ORIGINAL: nrad2000
I thought about hanging my decathlon for now and buying a trainer - but deep down in me i'm thinking I can handle this plane.
My plan is - accelerate slow but steady, get the tail slightly up, increase speed (here i'm hoping the plane will lift on its own), correct for any tipping, slight (very slight) elevator, turn slowly (tiny inputs), and bring her around again and see if I can ''fly by'' over the runway, and somewhere during the flight (if its still flying) work on the trim. If I get to the landing - thats still up in the air. I do fine on the simulator with different planes.
How different is the simulator to the airplane? For the helicopter it has a different feel. if i was to compare it to one of the simulator airplanes (G3), which one would it be close too?
Difference is wind!! uneven field takeoff, landing terrain, deep grass, cross winds, wind at elevation, down drafts, sudden changes with wind etc... Don't get me wrong simulators are the best thing since sliced bread, but they don't prepare you for everything. Flying flying and more flying make you better (spoken from one that doesn't do enoough of it).