Program Your Radio, Then Program Yourself for Flying

Written by Mark Fadely RC Helicopters Column As seen in the March 2013 issue of Model Aviation. Have you ever wondered how we learn to do what we do when flying our helicopters? Have you questioned what physical and mental processes are going on during our flights? Some of you are probably already saying, “Here goes Fadely on another meaningless psycho-babble rant!” On the contrary, by reading on I think any pilot, no matter what skill level, will find some useful information. In the highest levels of every sport there are paid professionals to help athletes condition and prepare for the mental and physical aspects of the activity. On the physical side, these facilitators are called trainers. The players rely on sports psychologists for mental preparation. The mental and physical demands of sports vary. For example, boxing is physically demanding, while golf is mostly a mental exercise. Likewise, our cool sport is mentally intense with some fine motor skills mixed in. Our bodies and minds are amazing organic machines. Similar to a super computer, our minds can process and store tremendous amounts of data. Our brains are constantly reprogrammed with software updates. We are each made up of a complex network of connections called nerves. These nerves fill our bodies and our brains. Anyone who can fly an RC helicopter has done a substantial amount of reprogramming of his or her mind. There is no such thing as a natural RC pilot. We all have to learn the same mental orientations as anyone else. Each time we perform a skill such as flying an RC heli, we are essentially programming our brains. When we repeatedly do something, our brains learn by making electronic connections that are enhanced each time that same action is repeated. Some people have prepared neurological pathways already built into their brains. This is especially true for kids who have played a lot of video games. They will have an easier time learning to fly a heli because they already have a lot of the basic programming down. Babies’ brains are initially in a disorganized state. We are able to live as babies by processes that are preprogrammed into our gray matter before we are born. As the days, months, and years pass, the nerve cells in our brains are programmed with electrical impulses to operate in a distinctly unique manner. This reprogramming continues for as long as we live.

Brian James (center) accompanies Bert Kammerer (R) and Bobby Watts as they drive around in the SmackTalk cart at events to promote their educational RC heli website. The website is loaded with valuable information to help pilots advance.

Now that we’ve heard about all the neural-psycho-babble stuff, what does that mean to us and how can we apply it to our flying? I recommend that each of you hire your own helicopter sports psychologist to work with you every day so you can learn to fly RC helis! I’m just kidding, of course. We can take some knowledge of sports psychology and apply it to our hobby, though. The following paragraphs outline a training strategy that will help our rate of progress and, coincidentally, can also be applied to all aspects of our lives.

Flight Simulator Benefits

There is no doubt that pilots who use computer flight simulators advance more quickly. Although the “feel” of flying will never be the same on a two-dimensional electronic interface, it does program those neurological pathways in your brain. This brain programming is the all-important ingredient to making our flying feel natural. There is no “natural” pilot. The pilots who seem to easily pick up piloting skills have better circuits preprogrammed into their minds. Anytime you are flying on a simulator you are programming your brain. Of course, all people are different and all require different amounts of programming to get those nerve pathways ingrained. Because it takes some work to program our cerebral network, it makes sense to correctly program it the first time. You should not incorrectly learn things or take shortcuts. If you develop bad habits you will have to work harder to unlearn those incorrect methods. Every top pilot whom I have interviewed has stressed the importance of learning the fundamentals correctly so that you have a solid foundation upon which to build.

Devon McGrath (L) and Kyle Stacy hone their skills by practicing on simulators while attending events.

Putting It All Together

Most of us have heard of the concept of right- and left-brain function. The left brain, or analytical side, tends to dominate as new skills are learned. This side of the brain is in control of analyzing how the mind and body will work together to perform the new skill. The right brain is responsible for integrating the muscle movements and thought processes of the left brain into one flowing, natural movement. With this in mind, the left side of the brain should dominate our learning of a new skill, and the right brain should dictate our performance once we acquire that skill. When you have achieved a natural flow in your performance, the right brain should be in complete control. You can feel this when you fly and your movements become reactionary. It means you no longer have to think about the orientation of the helicopter. You are one with the machine and your corrections are instinctual. Here is a checklist to determine if you will have a good flow when flying: • You believe you have mastered the skills necessary for flight. • Your flying performance is difficult enough to keep you attentive. • You don’t allow distractions (especially from the peanut gallery). • Your mind is focused on your flying performance and not on analyzing your mistakes or techniques. • You are relaxed and alert. • You’re not allowing any bad flight thoughts (such as thinking you might crash). • You are thinking positively. • The flight is allowed to develop and is not forced. It is amazing how our minds work, and our brain capacity is incredible. I hope that you all can use some of this information to your advantage. This hobby is valuable because it keeps us thinking all of the time. You cannot become lazy and lose concentration or you won’t be successful. For those of you who stick with this sport, I think there is much to be gained for the hobby and in other aspects of your life. It’s similar to a continuing studies course at a college—keeping your mind active and fresh no matter what your age. -Mark Fadely