Flight School Part 4 - Backwards Circuits

Welcome to Part 4 of HeliDaniel.com's 3D RC Helicopter Flying School.

Why Backwards Circuits?
I was about to go into Flips and Rolls but after a bit of reflection, I believe it's safer to learn a little Backwards Circuits first. Why? Cause if anything goes wrong during rolls and flips, there's a chance your heli might end up flying backwards at speed. In such a case, skills in maneuvering your heli while flying backwards will come very handy indeed....

Building On What You Already Know!
I'll bet that if you have been hovering around, learning how to fly you heli, you'll already know how to fly you heli backwards. That's because whenever you do a tail-in hover and your heli drifts out, you'll have to bring it back by flying backwards! We'll build on that then, and extend your backward flight a little at a time.

Your First Backwards Turn
Steering your heli while flying backwards is the key here. Get your heli out in front of you (far enough so you can do a backwards turn later) while doing a tail-in hover and start bringing it back in by gaining some backward speed. Before it comes too near, you'll want to apply some aileron to bank it left or right (your preference) then apply some down elevator to turn your heli. For a start you might want to turn 90 degrees. That means your heli will be facing left or right when you're done (depending on which way you banked at the start). See Figure 4.1 below:


Figure 4.1 - Your First Step in Backwards Flying

Easy Tips for Easy Learning
Remember to bank just a bit for a start, controlling your bank is key here, likewise for your application of elevator. Once you've finished with your 90 degree turn, you'll want stop the heli and get it into a hover once again. Keep practicing this and don't forget to turn both ways, once you get the hang of things, you can then move on to 180 degree turns.

Sim-On!
Once again, do practice all this on your Simulator first. Many times, learning to fly RC Heli is a trial and error process which you learn from. You decide which heli you want to sacrifice for your "journey of discovery" The free virtual heli or your costly real heli.

Getting Better
For 180 degrees, continue the turn all the way till your heli's facing nose-in. (You'll definitely want to be good at your nose-in hover first!) Then stop into a nose-in hover. If you feel confident you'll continue your backwards turn to 270 degress or even a full round! Take it at your own pace, enjoy the thrill and don't rush things.

The Grand Finale!
Once you can turn a full round (both left and right) you'll want to start making Backwards Figure 8's. As Part 3 explains, join a 3/4 backwards turn on the left with a 3/4 backwards turn on the right with straight lines and viola! A Backwards Figure 8!

Coming Up
Okay... easier said then done, but I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy things once you get it. Keep your blades spinning and I'll see you for Part 5 - Flips and Rolls!