Do you guys also enjoy flight sims?

[Baron]

I briefly tried RC planes 25 years ago but I couldn't devote the time to acquire the flying skills needed so I quit the hobby. I decided to return to this hobby after having played many flight sims over the decades on my PC including but not limited to the best WW1 flight sim ever, the current Rise of Flight. Also had Microsoft Flight sims , Aerofly flight sims , Red Baron 3D and numerous WW2 flight sims I have enjoyed. Now that I have retired it was my desire that by getting into RC again that I could pilot that WW1 Albatross or the WW2 Mustang, Bf 109's etc. So much has changed in the RC world making it much better for noob flyers to enjoy the hobby. Seeing this finally happen is really fun. Of course I got the Real Flight sim series before buying my first RC plane and it helped me a lot.

[Rocketeer]

Re: Do you guys also enjoy flight sims?

Greetings Baron,

Great Topic!!

I know that I can say with extreme confidence that if it were not for the Real Flight RC Simulation software package we would most assuredly NOT be having this conversation.

Like many others I tried/dabbled in RC planes off and on growing up, of course at the time my introduction to flying RC was the Cox control-line models on which the majority of my time was spent avoiding strangulation by the line or puking from going in circles.

Many years later, I stumbled into a hobby shop in OKC and they had a Real Flight Sim kiosk set up. Long, Long Live what I call, "the little red super glue button!!" All of a sudden I could fly (so to speak), crash, hit the little red button and fly again over and over and over until it all began to make sense!!!

I left the shop that day with Real Flight 4.5 and haven't looked back since. I logged hundreds of hours on the sim (and still do) and then one day it was time to apply my "skills" to the real thing. I showed up at a clubs monthly training day one Saturday (after joining AMA), buddy boxed in the morning, solo'd in the afternoon on an Alpha 40!!!! It was exactly like the simulator!!! Talk about transferrable skills!!

I have even heard of some clubs not even allowing anyone to buddy-box until they've spent X hours on an RC Simulator!!

Anyway, the bottom line is a resounding YES! Everyone should begin or at least continue practing with a simulator. NASA does it, ALL of the armed forces do it, why shouldn't we?? Of course, the financial savings during the learning process goes without saying.

Plus, I now have the ability to practice with the planes I own and test fly those I am considering for purchase. Lately, I've been flying the F-86 on Real Flight in preparation for when MRC re-stocks.

Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Hippie 64]

Re: Do you guys also enjoy flight sims?

That's a big ol yes !!! Its the way I learned to fly . I spent many hours on one before even buying a plane . Its a great way to practice without spending money on crashes . I add some wind in because its never not blowing . The way it reacts on things is just great , helps you become responsive on situations without over compensating on the controls . Every thing becomes a automatic muscle response before the brain kicks in . Best money I ever spent !!

[Baron]

Re: Do you guys also enjoy flight sims?

I love air combat sims but not arcade style games. I really enjoy the WW1 Rise of flight combat sim . It is the most realistic air combat sim I have flown. It has a slow learning curve but is really fun once you get familiar with the physics of the particular aircraft you are trying to fly. Finally getting the kill on an enemy plane after a furious dog fight is really a rush. For anyone with a upper end PC that might be interested in playing that game you can YouTube many of Rise of Flight videos posted to get an appreciation of that game. It is a free to download the basic demo game at http://riseofflight.com/en. If you want to buy it say on Amazon.com I believe it starts with 8 planes free. There are about 30 or more additional planes you can obtain costing from 6 to 12 dollars each. You Will need a fast PC. I recommend a quad core machine min 2.6 quad processor.

[StarHopper]

Re: Do you guys also enjoy flight sims?

Can't say they didn't help in learning 'the ropes' afa stunting, but in the end found them all lacking when it comes to inertial movements - even with the highly vaunted 'Real Flight'. Not even close, really.

One particular gripe I had is the people who'll praise to the heavens some new downloadable model, when you download & try it its flight characteristics are ridiculous - eg a "1/4 scale F7F", which supposedly large & heavy, takes off before the tires have rotated once....and landings are bouncier than a superball. Another problem is with models you run out of trim before they'll fly right. Or those where you try to trim the elevator & the thing starts yawing or rolling violently. Without some form of screening before allowing to be uploaded for others, most turned out to be a PITA & totally worthless. Another problem is with the limited scope or view. Hard to judge distance & orientation when you can't see all the ground between you & it. I finally got sick of the whole thing & gave the program to a noob.

I won't say they can't be helpful or useful....just not 'Real' enough, for me.
YMMV - ICCL.