MS Flight Sim X

[Red1]

I knows its not an RC simulator but Ive been playing flight sims for years on my PC. I only started RC flying a month ago and I think knowing how planes work/fly from many, many hours of flight simulator has really helped me in actually flying RC planes. So far Ive only had one minor crash, and although Im just flying the super cub (which seems very easy and forgiving) I still feel like I had an upper hand, so to say.

I was just wondering if anyone else has gone this approach, playing flight sims and then getting into RC flying?

On a side note I finally figured out VOR flying last night. I had put the game away for over 6 months out of frustration. Well after buying my first RC plane I blew the dust off the game and fired it up again with the new patch/"service pack". I found a great tutorial on VOR/IFR/ISL on the web and it made the whole so clear I cant believe I didnt "get it" before. Adds a whole new aspect to experience, nothing like flying an ISL approach when you cant see more then a mile or so and then out of the rain & clouds a runway appears and you're lined up perfectly with a few hundred feet to go.

Its deep into the rainy/snow season where I live so this is my only way to fly other then the very odd sunny weekend, its too dark to fly after work during the week.

Anyone else play MS flight sim X?

[jbourke]

I'm currently working on my instrument rating and FSX has been of tremendous value. Not only are all the airports and ground stations there to play with, but the ATC handles IFR clearances, holds, and other procedures in a realistic manner.

Jim

[Red1]

I'm currently working on my instrument rating and FSX has been of tremendous value. Not only are all the airports and ground stations there to play with, but the ATC handles IFR clearances, holds, and other procedures in a realistic manner.

Jim

Do you mean you're going for instrument rating IRL? If so does FSX help you there? I guess it does, it seems pretty realistic to me as well and they do have add-ons for actual flight training I think? Cool.

I admit Ive wanted to learn how to fly a real plane and maybe one day I take the plunge and go for my private pilots license.

[jbourke]

Do you mean you're going for instrument rating IRL? If so does FSX help you there? I guess it does, it seems pretty realistic to me as well and they do have add-ons for actual flight training I think? Cool.


Yes yes and yes.


I admit Ive wanted to learn how to fly a real plane and maybe one day I take the plunge and go for my private pilots license.

Don't hesitate. Save up $100 or whatever it takes and get an introductory flight at your local airport.

Jim

[Red1]

I think I'll look into flight lessons in the spring.

This book might be of interest to you:
http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=1214

Someone on the flightsim.com forums pointed it out to me, you might even have it already.

Cheers and good luck with your instrument rating certificate/license (whatever they call it).

[jbourke]

Yes, I do have that book already. There is another one that I have as well. I can't remember the title.

When you think about how much it costs for dual instruction it's pretty easy to justify buying the books and upgrading your machine until you get the most out of FSX. The more prepared you are on FSX the better off you'll be when you do your instruction.

Another thing I highly recommend is the TrackIR by Natural Point.

Jim

[lammy1000]

Is there a way to use a Futaba 7c w/msx?

[Marten]

Jim,
What do use for yoke and rudder?

Marten

[bluesky123]

Is there a way to use a Futaba 7c w/msx?
Why not? Get any TX-to-Computer interface and configure the sim to use it. I've done that with our USB v.4 interface:
http://milehighwings.com/index.php?cPath=22
but any interface, which makes your transmitter visible to the computer as a joystick will do.

Boris
MileHighWings R&D

[jbourke]

What do use for yoke and rudder?


I have a really nice joystick but honestly I find the RealFlight Interlink Elite more comfortable and I end up using it almost exclusively.

I think I'd like to set up a real nice sim cockpit at my house with a professional quality yoke someday. That would be fun.

Jim

[Marten]

I've just ordered a set of CH pedals for my son, who is also doing flight training. Hopefully he'll get into his FS X game more than IL-2. Next step is a yoke, and I'm thinking about hacking a USB joystick I have to scratchbuild one. Lots of ideas out there on the web.


Marten

[wab25]

In MS flight sim X, can you fly the plane from the tower view, like you used to be able to do? Might be fun to fly some full size RC aircraft around...

[lowdive]

yes, you can fly from tower view (and switch from one tower to the next (closest) one). if you take fsx online you can also get your ATC from real people manning the airport towers. i tried it out in san diego a couple of times. there was one person on the ground frequency and another on tower. when the tower guy had to split he advised everyone to use ground frequency instead. definitely on the cusp of reality.

i started with ms flight sim going back to version 3 on my mac plus (eww!). i then upgraded to version 4 on my tandy 1000tl (ugh!) and am now up to X on my dell pc. you definitely need a lot of cpu and ram to get the most out of it!

i've got the CH pedals (a real big help!), ms sidewinder force feedback joystick and the CH throttle quadrant. stick is on left as you'd find in an airbus. when i can, i'll get the yoke and move the stick to the right. then i'll need the CH pro throttle. this setup will give me yoke and throttle quadrant for airplanes, stick and pro throttle for helis/fighters.


i started my private pilot training while i was playing with version 4 on my tandy. 16 colors and the video would get real choppy when coming into a busy area or even just to land (too much going on at the airport). it made landings nearly impossible. once i got behind the seat of a cessna 150 flying was second nature. got video of my first solo somewhere... my instructor can be heard in the background commenting on how smooth my flying is. heck, he even talked me down to a landing while under the hood! never saw the runway.. only felt the wheels touch down.

ms flightsim can, without a doubt, help your training.

was actually flying a bell 222 from the tower view last night. tried to fly it like a model but the stick controls are a bit mellow so it's not the same. adjustable in the settings, though. i still had fun hovering off the runway and circling the airport before landing.


a great place to get free planes and other add-ons: flightsim.com

oh, the virtual cockpit view is also much better than previous versions. the plane graphics shift around when maneuvering, adding thrust and braking like your view would be if you were actually in the plane. this gives you added "feel" for what the plane is doing.

[imsofaman]

I fly from the tower too! I love flying the Kellet Autogyro fromt the tower, Too much fun!!!!