question about using a flight simulator
 

i am just getting into flying and i bought a plane and a simulator. I am wondering if landing a plane in real life is easier than the simulator, because for some reason the plane is hard to see in the sim, and it doesn't really slow down enough to make a great landing?[:@]

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

The simulator is easier to land with. In some ways the real thing is better because your vision isnt limited to a computer screen.
For the most part it is much easier to land with the simulator. Plus you dont have the anxiety of crashing on the sim, you can crash all you want and fly again 2 seconds later. When it is for real you must account for the "pucker factor". Simulators are great tools and will help you solo faster and reduce your learning curve.

Sounds like you have just started using your sim. Practice, practice, practice!!!!!! It will get easier to land, trust me.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

Dewalt is correct...

In some respects, the Sim is easier, but in others, the real thing is easier.

Bottom line is, if you can land the Sim, it will make learning to land the real thing MUCH easier.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

Depending on the simulater, you can adjust the field of view to bring the plane in for a better perspective. Check it out and see if you can.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

Don't forget to add some wind if your program lets you. A nice, light, steady head wind to land into will help. I have Real Flight G2 which will let me play with the wind. I found it a challenge to land with a 3MPH breeze, but with a variable direction of 360 degrees. For me that was just enough to make me react to changing situations as I landed. I felt this was more realistic! Hey... the main thing is to have fun! DickB

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

I used the g2 sim and when I trained, I was taking off and landing on the first day, and did 7 solo flights on the second day ( of course on the second day, there were no trainers or anyone at the field yet) and did not crash:D. I was told it was the fastest training they have ever seen and I contribute it to the sim. The main thing is to put in lots and lots of sim time before trying the real thing and the other suggestion of using some wind will help greatly.

Dave

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

Welcome to the hobby, jlobster88. You are getting good stick time, with the sim, and you will never regret it. All those things you pick up on, apply to flying at the field, in the same way.

Even landing can be mastered, on the sim. You may need to find extra viewing features to make it easier at first, but soon you will be allowing plenty of time for the plane to slow down and land. Keep at it, both flying and landing skills.

Good luck!
Dave Olson

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

One thing G2 did for me is help me get comfortable with the sticks when the plane is flying towards you.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

I personally think it is easier to land the real thing. If you can do it on the sim it makes the real thing sooooo much easier.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

I borrowed a sim and I am sure it saved me *many* crashes before I had a go on a real trainer :D

The thing that I am sure the sim did not prepare me for was the squirly-ness of my Tower Hobbies trainer on take off. With the sim it was just a case of full power and pull back -seemed pretty easy. With my trainer though it took several attempts and lessons with a friend before I was ready to get it off the ground - I wasn't prepared for the subtle rudder input to keep it going straight long enough for it to get to take off speed.

I think in a way the sim gave me a false sense of 'ok now I'm ready for the real thing', but in many other ways it definitely got me ready for orientation and controlling the plane coming towards you as well as flying away from you.

The other ting that was different was the sim gives you a very narrow field of view. When I started flying for real I was still in this 'mode' and wasn't paying attention to what was around me, and so it took a while to get out of that habbit and look more to each side of where I was flying, which helped a lot on my landing approaches.

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

thanxs for all of your help. at first it was hard for me to controll the plane when it was comming after me, and it was also hard to land. but after about 3 hrs. of it today i have gotten used to the plane comming at me. the only problem i have with landing now is that when the plane is high up in the sky i can't see the horizon anymore so i apply down stick and once the horrizon comes into view the plane is speeding toward the ground i apply up stick, this causes the plane to be a little jerky. I can now land the plane slowly but i just don't like how close the plane comes to the ground before crashing? do you think that in real life i would have a better perspective of where the horizon is?

RE: question about using a flight simulator
 

To keep the ground within the picture at all times when flying on the RF simulator, you need to select the "Look at Ground" option in the pull-down menu called "VIEW". This option must be reset each time you start up or change aircraft or airports. Using this view helps a lot in learning to land on the Real Flight simulator.