Hello,

Just a question for you guys that have the simulator, When your in the hunt for a new plane is the flight carteristics of the planes on the simulator real to life? I like the way some of the planes handle and would use this software as a tool to test out different palnes and how they handle to help me make the decision on what plane # 2 should be. Any thoughts?

I'm proubably getting way ahead of my self since I'm just a few flights from being a complete newbie, But I can fly the wings off the planes on the RF G2 Simulator, And Imagine I will get bored with the Trainer I have quickly....

Thanks!

Michael

As you know, the sim has its draw backs. I was surprised though. It does know the diff between the raptor 30 and 60. The 60 loops tighter and I crashed my 30 one time cause I was practicing the 60 on the sim. Some of the planes are really good, some are not even close.

I've been practicing putting the Sopwith Camel into terrible "unrecoverable" spins (full up elevator and full rudder) and have learned that I have a long way to go before I'm ready to handle such a spin prone bibe! But in general I think RealFlite is a great way to try out a prospective new plane for size.

IMO, dont use a sim for realness, use it for knowing which way to push the sticks. So far I have not had a sim plane fly like my real ones. That goes for G2 and AFP

I second that. Software will NEVER be able to reproduce all the variables involved in trying to make a "REAL" model fly. The physics in the natural world tend to operate on a more chaotic level (wind for example). The Software has a "limited" set of paramaters that it operates within. Nature is a lot more dynamic.
In a vague way the sim will let you experience the diff between say an Extra, and your trainer. It will not give you an exact experience because of the variables involved, and the limitations of the software.
However, as stated by JohnVH, it can teach your thumbs how to "react" and "push the sticks".

Never flew one for real, but I bet if you will just return the sticks to center, and let the plane stop spinning. After it is flying again, add up elevator to pull up and then level the wings. Maybe a little opposite rudder. That should have you flying again. Just make sure you have enough altitude for the plane to recover in...some need more than others.

This could be a case where spin recovery with the model "might" be easier than on the sim. Don't know this for sure, just a thought.

No sim model will fly EXACTLY like the real thing - there are too many variables.

What I have found is that RealFlight G2 is probably the most realistic sim out there.
The GENERAL FLYING CHARACTERISTICS are reasonably close. When you start getting into manuvers that are beyond the usual loops and rolls is where the problems come in. The physics in the program are good, but far from perfect. If you are trying to do an unusual manuver, the program will give you a GENERAL IDEA of how well the plane will do. If you want to sit down and program ALL the parameters and specs of YOUR PARTICULAR PLANE AND ENGINE into the program it will give you a much better idea of what will happen.

The purpose of a sim is to allow you to practice various and different manuvers under different conditions (use the weather for wind, direction, gusty, etc), also set the program for its highest "realistic" setting. It will give you a pretty good idea, but that is all.

You can set the weather condition in G2; such as wind speed, direction, gust speed, gust frequency, thermal activity, thermal frequency, fog, night, day, bright sun, cloudy and dark, actually quite a bit. Not as sterile as you might think.

While G2 IS the closest I've experienced to real RC aircraft, I don't think the individual planes are depicted all that accurately.

As was said, you can tell the difference between an aerobatic plane and a trainer, but neither of them flys all that close to the real ones.

I have spent a great deal of time setting up the Sportster in Real flight to perform more like mine, but it's still not "right". I spent a LONG time trying to get one of the sport planes to perform like the Four Star 40, by resizing everything, changine control surfaces and throws, engine placement and size, LG placement, Stab and Wing airfoil and placements, CG, etc. And while it's somewhat like my 4*, it's not close enough to say, "that's it!".
Dennis-

Try setting those same variables in nature. YOU CAN'T! So in my mind...the very fact that you HAVE to set those variables, if you want to (try to) reproduce "the real thing" on the sim, make it just as "sterile" as I might think.
Having said all that, I do think the sims help shorten the time it takes to condition your hand to eye co-ordination. And that is the main benefit I believe.