I have never flown before and wanted to know how realistic a simulator is to the real thing. Is it truly going to react like a real rc or am i better off just getting an inexpensive trainer? Could anybody recommend a simulator? Any replies would be appreciated.

Simulators can be usefull, and many recomend them. I personaly do not like the simulators as they do not fly exactly as the real thing, and why sit at a computer when I am trying to find something else to do any way. (I work with computers all day)

In my opinion, the simulator is a great way to learn the basics of how the controls work, and even some of the basics of flight. However, I think the money is better spent on a trainer. Then find yourself an instructor and go fly.

If you buy a simulator, I would go with real flight.

I am a firm believer of the NexStar that comes with the real flight simulator. I solo'ed on my third trip to the field and have advanced to a SIG Somethin' Extra after 2 months of flying the trainer. As for how real it is? ALMOST the same. In Texas, you never fly with less than 10 mph winds and usually greater than that! The Real Flight software allows you to set up the wind and add wind gusts as well. The part that is hard to train for is trimming out the TX. The software assumes that the control surfaces are already trimmed and we know thats always the case

I've never owned a sim.. I did try some free one's...
And I think it can help in some aspects of flying..
As I've been told there are some newer ones out that give
you more control and additional aricraft.. There not cheap..
But if it helps you in gaining some needed help with the plane
that your now flying or one that you will get in the future.. I
would say go for it.. It's a LOT better/cheaper clicking on the
reset button, Then to have to fix or repair the model...

Some Sims are better than others. The "free" ones will help you develop 'thumb coordination', but that's about it. There are two that I know of that are better for learning because they emulate the real thing better than you might think; they are Great Planes "Real Flight" and another called "Aerofly Pro".

Both of these are expensive (at about $200 and $150 respectively), but offer a lot more realism, and parameters that can be set.
Dennis-

I have RealFlight G2 and it's awesome! I was able to hover my heli on my own because of it. I've tried the planes in the sim too, but haven't actually flown a real RC plane to compare it for realism. I can say that it's pretty realistic for hovering and basic maneuvers for helis, especially if you turn the wind on in the sim!

I appreciate all the responses. I was actually considering starting with an electric plane and was wondering if that would make a difference with the simulator. Thanks again for the responses.

AFP ALL THE WAY

There is no doubt in my mind that you would be best off with AFP, I have had it for a week and it has made my confidence grow incredibly. Last week I flew my dads Discovery like a mad man because Id been practising on AFP. I have never flown a heli before, but after using AFP for a few hours I could actually maintain a hover in a heli(and a plane)

So i say Aerofly Professinal and no other.

Fly-guy




P.S No matter how much it sounds like I'm being paid to say that I guarantee you I'm not.

sims stink[:'(]
sucess is at the bottom of every gallon of glow fuel!
Nextstar's suck, the AFS dosent teach you to FLY!
Get a hanger9 Arrow and a GOOD INSTRUCTOR!!!!!!!!!

If you didn't learn on a sim, I can see how you might think this... but those of us who have learned on them know that $200 for a sim is money well spent...

Exactly

A sim CAN AND WILL HELP. A sim will not teach you all you need to know. I own and like RealFlight G2. I find it about as close as you will get to the actual act of flying. Sims do not take into account that your plane may not be trimmed out. In addition you have a LIMITED view. Imagine a box over your head so you can only see straight ahead - you have no side vision, that is what you have on a sim. The better sims (the ones that cost $$$) allow you to program in weather conditions, whether you are flying off of pavement or grass/dirt, allow collisons with objects, random flight failures and how realistic (or unrealistic) you want the plane/flying to be.

If you plan to start with electrics, I suggest something like a Slow Stick. One thing you should be aware of - the MAJORITY of electric trainers CAN NOT DEAL WITH WIND much over 3 - 5 mph. This means your flying is pretty much going to be early morning or early evening because the wind is low then.

I fly both glow and electric. I learned on glow and when I started in electrics I had no problems.
The MAJORITY of 40 size glow trainers will easily handle 10 mph+ wind and are easier to see due to their larger size. The downside is they are noisy, require a much larger area to fly in and need to be cleaned off at the end of the day (no biggie, 5 minutes with some Windex and a paper towel).

I didn't learn on a sim, and I soloed just as fast as most of these guys (i've read alot of just soloed posts), if you cant get to the feild much, then i might go with a sim, but nothing beats a good instructor for acouple of flights, its not the same without the smell of nitro, or nice warm batteries on a cool day

I did learn on a sim, RealFlight G2, I think the best thing about the sim is that with enough time spent, aircraft control via the "sticks" comes second nature. This is the biggest problem that I have heard of and experienced, especially when that one quick control input could save your airplane from a dirt nap.

I learned to fly several years ago with an instructor. After a few years of flying, I quit for several years due to circumstances. I wanted to start back flying and even try a heli. I was advised by the heli pilots in the area to spend the money on the G2 and get a feel for the heli prior to my first flight. I took their advise. After several nights on the sim (and many hours), I took the heli out for the first time and had a very good first flight with only another experienced pilot by my side and no trainer cord. The skills learned and practiced on the sim were a great help in getting started.

The one thing I did not expect however, was that I would spend as much time flying planes on the sim as helis! Even though I have prior experience, it sure is nice to be able to practice more advanced maneuvers on the sim without the risk of damage to equipment. I can crash over and over again and it doesn't cost a thing!

Another side benefit to the sim for me is that the closest place to me that I can fly is over an hour away. Due to this, flying after work for me is not possible. With the sim, I can fly every night if I like and try out many different types of aircraft all without leaving home. The sim has become as much entertainment as a learning tool and I would not hesitate to buy it again.

As said above, it is not exactly like the real thing, but it sure comes close.

Sims are a big help. Especially when you can't fly when you want to due to weather or time constraints. I have flown both with an instructor and the sim and noticed that some of the same mistakes I've made with the instructor I've also made on the sim. Helps a lot for correcting them. Also, I think people should treat the sim as though it's the real thing and try as hard not to crash the plane as they would a real plane at the feild. The sims are nice too for trying out different types of planes and heli's. Kind of gives you an idea of how the different types react. IM

Hi!!

I have Greatplane Flight simulator 1st edition to sell. I used it enough now that I can fly. I paid for it 300$ canadian. I would sell it for 120$ US. (around 150$ Can). plus 5$US shipping.
It's an original version, works with Windows 98, XP and more. Comes with a LPT connector to a 1/8" jack. (Works great with JR radio... for other brand check on greatplanes web site)

Let me know!
[email protected]

Hi, This is just an update from my previous reply... Well since I
want to try extream 3d and money is a little tight.. I tried a
fellow members Aerofly Pro, I liked it and believe it will help in
learning and saving me replacement cost:-(
At $139.. It's not cheap, Well cheaper than most.. You can use
your own transmitter plus you get an added disk of planes and
scenery and you can download other planes online.. My should
be here in a few days..

Yea, sims are cool. Mine came bundled with the Nexstar. At least when I get to the field I'm not cluless. Besides, the sim in and of itself is entertaining. My sim helps the real thing and the real thing helps my sim flights.

Good Luck

Lou
N8ZF

My experience with a sim was well worth it.

Weekend, I have only just got into the hobby as well and I dont have easy access to a field or good instructor. I spent hours (30 +) on the easyfly sim and even though it is not exactly like the real thing, you do learn to make thumb movements as second nature. You dont have much time to react in real life and you do feel lots of pressure on your first few flights - pressure can lead to hesitation and/or paniking!

Like I said, I didnt have access to an instructor so I had to solo by myself, first flight. I am lucky that I am in a country area so had miles of space, waited for a calm day, and took off. I just got about 3 mistakes high and tried to take it easy. I was nervous and the adrenalin was pumping! A bit of a bumpy landing but no damage. I have now flown about 30 times and have done a nose wheel but that is it.

The sim is a cheap investment I rekon, and can be fun in its own right. If you spent time on the sim and had an instructor help you on your first few flights (especially to teach you about motors, rx's etc) that would be ideal, but you dont HAVE to.

ok....the first plane i flew was a .40 sized trainer..i soloed it fairly quick, and caught on o.k....my confidence was trash after my crash on my third solo flight. i began flying 3 weeks after my first crash, and i was afraid to go up alone, and was not confident in myself at all...i orderd Aerofly Pro...got it, practiced for maybe a total of 3-4 hours befdore i went to fly my trainer....the first flight i was doing rolls, loops immelmans, split ess's, and flew a few circuits inverted...to top it off....i had a perfect 10 landing...(my instrucer saw all of this...)

the next time i saw my instructer he was flying his 40% carden aircraft edge 540....he told me i progressed more than any first year hes ever had, and he wanted to proove to me he wasnt lieing...he took off his plane, and handed me the radio...i flew it for sevral minutes doin all kinds of aerobatics....


so, the moral is, without the sim i would still be shaking when flying my simple trainer, and not flying 40%ers....i give aerofly pro(and my instructer) all the credits in my learning experience....i would be nowhere close to where i am now...


long story short....I LOVE AFP, I SWEAR BY IT!!! get AFP nothing else....

-Phil