Helicopter Flight - GREAT PLANES RealFlight 7 User Manual

Throttle Hold-
Another special function is known as the "throttle hold". When activated, this switch
sets your throttle to idle but allows the collective to function normally. This allows you
to practice autorotations without shutting the engine off.
Gyro-
Any sudden change to the torque of the main rotor, such as a quick change in RPM or
a wind gust, can cause the helicopter to turn unintentionally to an unwanted direction.
An electronic device known as a gyroscope (gyro) is used to "monitor" and correct for
this by giving commands to the rudder control to help stabilize the machine.
Gyros come in a variety of types, each with different features. A normal gyro will not
return the helicopter to its former heading; it will simply dampen the unwanted sudden
movement. We recommend you start by using the heading hold gyro instead; it will
maintain course and keep the nose of the helicopter pointed in the desired direction
regardless of outside forces.

Helicopter Flight

Hovering-
The machine hovers by adjusting the collective/throttle control to maintain altitude,
the rudder to maintain heading, and minute adjustments to the cyclic controls to
maintain location. Hovering is the most important aspect of helicopter flight to
master, since every other movement of the machine begins and ends with a hover.
Forward Flight-
The helicopter moves forward by changing cyclic (moving the cyclic control forward).
This causes the rotor head, and thus the helicopter to tilt forward, resulting in a
forward thrust. As the cyclic increases, the collective must also be increased to maintain
the desired flight path. As forward speed increases, the collective can be reduced
slightly.
Backward Flight-
Backward flight is accomplished by moving the cyclic control aft, which causes the
rotor head, and thus the helicopter to tilt backward. As the cyclic is moved aft, the
collective must also be increased to maintain desired flight path. As backward speed
increases, the collective can be reduced slightly.
Sideways Flight-
Moving the cyclic control left will cause the rotor head, and thus the helicopter to tilt
left. Add collective and left rudder to cause the helicopter to "slide" sideways to the
left. As speed increases, it will require progressively more rudder to maintain heading.
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