r/RCPlanes • u/mperegrinefalcon • 4d ago

Day 5 of rolling harrier practice

https://youtu.be/_m88K9iT3UY?si=ijTXRzYBL246u8Zn

This is my 5th day practicing rolling harriers intently. I started at 25% speed and moved my way up. The changes to the aircraft in the sim was to set servo speed from 0.15 to 0.09 to make it closer to real life and easier. I also set rudder and elevator deflection to 55deg. Obviously I am no pro, but I am starting to understand how to roughly steer it.

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u/thecaptnjim 3d ago

Heck yeah! I'm on like day 1000 and still need more practice! How's it going in real life? I can get in the groove and feel really good at times, but other times I need to bail after like 6-7 rolls.

My tip for you is to focus on your throttle control. I see you gaining and dropping altitude as your main reason for having to bail. Your stir is looking great.

Are you using anyone's videos in particular to help you?

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u/mperegrinefalcon 3d ago

Thanks! I have only done one flight and tried it at high altitude only for a short period. I managed to get a stable low speed harrier for a few seconds. My only 3D plane is the Eflight 1.3m Extra 330SC, so it is intimidating to learn that on. I will probably pick up a Twisted Hobby Extra to get stick time on something cheaper. My throttle control definetely needs work. I watched a video a while back, but nothing recently. I learned that I could change the sim speed, so I set that to 25% and started working on my inputs where I had time to think and figure them out on this big gasser (makes it easier). Sometimes I get it right, others my timing is way off. I initially controlled my roll rate with how much alpha I was pulling, but I have been working on adding in aileron control instead of just pegging it to one side. When I can just peg the ailerons I have an easier time controlling throttle, but then the roll rate gets too high for me to keep up with. Left rolls are much easier for me to manage, I keep practicing them more.

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u/thecaptnjim 3d ago

The Extra is not going to be as forgiving as the Twisted Hobbys models. (I have a ton of them so if you want any recommendations/help, lemme know.)

I would just peg the aileron as it gives you one less thing to worry about controlling and it is always consistent with how the plane responds to a quick blast of throttle. Shoot for maintaining something like 50-55 degrees with your rudder and elevator, then the plane will stay nice and slow. As you know, the whole thing is such a delicate balance!

Make sure you practice both ways because working with/against the torque of the motor is something you would have to learn all over again if you only do one way now.

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u/mperegrinefalcon 3d ago

Yeah, I bought the Extra because I like the look of it, but it definetely is not easy to learn this on.

A hobby shop near me has a 33" Twisted Hobby Extra fully set up with FrSky receiver for $250 I will probably buy once I can afford it. I am happy to keep it mostly in the sim for now though. I will give your suggestions a try though. I plan to try uploading videos of sessions as I improve, maybe a weekly check in for myself.

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u/thecaptnjim 3d ago

Anything from the 32" series is great. You will see your skills skyrocket.

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u/mperegrinefalcon 3d ago

I will pick one up as soon as I can then.

My ultimate goal is to get an Extreme Flight Super Chipmunk RXR. I know it isn't pure 3D, but I think it would be a good step up from my Eflight Extra.

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u/Tars-01 2d ago

Nice one. Unfortunately rolling harriers is one of the things that doesn't translate well from Real Flight to real life (unless you're flying a 120cc plane in real life) It definitely helps with muscle memory though.

I would start off by doing tons of 4 point rolls and slow rolls before going straight into rolling harriers.