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cckeating

First helicopter(s)?

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Hi guys, thinking about getting a payware heli (or two :) ). Any thoughts on a good first purchase?

 

Can you guys give recommendations on 1) best "training" helicopter - challenging but I would be learning the principles with stability augmentation or other "aids", and 2) best heli with automation and instrumentation like a BK117 or similar?

 

Thanks so much.

 

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I'd definitely recommend Dreamfoil's Bell 407, where it's possible to adjust the stability settings to make it easier to fly. It also has a suite of avionics, autopilot, auto stability, a GPS (Update due shortly for 10.30). It is also such a fun and great heli to fly and looks and performs great. I couldn't recommend it enough :-)

 

Of course, I'd also recommend the Bell 206, which although is a little old now, is also quite challenging to fly, but might not be the best for beginners. 

 

I originally learned on Alabeo's R66, which has a stability mode (red button on the collective). It's real easy to fly with the stability enabled, but turn it off, and it's another beast entirely. 

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BK17 is pretty stable good helo, has autopilot even

 

I have the AS35 - super twitchy .... Tough for me to fly and manipulate radios at the same time.

 

I hear their Bell 407 is better. The model was done by Milviz (they had one for FSX)


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Disclaimer: I haven't tried the newer helicopters, but I think the BK-117 is a great starting point, if you want to dive right in without a simplified flight mode available. I'm not sure I'd trust myself to stay out of that mode. 

:P

 

For someone new to helicopters, I think a medium-weight model like the BK-117 is easier to learn on. The added mass makes it feel a bit less twitchy than some of the more lightweight helicopters. You don't have to learn all the more advanced controls unless you want to. The BK-117 flies like a basic helicopter if you start it in "engines running" mode in X-Plane.


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Hello ccKeating,You have come to the right place for Rotorcraft,XPlane has some outstanding models with great Flight Characteristics.

 

Along with the above mentioned "Dreamfoil Creations Bell 407 let me suggest a new bird that is still in beta....

 

Bell 412 Trident,Fantastic Model,Great Flight Dynamics,Reasonable price and she will only get better!

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/x-planestore/Detail?no=564

 

3v2fs.jpg


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Patrick

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I would vote for the Bell 407. Great bird for the learner to make progress with.

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I'd definitely recommend Dreamfoil's Bell 407, where it's possible to adjust the stability settings to make it easier to fly. It also has a suite of avionics, autopilot, auto stability, a GPS (Update due shortly for 10.30). It is also such a fun and great heli to fly and looks and performs great. I couldn't recommend it enough :-)

 

+1

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I also can recommend Dreamfoils R22 Beta II, which I flew (myself) in real life some weeks ago - but of course not start and landing (too dangerous with a helo newbie :lol:).


My sceneries (excerpt): LPMA Madeira, LGSR Santorini, the city of Fürth (Germany), ...

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Disclaimer: I haven't tried the newer helicopters, but I think the BK-117 is a great starting point, if you want to dive right in without a simplified flight mode available. I'm not sure I'd trust myself to stay out of that mode. 

:P

 

For someone new to helicopters, I think a medium-weight model like the BK-117 is easier to learn on. The added mass makes it feel a bit less twitchy than some of the more lightweight helicopters. You don't have to learn all the more advanced controls unless you want to. The BK-117 flies like a basic helicopter if you start it in "engines running" mode in X-Plane.

 

+1

 

BK-117 is a great heli for XP10.

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Thanks all, I got the Bell 407 - what an outstanding product .. the feeling of flight is amazing! Now I have you guys to blame for me 1)not flying fixed wing anymore and 2) buying more helicopters!

 

Thanks again - now off to buy the BK117 ;)  maybe even dusting off my old copy of Black Shark ;)

 

 

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Thanks all, I got the Bell 407 - what an outstanding product .. the feeling of flight is amazing! Now I have you guys to blame for me 1)not flying fixed wing anymore and 2) buying more helicopters!

 

Welcome to the dark side  :lol: , I find it hard going back to fixed-wing now. Too much fun

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