Helicopter student learning to hover?

Question

I just started my training to become a professional helicopter pilot. I've had 3 in flight lessons so far and I've got the flying part down, but I'm having much difficulty in mastering the hover. I've heard that it takes a few lessons, but I'm fearing that I'll never really grasp it.

Is there anyone out there who has gone through this and might have some tips for me?

Thanks in advance!!!

I am attending Group 3 Aviation in Van Nuys California (one of the responders inquired) Thank you all for your help, it is really helping me get into a better frame of mind to accept that this isn't going to happen overnight.

Answer 1

The thing that you have to remember is to find the sweet spot, and try not to think about the movements that you have to make, just look far outside and let yourself react I found that is the best way to make a good hover. Once you have the sweet spot and you get used to finding it you should be able to hover using just two fingers.
Good luck:)

Answer 2

Hovering is the hardest part about flying a helicopter. I f you are going at a certain speed you might need to pull back on the stick enough so that the rotors will be just over and below 180 degrees so you can slow down the return to 180 degrees (the rotors) then get a feel of the throttle so that you don't gain or lose altitude (it might be around 3/4 throttle full for to hover)

Answer 3

Don't sweat it. It takes time to learn to hover. In my experience, the more you think about it and try to hover, the harder it becomes. I have taught many people how to fly helicopters, and only 1 or 2 could hover in less than 10 hours, and even then they still needed a large area do to so.

Just relax and enjoy your lessons. It will come soon enough.

Answer 4

It is an exercise in frustration for the first ten hours or so, but no fear, you will overcome.
Try to avoid 'chasing' the aircraft with the cyclic. minimize your control movements.
You won't be good at hovering until you're familiar enough with the aircraft to anticipate what it is going to do, but you will get stable soon.
Intimidating, isn't it? Try it pulled up against a mountainside, with the toe of one skid touching, and people exiting the aircraft. There's a little dance on the pedals for you.

Once you get your commercial, send me a resume.

Answer 5

Yeah i went through the same thing. i thought i would never get the hovering down. but after a few weeks of practice i finally got it. just remember not to move the cyclic in sudden movements. and always find center.


what academy do you attend?


good luck

Answer 6

The trick is to coordinate movement of the cyclic with the rudder pedals. (Sort of like trying to rub your head and pat your belly at the same time.) With the collective set to give you the altitude you want, you can devote more attention to the pedals and cyclic. By all means, discuss the matter at length with your instructor -- he's been there, and done that.

Answer 7

practise makes master. even a trained monkey can fly a helicopter, so you will manage it as well. don't look down to the ground, and prefer gentle motion. look straight forwards, like from your car, you won't get the illusion of motion so easily

Answer 8

its all a matter of feel and throttle control, and that comes with experience, you cant expect to be great at something you just started...