Learning to Fly Manual - Checklist

[tupoar]

I';m planning to learn how to fly in acro mode but wanted to create a simple checklist that I could go through so i don';t run before I can walk. Here is what I have so far, please feel free to throw in more suggestions.

1) Hover - same spot for 5-10 seconds
2) Move left a few meters. Stop. Hover for 5 secons. Return to start position. Hover for 5 seconds.
3) Move right a few meters. Stop. Hover for 5 seconds. Return to start position. Hover for 5 seconds
4) Move forward a few meters. Stop. Hover for 5 seconds. Return to start position. Hover for 5 seconds
5) Move left a few meters and then to the right a few meters. Return to start position and hover for 5 seconds.
6) Move the in a circle and return to start position. Hover for 10 seconds.
7) rotate the quad 90 degrees and repeat steps 1-6
8) Repeat step 7 till you have completed 360 degrees.

It';s a bit rough but what do you reckon?

[barneyg]

Silly question but why not just use the new BMFA A Achievement ?

http://www.bmfa.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=794&PortalId=0&TabId=220

[tupoar]

Silly question but why not just use the new BMFA A Achievement ?

http://www.bmfa.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=794&PortalId=0&TabId=220

Mainly because I want to learn how to fly, not learn how to pass the test. Once i can do the basics, then i can move on to manoeuvres in the test.

[nub]

suppose you could do that or you could just flip into manual and fly!

[tupoar]

Anyone else want to add their words of wisdom?

[kilby]

The bmfa is actually a tolerable list of things that a beginner needs to learn to do.

The Lazy 8s are particularly good for upping the skill levels.

I would say to learn to fly a nice circle around an object, then the same again with the nose facing towards the centre then finally with the rear of the quad facing the centre.

Try that in Angle/Stab mode first then go for the same in acro.

I also found that once you learn to do something learn to do it left handed and then backwards (both left and right handed)

The last few Sundays I have simply spent all my time on the 450 flying backwards

[Hands0n]

I don';t believe that it matters what you do, in terms of manoeuvre,  just as long as you do it.     This stuff is all entirely practical, it has to be done.

I';d suggest getting suitable altitude, just for when things start going a bit wronger.  Then try the simple stuff to see how the quad reacts to your stick input in Acro (Manual).  It won';t self-level, that is now down to you.  So, just like anything else, just some simple steps to start with, to get the "feel" of whats going on. 

Say, maybe, hover in Stabilise mode and then flip to Manual, just be ready to flip the switch back to Stabilise.  Roll right just a little. Allow the stick to centre and watch what the aircraft does, it should maintain its angle of lean and continue drifting right. Then use some left roll to stop arrest the movement, and try to bring it back to roughly where you started.  Repeat. Gently, to the right, then to the left. All the time "feeling" how it responds to your inputs.

When you';re happy with this gaining of control then you should advance to other movements, it won';t take long at all. 

NB: This is all a bit similar to teaching the kids to drive a car, using limbs and movements unfamiliar to them to maintain control and movement safely.  Any rushing tends to cause a confusion which can then turn into a blocker. Then you got to go back a few steps and come at it again differently.   Here, though, you already know much what to do - but this time the machine is going to respond differently, so you';re effectively re-training your brain for the new mode.

HTH

[F.P.V. Aaron]

Altitude is your friend when learning manual, take your time and don';t worry about setting yourself goals, goals will only put you under pressure and at times end up disappointed with yourself.

There is no time limit when it comes to learning to fly so take your time and enjoy yourself, slow and easy on the sticks to see how your air frame responds, try some simple high altitude circuits and maybe some figure of eights depending on how you get on. Only once you';ve mastered that would i lower your altitude!

Always remember that should you get into trouble flick back into stable mode and your airframe should recover!!

Happy flying...Aaron

[tupoar]

I guess it';s just a case of try it and fly it. 

[nub]

throttle control is 1/2 the battle, just make sure that things aren';t to twitchy and take your time, down your rates a bit, move about slowly nothing to aggressive until you start to get a feel for it.

[guest325]

I know it';s going to sound crazy but my advice is to try flying acro mode los first, at least you can see what';s going on, fpv could make things confusing,  just a thought!

[tupoar]

I know it';s going to sound crazy but my advice is to try flying acro mode los first, at least you can see what';s going on, fpv could make things confusing,  just a thought!

The quad I';m setting up for this will have no fpv gear on it so no worries there!

[guest325]

The quad I';m setting up for this will have no fpv gear on it so no worries there!

A kk2 fc would really be good - if you can fly a kk2 you would definitely be ok ::)

[xxpitt]

why are you flying LOS and not fpv? i think its easier to get a hang of manual in fpv, maybe try it on your other quad 1st then move onto the LOS quad. i still can';t fly LOS very well in manual mode

[quadfather]

I am completely new to flying quads and have just finished my first build.  I took it out a couple of days ago and maidened it with a few hover tests and some large circles (throttle and yaw at 100%, pitch and roll at 70%).  What occurred to me only afterwards was that I hadn';t set up any flight modes, so I was in full acro.    Only crashed three times. 

I flew a friend';s quad before with his FPV setup and I have to say that it was a lot easier to fly than LOS.  So I think I will stick with LOS and acro for now to get a feel for the whole thing.  Once I';m happy with how the aircraft responds to stick inputs I will entertain assisted flight and FPV.  It';s like learning to drive a car with manual as opposed to automatic.  The list in the OP seems like a good starting point to me.

My biggest problem was to find the right TX mode.  I couldn';t wrap my head around mode 2 (I';m a lefty) and am currently set up with mode 4.  It was suggested to stick with mode 2 and get used to it.  I had a few flights on a friends quad but it just felt awkward and uncomfortable.  It immediately and vastly improved when we changed the mixer to mode 4.  But I digress...

[Hands0n]

Nice one Tim, I';m glad to read that you';re up in the air with your own multi-rotor mate. Thats great   My advice re the TX is to stick with whatever fits and suits you best.  There is no "one way" to do this hobby.  Onwards and upwards, hey!? 

[quadfather]

Onwards and upwards, hey!?

Sky';s the limit! 

[flybywire]

My advice, since yr asking, don';t overthink things to much, this is a hobby after all, meant to be fun.  Toooo much talk about tests and such, just get your goggles back on and eat the peach!

A.

[guest325]

My advice, since yr asking, don';t overthink things to much, this is a hobby after all, meant to be fun.  Toooo much talk about tests and such, just get your goggles back on and eat the peach!
A.

With you 100% there, if I wasn';t so anxious about things I want to do and just got on with it I know I could achieve much more; my advice is if you really want to do it don';t be too analytical about it - nothing beats experience!