Callum Fraser Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Been reading RCM&E for about a year, but have only just got round to subscribing properly and joining the forums/community.Even though I have been reding for about a year i have still yet to even fully consider flying a model.At the moment i dont have any 'spare' money that i can argue would be ok to spend to the better half. I am hoping that soonish i will be able to though. The thing i am kind of wondering is what a good simulator would be to start on?I have no RC equipment, and as i said id prefer not to go and buy anything too expencive (hence a sim) atm. Soo a good sim with controller would be best for now i think. any ideas? I know this is the wrong forum for the latter, but i will remove the last bit and post it in the beginer bit if you would prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Richards Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Callum welcome to the forum. Try putting simulator or sim into the search box at the top of the page and read some of the many treads on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Hi Callum, and as a regular contributer to this forum said 'welcome to the madhouse'Re sims, I have a rather old Realflight G2, which is just fine..I bet the newer ones are just fantastic.. Also you can download some free ones from the web. However, they are no substitute for the real thing, It's not just the flying, but the whole experience...Do consider joining a club. You will learn so much, and you might be very surprised how little you can pick up a second hand trainer for. This has the huge advantage that it will be a proven flyer, and you may well get a test flight before you buy..I'd be shy, however of buying from the internet, or someone you don't know. Pokes and pigs come readily to mind. Have fun and please ask if you need more informationernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 Thanks for the advice, there is a club nearby (few miles away i think).The probelm is that the better half wont let me spend any money at the moment (just finished uni, so im in debt )As for the search, i did try but didnt find much, ill try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Richards Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Try this one. The search facility is rubbish unfortunately. I can recommend RC Plane Master for about £20 including controller. It is not the best around but I found it was great for a beginner and the price is unbeatable if you do not have transmitter. If you did have a transmitter I would recommend FMS which is free to download on the Internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I would second Bruces comments.RC Plane master with Tx replicator, FMS if you have a Tx.Having said that, I am rubbish on a sim, but train others on the real thing so there are limitations.Use a sim to aquire the thumb skills to control the plane flying both away from you as well as towards you. Also good for learning aeros.Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 well, im used to playing on the xbox, granted not exactly the same, bit i do pick up things like that fairly fast, jus need to figure out what id be better at mode 1 or 2. I downloaded the demo version of RC Plane Master and used the xbox controller. The throttle was sprung (wheras normally it wouldnt be, right?) but otherwise it seemed not too bad. getting used to the flying will take a while... i have some control over it, but often i get it wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Hi callum, Most people in UK fly throttle lefternie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Correct Callum, throttle is normally on a friction rachet which is adjustable for tension.If you have been using a game controller, then probably mode 2 would suit better than mode 1.Best way to tell it to go and have a try at your local field on their club trainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 throttle left, mode 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Correct.Throttle and rudder on the left, elevator and ailerons on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Halgarth Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Hi, I use FMS with a PS2 type controller so you've got two sticks and you don't need to get your transmitter yet . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 getting better, i know its not very realistic at all, but i can take off, fly around (not brilliant at aiming alot) and sometimes land ok... other times i dont, Main problem is landing back where i started (on the strip). one of those things that will take getting used to... once i can do that i can up the winds and other things. It wont be greatly realistic, it seems very directly responcive (im guessing a real one would feel slightly less direct). But it will teach me how to cope with them in optimal conditions.Now, time to plan what training model plan i want to build to learn on (not that i can buy one now, but i can still think about it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Halgarth Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Well Callum ive just ordered the Flying wings V trainer as my first model (its was recomened in a RCME forum somewhere ) ill let you know how it goes if you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi Callum, I find landing the real thing on he strip is easier than the simulator..The problem with the sim is that it tends to focus on the model, and it is difficult to see the whole pictureernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 yes, i have noticed that perception depth is very hard on the simulator, but if i can do it on that with winds up to full (30mph i think) and gusts and things, then i think landing a real one should be a little easier.That would be great william.My current plan is to build the trainer myself (from a plan and a pile of wood/glue/paint) as i think i will like it more that way. but if people think it might be better to go with a standard trainer then i will definatly need some tips on the cream of the crop. I am very tempted to make a blog of my experiances on my web site, then converting it to an Article/Guide or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi Callum, It's very possible to build a trainer from a 'plan and a pile of wood etc' My advice however would be to start with a kit...It probably is just as cheap in the long run. There is an awful lot to learn if you build from scratch, and it will take quite a bit of time. Flair make some fine kits...Their Cub makes an excellent trainer, and is an easy build..A Super 60 also makes a good trainer. I do agree about building, yourself, and yes, you will like it moreernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 yes, I thought that it might be best to stick with a kit initally.Im very tempted to not buy a full kit, but to buy the plane and then a seperat rx and tm + servo pack. As im a bit warey of getting a beginers pack.I would be very surprised if i dont have more than one plane within a few years, and id prefer to use one or 2 tx/rc's rather than many, so id prefer to get a decent 6ch tx and rx straight off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi Callum,Yup, buy a kit for the plane, and the radio and engine separately. There are some good deals around right now, because a new frequency has become available. It's generally refered to as 2.4 . It's difficult to advise, because 2.4 is certainly the future, but because so many modellers are changing over, there is piles of perfectly good older systems available for very little cash. (I've got a bundle of high quality recievers that need a home) If you contact your local club, you'll certainly find some good dealsernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Been doing some serching, the inital good looking first tx was going to be the Multiplex Cockpit SX. However, it seems that this isnt a very common tx, both on the field and in general to buy.So i carried on searching, i have found what seems to be a great offer on a Futiba 6EX-FASST tx/rx set. Anyone have any experiance, or thoughts on this one?I want a tx that will be fairly future proof, and common enough so that i can find people who can link up and teach me the ropes. (the 2nd point involves a visit to my local flight site, i know, but at the moment i cant afford any of this. Call it wishfull thinking/planning for x-mas if you will) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Good morning Callum, Ask ten people about radios, and you'll get ten different answers, but I've been using that radio since it was introduced, and have nothing but praise for it. Its absolutely bang up to date..It certainly, it isn't top of he range, but it has ample features to keep you happy for many years. ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 yea, thats what i was kinda hoping for, future proof, but still not hugely expencive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 had a look through the classifieds and fount nothing that caught my eye. anyone got any good starter radios i can get cheaply, or best off to just buy the new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Hi CallumIf you can possibly afford it, buy a new one..The 2.4 futaba set that you mentioned is pretty cheap for what it is...I wouldn't touch one from ebay , or from any source that you were not absolutely sure about...After all, if the radio goes wrong, then you loose the lot, not to mention what you might hit in the process......................Also, there are not that many second hand 2.4 sets about, 'cos they are still quite newernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Fraser Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 well, for a 2nd hand one i would be looking for the 35MHz band, as it would be alot cheaper... hence considering it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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