Finally got my SIM working .... I bought one that has a parallel port connector (Quattro J-line) and does not work with WinXP, so I had to add a second OS (Win 98) to my system. WHAT A PAIN THAT WAS!

Anyway, all is working now and I am using the FMS free software.

What I have noticed is that the the SIM is only somewhat like real life.... The whole SIM experience seems to happen in slow-motion compared with the wild, frenetic motion of real life. In fact, how the heli behaves in the SIM is sort of what I expected when I bought the real heli (an Aerohawk) ... at least with the SIM, the learning curve does not START OUT immediately at 90 degrees!! (i.e. a learning curve that goes STRAIGHT UP at the very beginning!)

I still crash alot with the SIM, but at least I can get the thing off the ground for a few seconds before it goes smashing into something. The SIM heli seems to hang in the air more and give you a chance to think for a second (just a second!) about how you want to move the sticks.

The SIM is useful, for sure, because it gives a good sense of how a heli responds to the forces involved ... I just wish the real life one was less "spastic." (And yes, I believe there are no physical set-up problems with the real-life heli --- Colin, of Like 90, took a look at it...)

Oh yes, and the SIM does not seem to have any of the confounding forces (can't remember the name) that are involved with take-off and the wind bouncing off the ground ... no tilt to the left at spin-up .. followed, of course, by over-correction to the right ... which sends the whole thing careening into the nearest inert object .. smashing this or that heli part.... (sigh....)

Any comments for a crash- (and broken parts-) weary beginner?