Since coming into my own with the helo, I tend to watch more and more helo vids on youtube to see how everyone flies. From what I can tell, most people fly the same way as others. Obviously, most will fly the same as the helo can only be flown the way it was coded in the game.
I remember when I would get in a helo when I was a noob, a crash was more than inevitable. I soon stopped trying because I knew it was hurting the team and I wasn't having much fun. I tried my hand at only gunning. When it came to mini-gunning, I was spot on. But, the tv missile eluded me. Nobody taught me how to use it, so I was a noob who shot straight and never hit a target... until I mistakenly learned how to use it. From that point on, I made it my goal to be the best at only the helo. Of course, being the best is relative and not a single person can technically get to claim that they're the best.
For those who aren't the best, or learning, this thread will be for them to learn from the masters of flying/gunning in the helo. Soloing comments welcome!
General
I remember when I would get in a helo when I was a noob, a crash was more than inevitable. I soon stopped trying because I knew it was hurting the team and I wasn't having much fun. I tried my hand at only gunning. When it came to mini-gunning, I was spot on. But, the tv missile eluded me. Nobody taught me how to use it, so I was a noob who shot straight and never hit a target... until I mistakenly learned how to use it. From that point on, I made it my goal to be the best at only the helo. Of course, being the best is relative and not a single person can technically get to claim that they're the best.
For those who aren't the best, or learning, this thread will be for them to learn from the masters of flying/gunning in the helo. Soloing comments welcome!
General
- Set your view distance to 100% and lower everything else to low or off (lighting).
- Load up an empty server and practice, practice, practice. I would say it's better to practice on a server rather than SP, as SP and MP move differently. I can move from straight SP to MP and miss shots left and right due to no lag on SP. Put in 10 hours practicing barrel rolls, take offs and landings, evading (sweeping left to right), using your hellfires, and soloing (they will come once you master handling the helo).
- Generally, unless I'm trying to get to a certain area on the map, like off the carrier on Dalian to the land, I tend not to go in a straight line. Don't become predictable in your movements so that the enemy can't gauge where you're going next.
- Most say to keep your helo at 200-500 meters, or more, as to not get shot down by tanks, apc's and fav's. If you want to be careful, this is a good rule. I, on the other hand, tend to stick to 200-300 (max, unless I'm dogfighting another helo or jet). Staying low to the ground, but outside of the range of tank shells, will keep you in the action and will allow you to line up on infantry or cover a CP that's being captured.
- Learn all the locations of AA stations. Again, another obvious. If you get locked on and don't see a jet, tv the closest station. They're most likely there. Don't forget about AA vehicles, of course. They'll be harder to pick out as they can hide under trees or beside buildings and such.
- This goes under teamwork as well, but keep your eyes open. Constantly scan for targets and flags that turn over. Your job as a helo pilot/gunner is to back up the ground troops and prevent the enemies helo from getting in the air. If you're good enough, take the jets down too.
- Never cap a flag unless you're 200% sure there's nothing in the area that can attack you. Have your gunner jump out and guard the flag. I'd say only go for a cap if there's 1-2 friendlies capping it already
- As everyone knows, get on VIOP... teamspeak or ventrillo. Doesn't matter. If you want to be effective, get a mic and actually talk to your counterpart. Also, try your best to get in with someone that has a mic too. Mics are invaluable tools in detecting and lining up targets.
- The pilots job is to get from point A to B alive. Also, scan the skies for possible threats.
- The gunners job is to scan the ground and spot any movements that requires the pilots attention (tanks). If you can't tv a tank, your pilot might not know he's there.
- Set yourself to around 150-300 meters in the air.
- Find your target and keep the helo level.
- Center it in your view.
- Spin your helo to the left to put negative momentum on it when you switch seats.
- Hit F2 and then quickly right click to bring up your tv monitor.
- Your target should be relatively centered in your tv missile view.
- Left click to shoot (duh) and guide it for a kill.
- Hit F1 to get back into the pilot's seat.Following those steps will start you on your way to soloing. As you get more comfortable soloing, you can perform complex maneuvers and make yourself look all flashy. Flashy is pointless. Get the kill and move on.
- When soloing, switching to the gunner's seat will send the helo in a clockwise spin. It'll usually rotate 360 degrees 1.5 to 2 times before the power dies and you fall to the ground.
- If I'm at my intended area, I sweep everything in a clockwise position. The helo spins clockwise whilst your in the gunners seat, so if you're already swinging from 9 to 12, you'll gain momentum to carry that over and give yourself a bit more time to perform your attack, be it tv or mini gunning.
- If your objective is to solely mini gun for the round, make sure to center your gun after each sweep. Since you want to have your nose pointed as close to centered on your target as possible, it'll save you precious time in targeting after switching.
