Helicopter control

[rocky289]

I currently use CH Products Flight Sim Yoke & Saitek Rudder Peddals.
I fly fixed wing & rotor & have found them adequate for both.
However, it has been suggested to me on several occations to use a more suitable controller for the helicopters.
Each time someone makes this sugestion, my reply is, such as?
The only positive reply I have had so far, is, Saitek X52 or Pro.
I'm prepared to get something else to use with my rudder setup if I thought it would it would be more enjoyable or realistic.

Just after opinions from you guys who may have gone down this road.

[Ian Warren]

Rocks, I would not bother with the change, once the yoke is mapped out to suit yourself and you fly 'all sorts' best just to stick with the tried and true, 90 % your single handed the yoke whilst the collective and throttle with the other hand .

[wildmanfiveone]

Seems strange to me to fly a helo with a yoke, but i agree with Ian and the saitek x52 wouldnt be an improvement for realism anyway best to stick with what you have

[Timmo]

These are good

http://www.trademe.co.nz/gaming/joysticks-...n-719998383.htm

[toprob]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Apr 21 2014,12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

These are good

http://www.trademe.co.nz/gaming/joysticks-...n-719998383.htm

Yes, I've used one of these for 12 years, it's starting to play up (the PC won't boot with it plugged in) so it's good to see that you can still find them:)

[SeanG]

QUOTE (toprob @ Apr 21 2014,1:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, I've used one of these for 12 years, it's starting to play up (the PC won't boot with it plugged in)

Check it's not plugged into a USB3 port... I've had some dramas with legacy devices and USB3 or "Charging USB" ports on newer motherboards...

SeanG

[rocky289]

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll just stick to what I've got.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (rocky289 @ Apr 22 2014,9:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll just stick to what I've got.

We'd all be shot if Rhys aka 'nosecone' heard of this - the idea of putting a yoke into his MD500 home-built cockpit

[Bandit]

I fly 90% rotor and use an old x45.
There was a mod Creator I think it was, did many years ago that you could probably find if you look back a bit. I'll see if I can locate it.

Basically it involves attaching a tube (to simulate the collective) to the side of the throttle handle.

Found it http://nzff.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5914&hl=x45 similar to what I use. I just don't have the keypad on it.

[Fozzer]

The thread heading:

"Helicopter control".

To me, those two words; "Helicopter", and "Control", don't seem to fit together very comfortably for me.

Even after 16 years of daily MS Flight Simming I have NEVER mastered the process of controlling whirley-birds.... .....

...except for my trusty Gyrocopter/Gyroplane!.....

For me, Helicopters were designed to crash...(I need Invincibility).... ...!

Paul....I need proper "wings".... ....!

[Splitpin]

QUOTE (Fozzer @ Jun 6 2014,8:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The thread heading:

"Helicopter control".

To me, those two words; "Helicopter", and "Control", don't seem to fit together very comfortably for me.

Even after 16 years of daily MS Flight Simming I have NEVER mastered the process of controlling whirley-birds.... .....

...except for my trusty Gyrocopter/Gyroplane!.....

For me, Helicopters were designed to crash...(I need Invincibility).... ...!

Paul....I need proper "wings".... ....!

I know what you mean old chap .....i "fly" them in the sim , but it mainly ends in tears .
Choose the landing spot ..... and then crash about 500 mtrs from it , unless i manage to hit the re-set flight button before i hit the ground.
If i do get close to the spot ..... i start flying backwards .... bloody things
I love them.

[rocky289]

Yeah I used to have similar problems.
First started flying them with a joystick.
Tried several but wasn't getting anywhere.
Moved onto the current setup & found it so much easier.
Once I had got the hang of it, I found I could then use a joystick because I new just what actions to make.
Prefer the current setup though.
Found the default Jet Ranger the easiest to fly.

[Fozzer]

QUOTE (rocky289 @ Jun 6 2014,11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I used to have similar problems.
First started flying them with a joystick.
Tried several but wasn't getting anywhere.
Moved onto the current setup & found it so much easier.
Once I had got the hang of it, I found I could then use a joystick because I new just what actions to make.
Prefer the current setup though.
Found the default Jet Ranger the easiest to fly.

My "easy flying" always involves my trusty Cessna 150/152's....

..using fixed wings!

Beating the ground with a fan never works for me... ...!

Paul....with a propeller on the pointy-end.... ...!

[Ian Warren]

Let see if we can return to FS98 ..

[SeanTK]

I fly rotary-wing probably 95% of the time now, and I use a Saitek X-52.

[rocky289]

Ah well thats 1 more positive for X52.
But if I have to give up driving & sell my car later this year, there might be enough $$$$ to buy one of the professionally built jobs.

[nzkingair]

Hi Rocky,

Thought I would post a couple of pics so you can see what happens when you go overboard.

Repaint of the Dodosim 206. This colour scheme came from a Bell Helicopter promotional photo in 1970!!!

The joystick and Throttle/Collective were built from Microsoft Sidewinder joysticks. The fullsize stick is from a force feedback model as it has no centering springs. The advancement from a standard joystick is astonishing.

Although I still fly GA aircraft most of my time is spent on choppers.

The picture of the sim is now way out of date, as I am now using 5 networked computers and 9 monitors with 2 being touch screens for overhead panel switches on the Bell 206

Cheers nzkingair.

[Ian Warren]

Wicked and snazzy little setup you have there, now all you need is Jan Vissers new DC-3 VC incoming , would make that look supreme

PS: I do like some of your home modifications