Struggling with overcontrolling during EC135 training – any advice?

[Danny]

Hi everyone,

 

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m reaching out for some guidance because I’m running into a challenge during my EC135 training.

 

I have around 120 hours, all of them on the AS350 B3, and I’ve recently started my type rating on the EC135. Today in the simulator I really struggled with overcontrolling, especially during autorotations. I’m not sure if it’s something related to the Force Trim / FTR, my technique, or simply not being used to how sensitive the 135 feels compared to the B3.

 

I also noticed I was flying quite tense—hands tight on the controls, legs shaking on the pedals—which obviously makes the problem worse. It feels like I’m trying to “fight” the helicopter instead of letting it settle.

 

For those who transitioned from the AS350 to the EC135:

Did you experience something similar?

Any tips on reducing overcontrol, using the FTR properly, or improving smoothness during autos?

 

I’d really appreciate any advice you’re willing to share.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[shaggy]

My experience is that a simulator is a hard place to do autorotations. I did them at Airbus’s facility in Grand Prairie for the H145 and had a tough time. I have done many full downs in Astars and various Bell products as well.
If your endorsement depends on simulated auto’s and you have easy (cheap) access all I can suggest is practice, practice, practice. Hopefully the penny will drop and you figure it out but once you start getting tense on the controls shut it down and take a break. 
 

Good luck,

S

[Winnie]

As for the Force Trim, you don't have to fly with the button depressed. Set the attitude, then release, push to change attitude, then release. 

As you're getting slower, the follow-on trim will help you out (in the hover).

 

[Norm]

I'm not sure if it'll help but I'll share my own personal experience on the subject. I trained on a 300 CBi (no hydraulics). I was near to your total time when I had my first experience with a Jet Ranger 206B. I had no friction set on the cyclic and I ham fisted it real ugly. I was pretty down about my poor performance during the flight. I was resolved to do better. 20 yrs later I'm still pushing myself to make every flight smoother than the last. I've been fortunate enough to fly a lot of different types (minus the EC135). I treat every take off and landing the same. I take my time and softly feel the machine into the air. I tend to fly with thumb and two fingers on the cyclic instead of squeezing with my entire hand. I don't tend to fly with friction on the cyclic because if I focus on being smooth I don't like the feeling of the resistance. This is going to sound foolish but I think of the helicopter as a dance partner. My cyclic and collective movements are never jerky. I focus on ultra smooth, deliberate inputs. Of course sometimes you have to be assertive on the controls but that doesn't mean aggressive. For example I've seen a fair few 407s in the hover look super jittery and then have pilots tell me the machine is, "very twitchy". I tell them stop jerking their hand, meaning if you do smooth graceful inputs in a 407 you will be rewarded with a very stable platform. 

My advice would be to get good nights rest and attempt to try a softer touch your next session. Practice makes perfect and with only 120 hrs experience learning a complex twin like the EC135 would be overwhelming for anyone. Remember it's a simulator, you can't break anything. 

Fly safe

 

[Danny]

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experiences and advice , I truly appreciate it. I completely agree that the simulator can be a challenging environment, especially for autorotations, and that consistent practice is key.

 

I’ve now transitioned to the real aircraft, and I’m still actively working on not overcontrolling, particularly refining my cyclic touch. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m confident that with each flight it will continue to improve, focusing on staying relaxed, making smoother inputs, and trusting the process.

 

Thanks again for the support and for sharing your knowledge.

[martha096dor]

A B3 to the 135 feels like going from a rugged truck to a sensitive sports car. That "death grip" is your biggest enemy right now because you're trying to fly it like an AStar, but the 135 responds to pressure, not just movement. Literally wiggle your fingers on the cyclic and plant your heels on the floor. If your legs are shaking, you're using too much "big muscle" and not enough toe Care Credit pressure. In an auto, make an input and then wait a beat. The rigid rotor reacts instantly, and if you keep moving, you're just chasing your own tail.

[Danny]

For those who gave me their advice, I passed the exam! I’m now fully qualified.

 

Even today, both in the B3 and the 135, if I stop flying them for a while, I tend to overcontrol but I keep working on not getting too tense.

 

A big hug to everyone.