Ground Hover Training.

[Graviman]

I have definately come to realise that balancing an R22 on the "hover ball", in the right direction at the right height, is the secret to mastering heli flight. Years ago i remember seeing a ground training rig that consisted of either an R22 or 300C mounted on a telescopic rig. The idea was that when the trainee pilot "fell off the ball" he could keep control without endangering crew or aircraft.

Since the heli didn't need to leave the ground, i imagine it was much cheaper to maintain. This then must have been a very inexpensive way to get all those little neurons connected in the right way to hover, and therefore fly. I have still not been able to find any of these on the web however.

Anyone else remember these, and care to comment?


Mart

[VeeAny]

Sounds like a cicare SVH-3 to me.

http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/pprune/svh3.jpg

Never heard of an R22 or 300 being used like that, doesn't mean it hasn't been done though.

I think there may be one in the UK but can't remember where.

V.

[Spunk]

... or the

:DBO 102 (http://www.eurocopter.com/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?noeu_id=44&page_id=646&lang=EN)

:D

http://www.eurocopter.com/site/img_imp/histbo102g.jpg

[Billywizz]

There is one in the UK.
Some guys have been trying to set up an indoor arena with several machines mainly aimed at corporate entertainment.
last I heard they were trying to set up in Birmingham.
Had a go in one and it was great fun, the rig was controlled by an operator on the ground who could give you engine failures and stuff to cope with.
It would certainly save you a whole lot of money trying to grasp the basic hovering but there is no substitute for the real thing.

[bugdevheli]

Its not this one is it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/eboki/not%20sophs%20stuff/stimulator.jpg

[KevinLonghurst]

or could this be the one you're after ?

http://www.hmfriends.org.uk/hd02r22simbig.htm

http://www.hmfriends.org.uk/images/hd02r22simmid.jpg

[Graviman]

Thanks guys!

"Some guys have been trying to set up an indoor arena with several machines mainly aimed at corporate entertainment.
last I heard they were trying to set up in Birmingham."

Aha! That's the fella. Any links or contacts?

"It would certainly save you a whole lot of money trying to grasp the basic hovering but there is no substitute for the real thing."

No, but there's no point throwing money at training my reflexes - i doubt they even realise how much fun they're having... :O

"or could this be the one you're after ?"

Yup that one too. Where is it based? Any idea of costs?

Mart

[KevinLonghurst]

http://www.uk-heliport.com/introduction.htm

Last time I emailed them for info, I got no reply..........I heard they'd had financing problems ?

As for the Ben Cope (Bug Developements) simulator, I've not been able to find any contact details for him, I did email the Helidays people , but again, got no reply..............presumably he'll be there with it at Weston Super Mare again this year.....?

The other simulator in this thread......... Heliflight UK...... yes, you've guessed it, I emailed them too for more information...........they have 2 bases in England..............no reply again !!

[bugdevheli]

Just for the record. The simulator or more correctly stimulator in the picture is currently under modification to improve its handling qualities. My initial objective was to create a machine that would be as real as is possible with a simulator to the extent that the main requirement was that the machine when stood in a field appeared as near as possible to be a flying machine. For the most part this was achieved. The downside was that the insurance premium and the area required to operate the machine whilst the blades were rotating made it rather difficult to make it pay. The concept however was very appealing to most people that attempted to hover it. The machine will now be trailer mounted on its own transportable helipad and the control gear a mixture of hydraulic and compressed air to refine the feel. The machine was donated to me by Heliflight UK to whom I am very grateful. Bug.

[KevinLonghurst]

Hi Bug (Ben?)

Thanks for clearing that up.
It explains why I didn't hear back from Heliflight at least.....
Good luck with the proj, I look forward to seeing 'it up and running'.........
Don't forget to post on PPRUNE when it's ready !

[Graviman]

Thanks Bug!

That looks like a very worthy project - i wish you good fortune with it. Any idea roughly how much you will need to charge? Are you intending to tour or will it be based somewhere?

Mart