Sims can definatly help!

There is a free flight simulator called FMS. Not as fancy as the expensive
ones but it works and can really help you get your aileron timing down. It
will also help you learn to fly the plane toward you.

The links below takes you to a site that provides a cable that can connect to
the trainer port on your radio so you can fly the sim using your own radio or
buddy box. If you don't have one perhaps someone at the club will loan you an
old radio with a trainer port so you can practice.


FMS Flight simulator Home Page
Free download
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Parkflyers for FMS
http://gunnerson.homestead.com/files/fms_models.htm

Glider RC - Another sim. Have not tried it.
http://glider3d.free.fr/index_en.html

Serial Cable/radio adapter +FMS and Preflight Sim CD - any plug - $35
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=5969881882

Flight simulator adaptor for Hitec/Futaba radios with round trainer port- $5
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_in...products_id=654

Flight simulator adapter For JR radios - $9
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_in...products_id=647

Brand new, Low cost full function 4 channel radios that have trainer ports
that will fly your plane AND act as a simulator constoller with one of the
above adapters

GWS 4 Channel Radio - $45
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WD1V

GWS 4 Channel Radio w/ FMS cable and CD - $69
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5916217443

Hitec Laser 4 - $60 ( better than the GWS radio)
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_l...m_systems.html


Buddy Box with trainer cord - $35
Requires another radio to actually fly a plane
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...dID=AIRVG400TR

JR - Not sure if this is a radio or just a buddy box - $50
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=JRPA400

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Used items on e-bay - Examples

GWS Transmitter