Hovering Indoors, Page 2

Start with a smooth surface. Use a smooth floor or a tight carpet. I prefer the carpet because a little friction is a good thing. It keeps the model from sliding out of control prior to lift off. If possible, mark a rectangle slightly larger than your landing gear in the center of the room. Try using masking tape.

Clear the area. The least obstructions the better. The fewer distractions the better. Plus, the main rotors can do some damage if they come in contact with anything.

Set the helicopter within the rectangle. Step back and throttle up slowly. If your helicopter is set up properly, you should get slightly beyond half stick before the helicopter starts lifting off. Keep throttling up slowly. You should notice the helicopter lifting up on the landing gear but the gear not yet leaving the ground. This is the point where, if there were not gear attached, you'd be airborne.

When the helicopter begins lifting off, try to maintain control. It should want to drift to the left. That's natural as you're first leaving the ground. Give the controls small adjustments. Less is better.

If it twists, turns, takes off, anything but straight up and forward, set it back down, walk over, and return it to the rectangle, and start over.

Be patient. How does the real thing compare to the simulator? You did use a simulator, didn't you? Well, it's not absolutely necessary but it is highly recommended.