Flight Simulator Helicopters
Flight Simulator Helicopters
Helicopter in simulations games have long been overlooked. The fact that there are not that many popular flight simulator helicopter games is a testament to that fact. Why do you suppose that is? A lot of these reasons for the production gap can be narrowed down to two reasons: development and consumer demand.
The physics engine for a helicopter sim is complex. Let me explain. The physics engine is how the game reacts to your input commands; your flight stick. Helicopters are not as easy as stick and rudder.
Pulling back on the stick while in a plane will force the nose up, the thrust is behind the craft, so up you go. With a helicopter the force is down and towards the skids, pulling back on the stick makes the craft go backwards.
This is an added dimension and coupled with hovering and side to side movement makes for a pretty complicated physics engine. Even a so-so physics engine can be hard to handle sometimes for some programmers. I’m sure there are those that disagree.
The other factor has to be consumer demand. There is a small and thirsty group of helicopter enthusiasts in the world who are dying for a solid game that offers more than just a Cobra, a Bell 202 and a Comanche. Finding a game that offers more than these three, or any amount over 4 or 5 helicopter types, is a tough proposition.
I attribute this whole deal in consumer demand to the “get it now” thinking most gamers have. Everyone wants to climb into the cockpit, take off, buzz the tower and be Maverick. (No one wants to be Goose because he died.) Flight simulator helicopters take some practice and a whole lot of it at times.
Beginning the flight with a hover is never a problem in most games, it’s nearly everything that comes after hovering that creates the issues. This type of control takes a lot of practice, but the payoff is incredible.
Think of this, all of your other flight sim buddies cannot match your level of aptitude, and probably never will. You will be able to land where you like, hover and shoot multiple targets and perform aerial feats that would be the envy of any jet jock. And what do you need to be able to perform these awesome maneuvers? Lots of practice.
Well some practice and a few options such as actually finding the right simulator that will allow you to pick a few different helicopters to use. And there is the kicker right there. Helicopters are like airplanes in that each model handles differently. So depending on what type of flying you plan on doing online, having options is a definite plus.
The cold hard truth is that helicopters and flight simulator helicopters are finesse vehicles. The ole crank and bank method will get you into a lot of trouble. But don’t worry about it too much, the trouble only lasts until you hit the ground.
If you are looking for a flying challenge and want to try something different, a good helicopter flight simulator can add an exciting new dimension to your flying skills. These whirly birds can open a whole new world of flying experiences to you.
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