I was at the field with my new plane last week, and was really suprised at how terribly i flew. I know the physics of flight, and i know what i need to do to get my plane to fly right and all, but getting my thumbs to carry out the operation is another story. a bunch of the guys at the field suggested i try a flight sim, so my question is: do i spend $200 and get realflight, or just get an interface and download fms or somthing, and later if i decide to go with realflight, i can(for more advanced training )

Although this is a matter of opinion , everybody is going to have a different one on this, After only a few times of using the realflight G2 I found it quite boring, But I have been flying over 20 years, I found that the controls were fairly similar but the lack of peripheral view did not appeal to me. On the other had I found the HELI version very useful and more like flying the actual model sense peripheral vision is not as much of a requirement for landings and orientation. I do think that for beginners the Simulators are useful and can help get a little of the nervousness out before the actual flight. In your case I don't believe spending $200 bucks on Realflight would be worth while , you already have some stick time, it won't take long for you to learn. There are lots of other fun things available with Simulators other than learning, Internet Link-ups with other pilots, experimenting with different types of aircraft and power plants , etc. Could be fun for you !! You might see if anyone has it in your area and just play with it for a while, or try a cheaper one. The only reason I had one was becasue I won it in a raffel. IMO the price for it is a little high.

Granted the price is a little high, but any instructor will tell you, he/she can tell the difference between someone on a simulator and someone who has never used one. Many people have claimed that they have been able to solo quicker using the simulator, and that it has given them good confidence..

I will agree about the peripheral vision, I find it totally useless for that. However, I have always said that the one thing that the simulator provided me was an insight as to how to use the controls so they become second nature regardless of the direction of the plane AND how sensitive they are.. Many newbies do not grasp this easily and having a medium to practice this on is great.

Why don't you try a free simulator just to see if you would like it. It is called FMS - or - Flying Model Simulator. It isn't Realflight - but then again - it isn't $200.00. I have used it for entertainment, and, I have recommended it to other potential R/C students - and the results have been very positive. You can even get an cable that lets you use your transmitter! You have nothing to lose!

Here is the link:
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

I've got FMS (Free) and a cable I I got for $19 here http://www.mattclement.freeservers.com/fms/fms.html
I've also flown just about all the sims at club meetings or club gatherings. Personally, unless your really into the computer thing with great graphics and stuff like that, FMS is perfect for fine tuning your reaction responses and directional control as well as getting your "fix" on a rainy day. The amount of money spent on the comercial sims could be spent on more flight packs and engines and stuff like that.

RealFlight Lite is only $129. It has all the instruction capabilities of the full blown version. You just can't create your own custom fields or play multiplayer over the internet.

You can always upgrade it to the full blown version later on if you want (for another $80).

Do a shearch in the Flight Sim Thread, I ask the same question, I took the plunge an bought the G2, so far it's paying off.
Joe

I hope it pays off for me. I just got 3 used planes and I have no stick time. I was looking at getting G2 myself for the past week. This morning my wife said "just order the damn thing and happy birthday to you". I did.

Ron

I downloaded FMS and used a Gravis Game Pad for my PC. It has two thumb sticks and you can set it up just like the controls on your radio. It helps get your thumbs working when the model is coming at you and close to the ground when landing. I have 16 flights on my trainer now and my instructor said it has really helped. The game pad cost $21 at Best Buy.

it will help develop "muscle memory" after awhile you will not realize what stick you need to move to do what you want

I've been in Best buy and held the game pads...almost bought one for this very reason!...just didn't know if it would work or not. The sticks are a perfect simulation of a Tx...this is certianly a great alternitive!!!...download FMS, run to best buy, and your flying in less than an hour for very little $$

I have G2 and practiced about a month before I started flying with an instructor. As it has been said it is great for muscle memory and does provide a good learning platform. I now use it when I want to start trying new manuevers. I always start on the simulator for the muscle memory and then move to the real thing. Mostly though, I use it in the winter to keep my thumbs in shape for when the WX is good enough to fly. Yes, I know some of you up North will fly when ice is hanging off of your beard or mustache, so I'm a wuss.

As many have already said the FMS is free to download and fun to mess around with. If nothing else it will help you to learn how to work the ailerons with the plane coming from the left or right. You will also learn what happens to a plane in a turn (looses altitude). This will teach you to use the elevator when turning. You can also work the rudder during a turn and see what a difference it can make. You can learn to do all this with just the keyboard. The main thing is to learn flight characteristics.

You'll still have to put in stick time at the field but at least you'll know what inputs to make to get the plane to respond predictably.

I wholeheartedly agree with the guys at your field. If you and your instructor don't mind a longer learning process, you don't NEED a simulator. However, if you want to solo quickly, a simulator is the key. After a few hours on RF G2, I went to the field with my plane. I landed my third flight, and officially soloed after my sixth flight. I am not alone in this type of experience. Read the simulator forum.

A few things I like about RF G2:
- the ability to change ANY parameter of the plane and see the results (CG, control throws, engine size, etc).
- the ability to change the wind direction, speed, gustiness, thermals, etc.
- how incredibly close it comes to the "real thing".

I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now.

I can't compare RF G2 to any other simulator because I don't have experience with the others.

RF G2 cost me about $350 after having to upgrade my video and sound cards. If I had to do it over again, would I? In a second.

I used a product called RC Pilot which was manufactured by Great Planes, however unfortunately it is not longer on the market. RC Pilot came with its own normal size TX and offered 5 planes without upgrade. If you could find a copy of this it would suit your needs and better suit your pocket book. I picked my new copy up on EBay for $70.

I first started with the Sim before taking lessons and found that the Sim allowed me to familiarize myself with the stick orientation. Once I soloed the Sim started collecting dust.

If $200 is just but a drop in the bucket for you then I would say get it, but if its going to tap you a bit then I would have to say learn as the older folks did back when Sims were nothing but a dream.

Blackie

" Is realflight worth it? "


In one word (IMHO) ......YES!

Jerry

Get the sim, you won't be disapointed with the results. I got tired of the sim for a while until I started practicing knife edges, flat spins, and other moves to sharpen my skills even more. Much better to crash on the sim than the real thing. If anything it will teach you which way to move what stick verrrrry quickly. I also soloed very quickly when I was a novice as a result of using realflite.............

ibekdog,

The more appropiate question is can you afford it?

Sims are great but don't take the place of "real" stick time.
If it comes down to getting realflight or a plane I'd say get the plane and FIND a GOOD instructor.

well thank you for all the posts and opinions, i think i have decided what to do for now; im going to get the fms simulator, and an interface, because for me, its not so much realizing what i need to input, it's actually doing the input(muscle memory ). I already have the plane and a bazillion other "flight line" things, so a little ease on the wallet would be nice(more money for the next plane ) and i think fms would be good enough for me.
Thanks again,
Kevin