To me the value of RADDs was not in the first 10 packs, its been in the last 400 packs. Regardless of your approach to learning, flying helicopters is extremely difficult. I, like many others, underestimated the steepness of the learning curve. When confronted with the challenge of basic flight, some pilots avoid the required legitimate suffering and try to eat the fruit without growing the tree.
"Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering."
- Carl Jung
I’ve really come to appreciate the crazy sounding guidance in the RADD training. It’s extreme, yes. But so is the amount of effort required to control a helicopter. The RADD training prescribes an appropriate amount of suffering to build a solid foundation on which other more complex skills can grow. The RADDs suffering is not without purpose. Sometimes the suffering is self imposed (RADD calls it punishing) or sometimes it imposed by the slow cadence of the course. But the purpose of suffering is meaningful and extends well past the first 10 batteries. Those that have cheated and denied themselves the suffering are only denying themselves a more solid foundation.
Instant gratification and expectation of pain-free success are so engrained in our society that it’s no wonder so few pick helicopters. Even fewer yet take the RADD road or follow the principles in the course. Once I began to understand what was required, I reset my expecations. Using RADDs as a foundation for a training philosophy, I started working on my long term plan using the following guiding principles.
- Flying with purpose Every battery has purpose. Every flight has plan. Follow the flight plan and serve the purpose.
- Crashing Loss of control, even if it doesn’t end in a crash, deserves a pause and some reflection. Land and consider what and how it happened. What missing skill, resulted in the loss of control? Take the time to find out, then practice the missing skill. Were you trying something that wasn’t in the flight plan? Were you showing off for an audience? Was it the last pack of the day that you almost didn't run? Pay attention to your weaknesses. Respect and work on them.
- Progress Don’t move on until you are done with your current skill. I’ve tried to move on more than once, only to find out that I was not as “done” as I needed to be. The lack of mastery in one area was holding me back as I tried to move forward. Backing up and spending more tedious flights has paid dividends as I move forward.
- Patience There are no shortcuts. Meaningful long term success takes discipline and persistent effort. Or youth, which I don’t have.
One last quote from RADDs.
You can argue with the wind or curse gravity but that won't change simple common sense. That's all it is.. One of my students once heard a “guru flyer” criticize my techniques and he answered in typical common sense with a bit of wisdom and said...”He either can't do what you ask or refuses to backup and do it right!”..
I’m not saying this applies to our group, so no offense. But I think you guys would be surprised how many pilots can do mad 3d but can’t do nose-in or a Toolman piro. There are no RC heli police. In fact there aren’t even a lot of people pressuring these pilots to go back and do it right. We are all free to do what ever want, many do. However, in 10 years how will you look upon these first few years of flying? Will it be another hobby you got bored with and moved on? Or will it be the beginning of a long and satisfying hobby?
Canton MO backyard flying club
West Coast Chapter |
Maybe The ECO wouldn't of been so expensive after all. And I havent noticed ground effect on my king like I have the TREX. Indoors is where I really notice the rex has more downthrust and hits the walls then comes back swirling into it. And as far as sliding around man the little BCPP on a hardwood floor slid all over the place. I agree with TJ that it is way too tedious and boring but in the beginning he explains that he will get you hovering without crashing. That said I skipped a few steps in radds thats for sure.
My thoughts are what ever works for you as an individual is good -- SIM-- RADDs - What ever, as long as you don't quit--- most guys do 
