Heli Simulator

[stokrgs]

I am new to RC Helicoptors and have been told the best way to learn is to start with a simulator. I have looked at several types of simulators and have read about each of them in magazines. The latest RC HELI mag has an article about them. My question is what is the best one to buy and learn from? They all have their benefits but which one should I purchase that will give me the greatest returns?

[Bugg77]

I have Realflight G3 and I think that the most important part of any simulator is to practice flying real life scenarios. I've been focused on hovering. There's a good guide on trextuning.com that talks about some practice routinces to help you get the most out of your simulator.

I hope that helps.

[Motions]

They're all pretty much the same price and RealFlight seems to be one of the most popular. The Reflex sim is growing in numbers also. If you want to start with a free one, FMS is great for the money.

[darkfa8]

RealFlight provides their own proprietary controller whereas Reflex and AeroFly require you to use your own (Futaba, Eclipse, HiTec, JR, Airtronics, etc) radio.

I use Reflex and love it. The advantage of using your own radio is that you get used to the feel of it in your hands and the programming to refine the sim operation.

[Bugg77]

You can also use your own TX with Realflight, all it takes is an extra cable. Besides, for someone who is really new, they probably don't have a TX yet and it would be premature for them to buy one until they have a better grasp of what they might be looking for.

I defintely agree that it is important to get used to your TX!

[vroom]

I have RealFlight G3 and had G2 before that. I think it is by far the best simulator. My friend has the reflex simulator that looks much more photo-realistic. It looks like your at a real place, BUT if you fly behind you... or fly into cetain spots on the flying field the program stops and doesn't let you continue flying. You have to reset and start again.
I like using the realflight Interlink controller as it feels just like my Futaba 7chp. It was a PAIN to set up my actual radio so I could use it in the sim, and it never reacted like was supposed to. The interlink is already set-up and feels very close to the same controls as my actual RC Heli.

[darkfa8]

the point of Reflex being set up so it stops if you fly behind you to simulate ACTUALLY being at a field where the 99% of the time you're not allowed to fly over the pits. Which, at 99% of AMA sanctioned fields or overseas' fields is located behind the flight line where the pilot would be standing.

It simulates the condtions you have to follow if you were at a actual field as opposed to just letting you fly all over the place without any consequence. It's not a video game, it's simulator. This is one of the reasons I personally do not like the RealFlight sims any more. They give you too much leeway that is beyond what leeway you actually have in real life.

If you want to learn how to fly properly at a proper flying site, Reflex does a good job of this. Also, in the newer version, you can fly over the pits if you're at a certain height. If you're too low, then it stops. So, for the sake of having the sim continue, but still replicate certain real life conditions it is superb. Either way, both sims will give you perfect opportunity to practice orientation and new manuevers.

[Ken]

OK, kinda new to this but have the Realflite G3 Simulator. Hey, the dirt brake stops aren't as tough as on my Raptor 50. Anywho, does anyone know somewhere I can get a heli for the G3 that will simulate the Raptor 50? Or has somebody changed their settings for a G3 heli that will simulate the Raptor 50? I have checked their website and they have a download for a Raptor 90.... But no 50.

Thanks in advance.....

[rcfan]

Ken, you probably want to go check the RealFlight (official) forums to find out who has a Raptor. I know one of the add-on comes with a Raptor 50, but you will find it doesn't fly anything near the real thing.

Regarding the question that started this topic, unfortunately you will no get a straight answer from anyone. Everyone has a favorite sim ... the one they use the most; sometimes it's the only one they've used! It's safe to say that you will learn the basics of helicopter flying by using any of the major sims (Reflex XTR, RealFlight G3, AeroFly Deluxe). They will all help you learn orientation and hand-eye skills required to get you off the ground.

Question is how much are you willing to spend to learn to fly helicopters. Are you serious about the hobby or are you wanting to test the waters to see if it's for you? If the latter is your case, a good starting sim would be to get RealFlight G3. It comes with it's own controller and, other than requiring a rather hefty computer setup (it's a graphics hog), you will have everything you need to start learning. Once you decide that you're into helis for life (and you will), then you'll want to get a (real) radio and use that in the sim (to get accustomed to it so that when you go out to the field you're not confused by differences with the sim radio, e.g. switch positions).

If you already purchased a heli and radio, e.g. a combo electric heli which most folks are starting-out with nowadays, then I would recommend getting Reflex XTR. Of the sims this is my favorite (I own all three major sims ;) ); it has the best graphics overall (best looking, real-life sceneries and accurate model reproductions) and it ths closest to real-world physics. It requires your own radio and can be a bit daunting at first to setup and get flying properly, but once you get over that hurdle, it'll make you learn much faster than any of the other sims.

Make sure than whatever sim you employ, try to understand that NONE will reproduce real-world flying. For starters, on a sim you don't have the "scared-shitless" feeling you get from the noise and smoke (assuming a glow heli) you have out in the field. None of the sims accurately duplicate gravity (I know, it surprising isn't it), which tends to make helis a bit floaty in the sim-world than real life. Practice all your manouvers well in the sim and when you go out into the field, do the same at a high-enough altitude to allow you to recover when something goes wrong. One of the biggest problems I've seen is folks easily get things in the sim and can do them rather well near ground level. The moment the get to field and try the same ... well, you'll probably discover this on your own (this post is getting rather long). Good luck and definitely invest in a sim (or two).

[kaji]

Stokrgs, I would imagine that a sim could be a helpful item to learn to fly choppers, especially on the more difficult moves such as nose in hover. If you don't know anything about flying R/C then get one. If you know the basic operation and can fly planes then I know you can learn a chopper without a sim. I learned to fly in the 80s with a .25 fixed pitch and no gyro, then moved up to a .60 with a gyro. At that time no one in our area even owned a chopper. Get yourself a couple of 3ft. doll rods and epoxy some wiffle balls on the ends. Wire tie them to the skids. I used two, a friend of mine used four. Two vert. and two horiz. Go somewhere that has asphalt so the chopper slides. Now learn to hover. Keep your mind off loops and rolls and concentrate on keeping the chopper in one place. During the learning process keep it low to the ground, one to two feet tops ,and if it starts to move away from you ease the throttle off and let it skid on the asphalt. The important thing is not to panic and let it get waist high or above while its out of control. KEEP IT LOW , even if it is in ground effect. Keep at it and it will become easier and you will then start hovering higher. Always practice hovering. Use the money for the sim for a better radio. Good Luck.

[vroom]

Realflight Now has the PHOTO FIELDS so there is nothing any of the other sims have that Realflight Is missing!

Also! Some people want the ability to fly completely around themselves. I would rather have the option to Be able to fly anywhere as in realflight. That is what is great about the sims. You can practice for those situations you would not intentionally do at the flying field. If I mistakingly flew behind me, I could know how to react.

The Real RC Heli doesnt just stop when you are headed over your head and possibly other flyers in the pitts. You better be prepare to maneuver away form other people.

With Real Helicopters, We practice reacting to situations that we never expect to get in, so that if they do happen, we can react. I don't want to be limited by the software.

Vroom
UH-60 Blackhawk pilot

[darkfa8]

Reflex just released a updated version with the Arizona flyng site, improved gravity simulaion (not floaty like previous), improved graphics, and some other odds and ends.

With several of Reflex's flying sites you can flying where ever you want, like inside the gym, the slope soaring field, and the 3rd-party fields.

If you think using G3 in follow-mode or in-cockpit mode is going to help you fly the real thing, you're just being foolish. Real life, you the pilot pretty much stand in the same spot. G3 is nice and all, but some of it's sim options are very unrealistic and are more like a video game.

If you don't have the option available to fly behind you heli, then you're forced to learn how to fly by standing in one spot on the ground.

[lmuldowney]

Anyone know of a flight simulator for MAC?
Larry

[MikeV]

Check this one out. Haven't used it, but doesn't look too bad.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/simulation_and_sports/rchelicoptersimulator.html

[lmuldowney]

Thanks,
Downloading it now. Do you know where to get the adapters for using your own tranx?
Again Thanks for the help.
Larry

[lmuldowney]

Well,
I downloaded it 3 times and each time i had a problem with it. So I have given up on it, I tried e-mailing the company but the e-mail links do not work.

I found this site for the adapters for transmitters:

http://www.milehighwings.com/usb_cables.htm

I hope this helps.
Larry