Scale Manoeuvres

What are Scale Manoeuvres? simply, flying a model helicopter the same way a full-size helicopter would fly, I use the word 'simply' very loosely because flying in a scale like manner is by no means easy.
There are a lot of different manoeuvres for different situations which the casual observer wouldn't even notice but to the helicopter pilot they are done for a reason.

It should be stated right at the beginning that before you attempt any scale type manouevres you should be flying in a safe and competant manner as some of the manouevres require a high degree of co-ordination and should never be attempted whilst still at the learning stage.
Practice them with a pod and boom helicopter rather than risk damaging your pride and joy!
When you are flying scale manouevres with your scale beauty don't do any 3D type stunts as this would look rather silly, I personally have never seen a full-size helicopter doing any kind of aerobatics and don't expect that I ever will.

90 Degree Clearing Turn
This manouevre is used for checking behind the helicopter whilst in a low hover prior to departure.

To do this manouevre lift the helicopter into a low hover (into wind) give tail rotor input to turn the aircraft 90 degrees to simulate checking behind, when you are sure that there is no other aircraft coming in behind turn back into wind and move off into forward flight.
Don't take too long with the manouevre as this will look wrong. It should be stressed that all flights should begin with the clearing turn for safety sake.

45 Degree Reverse Lift-off
To do this manouevre first lift into a low hover and carry out the 90 degree clearing turn then turn back into wind and apply collective pitch steadily at the same time give rear cyclic, you should end up with the aircraft climbing steadily in a rearward attitude at about 45 degrees. When you reach your desired height input forward cyclic to tip the nose down and move off into forward flight.

                                              Tail-in-circle
The tail-in-circle is used for checking for hazards whilst keeping the tail over a fixed point. Both the Tail-in-circle and the Nose-in-circle are very difficult to acheive smoothly especially when done in front of the pilot. Use a traffic cone as a reference point to keep the tail rotor over when practicing the Tail-in-circle but be careful not to strike the tail rotor on the traffic cone.

                                              Fast Take Off
After performing the 90 degree clearing turn face the aircraft back into wind and quickly apply forward cyclic and collective pitch at the same time this will cause the helicopter to move forwards and climb at the same time very quickly.
                                              Nose-in-circle
This manouevre is used to assess a landing site whilst having a 360 degree view of the landing area, it requires the same high level of co-ordination as the Tail-in-circle. Again this manouevre is very difficult to do with the aircraft in front of the pilot.

                                              Torque Turn
This manouevre is used quite a lot during crop spraying operations and is a means of turning the aircraft quickly. The helicopter is flown in a level attitude then pulled up into a climb as the speed bleeds off tail rotor is applied to turn the aircraft, power is then re-applied and the helicopter is brought back to straight and level flight. The Torque Turn can be performed again at the other end of the field.

                                             Vertical Climb
The Vertical climb is used when the aircraft has been landed in a confined space. The helicopter is lifted into the hover but instead of doing the 90 degree clearing turn power is applied and the aircraft climbs in a vertical attitude until clear of any obstructions then forward flight is applied.