Which Simulator for Elementary School Flying Club...

[bighank13]

I currently have about eighty students (grades 1-5) flying indoors at my school. We are flying Aero Aces, Palm Zs, Avions and the such. I would like to start working with some of the students on flight simulators, and am not sure what way to go. I want something that isn't to fancy, for beginning three/four channel, fixed-winged flying. I would also like something were I could get a site license. Any help would be apprecaited. Hank

[slipstick]

What's wrong with FMS....which is free ? All you need to supply are the controllers and interfaces.

Steve

[IPFlyer]

FMS for sure. And the older kids will get a kick out of trying to make their own planes using Metasequoia.

[slipstick]

Probably the easiest controllers to use are the ESky sim controllers widely available on EBay and many other places. They generally come with FMS on CD for about $25 I believe so search for "ESky Flight Sim".

If money is really tight it's possible, though not ideal, to get started with FMS by downloading it and using the keyboard to control it....so apart from the computer it's then completely free :).

Steve

[ggunners]

You can also use USB dual-joysticks for about$10.

-- ggunners

[IPFlyer]

GG is right; a 5 buck dual axis game pad works just great. Dollar stores even sell them!

[bighank13]

You can also use USB dual-joysticks for about$10.

-- ggunners

Does this work like a transmitter? I am not sure what this is.

[bighank13]

Probably the easiest controllers to use are the ESky sim controllers widely available on EBay and many other places. They generally come with FMS on CD for about $25 I believe so search for "ESky Flight Sim".

If money is really tight it's possible, though not ideal, to get started with FMS by downloading it and using the keyboard to control it....so apart from the computer it's then completely free :).

Steve

I did this, but that is a tough way for the students to go.

[bighank13]

Can FMS be used with MACs. I found some really good FMS/Esky Controller Combos on Ebay for $20...but I don't know if they can be used with Apple COmputers.

[slipstick]

No. FMS along with just about every other simulator is designed for PCs with Windows.

Steve

[BurkhardE]

If it were Macs with an Intel-compatible processor...

[IPFlyer]

Does this work like a transmitter? I am not sure what this is.

Basically you plug one in and use the two "sticks" like transmitter sticks. Here's an explanation of using a gamepad with a commercial sim: http://www.fsone.com/Support/tm.aspx?m=123&mpage=1&key={