Hi,

I'm a newbie at R/C flying and wanting to learn more. I only get to fly a couple hours a week and still haven't landed one yet (at least, not on purpose). Currently flying a Hobbico Superstar 40. My question is which flight simulator is recommended to learn on. I've got the FMS program freeware, and been playing around with that. Is the G3 worth the $200. I'm not too concerned with the graphics, numer of models, etc, but just the realistic aspect of the program. Any recommendations of other software. I'd appreciate any advice.

I'm also cross posting this in the Beginners forum.

Thanks,
Jamie

Wow....sorry to see that your search function is broken... we should get that fixed


This topic has been beaten into the ground ad nauseum...



I prefer AFPD as the phsyics and graphics are excellent,
but G3 is a fine online game ..

was at 3d masters over weekend and at skyline models stand there was a new one
called [link=http://www.phoenix-sim.com]phoenix sim[/link] - was waiting to have a go
but q was too big - looked good though

Just pick AFPD or G3. I would voice my opinion but it doesn't really matter. Eeither is fine. I haven't heard much about FSOne. Each is worth the 200. I've saved countless amounts of trips to the hobby shop for broken parts because I don't wreck often. The sims really do help.

How about G2 Lite. This is a little more affordable for me from eBay. I'm really looking for something that is realistic for landings.

Jamie

Don't go with an older one, just bite the bullet and get G3. It's very realistic. If you get it make sure to update it.

Hello neighbor,

The ones with their own controller (like G3 has) are worth the cost. You don't have to use your own TX so it won't have rundown batteries when you want to go fly "outside". And it really is worthwhile to have more than a couple of airplanes modeled in the sim. I've used G3 to prep for flying a couple of newly assembled ARFs. The accuracy of that sim is such that the models in the sim fly pretty much like they are going to out at Hobby Park or up at RAMs or over at WSRC's field.

speaking of W-S.........

Have you started flying yet? or just starting out? If you're just beginning, I'll be glad to help. If you want instruction, WSRC is just 20 minutes out I40, and some of us are available close to 24-7.

BTW, it sounds like landings are your focus. Keep in mind that they're actually one of the safest maneuvers to do. That is, if you learn to do one thing that makes them safe.

They can be aborted with almost 100% safety in almost 100% of the attempts. You can't do that on takeoffs. And most flying maneuvers take special corrective moves that you have to know how to do, when to do, and what to do. With landings, if you learn on simple thing, you'll almost always bring the model out safely.

With landings, get one thing into your head..... Whenever ANYTHING about it looks bad, there is no rule that says you can't abort this attempt. Notice that idea has nothing to do with twiddling the sticks?

If anything about your next landing attempt goes wrong, or even feels wrong, teach yourself that it's ok to abort. And abort. Aborting a landing can very safely be done and is dead simple, if you do it before you're in too deep. Move your throttle stick up 4 or 5 clicks and fly up and out. Or heck, jam the throttle and give some up. Ain't nobody keeping score, and you're not going to get a medal for landing "that one time".

Whatever wasn't right on your safely aborted attempt is a real good "starting point" for the next approach. Next time around, fly the airplane so it doesn't go where that previous one went that got you in trouble. And take confidence in knowing that next time, if that one is getting out of whack, it's nothing at all to push the throttle and pull the elevator some. Every flight is "practice" after all.

I had a student who was GOING TO LAND THAT SUCKER no matter what on every attempt. After fixing nose gear and crunched wings and almost everything else, it finally sunk in. After it sunk in, it took him about two flights to learn to land with confidence.

Realflight G3 and Aerofly Pro Deluxe are very good simulators. I use them both and learnt to solo on my own with no crashes ( well maybe some hard lardings ) on parkflyers. The planes in AFPD are very precise and flies far too easily as if they riding on rails in the sky, which might lull an inexperienced pilot into a false sense of security but otherwise its great fun. G3 is a little bit more unforgiving and the planes need more stick corrections as they fly especially if you dial in some wind. One of my fun things to do is pick the most twitchy and snappy plane, use the editor to transplant in a monster engine and now you have a screaming fast hotrod plane that will give you a real workout on the sticks.

Whatever you do DON"T BUY DAVE BROWN's RCFS. Maybe it is good with a W 98 or W2000 machine. But I tried to install it on my XP/SP2 machine and couldn't get their controller to work. Spent an hour troubleshooting it. They have next to zero troubleshooting tips that are current by the way. Most are basically cut & paste Windows troubleshooting procedures. Almost like the Dell customer service people: "Please shut down your computer and reboot it, that should fix it".

After I finally got a good install in my first computer I got several errors and RCFS shut itself down.

Also unless you have a gameport 15 pin connector you have to try and find a Radio Shack add on to make it work with a USB port. That should come included. Radio shack is apparently going to stop selling them anyway.

I tried to install it on another machine (a W XP/SP2 desktop) and wouldn't prompt me for the 13 digi registration code during installation, and therefore after the restart the blasted program woudn't start because it said I didn't enter in my 13 digit registration code. Catch 22 for sure.

I have used it and it on other folks machines, even laptops (which are by the way, W2000) and it works fine.

In the end, buggy software not up to todays computing environment....put simply, a waste of $129 and several days of my time waiting on it, then an afternoon trying to install then paying to ship it back. Bad experience.

Also someone out there may say, "He just doesn't know how to install software correctly." So, just for the record, I work with computer software for a living having installed hundreds of programs on dozens of computers of all types and had to trouble shoot everything under the sun. I couldn't get it to install properly after four complete install/remove cycles on two computers.

Mine went back to Tower Hobbies the same afternoon.

Jamie,
Which is the best r/c sim?, I can't answer that for you, but I've found tha if you spend some time with the software, they all do a great job of getting you used to the perspective of controlling the plane from the ground. I have used FMS for many, many years and have been able to keep current even when I can't get to the field as often as I would like. Check them all out if you can, but I think you are using a pretty good tool for learning take-offs, traffic pattern, and landing right now. Be sure to use either a real transmitter with interface cable or at least a usb 2-stick PS2 controller(less desirable , but ok). Don't waste time with a pc joystick. I find that switching to the Switzerland scenery, and keeping the models elevation low enough to see the horizon (moiuntain peaks)at all times is helpful when flying the take-off, downwind leg, base leg and final approach. Have fun!

Scott

On the verge of buying my first sim - and I'm going for the G3 - hope it's worth the money!

You could try looking for a used sim in RCU marketplace at very good prices. You might be able to get the older versions such as AFP or G2. You could upgrade AFP to AFPD at a later time.

I wouldn't buy software used. IT's just not worth the risk.

To the origional question, G3 and AFPD are both good sims. I prefer G3 because it's harder and I learn how to correct the planes. It's worth way more than I paid for it IMO. FS One has been delayed so much, I don't really trust it. I think I'll wait a year or so before I consider buying it. I don't like Horizon either. You definitely want a sim with a transmitter. IF you use the keyboard commands, you might have a hard time transferring any skills to your real plane.

Hope this helps,
50%

Amen. Friends don't let friends buy second hand software

downlaod from G£ via torrent from here
http://www.torrentz.com/torrent_683494.html

I would recommend AFPD or Reflex XTR for physiscs - They both are way better than RF G3.

Still waiting to see how the new PhoenixRC stands.... some say its physics measures up to Reflex XTR, but not graphics.

Just google and you will find comparison reviews.

When was the last time you flew G3?

i prefer G3 and AFPD ... graphics great and a lot of add-ons...btw, ive found a damn cool usb interface to go along with your sims if you grab it off ebay or some 2nd-hand sims....it works with almost all my sims including g3 and afpd...

www.rcusbsimulator.com

After 35 years flying experience ( real and sim) can i tell you that AFPD is the best for me
And i'm NOT the onliest!!!
Save yourself for imitation!![X(][X(][X(]