A pretty face doesn't determine the worth or value of a simulator. Some people think a good simulator should present as close a representation as possible to reality. As a matter of fact, to simulate the typical environment of an average flying site would require more computational power than most users have. You'll notice as new versions of simulators come on the market the processor and memory requirements increase dramatically.

If you like photographic images, then you have picked the right simulator, but if you want to learn the mechanics of flying your model with reasonable processor and memory requirements, FMS can't be beat. Also some users just don't have the bucks to fork over for the software and a powerful computer.

Here is another concept you probably won't understand. A simulator doesn't have to be exactly perfect to be a valuable tool for learning to fly. Even the interface to the program doesn't need to closely resemble your R/C Tx. The skill you're trying to acquire is to stay with the airplane as you guide it through its manuevers: TOs, turns while maintaining altitude, maintaining level flight and direction, and landings. Being able to guide, control, and react to various situations (like a gust or change in the direction of the wind or the positions of the controls in regard to the heading of the aircraft) are the skills that will transfer to the flying site. Learning to land is also problematic for many students as they try to control airspeed and sink rates with pitch and power respectively.

Also a pretty picture isn't necessary when you want to try some fun stuff like flying upside down where you'll quickly discover about how the roll axis works and its distinction or difference to the pitch and yaw axes.

With the video game generation, they view a flight simulator as entertainment rather than as a tool to learn. To really benefit from the simulator experience, one needs to set up a training regimen and carefully follow it by practicing until they reach a good level of proficiency and then moving on to the next step in the program. Those who seek entertainment probably don't have the dicipline to learn much more than to burn holes in the sky.

Ciao,

Eagle Al[]