Controller for simulator
 

So does the controller come bundled in some simulators or do you have to use one that you have bought. Obviously they cant send you a nice futaba with it or anyhting but are there simulators that bundle in a cheap little plastic controller? if so, how much do they cost? thanks alot

RE: Controller for simulator
 

Actually, a couple of the most popular sims bundle very good quality simulated transmitters in their offerings. Real Flight's 3.5 simulator comes with a Futaba made controller for example.

Check out the online advertisements. The ones that offer controllers usually have them pictured in the ads. Or mention them in the ad copy.

RE: Controller for simulator
 

I downloaded the realflight 3.5 demo and used the keyboard. It was extreamly dificult LOL. Will it be easier with a real controller?

RE: Controller for simulator
 

If it wasn't, everyone at the flying field would be using pc keyboards instead of their transmitters.

You betcha a real controller is easier than a keyboard.

RE: Controller for simulator
 

LOL, I figured something like that was going to be said... Anyways I'm doing like inverted flight and takoff and landing is a breeze so is any of this going to translate to the field or am I wasting my time. Apparently I wouldent be able to jump out there and fly like I do on the sim, but can I take anything from this to the real field?

RE: Controller for simulator
 

problems to my pc recognize my hitec usb cord!!!!can someone help me please????

RE: Controller for simulator
 

Flying with a keyboard will do nothing to prepare you for flying RC. And the confusion trying to relate whatever you've learned to do with a keyboard to what you need to do with a Transmitter's sticks is going to cause harm.

Actually, screwing around with a keyboard will negatively impact learning to fly RC.

RE: Controller for simulator
 

yea, i kinda figured that, but I meant could I take what i know the airplane does in the sim and use it out in real life? could I take all my experiences on the sim and kinda learn from that?

RE: Controller for simulator
 

Yes, most definetly. Other wise top pilots wouldn't be using sims to practice new moves, and they do.
There are a number of things the sim teaches you,

1 orientation of the model
2 the correct direction to move the stick without having to think about it. Easy when flying away from yourself, less easy when flying towards yourself or inverted.
3 The effect changes to the model have on its flying characteristics. My mate adjusted the centre of gravity of a model hawk on the sim for his turbine powered hawk, then set the model to match. Result, same characteristics.
4 When you crash on the sim, and you will, you can hit reset and try again while you know what you did wrong. In real life it could be weeks before you can fly again and by then you may have forgot what you did to cause the crash.
5 You can practise things, like autos on helis (engine out landings) before you try a real one. This gives you a much better chance of getting it right first time in real life.

RF G3.5 has a virtual flight instructor who teaches you new moves for both helis and planes.

One final thing, my mates 8 year old son flew a sim over the winter. When we took him to the airfield he soloed after 3 flights, not days, flights. The second ever landing he did was a deadstick.

So in summary, yes, you can take what you learn and use it at the field. I would still strongly recommend that you join a club and get help from an experienced modeller though. If for no other reason than to be shown safety proceedures. The props need respect.

RE: Controller for simulator
 

Keep in mind that what a specific model does in the sim is the simulation of an almost perfectly trimmed model. I've found that the RF3.5's models that I have (SkyBolt, Ultimate, Sukhoi, etc) in real life didn't seem to fly like my real ones. And then I kept tuning my real Sukhoi and one day noticed that it flew like the one in the sim. Lightbulb went on. Figured I had some trimming to do on the others and DANG if that wasn't true.

Yes, you can learn from the sim, but having taught people who had misconceptions and burned them in on their simulators, I would strongly suggest that you can the idea of using the keyboard. You WILL wind up having that muscle memory in the way and mental confusion in the way as well. Can the keyboard.