Best sim for electric planes

[admin]

I'll kick it off...while many sims are on the market are there any geared MORE towards the electric flyer rather than the glow/gas burners?

[4 stroken ron]

I really like AFP
Good selection of electrics, and getting more and more almost daily.
Ron

[JFGrn]

I also Like AFPD. Like Ron said more electrics and are posting. They also have PPS electric models in AFPD.

Heres a few links to download some electrics.

http://www.docinsane.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
http://www.rc-sim.de/index_en.htm
http://www.rodeo.rc-sim.de/Default.htm
http://www.ipacs-sim.com/phpbb/

John

[Fly-n-3D]

I only have G3, but AFPD is the way to go for electric airplanes.

[scotta]

I don't mind FMS (because it's free) but it does lack some realism. Great for learning orientation and basic control though. For $15 you can get started with a simulator cable, download the free software and your away..

Scott

[steph280]

Reflex XTR is the best overall simulator I've seen. But I guess it's not up to far as far as electric model selection is concerned.

[STLPilot]

If you like foamies and 3D you'll love this bird for AFPD. Rocks ...

www.aeroflypro.com/download (http://www.aeroflypro.com/download) <--- best collection of 3d planes for AFPD including those amazing OMP profiles.

Another fav is the E-Giles at same site.

http://www.aeroflypro.com/afpdownloads/aircraft/foamyyak/foamyyak.jpg

[Greg.B]

For electric models you can't beat AFPD :) :cool: !

And here's some videos to prove it:)!

The 4D trio!!!:

PART 1!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1663401320&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

PART 2!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1663427311&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

PART 3!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1663414932&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

And some more 4D!!!:

OMP 4D Yak foamy!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1151241827&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

IKARUS Yak-54 4D!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1563720793&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

And here's somethin' I did when I was bored!!:
(It's not bad for rudder and elevator only:eek:!!!).

I was bored!!!!!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1544020937&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

Hope ya like em' ;)!

Greg.

[NCguy]

My vote is definately for AFPD !!

[Dan Johnson]

What does AFPD stand for.enquiring minds need to know.:confused:
Dan

[Greg.B]

Aerofly Professional Deluxe ;) :).

Greg.

[Mudsurfer1234]

AFPD is awesome, in my opinion the Monsoon 3D and the Slowride bipe are the most realistic;)

[Watts up]

Greg B id like to see a non sim vid like that!!

[inconel710]

Anyone know of a good simulator that will run on a LAPTOP computer? I'm pretty mobile and don't even own a desktop anymore (work OR personal).

[NCguy]

Anyone know of a good simulator that will run on a LAPTOP computer? I'm pretty mobile and don't even own a desktop anymore (work OR personal).

I would think all of the major sims will run on a notebook. It depends on the graphics chipset in the notebook. Each sim has their own requirements. You will need a fairly high-end notebook with high-end graphics.

[falingtrea]

The only probelm with AFPD is the cost and having to buy a controller (Problem with G3 too) Anyone familiar with RC Plane Master? Says they have some electric models available also. And I can use my Futaba with a MileHighWings USB adapter.

http://www.realitycraft.com/RCPlaneMaster/rc_plane_master.htm

The nice thing about FMS is that people can make models. I also doesn't need as much computer horsepower. I am running it on a dual 800 MHZ P3 with an Nvidai Riva/TNT video card.

[NCguy]

The only probelm with AFPD is the cost and having to buy a controller (Problem with G3 too)


A controller purchase is NOT required with AFPD.

[STLPilot]

Anyone know of a good simulator that will run on a LAPTOP computer? I'm pretty mobile and don't even own a desktop anymore (work OR personal).

What are your computer specs?

[inconel710]

What are your computer specs?

I've got a Toshiba with a 2GHz Celeron, 512MB, and an Intel 82852 Graphics Chipset. Not a "high end" machine, but I have played HALO on it at lower resolution and detail.

[falingtrea]

A controller purchase is NOT required with AFPD.

OK, I see that now. But I already have an interface cable from MileHighWings :(.

I did find an electric model for FMS, the slo-V7.

inconel710, if your laptop can run DirectX 8 or 9, you should be ok. Try running dxdiag.exe and see if you have DirectDraw and Direct3D acceleration available.

[inconel710]

Looks like I'm set. Now to petition the wife for the $.

Thanks.

[inconel710]

OK, I ended up downloading FMS and buying a Sim Blaster USB interface for my JR xmttr. After some work getting the calibration set, I am now up and "flying" on my laptop.

So far, FMS has been great for retraining my thumbs and relearning the meaning of smooth, controlled input. I don't see any reason to buy another simulator for the foreseeable future. Maybe when I replace this computer, but not until then.

Here's a great resource for FMS model files and utilities. It's a German site, but the English version is not too bad.

http://www.rc-sim.de/index_en.htm

[1LO64]

Can the transmitter that comes with the Stryker be used in conjunction with any of the sims?? Specifically AFD?

[inconel710]

Can the transmitter that comes with the Stryker be used in conjunction with any of the sims?? Specifically AFD?

All of the interfaces I am familiar with use the trainer port on your xmtr to get the signal. Does the ParkZone xmtr have a trainer port? :confused: If it does, you're in luck. I know FMS has a couple of Stryker models available for it (see my previous post). That would let you do it on the cheap.:D

[Electrick]

Another vote for AFPD.

I have lately become fascinated with flying the Convair XFY-1 Pogo VTOL plane (complete with counter-rotating props) that I found on one of the sim sites. That thing is a BLAST to fly! If you move the CG on it back some, it makes it much easier to land vertically, like it was meant to.:cool: I've gotten fairly good at vertical landing it now.

If anyone's interested, I'll try to find a link to where I got it. You gotta try it.

Rick

[Greg.B]

Find the Convair XFY-1 Pogo Here (http://www.kdkuehn.de/sim_afpd_scale.htm):)!

Here is a video of the E-flite Ultimate 4D which is coming soon for AFPD:eek:!
Click Here!!! (http://www.streamload.com/Deliver/Deliver.asp?cxInstID=15770324&nodeID=1222471292&returnPage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Estreamload%2Ecom%2FN odes%2FNode%2Easp%3FcxInstID%3D15770324%26nodeID%3 D1139463089%26alreadyCurrentTab%3Dtrue)

You can get the E-flite Ultimate 3D (Standard version no VPP) Here! (http://www.rodeo.rc-sim.de/Default.htm)

BW:cool:!

Greg.

[sceren]

My vote is for AFPD.
Check the videos on
www.gurmanbayraktar.com (http://www.gurmanbayraktar.com)

Gurman.
(Sorry for language but you can download the videos)

[E.Gerry]

Having read this thread, and a few others, I've opted for AFPD, placed my order today. I was told it would run OK with my Futaba FF6, hope that's the case.
Thanks to all contributors for all the useful info I've picked up from discussion forums.
Gerry

[Idaho]

OK, I see FMS isn't too realistic. I do know I've been helped a lot by it Lots of fun too and it does give a basic idea what different plane types are like to fly.

Is something like AFPD going to help a lot more?

Also, I'm using a double joystick (can't get it to recognise my tx). Is it really a lot more helpful to have your tx working with it?

[E.Gerry]

Hi Idaho,
I've had my AFPD a couple of months now (see post #28). In that time I have really enjoyed it. I thas certainly improved my real model flying, knife edges and stall turns, and most imortantly, landings!
I've no experience of any other flight sim, but I can recommend AFPD.
It has one error that I have reported on in this forum; the wind direction compass is anticlockwise instead of clockwise, but once you know this it is no problem.
It is quite demanding in computer power to achieve the high frame rates recommended, at the moment I am only getting 40FPS with basic scenery, so I am thinking of upgrading my graphics card to enable me to use more of its features.
Good luck,
Gerry

[Idaho]

Thanks. I'm going to check if they have a demo download.
Comments from anyone who's used both would also be appreciated.

[E.Gerry]

See earlier posts by Greg.B. Wish I could fly like that!

[Idaho]

Finally got to use high speed to look at some of those videos. Amazing realism. Greg - incredible.
Unfortunate that the price of AFPD is also incredible.

[dogtow]

i just recieved real flight g3 from www.wholesaletrains.com (http://www.wholesaletrains.com)
for 174.98 plus 2.00 shipping
here is link to g3
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200408578
they sent a thank you for shopping
then another when it was sent out with fedex tracking number
then fedex sent tracking link
took 1 week at the door in great shape
packed well
ps i did call there & someone answered
only thing is noway to see how much faster shipping costs

[JimClark]

What about the aeroFly pro is it any good for a beginner> I am only interested in electrics.
jim

[STLPilot]

AFPD is best for beginners! The physics are more real.

[watt_the?!]

ive flown afp, afpd, rfg2, reflex and reflex xtr, pre flight and fms.

i believe tha tthe physics are best in reflex when compared to afpd...no question.

i havent flown rfg3.

FWIW.

Tim

[Kamikazi]

AFPD vs. Reflex - I have to agree. I've owned AFP and AFPD for a year and a half. The AFPD $$$ 'upgrade' was rather dissapointing. Despite claims to the contrary, there is NO difference in the flight physics that I can detect. I have flown AFPD for hundreds of hours. It is definitely a LOT of fun and very habit forming. But... everytime I have tried Reflex XTR, I was surprised to find that I couldn't do half the things I could do with AFPD. That applies to both Plane and Helis. That might sound like AFPD is better simulator... but it depends on how you define 'better'.
When I stopped and thought about it, I realized that XTR was actually flying a lot more like the real thing, and that AFPD was actually more like a game. It sacrifices realism to make it more FUN.
That said, not all aircraft in AFPD are lacking realism at the same level. But overall the aircraft fly with a lesser level of realism than in XTR.

AFPD is easier to fly and really makes you look good on the computer screen. But don't expect to be able to fly most real aircraft at the same level.

XTR can be much more realistic. But that comes at a cost. Many of the aircraft in XTR need tweaking to fly really well. In AFPD, not as much tweaking is possible, but most fly very well (often too well), right out of the box. For someone who doesn't want to fiddle around adjusting aircraft parameters, AFPD might be a better choice. But for a really serious simulator (vs. a game), XTR has the power and flexibility to bring you closer to the real thing.

[E.Gerry]

Hi Guys,
Reference post #30. I have installed a new graphics card, the nVidia GeForce 6600. This has increased the FPS to about 200, with improved smoothness and definition. Well worth the upgrade, which cost almost as much as AFPD!
Kamikazi,
Thanks for your excellent analysis. Although I have not flown any other flight sims I have felt while using AFPD that their models are easier to fly than real models. As you say, very good for beginners to get some stick time without the heart-breaks.
Regards,
Gerry

[frvrngn]

Gerry -

What setup did you have before? I want to get AFPD but am worried about my setup. I am running a Dell 2.4GHz, 1G of RAM, and a nVidia GeForce4 MX440 with AGP8X (64MB Ram) all running in XP. I dont want to spend all that money to find out I can barely run the program!

Anybody know if that setup will work well?

[E.Gerry]

Hi frvrngn,
My computer: CPU Athlon 1.9GHz, 512kb RAM, graphics card GF6600 AGP8X with 256mb DDR memory. My previous graphics card was a Radeon 9200 with 128mb DDR, which can be bought for about £30.
I am not a computer expert, but looking up your graphics card on the internet it appears to be no longer available, which suggests it has been superseded.
So it looks as if you could do with an upgrade.
Hope this helps,
Gerry

[rca]

Gerry -

What setup did you have before? I want to get AFPD but am worried about my setup. I am running a Dell 2.4GHz, 1G of RAM, and a nVidia GeForce4 MX440 with AGP8X (64MB Ram) all running in XP. I dont want to spend all that money to find out I can barely run the program!

Anybody know if that setup will work well?

Looking at the AFPD requirements I think your system would work, but probably not well. You are right at the minimums for Memory on your PC and your video card. Processor is a little better than required. Basically it should work but it might not look as good as some of the videos and screen shots.

rca

[watt_the?!]

Gerry -

What setup did you have before? I want to get AFPD but am worried about my setup. I am running a Dell 2.4GHz, 1G of RAM, and a nVidia GeForce4 MX440 with AGP8X (64MB Ram) all running in XP. I dont want to spend all that money to find out I can barely run the program!

Anybody know if that setup will work well?

the only weakness in your system is the 64mb card...eevrything is is absolutely fine.

get at least a 128mb card....256 mb cards are pretty cheap these days and you're golden.

[frvrngn]

I thought that would be the weakness. This comp is a couple years old now. Never had a need for high end graphics so 64mb was plenty. I remember when 64mb was huge and I couldnt wait to install one to play network DOOM faster...

[terryj]

I can't compare G3 to the other simulators. Just seen them briefly at the AMA show. I recently upgraded to v. 4.30 and imported a Katana mini. Pretty darn good. It flies about like my "real one". I even managed to convert the supplied purple color scheme to look like my yellow one. There is also a small electric Ultimate that files very much like the e-flite ones that I have flown. The new photofield sites are also very realistic although I still prefer RealFlight Ranch. I ordered the expansion pack which has several flat foamies but have not yet received it. The only issue I currently have is that I have to change my screen resolution from 1600 x 1280 to 1024 x 768 before I launch G3. Otherwise it locks up. This happened when I upgraded the MB to a GigaByte AMD Athlon 64.
Try it if you get a chance.
Terry

[geardown]

New to this board. Where can I order/download AFPD? Or does anyone have a module for E-Flite Ultimate 3D FX that can be downloaded to run on G3?

[Kamikazi]

Looking at the AFPD requirements I think your system would work, but probably not well. You are right at the minimums for Memory on your PC and your video card. Processor is a little better than required. Basically it should work but it might not look as good as some of the videos and screen shots.

rca

I run AFPD on a 1.5Ghz Athlon, w/256m and an MX420 video card that only has 64 megs. It's borderline, but it does run smooth. Only limitation is that I can't run the indoor gym scenery. It also gets stuttery when I fly in close with smoke turned on - but I've seen more powerful systems do the same.

You can order it from OMP and various other dealers, or right from the source at http://www.aerofly.com/

[L. Pete Peterson]

No one has mentioned Hanger 9's sim, due to be out in mid summer. I was at the Toledo show and was very impressed with the demo models they had there.
I'm not much of a sim flyer but I was there when some really competent flyers used the sim and made their comments. They all liked it and they thought the physics were the most accurate.
The simulator is called FS One and will be sold by Horizon Hobbies.
I.M.O. you'll like FS One better than any other.
Uff-Da Pete

[Vulcancruiser]

Just saw the FS-ONE demo at RC Expo in Anaheim, Ca. Appears to be the new state of the art in flight-sim. Will be out in July. Photo realistic from what I saw, just amazing clarity and physics........30 models including electrics.

[gtxkid]

Buy G3 because after a year they sent me 2 new disks
Said my G3 was one of the first one's out and would be better if they updated me. WOW is that customer service or what.
Greg

[Joe Papa]

AFPD vs. Reflex

XTR can be much more realistic. But that comes at a cost. Many of the aircraft in XTR need tweaking to fly really well. In AFPD, not as much tweaking is possible, but most fly very well (often too well), right out of the box. For someone who doesn't want to fiddle around adjusting aircraft parameters, AFPD might be a better choice. But for a really serious simulator (vs. a game), XTR has the power and flexibility to bring you closer to the real thing.

I totally agree, I think Reflex XTR also does a much more accurate job of simulating windy conditions also than the other sims. Want XTR to be even more realistic(harder)? Change the "time expansion factor" from the default value of 1 to 0.8, this speeds up the sim a little faster. You'll find that you will be tweaking the models a lot less. Also, try running your sim through a XGA projector on a wall.:eek: :D

[Ron]

XGA Projector??Sorry I'm not up on all the lingo....would you be kind enough to explain?

[Joe Papa]

Hi Ron,
What I'm talking about are video projectors. XGA and VGA refers to the screen resolution, XGA being the higher of the two. Generally speaking, the higher the resolution, the sharper and better picture. Here is an explanation XGA from Wikipedia:
XGA, the Extended Graphics Array, is an IBM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Business_Machines) display standard introduced in 1990 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990). Today, it is best known as a synonym (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synonym) for the 1024 × 768 pixels display resolution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_resolution), but the official definition is broader than that. It was not a new and improved replacement for Super VGA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_VGA), but rather became one particular subset of the broad range of capabilities covered under the "Super VGA" umbrella.
The initial version of XGA expanded upon IBM's VGA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Graphics_Array), adding support for two resolutions:

800 × 600 pixels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel) with high colour (16 bits per pixel, i.e. 65,536 colors).
1024 × 768 pixels with a palette (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palette_%28computing%29) of 256 colours (8 bits per pixel)Like its predecessor (the IBM 8514 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8514)), XGA offered fixed function hardware acceleration to offload processing of 2D drawing tasks. XGA and 8514 could offload line-draw, bitmap-copy (bitblt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitblt)), and color-fill operations from the host CPU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit). XGA's acceleration was faster than 8514's, and more comprehensive in that it supported more drawing primitives and XGA's 16 bits per pixel (65,536 color) display-mode.

You can buy a video projector with XGA resolution for less than a $1000 now. I know it's still very expensive. But running Reflex XTR through it, is totally awesome.:eek:

[Ron]

Joepapa....thanks for the explanation.....I happened to be at the local Staples outlet yesterday afternoon, and asked one of the sales people how to put an image from the computer onto a screen...They showed me several projectors.....One was a dps It was awesome....yes it's expensive, but.............( was into Future Shop too 20% less like 800 cdn )
On another topic ( sims) I have been looking around for some simulator information for awhile, and was going to try to get the Great Planes G2...
Of course it's no longer available...G 3 won't run on my computer, so I am looking for suggestions.....Computer specs are as follows Win XP
2.4 Ghz....376 meg ram here's the bad part....64meg graphics card.

will it run reflex ? I was looking at the Dave Brown sim too, or possibly AFPD....... I have been flying for quite a while, but wish to improve my
" routine "....lots of scenery isn't important to me, but it has to be able to be set up for a model like a Venus or some other " pattern " model, and be able to be setup to be reasonably realistic in it's flying characteristics.
If it doesn't have the " transmitter" but can use one, I have Futaba, Hitec, Airtronics and JR available....Futaba and Airtronics are likely never to be used on the field again, so may make decent additions to the sim.??? Info gratefully received .........Thanks.

[Joe Papa]

Ron,
Download the demo from the Reflex website and try it on your computer. It is a non playable demo, but you can see how well it will run on your PC system. I think you only need to upgrade your video card, 128 Mb or more. Reflex XTR will probably fit your needs, but it lacks "gaming" features some of the other sims have. Reflex XTR is not marketed as a game, but as a tool.:cool:

[Ron]

Joe Pappa

I went to the guy who built my computer two years ago, and explained what I was told about G3 not running on my computer. He said the only reason it wouldn't run is it isn't installed. I asked about the graphics card , and he said there is a possibility that we might have to upgrade it. long story short ( I know, too late already ) I bought it, installed it, and it runs perfectly.......now I just have to figure out how to get in and modify the model parameters as the sim models are NOTHING like the real thing............Yet........

[watt_the?!]

missed this thread. i got me a projector too.... there are some tricks about getting them ...that i didnt know before and now wished i did.

Tim

[miljnor]

missed this thread. i got me a projector too.... there are some tricks about getting them ...that i didnt know before and now wished i did.

please share!!!!