by phildc » Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:04 am
Good morning, welcome in our world!
Simulators are indeed a good introduction to model flying. Detailed info about model flying should rather be found on forums dedicated to this practice.
As a first information, I would say that 4 channels is a real minimum for flying a scale model airplane, and that more channels are rapidly necessary when you progress in this activity. Helicopters need more channels. From a practical point of view, I would say 6 to 8 channels is a good approach.
Be aware that a lot of 'flying toys' are on the market, with a limited number of channels and a poor transmitter, but have less in common with model flying, and will be a bad investment.Some include a cable and fms (but fms is free, and they sometimes give old versions.
But....
You must know that most simulators do not use more than the 4 base channels. That's a great difference with the real model. The simulator will not use the transmitter programmed as for the real model! And will not teach you this aspect of RC model flying, only your flying skills will be trained by the sim.
When starting with a simulator, without being in contact with a club, or having read a lot about model flying, you will not be able to select a transmitter that will suit your future needs.
So...
I would suggest,
- either to contact a club to discover more about the real thing, and learn what they think about simulators
- or to start with a simple controller.
If anyway you choose to go 'alone'' with a real transmitter, read the forums carefully, and have a look to transmitter user manuals. There are some good 6 to 8 channels transmitter, with good programming possibilities for both airplane and heli, and not too expensive.
Be aware of the sticks mode, the frequency band(s) that can be used in your country, know how to disable transmitting when you play the sim, look at the training connector type and adapted usb cable. Look at topics dedicated to interfaces, and know that 'smartpropoplus' needs only a simple mono audio cable to connect a xmtr to fms.
Last but not least, remember that FMS is only a basic simulator that teaches the basics. To progress later, you will probably need to buy a more sophisticated simulator, so do not invest too much into fms dedicated equipment (most sim''s come with their cable and adaptor).
Phil.
Last edited by
phildc on Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.