x-plane

[mutron]

Hi I am a mac user and decided a rc newbie. I'd like to try to use
X-Plane to learn how to fly :)
Does it make sense to use X-Plane for this purpose? Are there any
R/C models in Xplane. I do not seem to find any information from their
web site.

I have a Hitec controller and plan to get one of the http://www.milehighwings.com/usb_cables.htm to use
to control the x-plane plane.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[bluesky123]

In version 8 of X-Plane, which I've got, there are two R/C models: one high wing trainer and one helie. They both feel pretty realistic to me, at least as good as RealFlight G2. Search the Net, people developed extra R/C models for X-Plane.

A nice freeware multi-platform sim, with Mac executables available, is SSS. It's pretty impressive, runs smooth even on old G3 systems. SSS even has helicopters, which are pretty good, better than in any other freeware sims, even on PC.

Boris

[caseih]

X-Plane truly is an awesome simulator. I have found a number of RC models for it. I find the pov stuff to be very limited for dealing with an RC situation. The views are more suited to watching a large aircraft.

[mutron]

Thanks!!! I could not find any additional model for Xplane. Where can I download them from?

Thanks!

[nathanrcman]

Here ya go mate
http://www.x-plane.org/registry/120_Radio_Controlled.shtml

Have fun

[mutron]

Hi,
I tried Xplane and SSS using my Hitec controller connected to the computer via the buddy port. However I have some questions:

The R/C plane that I have is an electric slow stick (SS) which has rudder, elevetor and throttle (no ailerons). I tried to fly it once and destroyed it :( (that;s why I am looking in the simulator)

So when launched the XPlane I have chosen the R/C model plane (Great Planes PT60) and did not configure the ailerons. I tried to fly it with the rudder only and the elevator. The response of the plane was SO SLOW. I tried afterwards adding the ailerons control and it was much much better controlling the plane (even though I had no idea how to). Turning using the ailerons was instatenuous vs turning with rudder which it did not even gave me the feeling of turning. I am pretty sure that I have configured the hitec controller correctly and that I centered it correctly.

I am starting to think that this R/C model that I have used (Great Planes PT60)
in X-Plane is modeled in that way that it requires the use of the ailerons.
Does this make sense? What is your input? Are there any r/c models for either
X-Plane or SSS (I running them using a mac) that utilize only a rudder for turning?
Thanks for your time reading this!

[martimer]

Just out of curiosity, does anybody know where I can find RC files for X-Plane 9?

Thanks.

[Montag DP]

This is interesting. I didn't know X-Plane had any R/C planes available. It's supposed to use actual laminar flow calculations, so you should be able to create a model for it with the actual dimensions and parameters of the real one and it should fly like the real one. I might have to check it out.

Sorry martimer, I can't help you, but I did find this in a review:

As I mentioned earlier, X-Plane 9 includes around 35 aircraft (though plenty more are available for free) that covers all of the bases: military fighters (the F-4 Phantom), general aviation (the Cessna 172SP), gliders, commercial jets (Boeing 747), helicopters (Bell 206), large planes (the B-2 bomber and SR-71 Blackbird), radio controlled planes, sea planes, vertical take-off and landing craft, x-planes (no surprise), and the Space Shuttle.That makes it sound to me like X-Plane 9 comes with radio controlled models already, but perhaps he only meant they are available for download.

Dan

[martimer]

I did find a few, and they mostly seem to work, but are VERY sensitive to stalling. Since I do not have any of the actual planes, it is tough to tell exactly whether it is me or the model or the sim. I have flown a small wing and the Zagi model in X-Plane is just as tipsy and prone to spinning out of control, but does not have the same flutter issues my little wing has.

One fun thing with X-Plane is that you can make your own folders for organizing your plane collection as you wish.