Nice article:

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-impact-automation-air-dulls-pilot-skill-070507795.html

hi guys,
this article highlights what I was trying to get across at a forum in uk, but the consensus is here 'if it's there and gets you in the air quicker then use it'
but by using auto pilot .......heli'command 3G etc..... to learn to fly 'you' are not learning to fly, the argument here is, it saves money on repairs and gives more air time.
but if you don't learn to take off, hover and FFF then 'you' are not flying the heli/plane you are just giving it throttle and when the system goes t... u. [wrong] then it is blamed on the system and not the 'pilots' inability to fly.
there is only one way to learn......on the sticks....be it sim time or real life flying/training

I can see it help-full when learning 3D IF you have the right system .....which will put the craft from vertical [ plane] or inverted to a normal level flight if sticks are released if/when a problem occurs ............. and of coarse you have altitude on your side ..............

regards
don

Nice article, I now have totally new perspective of the crash of 3407 at Buffalo. I have also seen the NG's Air Crash Investigations of this crash; at the end they declared that it was pilot error. They should have highlighted what caused the pilot to that mistake.

Couldn't agree more with Don sir! Its not bad to try something, but not be so dependent that you loose the essence of 'fly by wire' completely. What you end up is 'Command and Conquer'.

There is no better teacher than flying a real bird  and crash it (provided you have your own oil well to fund). But Sim is a good middle path. But  I still find they dont simulate many condition that well - flying inverted on Sim is so easy!!

hi guys,
hahaha any thing on sim is easier than life flying
I used a coaxial for oriantation training...............built in auto pilot if set up right.
as for 3D training I was looking at this.................

a few years ago when it was started....... but the price.............£1,300+ for the KIT then the rest on top .
Never did do 3D

regards
don

the background houses are dream houses, which is yours??

hi mate.
hahaha..........I wish.............  
we have a bungalow on a 'council estate' [ social housing]
regards
don