are sims the real deal?
 

Hi, im 15 and so i cant drive but, my sister will be getting her license in about 6-7 months (and a car) my old man can drive but he's always away the days my local club fly, so i was wondering that if i get a sim, may be Real Flight G2, i could practice on that then when i get to the flying club (with my plane) i could fly all be my own, is that possible to do with a sim? any replies would be great.

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

Real Flight will help you, and save you money... But "Most"
likely it would be better and further savings for you to get
an instructor.. Not sure how your flying club is.. But most
if not all require AMA or insurance( not sure about UK) and
for you to be a member of the club to be able to fly there..
It's the better road to take.... But.....

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

Yes, they are the real deal. I own a Nexstar, and I used the simulator that came with it a LOT over the winter to get used to it. It REALLY helped me get the Left and Right (Right and Left, flying towards you) down pat BEFORE flying...

However, get a qualified instructor at your club to help you learn the first few times... you won't regret it, and you may save a plane!

I did, and after about one month, I am flying solo now, very comfortable landing and taking off, blah, blah, blah...

I even had a mock "dogfight" with another guy tonight, when there were only two of us at the field... it was a blast, and I was amazed at how comfortable I felt doing it...

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

Jason,

A sim would be great for learning how to fly. I used the Great Planes Real Flight Sim for about two months this past winter and became very proficient with the sim before having my first instructed flight. Because of the seat time with the simulator, I was able to land the plane on my first flight and earned my solo certificate on about my fourth flight.

I personally feel the simulators are terrific for learning how to fly. I am still using the sim to practice new maneuvers before attempting them on the more expensive plane.

Best of luck.

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

Sim is the bomb. You'll still need a person to help you but the sim will pay off in spades. Just get the basic one and use the heck outa it.

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

I have only flown once in the air since we just started training and it was wild but way cool and even though I have been into RC trucks for about 10yrs I thought it would be a piece of cake well it's harder than I expected so my son wanted a sim to practice on and I have been using it more than him when i first started flying the sim i set all controls and landings to realistic not easy so it would be hard. I couldn't barely land anything and it was still difficult, but now after a few days on the sim I can land any of the planes, and I don't even have to think about what to do and with the G2 it has helis on it also. I think this is a GREAT way to practice and not crash any money into the ground, and there is also a instructor that talks to you and tells you how to do tricks and everything!! Good Luck

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

Don't buy PRE-Flight, the really bad sim.

I got mine for free, a while ago (and I think it's still the case now) you can download it off the internet legally from the company's own web page for free. Scammers on (sorry, RCU) e b a y are selling it for a price.

PS. It stinks.

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

In one word, YES! Get realflight G2

Rrragman

RE: are sims the real deal?
 

jason5_k,

Yes the sims are worth the money, but FMS is free and you can learn a lot from it. When people first start flying, oreintation is a big problem and a SIM will help train your mind to automatically think without worrying about which way the plane is moving.

Your really going to need an instructor....with a couple training sections plus sim time you could be in the air by yourself but it is very tough and very unsafe to learn to fly without some help(sim or no sim). Just think you have something weighing 5 to 10 pounds, moving 40 to 70 mph, do you want it to be out of control? The tip speeds of the props range from about 400 MPH to 800 MPH so one wrong move and your missing a few fingers. Flying is a lot of fun but is also risky.

Finally, have you check out SPADS....if anyone at your local field flies SPAD I bet they would help you for free. Someone with experience can teach you a lot about how to set up a plane. This is not a cheap hobby, even with SPAD's your probably talking about spending 200 to 300 dollar to get started....so unless your made of money...you need to start saving your pennies and start looking at what SIM and planes best fit your budget.

Happy Flying!!!! Long Live SPADS!!!!!

Steve