I am sort of thinking about the idea of getting a simulator. I have a plane and an instructor lined up, but I can't be at the club everyday, and I would like to use the simulator for those days and to speed up the learning process of flying. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the best bang for your buck would be on a simulate. I know about FMS and RealFlight, and Aerofly, but which one is the best? FMS being free....is it any good?...

Thanks,
Rider

i personaly dont like FMS very much but like they say.. "you get what you pay for"
real flight is great but not cheap and dont really have any time on an airofly

FMS is free, and it's ok, but you still need to find an adapter for your Tx.

If you've got 200 bucks to spend, go with the realflight.

Whichever way you decide to go, a sim is worth it!

Ya...I really want realflight, but its sooo much money!

I bought RC Simulator from Tower Hobbies for $10 ( think they want $14 for it now). You need a gamepad with two joysticks on it for any kind of realism, and at that, you use the 'slider' for throttle control. But if you the gamepad already, it will at least teach you how to move the sticks to make the plane fly where you want it.

I was able to take my Slow Stick out first time and, after some ground runs, get it up and down easily.

I've read here that some do not want to use the same transmitter that they fly with that they use for the game. As the planes on a sim don't fly the same as in real life, they didn't want their thumbs to learn the right way to do it and then have to rethink thumb-feel when they got to the field.

If you have to spend $50 for an adapter for the tx (for FMS) you might as well get real flight because you will probably end up getting it someday anyway and you've just wasted 50 bucks.

At least that was my thought process. You can get g2 lite for cheaper, but then you can't get online with it or upgrade.

I got real flight a few months ago, it helped me a lot.

If it saves you from demolishing 1 plane, then its pretty much paid for itself, right?

Definatley Realflight for learning how to fly. I use Aerofly for the "3D Stuff." Realflight is extremeley realistic though. FMS doesn't feel "real." If you are going to get a Simulator, don't waste your time and effort with FMS...after trying to get an interface to work, and seeing how unrealistic it is...you'd be better with something realistic which will help you. Just my opinion of course though.



-Jared

You can download FMS for free and play around with it with the arrow keys to see what it is like, graphics and all before you make a decision.

I think you can use a pc joystick if you have one already. Its free to download the software. I wouldn't buy a pc joystick for it though, you could put that money towards real flight.

So, you think I am probably going to end up buying realflight sometime or another anyway....so I might as well buy it now right? Ok thanks A LOT for the advice I think I will go with realflight, there is not going to be a new realflight released soon right?I

Is realflight also good when you already know how to fly? Is it fun on the rainy/winter days?

Since i was going to get a buddy box,i got the FMS and downloaded some of the other stuff,seems ok but there is no substitute for real flying but it will help with your fingers on the sticks.

all this realflight.

what about AFP. Aero-Fly Pro its suppose to be really awsome graphics more realism
plus its cheaper

Real flight is $200.

Then you can purchase add ons for $30 a pop. I there there are four or five. I only have a couple add ons.

[link=http://www.realflight.com/]real flight[/link]

I already knew how to fly when I bought Real Flight. I could fly the heck out of the trainer, no fear. But I kinda flew like a grandma with my four star.... Circles around the field with a loop or a roll here and there, nervous as hell do try anything else. I bought it so I could experiement different maneavers that I was too chicken to try at the field.

Now I only get the feeling where my stomach is going to explode every now and then when I loose orientation. It used to be a constant feeling take off to landing. I was a nervous wreck. A lot of it can be contributed to real stick time, but real flight definetly helped.

It helped my landings and take off tremendously also.

It helped me out probably more than I even realize.

You can fly with people online also.

Like has been said, its not the same as flying in real life, but it is pretty close. I doubt that you will be disapointed if you get it.

I probably have a biased opinon because I have real flight. Do some research. Check out the others that fasterthanlife mentioned.

Good luck,

Wings

I'm using Rc Plane Master from Reality Craft, I think its better than FMS and for 40 bucks it's great value for learning.
You can download a demo at [link=http://www.realitycraft.com/index.htm]Rc plane Master[/link]

Hope that help

Yvefre

I am using FMS....but this is my first sim. I understand the limitations of it and understand the fact that you pay for what you get. But you can start out with it....learn the perspective variations. Once you have it mastered, buy something nicer.

I strongly recommend checking out Aerofly Pro. Its $139 with the expansion pack, unlimited quality downloadable scenery and planes, and free online support when purchased at www.aeroflypro.com.

I have used FMS and was impressed that it was free, but that is about all I was impressed with. I have only used RFG2 for a couple of hours and it just dosent seem realistic. If you have the opportunity, maybe someone in your club would let you check out/borrow AFP, its would be worth your time especially if you ever wanted to get into 3D (RF physics are not capable of out-of-the box 3D).

I own realflight G2. Excellent Sim. I have never flown gas planes before. I bought RFG2 in Jan and practiced all winter long. There is no substitute for real flying but the sim gets you some stick time which is the most valuable asset you can get with a sim. I have flown my gas trainer 11 times with no crashes or instructors. I don't recommend flying without an instructor, but I was just not a big fan of some of the clubs I have here nearby. The G2 is fun and keeps your skills sharp in the winter and rainy days. Good Luck

I have to admit! Aeroflypro sim looks more detailed and seems to have more planes to expand with! The scenery looks better too than RFG2 and for a lot cheaper! I didn't even know this sim existed. I've played the RFG2 sim and it is fun, feels very real but the pics and planes that I've seen for Aeroflypro looks better.

Nick

I havn't flown Aeroflypro so I have no input on which is better. But keep in mind, graphics isn't the most important thing.

What are you looking for? Something to learn on that is realistic? Of just to use the controller. I have the Realflight and can guarantee that I have saved myself over $1500 in crashed wrecked planes. The other good thing no one is looking at is the amount of planes that Real flight offers. While the investment is high initially, you will get your money back as you crash and hit the spacebar to continue. I know during the winter up here in North Dakota, there was no real outside flying.. I say real because I tried at 5 below with no wind and the engine just would not stay hot enough for the glow plug. Again, I can only comment on what I have and have used...

Good Luck
Lefty
[sm=thumbup.gif]

I've never tried AeroFly, but it sounds great from what I'm hearing here. I DO have Realflight......bought it about 4 years ago....since that time I've upgraded to G2 and added the 1st 4 add-on disks. I still use it regularly. The one thing I really like is being about to have online flying sessions with friends, or meet new flyers. I don't know if AeroFly has this ability, but if it doesn't, Realflight might be worth the extra money.