MSFS - Flying the Bell 407

[@rubes3927]

This was a great video! The reason the 407 starts in “idle” as compared to the classic jet ranger (206), is because this engine architecture uses FADEC. All FADEC engined helicopters will run the startup sequence with the throttle at idle. In fact, the AW139 has the the throttle levers on the overhead left in the “flight” detent for normal ops; we use the engine master switches on the centre panel to go from off, idle and flight. Where as it’s predecessor the AW109 (at least the older airframes) use the classic method of holing the start button, then waiting for x amount of gas producer RPM, then moving the throttle into “idle” to introduce fuel. The amazing Bell 412 is another twin that stuck with this classic system, similar to King Airs is how I think of it being both an aeroplane and Heli pilot. Also in real choppers, left foot machines like Bells, Robinson etc feel much more natural and at home. Right foot machines like Cabris and Squirrels give me nightmares every night 😌😫😂

[@KaiTakApproach]

My Lessons Learned with the 407: -Most of the comments I have seen from IRL helicopter pilots say the flight model is fine. Don't give up. -If you try to learn to fly the 407 and don't have helicopter experience (like me) don't bother. Start with the Cabri instead. -Spend several hours working on takeoffs, hover, landing, low taxi, pedal turns, square turns and quick stops in the Cabri and get good before transitioning to the 407. KZbin for real life videos on these maneuvers, flight training, ground school, etc., and then go practice them. A lot. -I tried to fly the 407 a month ago and thought it was garbage. Now I have about 20 hours (at least half of that doing training maneuvers) in the Cabri and I think the 407 is a lot of fun. As soon as I had built up motor memory and got an intuitive sense on the Cabri, I came back to the 407 and immediately mastered it. I guess flying a helicopter is like learning to ride a bike. You have to break through to the point where you do it unconsciously. -Set all your joystick curves to full linear. -Loosen your throttle tension. -Loosen your joystick spring tension. I used long twisty-ties (found on bread bags or the wiring with new electronics). Slide them around 2-3 coils, move the stick to full-lock to compress the spring, and then twist down the tie. Experiment. By compressing part of the tension spring, you reduce its strength. -Pedals are a must. You need to make rapid adjustments with fine control and a controller or a yaw-twisting joystick robs you of the required travel and fine control. As a real life fixed wing pilot, I assure you pedals are not a gimmick, boondoggle or hornswaggle dreamed up by a sales department. In the sim helicopter, they are crucial. I hope that helps somebody. Good luck and enjoy!

[@pilotboy2612]

Great tips! What about taking out the spring altogether? Or will it be too floppy

[@KaiTakApproach]

@@pilotboy2612 I guess you could take the spring out, but without it the stick is really no good for fixed wing flight. The ties, for me, work as a fast-rigged solution as I fly both fixed wing and rotorcraft.

[@pilotboy2612]

@@KaiTakApproach Cheers

[@MrSunset602]

Your video gave me a lot more confidence to fly the Bell 407 in MSFS 2020! Thank you for the amazing video! :)

[@andrewhope4267]

Startup Sequence (From a flight instructor on Bell 206) - The Bell 206 does indeed need to start with ZERO fuel - motor the engine until past 12% and then add fuel carefully to avoid a hot start... However, this is a FADEC system and thus you will put it in idle, hit the start button and the FADEC controls it all - it cuts the risk of hot starts (but doesn't eliminate them). - Another thing, the Bell 407 actually cruises at 138kt with 95% torque so this version is not quite right - however, having just tried it out on the sim, I think it does feel very much like the 407 apart from the lack of speed.

[@andrewhope4267]

Oh - and at 95% and 138kt - it's still climbing at 200fpm

[@MUHAMMAD_AL_MAQDASI]

How i enable the Bell 407 automatic pilot?

[@Tobascodagama]

There's definitely some weird stuff with the throttle and turbine on this chopper. The throttle is basically an on/off with extra steps, and the N1 is always 85% no matter what. The Bell 407 Improvement Mod fixes the turbine so it actually changes and also fixes the annoying instrument lights. I think the throttle has some deeper weirdness that requires a fix from Nemeth Designs.

[@noseyparker8130]

Maybe it's because this is modeling a FADEC style fuel control system?

[@tvflight7858]

You have such a PA pilot voice lol (it's a compliment)

[@sailwesterly5444]

Thanks. Finally I now know how to start this thing up.

[@tomas5577]

Nice narrative and visuals! I think it would be interesting and helpful if there was a short description of what you are using for peripherals and assists if any. A little video on hilltop, mountain top or building top landings would be most interesting too! Looking forward to the next video!

[@KaiTakApproach]

For Whom the Bell Tolls. Time Marches On.

[@FlightSimMastery]

Your videos are always inspiring and having something to learn.

[@triage9082]

im trying to figure out how to fly this. and im having trouble with the rpm light ALWAYS being on. ill take off and just fall eventually. i followed this to the T.

[@neufmontiers]

Hello Sorry for my english, I'm french, thanks google. Could you explain and show me in the MSFS wizard how: - Configure a throttle lever for airplane in collective pitch for helicopter. - Select a slide or rotary potentiometer of the throttle stick to make it "the stick" of the throttle of the helicopter. My problem is that I can't find in the configuration of the primary or secondary flight control assistant which item to select for the assignment of the axis or/and the key. I have a Trustmaster Flght Pack T16000M set and/or a Saitek X52. Thank you in advance for your explanations. Congratulations for these somewhat technical explanations on the flight of helicopter copters. E.T.

[@DeSeededOlive]

i am not sure if this happens to anyone else, but when I start the engine and it is at idel the sound fades out but comes back when the rpm raises higher, dose anyone have an explanation?

[@EthanFilms]

I was hoping he'd mention why this happens :/

[@physicsteacher4569]

I'm comfortable with startup and shut down now, thanks to you! Can someone please explain Auto Trim and Force Trim? I have been flying with them off up until I saw this video. Also, the Rotor Brake doesn't seem to do anything. OBTW: You can get that instrument light control to zero fast by pressing and holding LMB and sweeping to the left -- at least mine works that way. Again, thanks!

[@ajobis1881]

Has msfs fixed the control bindings so we can use actual controls axis to roll on and off power instead of the mouse?

[@carlovo2035]

Nice instruction video

[@dabneyoffermein595]

be nice to go a little faster.

[@firepilot109]

Do you have the rudder and cyclic assist on?

[@jasonr8476]

Zero chance they are off.

[@PhilipWe]

I’m pretty sure that he flies with them off

[@dabneyoffermein595]

who makes this HELO?

[@culturedtalent1207]

Company: Bell Dev: Nemeth Designs(Asobo)

[@Blueesteel_]

Dude slow down… you talk way too fast