Helicopter Pilot Training

[Kaida]

Can someone offer me some advice on how to become a better helicopter pilot? I can't afford trackir, and watching someone like Dslyecxi fly makes it seem like it's so much easier then it actually is, when it's so much harder. Can someone offer some suggestions?

[Nathiano]

I just practiced in a sandbox server and started with little helicopters like the little bird and moved up to bigger helicopters... just fly around and practice manuvers that you would like to do flawlessly. I hope this helps :)

[MATTXYO]

For heli's and Jets I use an Xbox Pad, as it allows me to have full control over the aircraft while turning my head (using Right thumbstick), this allows me to look for troops/vehicles with ease.

[Chuckles]

I usually just practice in the editor. Landing on the roofs of small houses or making quick landings in the middle of towns is always good fun. The more you practice the better you get, there's no special formula.

[SeraphinicIna]

You don't need TrackIR, you only need training ;)

Don't compare yourself with dyslexic, he plays the Arma Series since ages - thus has a lot of practice.

Your main priority when flying - forget Auto Hover and learn how to use autorotation.

[Robo_Warrior]

Editor is indeed a great place to learn how to fly in various situations. You can also put a few hostile targets for target practice if you dont mind.

[Botji]

Change the controls, standard controls are worthless... then just learn the controls and use them a bit and flying a heli wont be much harder than moving around your character on foot or in a car.

Tbh I dont see why people bring up Dslyecxi here, he is a good pilot but he has both headtracking and a extremely favorable flying environment compared to what anyone can expect to find elsewhere.

When was the last time you saw his heli take fire from 2-3 guys with scoped Navids?
or that time there were 5 or so player AA tanks surrounding his objective?
or the time he was flying a attack heli and one of them rammed him!

Yeah, its never happend afaik.

Best training is to simply get controls you like, learn them and then go throw yourself at multiplayer servers over and over until you get used to flying there.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by Botji:

Change the controls, standard controls are worthless... then just learn the controls and use them a bit and flying a heli wont be much harder than moving around your character on foot or in a car.

Tbh I dont see why people bring up Dslyecxi here, he is a good pilot but he has both headtracking and a extremely favorable flying environment compared to what anyone can expect to find elsewhere.

When was the last time you saw his heli take fire from 2-3 guys with scoped Navids?
or that time there were 5 or so player AA tanks surrounding his objective?
or the time he was flying a attack heli and one of them rammed him!

Yeah, its never happend afaik.

Best training is to simply get controls you like, learn them and then go throw yourself at multiplayer servers over and over until you get used to flying there.

Thanks for the advice! that actually makes me feel quite a bit better ^~^

[Botji]

Video of me flying a little with added text showing my general thoughts as im doing it, some have found it helpful at least.

In the end I bring up the heli controls, you could jump there and take a look for some inspiration.. like moving all the tilts to the mouse wich im pretty sure isnt standard for some reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxDSC-yvWcs

[Kaida]

Originally posted by Botji:

Video of me flying a little with added text showing my general thoughts as im doing it, some have found it helpful at least.

In the end I bring up the heli controls, you could jump there and take a look for some inspiration.. like moving all the tilts to the mouse wich im pretty sure isnt standard for some reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxDSC-yvWcs

Thanks for your help, I'll definitely watch it

[Archer]

Here's some missions by RobJ to practice on: http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=250597165

[Snips]

I think it depends on whether you are flying with the advanced or standard flight model, which changes how it's all going to be executed. Let's go over the super basics.


The helicopter rotors provide force. The main rotor up top pushes off the ground, while the ATorque rotor on the tail( for tail rotor birds) rotates perpendicular to the direction of the main rotor's spin.

When you tilt forward, the main rotor force is pushing down, and behind you, propelling you at some ratio of forward and upward motion. Going straight up is ok, but directly forward will have you sink as there is no lifting force. So when it's time to stop, you need to apply equal or more force in the opposite direction to overcome and balance the forward motion. Tilt yourself forward to fly ahead, then ease up to slow your forward movement. As you reach the area, tilt yourself back to apply force as a balance, then as your speed slows down closer to 0(balance), lower the tilt angle until you are alomst level and descend.


Helicopter flight is all about the balancing act between thrust and angles. I think if you can learn that, you can really begin to work out the other details and practice.

[Snips]

I hope my statement hasn't confused anyone here, especially the OP. I think we can ignore how the video notes the rotors themselves tilt due to collective, as that isn't really simulated in arma. You can see how this is a balancing act throughout controlled flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJb1EZtnzFk

[Micha!]

Look for "Quick and Fun Projectile Tracing!" in the workshop and start this mission. It let's you spawn any vehicle and you can mess around with it. Just mark a place on the map and try to land there.

[Kaida]

Thank you all so much for your advice!