Joystick or TX?

[ev8or]

Has anyone compared the experience of 'flying' an rc simulator using a joystick vs. a transmitter interface? How much does interfacing a TX to the computer add to the experience? I realize that the muscle training would be different, but it seems like the joystick experience could still provide some useful training.

john

[Jim Poor]

Yes a joystick or even the arrow keys and mouse will provide usefull training.

Once you learn about stalling and other various hazards, all you have to do is transfer that knowledge to a transmitter.

I "flew" FMS with my keyboard for a while, figured out how to do it with a mouse and went out to fly for "real."

I didn't get real flight until I needed something to keep me busy in airports and hotels while on the road.
Now I have small planes for that.

If you can do it though, get yourself a controller or a link for your own TX.

[evan]

My son & I learned to fly using FMS and a $19.00 wireless USB RumblePad joystick made by Logitech. Excellent learning experience specially when you are starting out and dont have a 2 stick transmitter and the necessary interface.

[wsn]

It's a visual experience but no training experience. Training is the eye-hand coordination. If you are going for a driver licence - you don't do the training on a sailing boat ...

Cheers - wolfgang

[ev8or]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the joystick with FMS and see what happens. I've progressed from a GWS Cub through a MM Switchback and should start accumulating some time on a g-480 in a few weeks. I'm guessing I can use simulator time to try and eliminate bad/dumb ideas. Once I get the basic behaviors down in my mind I'll have to map my reflexes to a transmitter with some real world practice.

--john

[evan]

After a few weeks of playing with the simulator, my son was put on a buddy box and flew the club trainer without any assistance from the instructor. He was doing the usual instructor routines such as clockwise and counter-clockwise circles, figure of eight's, go up, go down, etc. except for taking-off & landing. I am sure you will do as well if not better:) Keep in mind that after you get good with the simulator, the best thing to do is get hooked-up with an instructor on a buddy-box so you can experience and learn from real world flying scenario's in dealing with wind, wind direction, speed management, approaches, learning the stall characteristics of your plane and dealing with it, how to trim a plane etc. Good Luck and have lot's of fun.