I bought an RC trainer plane which I’ve already crashed because I didn’t know what I was doing. I knew better but I didn’t know anyone that flew them and I didn’t have Windows on my computer (I use FreeBSD) so I couldn’t use any flight simulators. I want to get a new body and try again, but not until I play some on a simulator. My plan was to get Windows 7, FMS (a free simulator), and a cable to attach my transmitter to my computer. I’ve done all that and indeed FMS senses the transmitter, but unfortunately the graphics are screwed up in Win 7. Rather than go through the trouble of installing an older version of Windows and finding drivers for my hardware, I think I’d rather just get a commercial simulator. I don’t want to spend more than about $50 though and I want to be able to use the transmitter I already have, just like I would in FMS. I don’t care about pretty graphics or anything like that. I just want to get my coordination down so I can do the real thing. Are there any programs that fit this bill?
Did you try running it in XP or 98 compatibility mode?
I strongly recommend RealFlight flight simulator. We’ve had a copy for a number of years so I don’t know what it is selling for these days.
How do you do that? Keep in mind I haven’t been using Windows since 2000 was new.
I think that’s the one that cost $100 for the basic version and includes its own controller. Maybe I can still use my own, but that’s still a lot of money.
I figured out that in XP, you just right-click the shortcut and set compatibility there. Has it changed? I’ll try it tomorrow.
Agreed.
You might, if you look around, be able to locate an earlier version at a reduced price. Can’t hurt to ask, can it?
I’ve flown a friend’s FMS and didn’t think it was very good. The RealFlight is much better, but a little expensive. The best simulator in the world will only help you learn the moves. It’s going to take a long time and several airplanes to learn to fly without an instructor. I’d suggest finding and joining a local club with someone who can instruct you.
Think of it this way…you wouldn’t expect to pick up a guitar and play it the first time. Now imagine that playing it wrong would destroy the guitar! Flying a trainer is at least as hard as learning your first dozen chords.
The thing is, almost any RC club he joins will require him to join the AMA in order to fly at their field and the last time I checked it was $56/year.
Yes, you will have crashes if you fly RC. The solution is to start with an inexpensive (relatively speaking) airplane and a flight simulator (if you have one). The simulator will help you learn faster and with less broken aircraft.
If you purchase one of the relatively inexpensive battery operated “electric” park flyers you can get a good start on learning to fly and, more importantly, land. In general, the impacts from mishaps from those are small enough the aircraft survives to fly again. You also don’t have the expense and mess of fuel. As your skills improve you can move on to heavier/faster aircraft.
Well I have an update. I got FMS to work correctly… kind of. Using compatibility mode didn’t help at all, but forcing 8-bit color did. Unfortunately it looks like crap and it can be hard to tell what the airplane is doing. When I go full-screen, it changes the color depth back and starts screwing up again. But it’s better than nothing. I’ll go to the FMS forum to ask about this. The controls feel pretty good though.
It’s true that AMA membership will be required to be a member of a club, but the AMA does have an introductory pilot program. The student may receive 30 days instruction from an Introductory Pilot (he, or the club, pays a $5.00/year fee for this) to see if the hobby suits him or her. Not all clubs offer this service, but many do.
Simulators do help, and you can learn on your own, but an instructor makes it much, much easier and less frustrating.