helicopter problems

[easterngames 10]

i MUST be doing something wrong with the helicopter flying.

To start with did i hit a button and shut off all the displays like the artifical horizon and the something telling me what the collective is set at? Or is that the way it is?

second for some reason my joystick doesnt seem to autolevel out in the game. meaning when i stop pushing forward the helicopter stays tilted. roll is the same way. the previous above problem makes this second problem a total nightmare. with absolutely no way to determine what anything is set at or how the helicopter is presently tilted im finding flying here basically impossible. Ive played piles of helicopter simulators before and never had any problems likes this. i love ever other aspect of the game but im like WOW i am doing something completely wrong or my joystick is totally busted or something.

please help

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

Your joystick won't level out. You have to roll it back over yourself...

[EDcase 87]

Welcome easterngames,

Thats how a real helicopter and all aircraft behave, unless I missunderstood your problem. The aircraft behave the same as in any simulator. (with slight differences of course)

Auto centering to hover is only in arcade games.

If you get into trouble and want to hover automatically there is an option to do that in mouse menu and key shortcuts.

Don't worry, its all about practice ESPECIALLY if you're used to flying arcade style.

Edited June 6, 2010 by EDcase

[Beagle 684]

the autocenter was the biggest problem with Armed Assault flight model...I'm happy that it got removed in ArmA 2.

Indeed it is that ArmA II has a flight model thats in on par with early "hardcore" simulation games from the late 90's...not bad for a allround simulation game.

[easterngames 10]

well at least my stick isnt malfunctioning. The reason auto stick return would be helpful is the lack of avionics. In a real helicopter the pilot has his hands physically on the main flight stick, collective, and pedals so he has feedback on exactly what his controls are doing. avioncs wouldnt be needed so long as he wasnt in pitch black or fog.

the flight model in arma 2 actually seems to be a pretty good one, but without some kind of direct feedback it looks like its an entirely trial and error method of learning to fly properly which would be INSANE inthe real world. "yeah go ahead and crash about 100 helis until you get it right!" i think so far i cost the USMC about 10 billion plus in damages just from the piles of burning wreckage.

well heres hoping they eventually at least incorporate an artifical horizon into the hud someday or someone makes a mod that adds it. other then that the only way to fix it would be to dumb down the flight model to at least simulate a flight that looks like how a real pilot would fly.

Id actually rather see BOTH things happen as the bigger the wall a game puts up initially to accessability is going to turn off alot of people. Almost every game thats come out in the last decade that involved flying vehicles had two flight models, arcade and realistic which let people get over that first hour impression that dooms alot of games to poor sales.

[nodunit 397]

In reality most helicopters do not have HUD's the main ones that do are attack helicopters.

Being a pilot in reality is not about flying with your vision always centerd, it's about flying AND taking in information from various informational displays around you be it analogue gauges or electronic display which are modelled in EVERY Arma2 aircraft fixed wing and rotory, Compass and Horizon are the basic, some have altimeter and speedometer as well.

And no to dumbing down the engine, sales won't be affected by the way a helicopter handles, people decide if they want to buy the game by first experience and what they would be doing most, that is infantry combat.

Here are some examples of what I mean by off center view..by default the game centers your view at the very center of the cockpit, while good if that is what you need, it won't make you an effective pilot by any means..

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/defaultview.jpg?t=1275872455 This is the default view you get in the Longbow, as you can see the view is centered which leaves only the upper part of the display visible.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/fullview.jpg?t=1275872453 this is a more correct view, it is not centered but FOV is excellent and you can see all instruments at all times

And some more examples

Default view for AH-1Z http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/cobracenter.jpg?t=1275873800

Slightly adjusted view, perfect FOV for everything, I can see and read my instruments http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/cobrafull.jpg?t=1275873805

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/hindcenter.jpg?t=1275873814 Mi-24's default, can't really see much of anything..

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/hindfull.jpg?t=1275873820 And with adjusted view, although a bit exaggerated as the bottommost view of avionics did not seem to perform anything save for one which was a sort of tiltimeter I guess, it didn't record pitch but indicated roll of the aircraft.

And a few others..

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/ospreyfull.jpg?t=1275873810

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/offcenter.jpg?t=1275873798

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/a-10full.jpg?t=1275874543

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/ka-52full.jpg?t=1275874545

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/misc/Mi-8instrumentj.jpg?t=1275874546

The trick is to tap 2 on the numpad a few times to perminantly look down and if you need to look around, using the freelook key to do so. In the Mi-24's case you don't have to look all the way down but it has a few extra pieces at the bottom. Aside from taking in the information through the edges of your eyes the biggest challenge will probably be not looking at the center of the screen but it is very much possible.

Edited June 7, 2010 by NodUnit

[pipscouse 10]

Excellent stuff NodUnit

[EDcase 87]

Easterngames: If flying helicopters (and other aircraft) is your main interest I would strongly suggest getting a TrackIR

is how it works in ARMA2.

If the price isnt a problem you will really benefit when flying. (soldier use is good too but needs practice)