Albatross1 -- Thanks for the comments. Here's some more info and clarifications:
ORIGINAL: Albatross1
- I bought the version that lets me use my transmitter (Futaba 7C). It took a little bit of thinking to get the transmitter coordinated with the program but the FAQ for this is very helpful. It was pretty straight forward. If you use a Futaba 7C, be careful to buy the HANS3030 adapter because there is a similar cheaper one (HAN174) that apparently doesn't work with the program.
Just to clarify, both versions -- with controller and without controller -- allow you to use your own radio, if you like.
ORIGINAL: Albatross1
- The program includes a selection of flying sites that seem pretty good but many of them are essentially flat countryside (I guess there's not too many hills near Champaign, Ill.). Fortunately, FS One have released the methods for public users to begin creating their own pano (panoramic) sites which may make some more variety available. [Brian, would a pano site be able to include thermals and slope soaring winds/lift if I was to create a hilly pano using Michael's FAQ methods and the various notes above].
If you haven't done so, try the Pano site "Jockey's Ridge" and use the wind: "Slope Soaring: Jockey's Ridge 25-mph" (or one of the other Jockey's Ridge winds). It has very realistic slope soaring winds. It's pretty cool -- and not flat ground from Illinois!