| RC airplane flying is a fun and challenging hobby. The | | | | where you're "standing" and go for it. |
| time and expense of learning to fly remote control | | | | 6) If a maneuver goes wrong, try to complete it. Don't |
| airplanes has been greatly reduced in recent years. | | | | just hit reset halfway through a botched loop. Try to |
| RC flight simulators have been one reason for this. | | | | recover from the problem, as there is no reset bar in |
| These are programs that run on your home pc, | | | | real life. |
| allowing you to practice "virtual" flight. Here are some | | | | 7) Have a lesson plan. Determine to fly from point A to |
| tips for getting the most out of your rc flight simulator | | | | point B while doing X, Y and Z. Don't just go where the |
| ("sim"). | | | | airplane takes you! Remember, this is radio "control", |
| 1) Read the system requirements before you buy or | | | | not radio "follow the leader". |
| install a simulator. Some of these programs need | | | | 8) Take breaks periodically. RC flight simulators can |
| high-end personal computers to make the most of | | | | actually be hard on the eyes and body. |
| their features. | | | | 9) When you have mastered basic flying, deliberately |
| 2) Use your own transmitter if possible, instead of a | | | | put the sim airplane into unusual attitudes and try to |
| dedicated control box. It's good to have the exact | | | | recover. |
| same "stick feel" on your PC and at the field. | | | | 10) When you've mastered basic flying and unusual |
| 3) You may need to reduce the graphics resolution, so | | | | attitude recovery, make the program a bit more |
| that the plane's movements are smooth. Realistic | | | | challenging. Trying adding more obstacles, e.g. trees. |
| graphics are nice, but flying realism is what you are | | | | Adding wind is a good way to stretch your abilities. |
| really after. | | | | Wind speed and direction can often be changed in the |
| 4) Master the simple stuff first. There's no point in | | | | sim, and this is something that happens in real life as |
| doing loops if you can't takeoff without crashing half | | | | well. |
| the time. | | | | Visit the RC Airplane Advisor to read reviews of |
| 5) Landings can be more challenging on the sim than in | | | | some common rc flight simulators. |
| real life. This is because of reduced perspective, i.e. | | | | This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given |
| you won't know exactly where the ground is till the | | | | and all links left intact. |
| very last second. Just pick a flat spot of ground near | | | | |