Is it really that easy?

RC helicopters now have stabilization software and sensors that make flying one of them possible for unskilled neophytes. When they put that stuff in full sized helicopters, anyone will be able to fly one.
 
SMSW said:
RC helicopters now have stabilization software and sensors that make flying one of them possible for unskilled neophytes.
Click to expand...
When I was interested into such RC Choppas, I've been told to rather get a big one (like 6 ft main rotor), as their more stable, won't get blown around like autumn leaves by the draft of a butterfly's wing and even allow to take your hands off the RC-sticks for a few seconds to loosen up cramps...
At the end scuba diving turned out to be more affordable...
SMSW said:
When they put that stuff in full sized helicopters, anyone will be able to fly one.
Click to expand...
Well they all do have gyros... and tons of instruments about nav, elevation/level, roll, yaw, pitch, temp and air-density, weather radar, rpm, main rotor torque, blade angle, engine temp, oil temp, fuel temp, gear box oil temp, and what else not... (like that little red string on the front window... ;))
And then you'd kneed to know navigation, mandatory flight paths, landing and departure corridors (within airports they have to stick to those like fixed wing crafts), fuel calculations, weather reports... plus the whole bible on FAA regs and radio lingo...
Alone the walk-around and pre-flights... you don't just turn the key and start... they don't have one ;)
 
My eldest son owns two Bell 206 helicopters. I have flown with him a few times. I can say in my experience with him letting me take the controls a couple of times that the only advantage that a motorcyclist might have is just being comfortable doing several tasks simultaneously such as throttle, clutch braking body motion etc. A person who is not used to doing activities like this would take a bit longer to get comfortable with this type of multitasking. Even though I am a commercial/ instrument fixed wing pilot - flying helicopters is a whole different ball game.
 
A Bell-222 helo went down today injuring five but there were no fatalities. It was made to look like the Air Wolf from the TV show of the same name. The original Air Wolf was destroyed in a crash in another 'life'.

www.usatoday.com

Five hospitalized after helicopter crash in Huntington Beach, California, city says

Five people were hospitalized after a helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach, California on Oct. 11, officials said.
www.usatoday.com

This 222 lost a tail rotor and fell to the ground with three people onboard and injuring two people. There is video though I haven't seen any yet of the tail rotor failure but there's bound to be some. I'm a big fan of helos and regard such accidents the way many here regard bike accidents. Fortunately it doesn't seem like any of the injuries are life threatening.

Apparently this was to be part of a Car N Copter show today.

www.carscopterscoast.org

Cars 'N Copters on the Coast

Join us for the 7th Annual Cars 'N Copters on the Coast in Huntington Beach on October 12, 2025, featuring exotic cars, helicopters, and family-friendly fun by the ocean.
www.carscopterscoast.org www.carscopterscoast.org

Not a pilot but I love helos. The 222 was one of my favorite civilian helos mainly for it's look and retracts. As hokey as it was I never missed an episode of Air Wolf. Also Whirlybirds. One of my favorites was a TV movie Birds of Prey starring David Janssen and Ralph Meeker. Yeah there was Blue Thunder but it didn't really have a heart.

I'm glad no one died in this crash and hope everyone recovers fully.
 
No , but you don't have to push them when you run out of fuel.
 
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