Flight Simulators and Air Speed calculator
You can help train your brain and hands to fly in less time if you use a flight simulator. Flight simulators are fun even if you are an expert. A simulator gives you low stress flying time to learn to fly. A simulator helps bring back your skills and confidence if you haven’t flown in a while. When you wreck you hit reset and get a new plane on the runway. Some simulators also have a variety of activities and lessons you can use to improve your skills. Simulators let you fly any time of the day or night and even when your wife or the weather won't let you go out to fly.
A simulator will help you practice holding the transmitter properly. Don’t use your thumbs alone but use a finger and thumb on each stick when you fly. This gives you more control on the faster planes. A simulator helps you get the 3D perspective of a plane flying at you. It gives you a chance to make the repetitive movements that it takes to get good hand eye coordination.
I own the RealFlight simulator which I highly recommend. You can down load many Crashtesthobby planes to your RealFlight simulator for free! The picture above is an actual screen shot of a night flying Assassin flying on the RealFlight simulator. This is a top end flight simulator. Its graphics are so good, it fools my mind that I am flying a real plane and I have flown for a lot of years. It comes with its own transmitter which feels like the real thing and doesn't need batteries. It never will replace the real thing but when the weather is bad or I haven’t flown for a while I can fly my flight simulator. When I wanted to learn to fly FPV, or learn to fly a helicopter or want to try a new maneuver I used my flight simulator. I also like going on line and flying combat against other flyers. I have it linked to our 60″ big screen TV.
We want to thank Scott for programming models of Crashtesthobby planes you can download for free to fly on your RealFlight Simulator version 4.5 and above. I have been test flying his simulations and they are great. I have used the simulator to help train new flyers and they have felt it has helped. I have had the opportunity to give some feedback and we have tried to get the planes to fly as true to life as we can. I think these simulations are the best flying flying wings on a simulator at this time. Scott has also programmed 3 different power packages for the Assassin so you can start easy then increase speed and maneuverability as you learn to fly. Even the Beginner Assassin is fun to fly and is very enjoyable.
The simulator looks at the world though a wide angle lens. It only takes a few seconds at full throttle to be out of sight. I recommend you start Start with the "Auto Zoom" in the "VIEW" drop down menu. Use it for all of the models and simulations until you are comfortable flying the planes both away from you and back at you. The auto zoom will keep the plane big enough you can see what it is doing. After you are comfortable with "auto zoom" go to the fixed position camera with all the zoom functions off to get a more realistic point of view. You will be glad Scott installed smoke systems on the planes. It makes them much easier to see on the horizon.
If you want to practice FPV go to the "View" menu and choose a "nose mount" camera. If you want to see and feel the plane function a little more choose a "Chase" camera. I like to fly slow through the trees on the "Sierra Nevada Obstacle Course" to get the feel for FPV racing. You can also do proximity flying staying close to the ground and flying at high speed. Don't forget to try different camera and zoom settings to match what you are doing and your skill level.
If you want to see your flight data, go into the "Window" drop down menu, select "Gagets" and turn on your "NavGuide" to see how high and fast you are flying. You can also go into "Recordings" and record your flight.
If you want to experience night flying on a simulator find an "airport" simulation that has the word (Night) after it and your Crashtesthobby wing will automatically get lights. Notice that you right wing will have a green light and your left wing will have a red light to help you stay oriented to the plane.
The mph ratings are the approximate scale speed the model will fly at open throttle. The speed actually feels faster than stated because you are seeing the simulated world through a wide angle lens. The actual wings will fly slower than the stated low end speeds but you can at least get a feel for the different speeds. The simulations also tend to feel a little nose heavy and want to drop their nose as they slow down more than the real thing.
Most planes have an operational smoke system which helps keep track of the faster planes and to make it so you can see if you can write your name in the sky. You can turn the smoke on and off from your transmitter. The smoke is only on when you throttle up. The front to back stripes on the top and tip to tip stripes on the bottom are there to help you learn to stay oriented to your plane in rolls and maneuvers.
You can download Scott's models into your RealFlight for free: Download the following files to your computer and move them from your down load file to your desktop. Open RealFlight. Go into "simulation" options and "import" these files from your desktop individually into the program.
To fly the planes: Select "Aircraft", then select "Aircraft" again, and at the very top of the airplane list you should see "Custom Aircraft" where you can select and fly the following models. When you down load the plane you will get both the day and night versions. You are going to have too much fun... :-) Don't say I didn't warn you.
This link is to Scott's down load page on RealFlight's customer information and sharing site. After you try Scott's planes, please go back and rate his RF designs to give him credit for his work.
Here are links to the individual planes:
Crashtesthobby Albatross Beginner 10-30 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-albatross_ea.47892/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Beginner 35 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-beginner_ea.47843/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Intermediate 65mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin_ea.47841/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Advanced 90 mph
forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-advanced_ea.47842/
Crashtesthobby Assassin with FPV Cameras
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-advanced-with-fpv-cam_av.48976/
Crashtesthobby Pinata Intermediate 80 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-pinata_ea.47873/
Crashtesthobby Grim Reaper 80 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-grim-reaper_ea.47868/
Crashtesthobby Grim Reaper XL 75 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-grim-reaper-xl_ea.47869/
Action Robot by Suzudx just for fun
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?resources/rx-78_v1_ea.1123/
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?resources/action-robot-rx-78_v1_av.22274/
Here are some links to a few flight simulators: To help you choose which simulator might work for you, here are a couple videos:
A simulator will help you practice holding the transmitter properly. Don’t use your thumbs alone but use a finger and thumb on each stick when you fly. This gives you more control on the faster planes. A simulator helps you get the 3D perspective of a plane flying at you. It gives you a chance to make the repetitive movements that it takes to get good hand eye coordination.
I own the RealFlight simulator which I highly recommend. You can down load many Crashtesthobby planes to your RealFlight simulator for free! The picture above is an actual screen shot of a night flying Assassin flying on the RealFlight simulator. This is a top end flight simulator. Its graphics are so good, it fools my mind that I am flying a real plane and I have flown for a lot of years. It comes with its own transmitter which feels like the real thing and doesn't need batteries. It never will replace the real thing but when the weather is bad or I haven’t flown for a while I can fly my flight simulator. When I wanted to learn to fly FPV, or learn to fly a helicopter or want to try a new maneuver I used my flight simulator. I also like going on line and flying combat against other flyers. I have it linked to our 60″ big screen TV.
We want to thank Scott for programming models of Crashtesthobby planes you can download for free to fly on your RealFlight Simulator version 4.5 and above. I have been test flying his simulations and they are great. I have used the simulator to help train new flyers and they have felt it has helped. I have had the opportunity to give some feedback and we have tried to get the planes to fly as true to life as we can. I think these simulations are the best flying flying wings on a simulator at this time. Scott has also programmed 3 different power packages for the Assassin so you can start easy then increase speed and maneuverability as you learn to fly. Even the Beginner Assassin is fun to fly and is very enjoyable.
The simulator looks at the world though a wide angle lens. It only takes a few seconds at full throttle to be out of sight. I recommend you start Start with the "Auto Zoom" in the "VIEW" drop down menu. Use it for all of the models and simulations until you are comfortable flying the planes both away from you and back at you. The auto zoom will keep the plane big enough you can see what it is doing. After you are comfortable with "auto zoom" go to the fixed position camera with all the zoom functions off to get a more realistic point of view. You will be glad Scott installed smoke systems on the planes. It makes them much easier to see on the horizon.
If you want to practice FPV go to the "View" menu and choose a "nose mount" camera. If you want to see and feel the plane function a little more choose a "Chase" camera. I like to fly slow through the trees on the "Sierra Nevada Obstacle Course" to get the feel for FPV racing. You can also do proximity flying staying close to the ground and flying at high speed. Don't forget to try different camera and zoom settings to match what you are doing and your skill level.
If you want to see your flight data, go into the "Window" drop down menu, select "Gagets" and turn on your "NavGuide" to see how high and fast you are flying. You can also go into "Recordings" and record your flight.
If you want to experience night flying on a simulator find an "airport" simulation that has the word (Night) after it and your Crashtesthobby wing will automatically get lights. Notice that you right wing will have a green light and your left wing will have a red light to help you stay oriented to the plane.
The mph ratings are the approximate scale speed the model will fly at open throttle. The speed actually feels faster than stated because you are seeing the simulated world through a wide angle lens. The actual wings will fly slower than the stated low end speeds but you can at least get a feel for the different speeds. The simulations also tend to feel a little nose heavy and want to drop their nose as they slow down more than the real thing.
Most planes have an operational smoke system which helps keep track of the faster planes and to make it so you can see if you can write your name in the sky. You can turn the smoke on and off from your transmitter. The smoke is only on when you throttle up. The front to back stripes on the top and tip to tip stripes on the bottom are there to help you learn to stay oriented to your plane in rolls and maneuvers.
You can download Scott's models into your RealFlight for free: Download the following files to your computer and move them from your down load file to your desktop. Open RealFlight. Go into "simulation" options and "import" these files from your desktop individually into the program.
To fly the planes: Select "Aircraft", then select "Aircraft" again, and at the very top of the airplane list you should see "Custom Aircraft" where you can select and fly the following models. When you down load the plane you will get both the day and night versions. You are going to have too much fun... :-) Don't say I didn't warn you.
This link is to Scott's down load page on RealFlight's customer information and sharing site. After you try Scott's planes, please go back and rate his RF designs to give him credit for his work.
Here are links to the individual planes:
Crashtesthobby Albatross Beginner 10-30 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-albatross_ea.47892/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Beginner 35 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-beginner_ea.47843/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Intermediate 65mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin_ea.47841/
Crashtesthobby Assassin Advanced 90 mph
forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-advanced_ea.47842/
Crashtesthobby Assassin with FPV Cameras
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-assassin-advanced-with-fpv-cam_av.48976/
Crashtesthobby Pinata Intermediate 80 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-pinata_ea.47873/
Crashtesthobby Grim Reaper 80 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-grim-reaper_ea.47868/
Crashtesthobby Grim Reaper XL 75 mph
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?threads/crashtesthobby-grim-reaper-xl_ea.47869/
Action Robot by Suzudx just for fun
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?resources/rx-78_v1_ea.1123/
https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?resources/action-robot-rx-78_v1_av.22274/
Here are some links to a few flight simulators: To help you choose which simulator might work for you, here are a couple videos:
|
|
|
Even if you have used a simulator we suggest you get an experienced trainer for your first flights. Have an experienced RC pilot inspect your plane before the first flight, and also fly it and trim it in before you try. It is a good idea to get an experienced flier to fly with you using a buddy cord for the first flights. An experienced flier with a buddy cord can take control at any second if you are in trouble, without having to take the radio out of your hands; he simply flips a switch on his radio and can take control of your plane and give control back as soon as your plane is under control.
Doppler Speed Apps and Radar Speed Guns
The least expensive way I know of to get an airspeed on your RC plane is to buy a $25 remote ID tracking device on Amazon, put it on your plane and download a program to your phone and you can get you flight speed downloaded to your phone.
Some Flyers are using GPS speed trackers that weigh about 2 ounces on the plane to get tracking speeds.
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/passport-gps-speed-meter-2.0/DYN4403.html
I also own a Bushnell radar speed gun and although it is a little more predictable it is also a lot more expensive and something else to carry. I use my Doppler App more than my speed gun. Here is a link to Speed guns on Amazon. When I am using the speed gun I like to stand behind the pilot and aim the speed gun over his shoulder at the plane as he does a low pass. This makes it so he doesn't accidentally hit me with the plane while trying to get a good high speed run. The pilot needs to get a run straight at the speed gun for the most accurate reading.
Doppler Speed Apps and Radar Speed Guns
The least expensive way I know of to get an airspeed on your RC plane is to buy a $25 remote ID tracking device on Amazon, put it on your plane and download a program to your phone and you can get you flight speed downloaded to your phone.
Some Flyers are using GPS speed trackers that weigh about 2 ounces on the plane to get tracking speeds.
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/passport-gps-speed-meter-2.0/DYN4403.html
I also own a Bushnell radar speed gun and although it is a little more predictable it is also a lot more expensive and something else to carry. I use my Doppler App more than my speed gun. Here is a link to Speed guns on Amazon. When I am using the speed gun I like to stand behind the pilot and aim the speed gun over his shoulder at the plane as he does a low pass. This makes it so he doesn't accidentally hit me with the plane while trying to get a good high speed run. The pilot needs to get a run straight at the speed gun for the most accurate reading.
|
|
|
