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(1) It will take a few hours of hover practice with the helicopter skids at 10 to 20 cm (4-8 inches)
off the ground in order to comfortably control the model.
Do not try to lift the model to more than 10 to 20 cm(4-8 inches) in the beginning because
then the model may tip over readily when the beginner panics and an incorrect command is
given. Once you can keep the model in one place, then it is time to slowly increase the height
by a few centimeters (inches) each flight. Soon, you will be able to hover the helicopter
confidently a few feet high. Beginners should always practice hovering close to the ground
because in an emergency, throttle and collective can be reduced rapidly without causing a
large drop or damage to the model. If the model is hovering beyond one meter(3 feet) altitude,
always descend slowly. A panic drop can damage the helicopter.
(2) Always stand behind the model helicopter when learning how to hover. Then you can watch
the nose of the helicopter. A left tail rotor command will yaw the helicopter nose to the left,
and a right command will yaw to the right. Similarly, a left cyclic command will cause the
helicopter to translate left. After you can comfortably hover the model at one meter high
without drifting, then start practice hovering while standing to either side of the model.
Eventually, you need to be comfortable at hovering
the model from any orientation, including with
the helicopter nose pointing at you. This is
challenging because control directions are
reversed.
(3) Once you can confidently hover a model helicopter at any altitude and at any orientation, then
congratulate yourself because you have mastered 80% of the fundamental control movements
of a helicopter.
Hover Training (2)
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