Any point in buying a simulator?
 

I've been flying for airplanes and heli's for about 6 years now, I was wondering if the sims were any fun other than just learning on.

For the price of the G2 I could buy a nice gyro or .60 size heli motor or something useful other than a video game, so would it be worth it for a experanced pilot to buy one?

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Way fun!!! I've been flying R/C all my life and I fly my G2 sim almost everyday... I am a much better pilot now because of it. I have it on my laptop so I get to fly with it on the road too!

Mike.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

It is really hard to say in your case. Some guys thumb their noses at G2 (simulators) because it just is not their cup-o-tea. Others are amazed by what they can do.

Can you find someone with any sim to test drive? Do you have any other sims on your computer......car, aerial combat, or the "sudder" Microsoft Flight Sim? How do you feel about them?
Can you put your "heart" into flying the sim planes as realistically as possible instead of just banging them around the computer screen and quickly becoming bored,......etc.

Training on my sims over the years have saved at least two of my models from crashing because I did not have to think about what to do to save them, it just came naturally.

"he quietly slips of his soapbox".

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

i have been flying for over 10yrs and i use mine in the winter time and it really helps to keep my thumbs tweeked

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Jason,

I guess you know that you don't actually have to spend any money to see what sims are all about? There are two free ones you could try to see if you like the idea before parting with any money for RF-G2

FMS: http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Pre-Flight: http://www.preflightsim.com/

Cliff

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Don,t make a mistake and buy the old version of a Dave Brown Simulator. Look inside the controll box ....all air .... except for 2 cheap joysticks. Planes do not even look real at all....a piece of __NK. :mad:

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

You have to remember that the old version of Dave Brown RCFS came out in the days when computers ran at 33 mHz and Windows 3.1 was still in its infancy. At that time, photo-realism was not even considered a reality because computers would not ever be able to run fast enough to accomplish it. RCFS was a good simulator in its day but that day is long passed. I believe the day will come, within the lifetime of many here, when you will not be able to tell the difference between a simulator and the real thing. Contrary to a lot of opinions I have read here, we are still not there. Even the fabulous RealFlight G2 falls short in every respect.

R/C Flight Unlimited

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

I have been on flight sim by microsoft since it became popular with version 5. i have used their newer version - fs2002 for about 6 months,and it rocks the world! there are websites that offer aircraft downloads, including rc model types, and the fact that you can change views to fly it from a fixed ground perspective helps.

it's all very well having a simulator for rc pilots, but do they give you real weather conditions? or even photo realistic areas to fly in?

on the subject of why we buy simulators for RCP's, i know someone who bought a heli for extortionate amounts using his savings- he totalled it within 2 minutes of getting the rotor moving, even with the trainer gear.

I guess to inexperienced pilots, simulators are very cost effective- just buy a sim for 50 quid, instead of paying out 200 for the new parts of a totalled plane.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

I used FMS because it was a free download.
It has helped me get my co-ordination back after quite a few years away from planes.
I think its very useful for practising orientation in manouvers that could spell disaster with a real plane.
My advice is to try FMS, its free and although simplistic compared to others is great to keep your fingers slick.

Simon J

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

I've been flying for only 3 years, but learned the basics - mainly orientation, on a sim before taking to the air in anger. Most of the instructors were surprised by my ability on the first real flight. We have a certification system in the UK which, although not compulsory, proves an idividuals level of competency. Some clubs now insist on a beginner attaining this before they're allowed to fly solo. I achieved mine within 6 months (averaging 5 flights/week). I maintain that the simulator was a great help and like Mike Mayberry above, use it daily.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Short Answer = An enphatic YES. I just started RC about 3 months ago. Lost my first plane in the jungle here in Hawaii. A Combat Wing. My second plane is a Spirit 2 M I got G 2 and have almost developed what I call " stick reflex " We get a lot of wind here and G2 keeps me tuned up plus its a lot of fun.
Pylon racing, Spot landings , limbo are a real kick.
Aloha , Les

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Hey Les,

I'm fairly new to the jet-set of true turbines and was wondering if the RF G2 was a good Sim to use for turbine jets? Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

I wrote two (2) articles for an online magazine on the subject of simulators. The magazine is now defunct so I posted them on my web page. I think they will answer the question.

R/C Flight Unlimited

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Thank you very much Lightfoot! I'll get right on that website.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

i have been heli piloting (self taught) piccollo 1st then lately on glow powqered,the guy at the local club suggested that i got a sim to help me,this was after i saw him fly raptor 60 with 90 engine,loooping and inverted,very impressive for my first day at the club!!!he said that he learned the hard way,expensive crashes etc. then got a sim and i must go with the experienced and try one,...i've got one on order ..can't wait till it comes

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Cool Andy! Which one did you order and where did you find it? I'm looking for a good Sim right now to get my tastebuds wet.

Sims
 

I purchased the RF G2 recently, and am very impressed with the graphics and realism of flight characteristics. I have not flown RC for well over 20 years, and the simulator, I know, will save me $ in the long run. (I recently re-entered it)

I also think that being able to change the pilot's view of the aircraft, provides, especially a newbie, with a visual link how the plane really reacts to stick inputs ....without squinting! (Oh, I guess if I do that the tail slides left..wow...Yaw?...).

I think you get the picture.

Practicing coordinater R/A turns, landings, circling...etc. You can get the ops to do it all, and take some the first time apprehension out flying.

Well worth the investment IMHO JB

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Fantastic Hydro! Any idea where (website) I could purchase that Sim from?

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Tower Hobbies has it in stock, and if you get the "add ons" with the base software, you'll save about $ 30.

www.towerhobbies.com

Enjoy!

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Anybody up for a quick (15min'ish) Multiplayer go on G2. My IP is:
172.183.243.121
Feel free to join in. I'm flying over the Pyramids this evening. No weather conditions set.
Chocky.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

csm v9

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

In answer to the original question:

If you wouldn't bother to read the past threads on a subject that has been driven into the ground on this forum than you probably wouldn't spend enough time on a simulator to make it worth your while. So my answer is no.

RD

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Interesting discussion! Well, sims are not REPLACING the real stuff, they are EXPANDING the hobby and safe a lot of money. Hopefully there is no doubt that one single avoided serious crash is already paying for the sim. What worries me is the title of this discussion. It is not a question at all whether sims make sense - this is someting anybody has to decide according to his own likings when he is willing to ignore the pros - sims are just one small product group with a lot of interesting features that, at the end, improve your skills, train your reaction and let you exercise aerobatics which cost a fortune if you use your real stuff and FAIL.

It is not the question which sim to use. Whether you prefer the advanced G2, Reflex or the more game oriented products or even rather old products as mentioned in the thread - this is a question of personal preference, hardware equipment and free budget.

The point is, they all really help! They show your mistakes and your improvements and they avoid collecting garbage from the field.

And THAT helps me keeping my money together for the real stuff. That the true argument for a sim nobody can ignore. I do sim support for years now and I never had ANY customer saying: "well, it works but it doesn't help a lot". Besides, it gets pilots into our hobby who did not dare to start with the real thing because they were afraid loosing there model in the first flight.

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

Wow an antique ;). Where on earth did you find that ? V10 has been out for several years now and it's loads better, particularly for helis. Perhaps you meant V10 ?

Steve

Any point in buying a simulator?
 

well last time i did mean v9 csm but i have not recieved it yet so i got in touch with supplier and changed order for v10,perhaps this is why it took so long coming with it being so antiquated,maybe my flying will now not be so antiquated!!!!!!