Ok so I am new to this type of flying. I started trying it out a couple weeks ago with my JR Vibe NEX E8. It's a fun challenge and extremely hard.

I set up some cones and made my own box for flying the maneuvers but was wondering what you guys do for training and practice?

Currently I pick one hovering maneuver and usually practice just that one routine until the pack is done, then repeat. I haven't mastered even one hovering maneuver so I haven't really moved on but I figure if I do one hovering manuever for 3 flights straight, then try another, and keep repeating the process I'll get a good hang for it. I've already noticed where my deficiencies are, and it is definitely hovering when the helicopter is nose into the center and traveling away from me in the box.

Anyways, just curious how you guys train and practice.

Steve

Hi Shortman,

Though it looks easy when watching those videos on Youtube and here (Runryder), it is actually very difficult when you actually try flying F3C. For the hovering portion, for me the biggest challenge is depth perception - it is difficult to judge the movement of the heli and apply correction when it comes to distancing from where you stand. It takes lots and lots of practice just to be able to hover perfectly center above the heli pad and cones.

Then comes the aerobatics and I can tell you that to fly a straight line with the same height and distance is another big challenge. And not forgetting you will need good eyesight.....you will need to fly pretty far away from one end to the other to get the distance you need to execute the maneuvers.

I guess its all about practice and most importantly discipline to fly a maneuver over and over again till it gets perfect.

When time to train F3C I do the following:

First tank, I do my full routine.
Second tank, I do hovering maneuvers only, all and then I practice the one I could not nailed.
Third tank, only aerial maneuvers.
Fourth tank, full routine.
And start cycle again.

When I train on a new one, I dedicate one or two tanks to it but at the end on my flying day.

Remembering the order in which all maneuvers are done is fundamental, as well as, how you set your heli for the next one and so on.

Practicing all routine is very important and; when you only know three or five of them, practice those you know in a row and keep adding to it.

This is how I train !

MANCHA

Yeah makes sense, I am fortunate to have a club full of IMAC and FAI pattern fliers to help spot me when I perform maneuvers. Flying over my set cones right now is definitely a challenge. I really wish I could try it with a well tuned F3C machine vs. my 3D flying Vibe I have set up haha.

I too have just started the F3C schedule P etc ....

I'm using my 7HV .....
I alternate a pack on hovering / next pack on aeros etc ......
This way I find I don't get bored and frustrated getting it wrong all the time! lol

Compassmodel
www.rchelis.co.nz
HC X-series
Fusuno
Savox

Long long ago, there were training aids for hovering over cones. They beeped when you were directly over the cone to train your depth perception. This looks like a good application for telemetry today.

If you are practicing alone, highly recommend video taping your flight and watch it in between flights. You be surprised what looks right to you is pretty out of shape from 3rd person view. Specially depth and horizontal positioning.
Also, when I hit a wall, I always go back to its predecessor maneuver and practice that. If you look up earlier 3C schedules you can see the evolution of maneuvers :-)
My 2 cents.

Where can we check for earlier F3c schedules?

Steven.