[rosed37]

Hey guys, I haven't received my Avistar yet, (good thing) but I figured since I won't be flying until spring, I should get a simulator. Well received it today, set it up, and in 2 hours managed to destroy 20 or 30 planes! I thought I was only going to need an instructor for actual flight, but I think I need one for the simulator as well
Ed

[nexstarpilot]

Don't woory my friend you will get on to it I was the same way when I started however I did manage to get in a few flights before hitting a lamp pole. Keep working on the sim make small control movements don't over control.

Good Luck

Nexstarpilot

[ronm]

Too bad you can't hit the "reset" button, Nexstar pilot!

[Gary Maker]

Nexstarpilot wrote: Keep working on the sim make small control movements don't over control.

Excellent advice Nexstar! Once a new pilot learns this and then applys it to actual RC flight, then they are well on their way!

This past summer I watched one of my students struggling with over control and I told him to take his hands off the sticks, and when he did, the plane settled down into perfect straight and level flight. I had him just watch my hands for a minute or two to see how little movement is actually needed. The plane was of course a Nexstar! I think this is going to become, if not already, one of the best trainers sold today and at the price, one of the best deals around too! MHO only!

[Tomahawk]

I have always felt a simulator a good investment at first but it will take you only so far. It is a good tool to get you over what I call the dumb thumb stage.

I used the free FMS software and built an adaptor cord for my transmitter and practiced all winter. I usually practiced about a hour a day until I came to a point where I didn't have to think about what way to move the sticks to get the results in the air I wanted. When I started flying my model for real. I could concentrate more on the flying and keeping things smooth. I was actually flying ahead of the plane and thinking what I wanted it to do before hand instead reacting after the fact.

Wait till you lose your orientation of your plane for the first time. Your plane is all shadows because the sun went behind clouds as you were turning. Yes this happened to me. One of the things a sim doesn't teach you.

I still feel an instructor is essential. They will teach you things that the sim can't.

I find now though I really don't bother with the computer flying as the real thing is much better.

Chris

[rosed37]

I acually mastered the sticks' sensitivity pretty quick, I'ts bringing the plane back on to the runway that I can't seem to do. Most of my landings were painless,but not on the runway
Ed

[Kevin McGrath]

Whenever I play with sims I have the same problem of finding the runway.
When I fly for real I know where the runway is and Im actually concentrating on the approaches ,which is 90% along with allowing for wind of a good landing I find.
As an instructor I agree sims are a very valuable learning asset but there are things only an instructor can supply and using both is best.

[rosed37]

I, have 3 flying clubs within 20 min.s of my home ,so I will definately be joining in the spring, but for the time being I have to be content with the sim.
Ed

[Tomahawk]

Losing the orientation of the runway has always been a problem with sims.
The trick I used was to try and keep about 1/10th of the screen showing the ground most of the time. This always allowed me to line up with the runway because I knew where everything was orientated on the ground.

Chris