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Game experience help at all?
I am new, and I am considering getting into this hobby, because well, I love aircraft. I have been poking around these forums for close to a year now reading about all your great planes and experiences.
I just have one question that I have not seen yet and I hope someone here will be able to shed some light on my theory. I am a gamer, I play all kinds of games from racing to fps and flying games...so the question is, will it be easier for me to learn to fly based on the fact that I have a lot of dual stick digital control experience and hand eye coordination. No I am not looking to be an expert right from the start but I would imagine not being experienced in the type of controller would make problems. And I also understand that video games and actually controlling a plane are completely different. Maybe my little bit of confidence can be kept and I can take the next step into flying and buy my first plane. Thank you. |
RE: Game experience help at all?
It probably will help you, but probably not as much as you would think or hope. when flying real planes, you need true 3d depth perception, and life always seems harder then simulation. If anything, buy a good rc flight sim program, make it as realistic as possible and learn and pratice from that, but real life pratice is still the best.
Jon |
RE: Game experience help at all?
Yes, no, maybe? It's all individual. If the games you play require subtle, small movements, then you may not have the same problems with over-controlling that some new people do. Conversely, some people who play games have problems with over-controlling.
If you really, truly want to get yourself a leg up on your learning, I'd suggest doing two things: Get a good book on the theory of flight. Stick and Rudder is one that many recommend, though I haven't read it. The second thing to do is to spend time reading about your chosen method of propulsion. If you can do those two things, you'll have less to think and learn during your training. Knowing the theory won't teach you the practice, but it'll give you background information that'll help you to process what you're being taught. |
RE: Game experience help at all?
myself being a gamer and learning to fly, I'd say yes and no. It does help with hand to eye cordination, being able to find the right stick/switch without looking and moving/flipping it in the right direction is very important. but thats about it, the sensitivity of a rc controler is much more sensitive than any game controler. take Minn's advice and get a good sim and find an instructor
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RE: Game experience help at all?
If you used the games correctly, it may help you learn the controls quicker. In your flying games, did you go down on the control stick to go up? That would be like a real plane and RC, but some do it backwards with games. If you were to get yourself a nice computer radio to fly with, you can actually set the sensitivity on the control sticks much like you do with games. It's called exponential. Give the sim a shot at a hobby shop if they have one, buying one for $200 is a waste if you ask me. I would rather get a plane and get stick time with an instructor at the airfield.
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RE: Game experience help at all?
Yes I use inverted controls. You guys were pretty much exactly what I expected, I knew it would be a substantial experience but your input was appreciated. I am going to my hobbyshop tomorrow and see if they have the flight sim see if I can use it for a minute or two. Who knows maybe Ill just stick to the flight sim :P And maybe I wont be leaving empty handed. The only problem is I am not a very "people person" and finding an instructor might be difficult for me, but I will try for sure, thanks again.
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RE: Game experience help at all?
ORIGINAL: Brasko The only problem is I am not a very "people person" and finding an instructor might be difficult for me, but I will try for sure, thanks again. |
RE: Game experience help at all?
ORIGINAL: Brasko The only problem is I am not a very "people person" and finding an instructor might be difficult for me, but I will try for sure, thanks again. Jon |
RE: Game experience help at all?
ORIGINAL: MikeL ORIGINAL: Brasko The only problem is I am not a very "people person" and finding an instructor might be difficult for me, but I will try for sure, thanks again. Yeah, as long as your polite and show the desire to learn you will be fine. It may be something that opens you up to becoming more social too. Good Luck! PS: My LHS will let me use the sim for 30 minutes at a time if I'm the only one there, and that was even before he got to know me as a regular customer. |
RE: Game experience help at all?
ORIGINAL: Brasko Yes I use inverted controls. You guys were pretty much exactly what I expected, I knew it would be a substantial experience but your input was appreciated. I am going to my hobbyshop tomorrow and see if they have the flight sim see if I can use it for a minute or two. Who knows maybe Ill just stick to the flight sim :P And maybe I wont be leaving empty handed. The only problem is I am not a very "people person" and finding an instructor might be difficult for me, but I will try for sure, thanks again. |
RE: Game experience help at all?
And a great big yes to your question. I have found that my younger students pick up flying RC so much faster then my older students. It's more then just young eyes and reflexes, younger people have always had computers and games so they think nothing of going from different types of controls and don't seem to ever get that knee knocking fear that older students get. A sim is a big help but nothing like the real deal other then learning what the sticks do and getting used to them and the reaction of the plane. I use my sim for learning different stunts, it gets me to the point I don't have to think about inputs at the field. Puters are a big help if used correctly but you will need an instructor. I have now had young students solo on day one with older students taking weeks then having to go through the long learning curve.
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RE: Game experience help at all?
Yes it will help in some areas. the biggest problem for my youngest was, he thought the radio was his game controller. he would throw the sticks around full bore. I had to put some expo on his radio until he learned stick control. in a game you dont have directional reversing, that is the biggest thing for anybody to overcome
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RE: Game experience help at all?
ORIGINAL: Brasko I am new, and I am considering getting into this hobby, because well, I love aircraft. I have been poking around these forums for close to a year now reading about all your great planes and experiences. I just have one question that I have not seen yet and I hope someone here will be able to shed some light on my theory. I am a gamer, I play all kinds of games from racing to fps and flying games...so the question is, will it be easier for me to learn to fly based on the fact that I have a lot of dual stick digital control experience and hand eye coordination. No I am not looking to be an expert right from the start but I would imagine not being experienced in the type of controller would make problems. And I also understand that video games and actually controlling a plane are completely different. Maybe my little bit of confidence can be kept and I can take the next step into flying and buy my first plane. Thank you. You might look at one of your flight simulators and see if it offers a "Tower Mode". I had an MS Flight Sim once that offered you that option. It was as if you were in the tower, and operating the plane as it flew past. If you were to use your sim in that fashion, and practice with the plane approaching you from left and right, it would be similar to operating an RC plane. Of course, the other suggestions are great, I only mention because this would be free and quick. Best wishes, Dave Olson |
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