| Flying model aircraft via radio control (RC) has been a | | | | when an RC flight sim is an integral part of your |
| very popular hobby since the mid 1960s, with the | | | | training strategy. |
| advent of compact electronic radio control systems. | | | | Another model flight training area that RC sims have |
| However, in order to learn how to fly, all instruction had | | | | changed forever is learning and practicing advanced |
| to be done with your model flying in the air. There was | | | | maneuvers. In the past, learning a new stunt had to be |
| essentially no training that could be accomplished on | | | | done at the field. You always risked a crash when |
| the ground. As you can imagine, this method of learning | | | | practicing loops, rolls, inverted flight, etc. With the |
| to fly led to many accidents and crashed or damaged | | | | availability of the flight simulator on your computer, you |
| model aircraft. | | | | can now safely practice these new maneuvers as |
| With the availability today of powerful personal | | | | much as you like in the privacy of your own home, |
| computers, practical radio control model airplane flight | | | | without fear of damaging your aircraft. It is almost |
| simulators are an everyday reality. For a very modest | | | | impossible to describe how quickly you can acquire |
| cost, you can purchase RC flight simulator software | | | | new flying skills via this method. |
| and hardware for home use. The hardware is a | | | | In addition, most of the new RC flight sims have very |
| realistic replica of an RC transmitter (usually called the | | | | useful video clips from experienced model airplane |
| controller), plugged to your computer via the USB port. | | | | instructor pilots on how to perform these new flight |
| An RC flight sim produces extremely realistic images | | | | maneuvers. They include maneuver descriptions of |
| of flying sites, and the computer generated aircraft | | | | what you will be doing on the RC flight sim, as well as |
| look and behave virtually like the real thing. You can | | | | a discussion of common errors. They even discuss |
| even see the flight control surfaces move to your | | | | what you will be doing with your control sticks to |
| control stick's input. | | | | perform these stunts. |
| The aspiring model airplane pilot uses the controller to | | | | New aircraft are constantly being added to RC flight |
| taxi the airplane to the RC simulator's runway, increase | | | | sim programs. One can experience flying a wide |
| the throttle, and take off just as if you were at the | | | | variety of model aircraft with a click of your computer |
| airfield. Of course, all engine sounds are realistically | | | | mouse button. These planes can range from |
| produced by the RC flight sim. The airplane becomes | | | | lightweight electric powered park flyers to turbine jet |
| airborne, and the computer monitor's scene is | | | | fighters. The sounds, control feel and performance of |
| automatically orientated such that you get a great | | | | these various airplanes within the RC flight sim are |
| view of the airplane in flight from your position "on the | | | | very accurately reproduced. |
| ground." It's just as if you were really at the field. | | | | Whether you are just starting out learning to fly radio |
| When learning to fly a radio control model airplane, it is | | | | control model aircraft, wish to improve your flying skills, |
| always a very good idea to have an instructor for | | | | or just want to have some fun flying indoors on a cold, |
| your first few actual flights. The RC flight sim, | | | | windy winter's night, the new generation of RC flight |
| however, is invaluable in minimizing the time needed in | | | | sims is an ideal way to enter the fascinating world of |
| the air to become an accomplished flyer. As a general | | | | computer flight training. |
| guide, you can easily cut your flight practice time in half | | | | |