what helicopter should i buy when starting out

[diode_71]

I have a F86 and want a helicopter but i want a easy on to learn

[Shibbyland]

Originally posted by Perfect Info:

Originally posted by Shibbyland:

It is true. With AH-64 you learn helicopter but then if you can get your head around control inputs to use its various weapons and systems then you’ll easily adapt to any of the other US aircraft in game

presses 'X' to doubt

I mean, maybe in the sense that the AH-64 avionics are a "skill check" against the player's capacity for adaptability and learning. But the AH-64 avionics are pretty idiosyncratic compared to both the USAF and USN avionics paradigms used in other aircraft. The FCR is highly automated in a way that none of the aircraft do it. The TADS doesn't behave like the TPODs we have do (linear motion compensation being one huge deviation). The moving map and navigation system is very different from the aircraft, with the route system and complex waypoint types/map symbols (maybe the A-10C gets closer, with mission versus flight plan WPs, but still feels far off). And while the co-pilot controls have some similarity to the F-15E WSO, it also has a second, completely separate pair of controls for the TADS. Because, you know, four arms are better than two.

Not saying the AH-64 is bad. But I don't want people to get the impression it gives transferable experience.

Ok.

[Disgruntled Cuttlefish]

Get whichever one you like. If you can afford both, I'd say get both the Mi-8 and Huey (the 2 main transport helicopters in it thus far). Also, I heard the Chinook is coming out in two weeks.

If I had to only pick one, having used both I would get the Mi-8.

I don't think one is much easier than the other, but then again I haven't flown either that much, just a little bit. The Mi-8 isn't too difficult, in fact it seems more polished and complete maybe also (not related to that but just saying, it's great).

I think it'd be cool if they added this[en.wikipedia.org] or some subvariant of it.

Here's a free mod that already looks impressive:

https://github.com/tobi-be/DCS-OH-6A
https://forum.dcs.world/topic/340505-oh-6a-by-tobsen-and-eightball/

It'd be neat if they added in an official one, like perhaps the modern ones also.

[Gunfreak]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Cuttlefish:

Get whichever one you like. If you can afford both, I'd say get both the Mi-8 and Huey (the 2 main transport helicopters in it thus far). Also, I heard the Chinook is coming out in two weeks.

If I had to only pick one, having used both I would get the Mi-8.

I don't think one is much easier than the other, but then again I haven't flown either that much, just a little bit. The Mi-8 isn't too difficult, in fact it seems more polished and complete maybe also (not related to that but just saying, it's great).

I think it'd be cool if they added this[en.wikipedia.org] or some subvariant of it.

Here's a free mod that already looks impressive:

https://github.com/tobi-be/DCS-OH-6A
https://forum.dcs.world/topic/340505-oh-6a-by-tobsen-and-eightball/

It'd be neat if they added in an official one, like perhaps the modern ones also.

I would absolutely not recommend the OH6 mod for someone who has no sim helicopter experience. Its extremely difficult to fly, even with helicopter specific hardware. It also uses z trim system different from almost all other helicopters made since ww2. So using the OH6 will be very frustrating, very hard and not help with all the basics of sim helicopter flying.
It's also gonna get patches rapidly. Which will change how it flies and so as a nooby helicopter flyer it will be hard to learn when they flight dynamics keeps changing.

[Czar]

OP baseline was the Sabre while saying to want a easy to learn helis and folks are pushing the Apache and death traps onto them.

Take it easy folks. The Huey is beyond nostalgia. Is a fun heli to practice direct controls without augmentation, with trim, and unguided munitions. Miniguns with manual aiming control and 2 different rocket pods speaks loud.

Put it on escorting convoys against medium armored threats and it is right at home, as well as transport and sight seeing.

[Northy]

If you had DCS on standalone... Not the steam version.
You could trial the module for 2 weeks.

The trial system:
Test one aircraft for two weeks and then another one for the next two or maybe download a new terrain at the same time, whatever you fancy. Each product will give you a full fourteen days to evaluate and enjoy without any limitations or obligations.

If you’ve tried a particular product and aren't 100% certain or want to re-evaluate at a later date, then no worries, once six months have gone by, take it up for another two-week free test flight and decide if you like what you see.

[stburr91]

Originally posted by Northy:

If you had DCS on standalone... Not the steam version.
You could trial the module for 2 weeks.

The trial system:
Test one aircraft for two weeks and then another one for the next two or maybe download a new terrain at the same time, whatever you fancy. Each product will give you a full fourteen days to evaluate and enjoy without any limitations or obligations.

If you’ve tried a particular product and aren't 100% certain or want to re-evaluate at a later date, then no worries, once six months have gone by, take it up for another two-week free test flight and decide if you like what you see.

Just be aware that the Trial System requires you to download an app on your phone, and codes are sent to your phone.

That's isn't a big deal to some people, but is to some (data mining, selling your phone number).

[NoStress89]

The huey is really fun to fly especially in VR. I've got a working collective i made out of pvc pipe with the vr controller attached to it and it feels amazing flying around

[Xupicor]

Agreed with Czar. It's not about nostalgia at all when talking Huey. It's about learning helicopter flying and that's exactly what Huey offers, beyond nostalgia filled wild rides to iconic rock songs or classical pieces. ;)

No stability augmentation systems to fail you on approach and suddenly change the bird's behavior, no computerized autopilot hold modes to hold your hand, force trim is there if you can stomach it without an FFB stick...

Ideally, just get them on trial one by one and see for yourself.

I never understood valuing modules by how how advanced weaponry they can field. No, Huey doesn't have Hellfire missiles. I never expected it to have them. We know it's not dominating the battlefield with it's SA and firepower. On the contrary, you are very vulnerable even on a mid Cold War era kind of mission.

Not everything is about getting the literal "bang" for your buck -- it it was, I wouldn't own and fly the Yak-52 or the trainers. It's a pretty weird way to value modules if you asked me.

[Northy]

Originally posted by stburr91:

Originally posted by Northy:

If you had DCS on standalone... Not the steam version.
You could trial the module for 2 weeks.

The trial system:
Test one aircraft for two weeks and then another one for the next two or maybe download a new terrain at the same time, whatever you fancy. Each product will give you a full fourteen days to evaluate and enjoy without any limitations or obligations.

If you’ve tried a particular product and aren't 100% certain or want to re-evaluate at a later date, then no worries, once six months have gone by, take it up for another two-week free test flight and decide if you like what you see.

Just be aware that the Trial System requires you to download an app on your phone, and codes are sent to your phone.

That's isn't a big deal to some people, but is to some (data mining, selling your phone number).

Two factor authentication..
The bank uses it too.
Even some Discord servers require it.
I have a pay n go phone for that very purpose.
It keeps my real phone private.

[mosshunt]

want helicopter learning curve and like retro / nam: UH1
want helicopter learning curve and want booms: AH64
want helicopter with smaller learning curve and want booms: KA50
I have the Mi modules but have not learnt them, so cant speak for those yet.

[CMDR Sweeper]

My take on a helicopter to get and fly first?
Mi-24, it is sluggish enough in the controls, if you have flight simmed a 737, 747, 777 or similar airliners, the control feeling is similar.
If you do not yank it around, it is stable, easy to cruise and reacts very predictably.

AH64 feels a lot more squirmy in comparison.