# Helicopters How to? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Warehouse\ **Created:** [April 7, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168 "2020-04-07T02:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2

**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/21 "2020-05-19T20:56:12Z")

See > [@More widespread helicopter spawns](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/more-widespread-helicopter-spawns/23614): > > Currently, to my knowledge, intact helicopters spawn in precisely two places; military bases and regional airports. Helicopters are rare. Finding breakdowns immediately relevant (that is, to New England) are difficult, but nationwide stats paint a clear picture. Finding an intact helicopter should be even more rare after a period of intense use, and the fact that many would be deployed overseas. Regardless of this rarity, the current lack of possible spawns feels off to me. If you want… For discussion of spawn rates. ---

**Author:** ![grustic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@grustic](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/grustic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/22 "2020-05-20T13:18:23Z")

This is kind of off topic but in a near future scenario would it be feasible for an autopilot system be common in aircraft? Plot a course from A to B, at altitude X, and land straight down. With enough computer skill you could use some of the function without learning to pilot it per se ---

**Author:** ![mlangsdorf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mlangsdorf/32/2462_2.png) [@mlangsdorf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/mlangsdorf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/23 "2020-05-20T15:35:56Z")

I don’t believe current real-world autopilots will handle take-off and landing, so it’s pretty unlikely. ---

**Author:** ![Strangemind](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/strangemind/32/7113_2.png) [@Strangemind](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Strangemind)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/24 "2020-05-20T19:28:13Z")

You’re not quite right about that. Modern Autopilots are capable of fully automated landing (although it is very rarely done) but there are NO automated take-offs. [https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/can-a-plane-land-automatically](https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/can-a-plane-land-automatically) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoland) > **[Autoland: When pilots can't see the runway](https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/autoland-pilots-runway/index.html)** > > When bad weather means pilots can't see the runway, they can use autoland -- an automatic control system that uses radio signals to guide their airplane to a safe landing. Best regards 🙂 ---

**Author:** ![mlangsdorf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mlangsdorf/32/2462_2.png) [@mlangsdorf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/mlangsdorf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/25 "2020-05-20T21:00:53Z")

I did not know about autolanding systems! But quoting from the wikipedia article: “[The need for decreasing error tolerance as the aircraft approaches the ground] imposes a requirement for the ground-based, guidance element to conform to specific standards, as well as the airborne elements. Thus, while an aircraft may be equipped with an autoland system, it will be totally unusable without the appropriate ground environment.” So if you find a light plane with working autoland equipment (which is a step up from IFR equipment which isn’t guaranteed on light aircraft), and you find an airport with a powered guideslope indicator and runway localizer that are properly in alignment, then you might be able to use autoland. Of course, since in this scenario you are presumably not an expert aviator who is highly trained to handle autoland fail-passive failures, there’s a ~~good~~ chance that your autoland will double-fault and turn off, leaving you to finish landing the aircraft yourself. Good luck with that. For practical purposes, there are no working autoland systems after the Cataclysm, and even if there were, an inexperienced pilot has all kinds of ways to fail to take off successfully, most of which can result in a crash. Power on stalls are a thing, right? So autoland wouldn’t help that much, if it existed on light aircraft and if the ground elements were still working which they are not. ---

**Author:** ![Wasylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@Wasylus](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Wasylus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/26 "2020-05-21T00:24:50Z")

You are talking about autoland option developed specifically afaik for large passenger aircrafts. It seems to be true that they require support from the ground to operate. HOWEVER for small aircraft it seems that it is possible to do without any assistance from the ground. https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/05/watch-a-plane-land-itself-truly-autonomously-for-the-first-time/ It seems to be still in stage of trials and would require a lot of works before it will be available commercially - but it certainly looks to be doable. I believe that something that works but is still experimental in our world could have reasonably existed in Cataclysm world in developed version. ---

**Author:** ![Profugo\_Barbatus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d26b3c/32.png) [@Profugo\_Barbatus](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Profugo_Barbatus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/27 "2020-05-21T00:39:34Z")

I’m not so convinced about that. Even if we assume that in a few years, autolanding for helicopters is an available, reliable feature in new helicopters, that isn’t likely to be backported onto existing airframes, especially when those pilots already know how to land. As for how likely those airframes are to be replaced in any significant numbers in the near future, I cite the [current size](https://www.statista.com/statistics/778282/commercial-helicopters-fleet-size-country/) of the US commercial airfleet. I find it unlikely that we see a significant number of those aircraft replaced, and I find it unlikely that those replacements would be cutting edge aircraft, as opposed to old proven designs. tldr we wouldn’t expect to see self landing helicopters in the CDDA timespan. Aftershock mod could probably go ham though. ---

**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/28 "2020-05-21T02:32:05Z")

> [@Wasylus](#): > > I believe that something that works but is still experimental in our world could have reasonably existed in Cataclysm world in developed version. Nope, the criteria is it needs to exist and be deployed commercially. ---

**Author:** ![Wasylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@Wasylus](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Wasylus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2020, 12:16pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/29 "2020-05-21T12:16:24Z")

The design documents (i assume the main one plus this: https://cataclysmdda.org/technology.html) are a bit… unclear on that matter IMHO. There is nothing (or I didn’t find it) about a tech being deployed commercially as a requirement. On the other hand what term is found, is “reasonable”. Whatever that exactly means is not explained. On another topic the setting already accepts civilian technology that is more divergent from the real world than a more advanced autopilot. I assume the idea is not to add any more, but again this is imho all vague as presented in the documemts. Anyway, thanks for clarification. You are the one to give official interpretations on “legal” issues around here after all. 😉 To be clear: It doesn’t mean the autolanding should or could or would be added. I have no idea if and what would be ramification for the gameplay, if any. I posted mostly to correct the mistake that autolanding is only possible with help from ground instruments and only for large passenger aircrafts. ---

**Author:** ![grustic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@grustic](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/grustic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/30 "2020-05-29T02:17:51Z")

All the points above are very valid but I still think that it wouldn’t be something out of place in at least some of the aircraft you would find in game. My imagining of it gameplay wise would be a way to substitute computer skill for piloting knowledge. You would program the onboard computer to climb to X altitude, which it would do, correcting for wind etc, then proceed to a given GPS coordinates and descend vertically at a very slow pace again. It’s not something that has been commercially deployed yet, but it wouldn’t be at all immersion breaking in some help models when we already have self-driving cars and rockets that can land rightside up on a landing pad IRL ---

**Author:** ![hockenberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@hockenberry](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/hockenberry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/31 "2020-06-19T22:14:44Z")

A few remarks/comments about flying: - if you don’t fly a copter it crashes, helos are intrinsically unstable, you have to constantly use the commands to make it behave (some high ends helos may have auto something but I think this is not widespread) - on the contrary most planes are stable, they will continue flying straight and level if you let go of the commands (one instructor told me that one of his mil students had to eject from a plane not far from landing because of an engine failure but the plane landed alone anyway without breaking) - light planes don’t have autoland features, only some commercial planes and anyway it needs working and powered ground infrastructure that is not supposed to work anymore (no juice anywhere) - but light planes are somewhat easy to pilot (for my first flight lesson, I took off and landed a GA plane alone the first time I flew it only with my flight sim hours behind me), not a chance you can do that in an helo IMO - bad weather is normally a showstopper for flying - are GPS satelites supposed to be still working after the cataclysm? if yes, planes that are properly equiped could fly even in bad weather but it needs training - you may want to add planes that have chutes, a number of light planes now have a plane chute! if the engine dies, you pull the big red button and a chute deploys that ensures that the pilot and the plane reach the ground safely (or if you get lost in bad weather, you cut the engine and do the same). - cool vehicles to add would be autogyres (like in mad max 2), only needs some light engine and good carpentry and mechanics skills with a plan. ---

**Author:** ![Entity](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/entity/32/3376_2.png) [@Entity](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Entity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 6:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/32 "2020-07-07T06:24:39Z")

I’ve been waiting for helicopters for so long, I’m glad they are finally in the game. There are a few things I haven’t tested out yet, like if they can be suspended in the air with autopilot allowing the player to go in the back and craft or sleep, I also haven’t tested if an electric engine combined with enough solar power or fusion energy could keep it going without fuel. This would make for the perfect base, safe from everything on the ground for as long as you have the fuel/power. Going beyond and get a Prydwen style blimp that can dock vertibirds like in Fallout 4. > **Prydwen** > > ![13568580-1455825616](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/2X/3/307f226258d19863c9b87b44fbd8b1d2133a16fe.jpeg) ---

**Author:** ![anothersimulacrum](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/anothersimulacrum/32/10770_2.png) [@anothersimulacrum](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anothersimulacrum)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 6:28am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/33 "2020-07-07T06:28:41Z")

I can answer both of those questions: No (unless you’re referring to some fusion energy other than the sun, in which case it does not exist in vanilla). ---

**Author:** ![Entity](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/entity/32/3376_2.png) [@Entity](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Entity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/34 "2020-07-07T06:39:01Z")

The nuclear reactor isn’t vanilla? ---

**Author:** ![anothersimulacrum](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/anothersimulacrum/32/10770_2.png) [@anothersimulacrum](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anothersimulacrum)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/35 "2020-07-07T06:39:46Z")

That’s not a nuclear reactor, and and nuclear reactors aren’t fusion reactors. ---

**Author:** ![Entity](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/entity/32/3376_2.png) [@Entity](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Entity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 7:28am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/36 "2020-07-07T07:28:50Z")

I gotcha, fusion vs fission. My mind is too set in the Fallout universe and the two were one and the same in my mind. ---

**Author:** ![Tyranork](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/tyranork/32/7808_2.png) [@Tyranork](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tyranork)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/37 "2020-07-13T01:55:10Z")

This is the kinda thing I have wet dreams over, multi z-storied vehicles plus proper docking? That’s just masturbatory. I hope it comes to fruition through the labors of people more skilled than I. ---

**Author:** ![Aphegis](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aphegis/32/7212_2.png) [@Aphegis](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Aphegis)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/38 "2020-09-05T20:52:12Z")

Kinda of a noob question but i couldn’t find this anywhere: is this available already? It’s possible to get the “Helicoper Piloting” proficiency besides choosing the helicopter pilot profession? > [@mlangsdorf](#): > > - Find and read an extremely boring book on basic flight operations, which would give you the UNTRAINED\_PILOT trait. > - Find and read another extremely boring book that would be the manual for the specific aircraft you want to fly. > - Get in aircraft, start it up, take off. > - After somewhere between 1 minute and 4-6 hours of flight time, encounter one of the many, many ways to kill yourself as an untrained pilot, fail to recover from it successfully, and crash land. If you’re lucky, you crash slowly that your injuries are survivable, but your aircraft is scrapped. > - Repeat steps 2-4 until you have 25-30 hours of flight time, at which point you get the TRAINED\_PILOT trait and can fly more or less safely. ---

**Author:** ![redxlaser15](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/redxlaser15/32/1573_2.png) [@redxlaser15](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/redxlaser15)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/39 "2020-09-05T21:29:01Z")

I never realized this was a thing, now I very much want to become a pilot. However for right now, I will just have to go with my bicycle. ---

**Author:** ![Dlight\_full](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/dlight_full/32/4917_2.png) [@Dlight\_full](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dlight_full)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168/40 "2020-09-05T22:11:09Z")

Afaik it’s not possible yet. [Previous page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168.md?page=1) [Next page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/helicopters-how-to/23168.md?page=3)