that even if they don't change that much in the way>they fly in FSX, you'll find that Hovercontrol will help you>fly better :) and as an added bonus they have some really>beautiful models to download :)>>Regards>>MarkWow, this is a God-sent! My hope was only to take advantage of Multi-player Instructer/student for someone to teach me how to fly a helicopter in FS. Usually I struggle on straight flight and on how to pause and turn while in the air and then make a clean landing...I will kiss that website!dito

My sliders stay on the hightest realism, and joystick sensitivities are all the way to the right (MS FF2 joystick).Some helos fly easier than others....but landing is always a challenge. I'll go to Hovercontrol and see if I can learn how to land. Stan

If you like that one, try Hoversafe Academy. http://members.shaw.ca/hoversafe/Hoversafe.htmThe lessons there are better in my opinion although Hovercontrol is a better all around resource. At Hoversafe, you get good lessons and certification for having completed different levels. As an Advanced certification holder, I can attest that it is not easy to get there but the tips they give and lessons they provide are all you need to succeed with helo flight in FS.

>If you like that one, try Hoversafe Academy. >>http://members.shaw.ca/hoversafe/Hoversafe.htm>>The lessons there are better in my opinion although>Hovercontrol is a better all around resource. At Hoversafe,>you get good lessons and certification for having completed>different levels. As an Advanced certification holder, I can>attest that it is not easy to get there but the tips they give>and lessons they provide are all you need to succeed with helo>flight in FS.I will also check this out.Many thanks!

I've been flying helos in FS more than fixed wing lately, and all I can say is that if you practise enough, you will be able to land and hover a helicopter perfectly. It's gotten to the point where I can fly a helo as well as a fixed wing aircraft.The message: practise. Nothing more, nothing less. If you practise enough you will master it.Oh, and I also have all my sliders far-right.