How good are these filght simulators to the real thing?? I mean if I learn how to fly the simulator does this really mean that I can fly a REAL rc plane?? I am new to this and considering getting into these rc planes...

Thanks..

Yes! Simulators are invaluable! I still recomend that you have an instructor buddy box your first real flights. I have had a couple of students that soloed on their third actual flight, after spending a winter on the sim. That will not happen without the sim time! [8D]

Flight simulators have their place. They are good because they can teach you the physics of flight, how to fly, etc. and they can be very realistic. On many you can add wind and that will add some challenges too.
Their downfall is that they don't teach the right things to learn initially. You will be basically learning how to fly by the seat of your pants whereas an instructor would be able to teach you the right maneuvers. They also can't teach you how to preflight, how to tune your engine, how to make minor repairs etc. But for the most part they are nice. I found the one I got with my NexStar to be helpful. It is not one of the better ones but I found it to be very close to how the real plane flies. It really helped me to learn how to fly when the plane is coming towards me.

Good luck!

Well we have had no exposer to RC planes but 20 years ago we did fool around with a couple of cars "The Fox"... We bought this G4 and we LOVE it and just was wondering how real it was in eactually helping you fly!!!

In fact we are wondering why would we EVER want to buy the real thing?

I think that one of the best benefits of a simulator is that it will save you time in learning the basics of stick movement ... in getting the aircraft to do what you want it to do (turn, climb, descend, level out, etc). People that come to the field with sim experience get through the initial learning phase (up to solo, with instructor(s)) much much quicker. You can also use the sim well after the initial training to practice advanced maneuvers. Bob

But I guess my question now is being that the simulator is so good now and will continue to get better.....why would anybody go through the trouble effort, and money to buy a real model plane?

Because the real thing is so much better. You're at a field with friends and always learning new things that a sim can never teach you. Flying is part of the hobby but there are a lot of other parts that are just as much fun. You'll never get that knee trembling excitement that you get from real flying on a simulator.

I agree with all the points made above. I would add that talking to an instructor who could help you learn to fly real R/C when you decide to do so would be very benificial. Ask them what manuvers they think you should practice. As far as getting a simulator and then never learning to fly real R/C planes, this might be what the future will be. However, you won't end up making any flying buddies, learning about flight, aerodynamics, engines, or R/C equipment to any great depth, or my favorite part, building models (unless you build simulator models). The hobby to me is 60% building 40% B.S.ing, 10% actually flying! However, I've been invloved a long time so the actual flying can get sorta boring.

I'll tell ya why..........because of the feeling you get from accomplishing something thats VERY challenging! And if you think that sim(and I love sims) is even gonna come close to that exitement......you need to fly the real thing! An actual RC flight for rookie pilots is a rare,very nervracking experience. One you'll never get from just a sim,and also one you wont forget. An actual succesful flight will put a smile on your face you dont get very often in life(because of the challenge). At least that how most of us feel,and if you dont,RC flying isnt your bag.

Mode One
This is my Biggest dilema RIGHT there!!!!! I think after a couple of flight it will become very boaring..... has anyone found this to be true???
also I can only see these simulators getting Better and better that you will be able to customize very very fine granularity of these planes to where the building part will be just as fun on the computer as well!!

I am with you building the plane is 80% of the fun...boy what would we have if we could do this part on the computer too!!

Yes, I have had students quit soon after learning to fly. I guess this just wasn't the hobby for them. In my 30+ years of flying models, I have never got bored in the hobby. Because there is always something new to try. Sport flying, precision aerobatics, 3D, helicopters, pylon racing, extreme speed planes, gliders, jets...... The list just keeps going! If you love airplanes, it will never get boring.

The emotions you feel while flying an aircraft that you have spent countless hours building and spent thousands of dollars on, You feel the fear of crashing it. You feel the adrenaline while your'e flying. Even after you put the transmitter down, you have a rush that is real. The sim just can't duplicate that!

Because the real model airplanes more exactly simulate the real airplanes by actually flying by the same principles in the same environment. And that is one heck of a lot of fun.

Yeah, it's fun to fly the sims. But it's also a different kind of fun to do the real thing. The first day out with my P40, I wound up making the last landing as the sun set. I also had used up the last of my fuel. And if the sun hadn't set I would have borrowed some fuel from a buddy for just one more flight. He landed right before me, btw. And we turned on the truck lights to see to pack up. Bats had been out during the last flights. Crickets were chirping away. Lightning bugs were winking in the woods beyond the runway.

Guess what........ my buddy called me when he got G4 to tell me about the night flying it simulates. Wonder if it has cricket sounds and bats?

The thrill that I expereince, even after 28 years, cannot be replicated by the sim. But I also understand that some people just don't enjoy the feeling of hanging it out and pulling it back. If thats you, stay with your sim.

Very well put!

If you figure that all there is to the hobby is taking off and landing then yeah, you will be bored.

You ever wondered why there is more than one hole on a golf course? And why anyone who has played a course would want to come back and play it again? Same deal.

i AM LOOK FOR A CHEAP SIM i SEE WWW.RC-DYMOND.COM HAS them marked down from 148.00 to $35.00 would this be a good starter[8D]

The only thing you end up paying for is the controller. The software that comes with it is free to download and includes hundreds of planes as well. Considering that this software is free, you kind of get what you pay for......it isn't a very "accurate" sim. Yes it will teach you the controls of the plane (ailerons, rudder, throttle, elevator) but this can be accomplished with a keyboard. I personally don't feel like anything about this software represents a real life flight, except for what controls what. It would at best be trial version to check out before buying a much better sim, and also a fun "game" to play when bored. So the question is, it it worth $35? In my opinion no. Download the free FMS and play on your keyboard, then you'll see that having a transmitter to control the plane doesn't make it much better, atleast not to me. Again, you get what you pay for!

I just got G4 this weekend. I was using FMS. I'll never use my FMS again! I'd recommend buying a used version of G3.5 for about $100. You'll be able to get a good deal on them now that G4 is out. My hobby shop guy even tried to sell me an "opened,but practicly new in the box" G3.5 for $125 when I bought my G4.

There is no end to R/C. It’s not like once you’ve learned how to fly that’s it. There is always a new area to explore or a maneuver to learn. After 20+ years of flying I still manage to scare the, you know what, out of myself at least once a week. That kind of rush doesn’t come in a pill and certianly doesn't come from a computer.

Your questions come across as though you’ve been playing with a sim and found it a bit dull and wonder if the real thing is just as dull. Keep in mind a flight sim replicates flying just as much as combat on a PS2 replicates being in live combat in Iraq. There are no buttons that increase your heart rate and make you sweat. Some people look at a flight sim as a game but most use it as a tool to shorten the learning curve of the real thing, either by a beginner learning R/C from scratch or veteran to improve his rolling circles. Since I got my sim three years ago it’s greatly expanded my flying skills but often the darn thing just bores me too much. 100 to 1 I’d rather fly the real thing, there is no comparison in the excitement and satisfaction.

I took the G3.5 back to the store, It was going to be to much trouble to upgrade my computer. I,m just looking for something to just improve my skills. Want to find some software that will let me use my own controller. [&o]

Can you tell where is the site I can download some free software.

you can buy a used G2 sim on here or eBay cheap!

No, I don't know of any free software that allows you to use your Tx.

[link]http://n-old.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html[/link]

Like I stated earlier, this software is "Ok", but nothing compared to the top of the line sims.

There are ways to use your own transmitter with this program. You can buy a cable to connect the tx to the computer, my apologies but I forget the websites. You can also make your own cable, but it takes some wiring/diagram/electrical component skills to complete. Going this route requires another free program called ppjoy(I think) to be able to recognize the signal. Check out the flight simulator forum and search for "fms cable" or something similiar for details.

Edited for spelling

I like that analogy.

When "flying" a simulator or playing a game on PS, the stakes are pretty low. It is all ones and zeros on some microchips. Actually flying a model is less predictable and you have quite a bit of time and money invested in the model. You want to get it right.

Look for "Toms RC" he can sell you a cable so you can use your trns. on FMS + 100s of downloads etc