Flight Simulators

[john shaw 1]

I am an absolute newbie to RC though not to aeromodelling in general.

But it was a long time ago!

 

As a way of becoming more relaxed with the tx controls and resultant model attitude, I would like to instal the free FMS sim to my PC. I would also like to connect the Tx (Spektrum DX6i) of my choice to the computer USB port. (I only have a desktop PC.)

 

Could someone who has done this please let me know his thoughts and any difficulties I may experience. I assume a specialised USB cable would be required and that "ports have to be assigned"? 

[Bruce Richards]

I did this with my Futaba 6EX and I am sure you could do similar and it would be even easier because the buddy lead on your Tx is a simple Jack plug. On my Futarba I had to modify a buddy lead to add a jack plug to go into the sound card on my lapto. Futaba use some strange square plug for the buddy lead and the only way I found of getting one was to buy a Futaba buddy lead.

 

There is a driver for FMS that takes the sounds from the PC sound cord and feeds them to FMS as I say above all you need to do is feed the budy lead signal into your PC sound card and with the driver loaded and some fiddling it all works fine.

[john shaw 1]

Thanks for the magnificently rapid reply Bruce.

 

However I don't have a laptop, and my audio sockets are unreachable in my computer cupboard. I need to use the USB ports on the front of the computer. I saw on RC Groups a reference to wires going to the USB ports, and a link showing how this might be done. Unfortunately the link is unavailable.

 

I don't suppose you know how to wire the lead for the USB ports, or even if this would work?    

[Jonathan Lewzey]

Why not get phoenix sim? It comes with a lead that just plugs into the DX6i trainer socket and goes to a USB socket on your computer. Its very easy to set up, the graphics, physics, layout, selection of model, automatic updates, flying sites and online multiplayer are excellent and you need never get a better package.
See www.phoenix-sim.com

[Delta Whiskey]

It's the way to go....use  Phoenix !

[john shaw 1]

Thanks for your replies guys, Phoenix does seem to do a lot more than FMS. 

My problem is that I have to budget to get into this hobby. £80 is a new kit or a pair of cheap lipos.  

 

But I have made a little progress I hope. From RC Groups I found a link to discountRC in germany who sell a USB lead/for DX7 and DX6i. Best part of £20. I'll post if it does what it says on the tin.

[Jonathan Lewzey]

Another way of looking at it:

£80 - £20 = £60 saved on crashed model replacements, because phoenix will teach you to fly better and is more realistic.

 

I don't blame you starting out on FMS if you're on a budget. I was when i started and happily flew on FMS for a while. 

[Bruce Richards]

John

 

for £20 you can buy "RC Plane  Master" that comes with a USB Tx. Its better than FMS and you can use the Tx with FMS if you want to. So if you do not want to spend £80 but are willing to spend £20 I think RC Plane master would be a better buy than a £20 lead.

 

No connection with Reality Craft sellers of RC Plane Master.

[martin taylor 1]

Ditto Bruce

 

I have "RC plane master" and it's great value for around £45

[Jonathan Lewzey]

"it's great value for around £45"

 

"for £20 you can buy "RC Plane  Master"

 

either you've been ripped off, Martin, or you're talking about a different sim

[Bruce Richards]

Yes there is an "extreem 64" version which is £45. I have not seen it so can't comment but I still use the £20 version now and again when it wet and windy outside.

[john shaw 1]

Hi guys, have bought RC Plane Master and am pleased with it. Thanks for all your help.

[IanN]

Fair enough!

 

Re the Phoenix, my Dad's just bought that. Had a quick go with it at the weekend and my impression was that the models were very heavily weighted in favour of larger petrol types. Not much to choose from if you're looking for average club type .40 or .60 machines, which is what would suit the novice flyer best.

 

I preferred my trusty Realflight (G2) which is now 3 or 4 years old. However, the latest version of that is now 160 squid. Guess you get what you pay for

 

 

[Rodney Gould]

Posted by IanN on 27/05/2009 23:56:01:

Fair enough!

 

Re the Phoenix, my Dad's just bought that. Had a quick go with it at the weekend and my impression was that the models were very heavily weighted in favour of larger petrol types. Not much to choose from if you're looking for average club type .40 or .60 machines, which is what would suit the novice flyer best.

 

I preferred my trusty Realflight (G2) which is now 3 or 4 years old. However, the latest version of that is now 160 squid. Guess you get what you pay for

 

 A question please, I have Real flight 4.5 on my h/d and a Spectrum DX7 Tx. Are these two compatible and what additional items would I require to use the Sim.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Tom McGhie]

I plunged in and bought the realflight 4.5 for £130. Only used it a couple of times and there is alot to the programme. I cannot manage to fly the slope gliders the model just disappears over the horizon. I have a electric glider to start model flying any one used the software with a glider elevator rudder no ailerons?

Thanks for any info

 

[John Cole]

John S: Let's go back to the original question: Yes, FMS works perfectly well with a USB link to your Tx.  The USB "connectors" pick up the Tx frame pulses and convert them into a USB signal.  I bought one from China via Ebay for under £10 including postage, and it had connectors of various types including jack and Futaba-square.

 

But before that I used my Microsoft joystick, and for fixed-wing it's quite good for a start.  Rudder is on the twist-axis, but you soon get used to that.  The bigger problem is the lack of trims (particularly elevator), but you can "cheat" your way round that:  when you calibrate the sticks in FMS you have to put the sticks in the neutral position, but if you want to add Up-trim - put the stick with a little Down when it checks neutral.

 

Either way, all you do is tell FMS to find the joystick ,and then assign axes: which controls to which stick, whether they are reversed - and whether you want exponential.

 

You will see posts elsewhere that there are problems with Vista, because Vista comes (came?) without a certain .DLL, but you can add that.  I run both FMS 7 and FMS 8 on XP SP3 Home Edition.

 

FMS 8 adds windspeed and better flight dynamics and so is to be preferred.  However, FMS 8 comes with only a few models (but you can just copy across the FMS 7 ones).  Models written specifically FOR FMS 8 have some special characteristics, but I warn against importing lots of these: most of them use a standard .PAR file (which describes their aerodynamics), so they all look different but fly identically! And badly.  Modify your own .PAR file (it's easy) or PM me with your Email address and I'll send you one that I have modified and like.

Edited By John Cole on 19/07/2009 10:58:58