Flight sims, do I need to hook up a transmitter to learn?

[joshme17]

I've been using FMS. But I don't have a transmitter, I've just been using a flight stick. Is this going to help me if I get a RC plane? Or do I need to have a transmitter hooked up?

[slipstick]

It's obviously better if you are flying the sim using the same sort of controls as you will be using in the real world. You'll learn something using an odd controller but it won't really help you get comfortable with the real transmitter controls...so o.k. for learning the theory but not much use for getting the instincts right i.e. where you apply the correct control without having to think about it ;).

Steve

[philami]

The difference is:

You use your whole palm and all fingers of that palm in playing with a 'game' joy sticks, and, you use your thumb (or thumb with first finger) on a rc style radio control. Since I fly both, simulation and the real models, neither seem to have any real advantage over the other. However, if you intend to learn to fly rc via learning using a vedio game, it's better to buy a rc style 'simulator radio.' The transition will feel more natural.

[Malc C]

Personally as the intention of using an RC flight simulator to improve ones flying, then it makes sence to use the same method of control that you use at the flying field, ie your transmitter.

[Mr Rowl]

Whilst building my first slope glider my only significant experience was with crrcsim and SSS using the mouse (I think I had a joystick, but never liked it). After about 1 hour of real flight time with my crunchy glider I was flying inverted sustained with no problems, certainly no crashes, and it wasn't a super-easy plane to fly upside-down either.

So, my experience is that the vast majority of the benefit of a sim is making the connection between the controller and the plane. If you're reasonably well coordinated, the connection between your brain and the controller is trivial.

So - to answer your questions: (1) Yes using a joystick is going to help you (2) No you don't need a transmitter hooked up.

Obviously it's "better" to use a transmitter attached to the Sim, but how much better and whether it's worth the money/effort is impossible to say.