how to fly a helicopter

[twisted 128]

hi. i'm trying to get sorta skilled at helicopter flying. i manage to keep the heli from crashing most of the time but i generally lack the skills especially when trying to line the cobra up with targets to fire missiles.

flying tips needed here please.

i want tips not moaning about game - if you wanna moan then damn well use the other heli, thread this is about helping me get better at maneuvering the heli.

my questions are - whats best way to reduce speed but still keep control of heli?

how to get in a hover fast?

most effective way to take on tanks (not using hellfire but the other missiles)?

i am loving the game but my skills in these sector needs help.

any tips on tactics on flying better?

really i'd appreciate any help you can give...

[snakebyte85 0]

Practice...practice...practice...practice...

[twisted 128]

lol. true enough.

[Jigsaw 0]

my questions are - whats best way to reduce speed but still keep control of heli?

Pull up the nose carefully and reduce throttle at the same time to prevent the chopper from climbing during slowdown.

Quote[/b] ]how to get in a hover fast?

Basically the same way like reducing speed, just a little more violently: reduce throttle to idle and at the same time pull back the stick hard so that the nose of your helo points well above the horizon. Monitor your speed and height. Try to keep the height as steady as possible, carefully add throttle if losing height . Once you've reduced the speed to a stop, level off the helo and apply throttle until stabilized.

Quote[/b] ]most effective way to take on tanks (not using hellfire but the other missiles)?

I usually use the FFAR rockets while quickly flying a pass and being aligned with the tank's path of movement. That way I can take out convoys in one single pass, if I aim well. and don't need to worry too much about horizontal correction. Attacking moving targets from the sides is much harder, as you have to compensate for the target's horizontal movement relative to you. However, if the target is stationary attacking it from the side has actually an advantage, as tanks have a bigger profile from the sides rather than being seen from the front or aft. You are more likely to achive a direct hit instead of doing some splash damage only.

If there are Shilkas around, don't try a strafing run. They are likely to rip you to shreds during approach. Take them out with Hellfires first, by utilizing a bop-up maneuver (hide behind a hill, rise quickly, lock, shoot, descent to cover again).

[j w 0]

Besides, BIS is going to release a patch with the flying-model updated, wich probably going to make it much easier, and more comfortable to fly with keys and mouse.

'Nuff said?

[Mobious 0]

Practice practice is right. Make a quick map in the editor with the heli of your choice and fly around to get the feel of the bird.

The 1.02 patch did make the helis much much easier to fly almost to the point were I really really like it.. The only thing I wish was in there was more authority to turn the nose with the tail rotar when at "high" speed.

To answer a few of your questions...

To drop off forward air speed raise the nose by pulling back and reduce the throttle. If you want to stop quickly drop the throttle to 0 and pull back on the stick to about a 70 to 80 degree nose up. watch the alt when you start going down give it more throttle when you get close to 0 airspeed drop the nose to level. If you start going backwards puch forward on the stick.

There is no real quick hover. You have to plan ahead and slow down before you get to were you want to hover. If you practice with quick stops you will be able to judge the distance you will need to stop and hover.

I have not yet been able to kill a tank with anything other than a hellfire in the air. I think using FFARs would be a waste of ammo if you tried to take them on in a littlebird. Those are best used to kill enemy troops and light armored vehicles in mass.

[versus 0]

here's how i fly:

-before takeoff i push the * button on the numpad. this way you can look around with the mouse while flying which is very useful for better overview. i use the keyboard for flying.

-second i switch manual fire on using the action menu. waiting for the gunner to carry out my orders often ruins my plans.

-when you are flying slow don't push the chopper control sideways to hard or you will surely crash.

-using the ruders is a little harder since patch 1.02. you need to "counter-steer" into the opposite direction to keep the helo from banking to hard which would have afore mentioned effect. it takes some practice but it can be done. (easier when you have a stick i guess)

-engaging targets with unguided missles i usually slow the chopper down to almost 0. then i hit the * button again so i can aim precisely with the mouse. when finished with the attack i hit the * button again at once.

-also don't forget you can cycle through target locks with the TAB key.

that's all i can think of for now

except keep on practicing  

[Placebo 29]

There's an existing helicopter thread, use it please.