Hi All,
Im learning how to fly a heli, so I got the Real Flight 6.5 sim, it has lots of planes on it so naturally I started to play with the planes. Now I want one, Im not sure if I should go with a nitro trainer or electric, If I go with Nitro I would look at the Hangar 9 Alpha, or the Nexstar select 60. If I go with an electric maybe the Apprtenice, or the Nexstar, those planes are on the sim, and they are alot easier to fly than the choppers, infact it's hard for me to beleave that the sim is just like real flying. After only a few hours I can take off, land, and just fly in circles (nothing fancy yet). I think when I get my first plane and actually fly it, even though Im doing the sim alot, I think Im gonna find that actual flight is much different from the sim. Also Im going to join a local club, the meeting is this Thursday, they have instructors, and I'll probebly get the plane he advises even if it's not my first pick because Im sure he knows far more than I about all things RC panes. I already joined the AMA, the plane on the sim that I like the best is the Sig Siniorita, it just seems to handle the best to me. I've flown the planes on the sim that have the ACT circutry in them, but what I've found (for me) is that when I fly them Im not as carful because it's so much harder to crash them, but when I fly the trainers with-out any anti crash circutry, Im much more careful, and concentrate better. I hope I have a handle on all this but any advise will be greatly appriciated.
Paul

I'd say you are on the right track. Real flying is a little different than the sim. It's harder in that the wind is less predictable, especially as you run into turbulence and thermals that toss you around, but it's easier in that you have depth perception to help you. At some times of day the sun's angle will mess with your vision, but it doesn't take too long to get used to that. Any of those planes you've listed will work fine, so the choice should come down to what your instructor recommends and what you plan to fly next. Truth be told there's little difference from one trainer to another since the design of what works was figured out so long ago. If the fancier glow powered planes are your plan, go ahead and start with glow and buy a ball bearing engine so it will transfer over and have enough power for you 2nd plane. If electrics, including helis, are your plan, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Apprentice trainer. I think you've already noticed what many of us already have about the ACT device. Few people use it for long, and if you are working with an instructor it can actually hinder the process since it won't let the plane respond naturally to you.

Welcome to the addiction!
You have wisely realized a few things that many people miss.
Yes, the real plane will be a little different, no matter how accurate the simulator is.
Joining a club and getting personal instruction is a wise choice. It will save you time and money by helping you avoid bad flying habits and bad choice of aircraft.
This is why you are also wise to wait and follow the advice of your instructors as to your first plane choice. Personally, I don't like the Nexstar, but if the instructors at your club do, then you would be wise to heed their advice.
You have also correctly determined that the ACT is practically useless. Turn it off.
If you follow the plan you have stated, you are destined for a positive experience in this hobby, enjoy, and keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I appriciate it, as far as depth perception goes maybe thats the biggest thing that the sim lacks, the biggest problem Im having is finding my way back to the runway to land (lining up the plane with the runway), so I pretty much just land in the grass. Maybe thats a depth perception problem, but at this point Im not worried about that, Im sure the instructor will advise me on that. While I've never flown a real RC plane I know enough about it to realize that it's an aquired skill that can only be learned by lots of time and lots of practice.
Paul

I whole heartedly agree with whats been said. I also dont like the nexstar. There are better trainers out there. The other two you listed will work fine.

Have fun!
Edwin

Rock on dude!

Agreed! I have also found teaching a chopper pilot to fly fixed wing very easy. You may find an instructor with his own trainer already so there may be no reason to buy one of your own.

On the runway problem, yes it's easier to get it right in the real world both because you have depth perception and you also have panoramic vision so you can aim for your spot while the plane is still on its downwind leg. That said, hitting runway is little more than finding the spot way out there that your plane has to level out in front of in order to get it right. That spot is maybe 400-500 feet away and directly in line with the runway. You can find that spot on the sim and practice rolling out of your final approach turn just over it and then landing becomes a simple matter of making small rudder corrections and doing your flare correctly.