Helicopter Simulation
An important part of flight training takes the form of simulated helicopter flying. Although it is not commonly used in standard PPL-H courses, it plays an important role in CPL and ATPL training programs. Simulation has a number of advantages over real flight:
- If something goes wrong, there is no real danger
- Dangerous
situations can be simulated, and so a pilot can practise coping with them
- Learning in a simulator doesn't require a real aircraft
- The operational costs of an hour of simulation are much lower than an hour of real
flight
- The environment is also under simulation control, and so weather and day/night conditions
can be manipulated
Nowadays, flight simulation is within everyone’s reach, as a result of powerful
PCs, and greatly improved simulation software. There is a large marketplace for both this software, and for hardware accessories with which to build your own cockpit. This can
range from a very simple setup, consisting of only a joystick to be used as a collective, and
pedals, to a complete mock-up that closely resembles a particular model of helicopter.
For the candidate PPL-H pilot, the use of, for example, MS Flight Simulation or X-Plane (which runs on MS-Windows, Linux and Macintosh) is a more then useful introduction to helicopter flying, and great fun. MS Flight simulation comes in two helicopter models, the Robinson R22
and the Bell 206 Jetranger. You will need at least a joystick (cyclic control) and pedals (yaw control) to get started.
The main differences between this type of home simulation and professional simulator equipment, is that
the cues obtained from physical sensations (such as feeling small changes in motion and altitude, and a
lack of peripheral vision) are missing. However,
basic helicopter flying manoeuvres, ATC procedures,
radio telephony,
navigation and much more can be practised at home with PC
simulation software like MS Flight Simulator!
Flight Controls
When selecting a joystick as the cyclic control, it is better to choose a model that does not support yaw control (by twisting your wrist)
since this should be provided by pedals. Pedals are, in any event, necessary to control a helicopter in simulation mode. Flying a helicopter
without pedals is difficult, as is the case in real flying. Last but not least, a control is needed to simulate the collective. You can use
the throttle slider on the joystick for that purpose, however, controls that resemble a real collective also exist. You will find several
makes and models on the Internet.
Weather influence
Try to imagine what it means to fly in heavy rain with gusts of wind, or over a beautiful all white, snow-covered landscape. In the Windows
Flight Simulator, you are in charge of the weather you will encounter during your flight. It is also possible to let the tool follow the
current weather pattern in the region where you are flying. It is instructive to experiment with different weather types. Try to see what it
means to takeoff with a strong tail wind or discover the influence of wind gusts when in a hover.
You can also practise ATC procedures and associated phraseology. Find out how to get take off clearances, or how to get into contact
with Approach or ground control when taxiing. Practice how to use your radio equipment by selecting
the appropriate frequencies. You will also learn about how speeds, directions, elevations, runways and call signs are spelt out and pronounced.
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Helicopter Add ons
You can expand what is offered by the MS Flight Simulator X (FSX) by installing add ons. There is a broad range of helicopter makes
and models available as add ons on the Internet. There are also others for extra scenery, charts, and ground traffic. These are all
available either on a commercial basis or as freeware.
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High learning curve, maximum joy!
You can use flight simulation software in two ways. Firstly, you can use it just to fly. The software will take care of many of the
things that are normally the pilot’s responsibility, such as landing, using the radio, taxiing, flight planning and navigation through
the airspace. The second way of working is, of course, to do all of these things yourself. Although this requires hard work, it is
more than worth the effort. You will not only learn much more, but your enjoyment of the experience will be heightened. Accordingly, we
would urge you to opt for the maximum flight experience, which will, particularly, pay off if you are a student helicopter pilot.
PC hardware
Flight simulator software demands high performance PC hardware. There are a few must have items here. Firstly, you must use a high
performance video card, which must also have enough (fast) memory. Secondly, your PC should have plenty of RAM (from 2 Gigabytes and up).
Of course, a fast hard drive and CPU will help. If you are unsure about such matters, you should obtain the appropriate advice. Fortunately,
PC hardware is much cheaper these days. Note that a Desktop PC is much more suited to meeting your requirements than a laptop (and is
also available at a much lower price).
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Experience Helicopter Flying at Home!
With the MS Flight Simulator, you can feel what helicopter flying is all about. See what the earth looks like
when hovering over it. Try to feel the differences between a Bell 206 and a Robinson R22 when at their controls.
Use your flight simulator to learn to fly a helicopter. There are a lot of downloadable helicopter add-ons
for Flight Simulator on the Internet. MS Flight simulator is the cheapest way to get the feeling for true
helicopter flying. Get it today!
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True Helicopter Simulations Means Using Pro Pedals
Pro Pedals give you all you need to get realistic yaw control for your helicopter. They come with a usb cable,
and are compatible with both the X-Plane and MS Flight Simulators. The pedals are built from high quality parts.
Give your flight experience that realistic touch with Pro Pedals.
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