The Flight Simulator

In real life, when one wants to take private helicopter lessons, one will generally learn on a Robinson 22 (at least in the United States). Probably for this reason, FlightProSim’s flight simulator helicopters offers a Robinson 22, as well as the military helicopters such as the various Sikorskys (the S51, 76C, S58 Choctaw, CH-53E Super Stallion and the UH60 Blackhawk), two Piaseckis, the H-21C and the HUP, a Lynx, an Alouette, and even an Osprey (although that is a VTOL and STOL, rather than a helicopter, I include it here).

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A Robinson 22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter, designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson, which has been in production since 1979. It was not initially designed as a trainer. Robinson envisioned that people would want a “helicopter in every garage” and came up with this low cost product. However, the complexities of learning to fly a helicopter did not attract the average man or woman in the street. However, flight schools enjoyed the inexpensive price and purchased them to use as trainers, even though they have some quirks that make them difficult to fly. However, once a pilot does learn to fly in a Robinson 22, they can generally transition to heavier helicopters without the slightest difficulty.

FlightProSim’s flight simulator helicopters can be piloted via the keyboard, as indeed can all the aircraft in their flight package. However, using the keyboard controls certainly does not give the user the slightest feeling of verisimilitude, what’s really needed is a joystick or yoke, throttle controls and rudder pedals. All of these accessories can be purchased for about a hundred dollars each, and they add greatly to the flying experience. FlightProSim supports most of the newer models.

FlightProSim comes with two manuals, one of which explains the intricacies of flight simulator helicopters and they do provide the URL of a site where a complete tutorial is given. http://www.cybercom.net/copters/

Truth be told, a helicopter can be more enjoyable to fly than an airplane. For one thing, the field of view is so much larger. A small helicopter, such as the Robinson 22, can take off and land practically anywhere.

If one is looking for a career in aviation, learning to fly a helicopter can indeed be a step up the ladder, for there are thousands of airplane pilots, and very few helicopter pilots. It’s usually less expensive to learn how to fly a plane than a helicopter, and the aeronautical knowledge that one must learn is the same for both. Therefore, people usually learn on an airplane before making the transition…unless they decide early on that they’re only interested in piloting helicopters.

The flight simulator helicopters give a prospective pilot a little taste of what it’s like to fly in a helicopter, and is one option to help them decide if flying in real life is for them, or if they prefer to remain an armchair pilot and fly around the world from the comfort and safety (and inexpensiveness) of their own homes.

Click Here for the Ultimate Flight Simulator Game

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