RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

I love to buddy box people.It's super fun and seems to keep me sharp as well.As far as the simulator goes.I'm all for it.I learned on the sim and soloed my second time at the field.I flew with an instructor the first time.He instantly noticed I was a fairly skilled pilot.The sim gets your fingers in shape before you even hit the field.I'm not saying everone will learn this quickly,but most kids will!!Kids master video games in an afternoon.The sims are no different.Kids catch on quick.
I lke to fly IMAC now and use the AFP everyday for practice.!I would like every student to have at least 6 hours of sim before even attempting "REAL"flight.Makes it more fun for the student as well.Especially on right hand approches!!!

ScottC

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

I bought real flight months after I soled after learning on my own. I can get on my pc any time. With this windy weather, and work schedule I havn't been able to go to the feild for a month! By the way, I don't care how good an instructor you are, it takes practice to get the control reversal right. I tihink it takes most normal people more than 6 hours to get comfortable with the control reversal.

Instructors are the best way. Flight Sims is definetely much better than nothing. Personally I have never seen a instructor crash a plane, but I have heard about it on this forem more than once.

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

I have a question... Do the current sims actually teach, or do they just allow you to practice? I've used RealFlight, but not the G2, and it didn't do anything to "teach" me in any sense other than I could try stuff and see what happened. That's certainly very valuable, but a live instructor would have told me when to throttle back, when to turn, how to turn, how much to bank, etc. So, for what I've seen, I think the instructor would be essential. (By the way, I think the age thing is a red herring, but for the record, I'm 52.)

In the future (and maybe the future is here) I think we'll see simulators that actually teach. There's no reason a simulator couldn't instruct the student and provide feed back on what they did right and what they did wrong. That may be some time coming though. Even the highest resolution displays are nothing like what you really see in the sky.

As far as the original question, I have no doubt that a determined individual with a sim and a Spad (or better yet, an Aircore Trainer) could learn to fly on his own. Having a friend to help with the engine and trimming the plane would help a lot, but you could probably learn those things as well too.

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

A sim for both full scale and models won't teach you anything. It is a tool for use to develop skills. Instructors teach. You can learn finger movements on the sim and learn how to understand what the plane will do by moving the sticks certain ways, but there is no substitute for an instructor. Sims are great tools if used correctly, but otherwise are toys. I use it to practice new maneuvers and get comfortable with how the heli will react. New students can learn to fly on them and figure out how to turn and recognize what the plane is doing, but without instruction from someone else, they are guessing on how to start the thing and never know if their plane is set up correctly or not. It takes more than just being able to keep the plane in one piece to be a good pilot. Unfortunately, these guys that keep insisting they are "awsome" because they learn on their own can't understand that and many of them will never get good before they get tired of spending money fixing planes and quit.

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

Simulators are used to perfect your reactions to probable and improbable situations. In the case of RC sims, they do help you get comfortable using your control sticks. The reality of it is far from what happens in the real world, you can't see the reactions of the plane because of the view screen's limitations. If you had a simulator that is like those used for real pilots, then the learning to fly curve would be better because its closer to reality. I had a friend fly the computer version of Real flight, it help him with setting up his radios, navcoms and all the instruments and even the flight. His instructors thought he had take flight lessons previously. Sims have their place and value.

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

well, im 15 and i had an instructor. But my friend who is 14 just wanted to get a simulator (GPRF2). He practiced on that thing forever. Then he said he was ready to fly. I told him that the SIM isn't as realisitic as the real flying but he thought otherwise. He had bought an avistar already and we went to the field. Well, he never had any lessons with an instructor, and then he took off. Can u believe it? He can fly that thing like he was flying a year. His landings were great! I never had to take over, i never had to tell him to do anything. He just flew so good. So personally, i think that simulators are very good. Or its an age thing too....

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

Yep,kids and video games are a leathal combnation!!!:DI was just flying my aero flight Pro and thought about this thread.There is no doubt that an instructor can help in the setup,overall rules and regulations.I think taking home tips and practicing on the sim zillions of times.Can cut your learning curve in half.Meaning you get better faster.It's nice going to the field after already flying for an hour on thesim.Keeps you fresh.

ScottC

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

Everybody agrees an instructor is the best way. G2 does have a Virtual Instructor that goes through the motions of basic manuaever with a trainer. So yes, that is teaching. You listen, try it your self, and practice it, that is learning. I think if you master the sim then you have the knowledge to do it in real life (which is what an instructor gives you). All you then need to do is practice it with the real plane. An instructor can't practice for you although he can keep you from crashing on a buddy cord.

I think if you need someone to tell you every little move then you are in the wrong hobby. Compare G2 with a video game. You don't have someone explaining every move to you. You keep trying until you get it right. Once you get it right on G2, in my opinion you are eons ahead of someone who never had a sim.

I already knew the basics when I got G2 so I was able to fly around ok. My wife tried it and it was hysterical. So it shows that you have pretty decent skills to fly correctly in real flight.

In regards to the out of context comment about self learners, I will be the first the tell you that I have LONG way to go to be a good pilot. But hey, I just started last fall. What do you expect?

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

I think simulators are good practicing tools, however they dont trim your airplane for you.
Its easier with the sim because youre not nervous about crashing, it just resets. The sim was
easier for me than the real thing.

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

Hey Buts its not about the speed of something its the quality sure its easy to get six hours on a Sim and a lot longer to clock that time with a instructor but what is better.[:-] I personally believe that its the INSTRUCTOR that makes the best pilot

RE: SIMs vs. instructor - age thing?
 

I think a sim can get you started but an instructor will get you going.
There are somethings you only learn with repetition (eye / hand coordination)l
There are somethings you learn though education (engine tuning)
Remember the real plane you are going to fly wasn't already trimmed by a computer.
Like any tool a sim has it's place and shouldn't be dismissed.
I really enjoy PRACTICING on a sim but I will have an instructor with me when it's time to fly.
As far as an age thing FORGET IT.
I'm 49 and have had Realflight G2 for 3 months (thanks Santa)
I love it!