Hi All,

Flying any helicopter is not really a problem for me but precision landing, e.g. on a heli pad, most certainly is, especially the pre-landing hovering part at very low altitude and the then letting it settle down exactly on the "H", mostly in forward 2D panel cockpit view mode.

Has anyone been able to do this correctly and has any advice for me ?

I'm using the standard flight yolk, rudder pedals and power slider, which all work correctly.

Fondest regards and awaiting reactions.

Hans

 

Is there anyone at all who flies helicopters in FS2004, or at least tries to ?

Hans

 

You may want to try here if you don't get response in the FS2004 Forum.

https://www.avsim.com/forums/forum/623-rotary-winged-helicopter-flying/

Charlie Aron,

Thanks for your very informative link. 

I'm evidently not the only one with heli hovering/landing problems but the basics seem to be, practice, practice, practice and when one is finished with practicing - - - - practice even more !!

In the meantime I've discovered that landing on e.g. the rear deck of a navy ship, with the rear-most part of the ship's superstructure/hangar in direct forward view, it becomes a lot easier to judge distances and the remaining hover altitude above the landing pad.

Regards.

Hans

 

After numerous "practices" with varying degrees of failure/success, the main problem seems to be not being able to see downwards, which in a real heli is possible via the transparent window area around the foot pedals.

Another very general problem for (heli) simmers, is not being able to use one's normal balancing organs to detect small movements and (automatically) being able react to them.

Havn't even tied with

Just now, Hans J said:

After numerous "practices" with varying degrees of failure/success, the main problem seems to be not being able to see downwards, which in a real heli is possible via the transparent window area around the foot pedals.

Another very general problem for (heli) simmers, is not being able to use one's normal balancing organs to detect small movements and (automatically) being able react to them.

Havn't even tied with

Oops, must have inadvertantly pressed a wrong key somewhere because I wanted to say: Havn't even tried with windy approaches/landings - - - - yet.

Regards.

Hans

From another 'simmer' who's had little success with helicopters ... I'm given to understand it's a lot easier with a "proper set" of helicopter-type controls rather than the more conventional joystick(s) and keypad, also an aircraft with a full virtual cockpit should give you the downward visibility you require.

The default Bell 206B JetRanger seems to be a better option in this respect rather than the Robinson R22.

Presumably you have worked through the help files and instructions included in FS9?

Just my tuppence worth ... as I say, I've not been very successful either!

Chris_eve,

After much more practicing and causing many more dents in the terrain around my test helipad, I've finally cured myself of my last remaining FS2004 niche and yes, while the default Bell 206B JetRanger seems to be the most stable "practice" heli, it does remain an extremely sensitive option and therefore (for me) just too unrealistic.

I must however admit that using my age old yolk, together with my separate rudder pedals, instead of a single heli dedicated joystick (with certain inernal springs removed), could contribute to the cause of my heli pad landing problems but to then and for that reason only, suddenly go out to purchase such a stick, is definately a contribution to my cure, especially for only those helis with skis as landing gear.

With other "heli types" with wheels instead of skis, like twist wing aircraft, Ospreys, etc. which never land on heli pads and whereby just before their touch downs, some (slow) forward motions remain, making it all a lot easier and especially, more realistic.

Anyway, thanks for your reaction.

Regards

Hans

 

I've installed Rob Barendregt's Hover gauge in all of my Helicopters and it's helped me greatly.

ViperPilot,

Can you please provide a link to Rob Barendrecht's "hover gauge" or a route to where I can find it because it sounds very interesting indeed.

Thanks for any trouble taken.

Hans

ViperPilot,

O.K. I found the "hover gauge" myself and have downloaded it from this site.

Thanks for the Heads Up.

Hans

ViperPilot,

Yes, the "Hover Gauge" does make quite a difference, especially at very low altidutes and just above the terrain. However, not for all heli's because in some of the later addon one's, this functionallity (non Rob Barendregt's) seems to somehow be already built in.

I'm now experimenting with heli and Osprey landings on an aircraft carrier because, although it's deck is "hardend", it does remain rather high above the surrounding sea level and above Rob Barendregt's built in altitude limits.

Thanks again for your "heads up".

Hans

O.K. In general my heli and Osprey landings can now be performed very much more precise and especially a lot more realistically on almost all fronts.

End of problem and a great compliment for Rob Barendregt, who pioneerd this complex solution all those years ago.

Hans