Posts by sosterhaus

Quote from Jet-Pack

Hi Steve,

thats great to hear! The best thing about the sim is, once you payed for it you can crash as many times as you want, it does not cost anything to repair the aircraft in an instant. And compared to money saved by not crashing and time saved by not having to repairing after crashes, the simulator is suddenly becoming very cheap

It is best to start with a simulator, learn how to control the aircraft even when it comes straight at you. If you have the option do a teacher-student set up when you go to the field and learn from a person with experience. Your simulator time will make this much faster and more fun for the both of you
Nowadays there are aircraft with computer assistance. Those are great, too, because you can flick the "oh crap" switch and it will recover the aircraft for you.

Many happy landings,
Jan

Last year was my first year and started out with an instructor at the local club with the buddy box and no SIM. Slow going but finally did my solo. It was tough going the rest of the year but early this year bought and worked on the simulator and have progressed to where now a lot more flying and nominal repairing.

As for me not a big believer in computer gyro assisted planes as it is a crutch and really never learn to fly as the "oh crap" switch bails you out. Couple friends started last year as well and still struggle and remain on beginner mode. Now, with heli's and quads different story.

Steve

Quote from Jet-Pack

Hello Steve,

to your third point:
The simulator does not operate the same way as your rc receiver on the field. The simulator reads the input data that it receives from your operating system (windows or mac). It then applies your control device calibration and, in your case increases the throttle a little bit. This control device calibration was reset in the process of the update, so you have to repeat it again.

Here is a detailled step through:
1. Some more advanced radio transmitters save the trim state for the aircraft. So before connecting your controller to the computer load an empty aircraft in your radio transmitter. Make sure that all trims are set to neutral in your transmitter before you do any calibration in the computer.
2. First calibrate your device in the device manager of your operating system
3. Then start the simulator and re-calibrate your input device

Due to the torque of the engine some aircraft tend to roll, this is an intended effect and has nothing to do with a falsy calibration. Aerofly aircraft are usually neutral at idle power and you'd have to either add counter aileron or use your trim of the input device in order to fly level with full power.

Regards,
Jan

Thanks for the information and "how to". Throttle and all controls now work much better including expo and trims. Haven't really had issues with rolling. Appreciate your assistance.

BTW had a good day at the field with my 2 planes -- they flew well and had all good landings, so the SIM has been a great help in getting control and the feel. Still need more practice on the SIM but really seeing the value.

Steve O.

Please see my reply to IPACS Support response. Thanks.

Steve O

Quote from IPACS Support

Hi Steve,

can you give us some more concrete examples of what kind of models you are looking for?

Please explain in some more detail what you mean by your third point.

Thanks for the response.

1. As for specific models my comment was a bit more general, focusing on primarily beginners. I feel it might be very beneficial to have more high wing, electric powered trainers. There could include Flyzone Sensei (without gyro), Apprentice (without gyro), Avistar, Sig Cadet LT40 or FMS Super EZ. There are many others, but these would be good choices IMHO. The important element is electric power as this is a big growth segment of the hobby. It is all I fly as do many newbies to the sport.

Further, larger and more foam models (i.e.58-65" or so) as many beginners and intermediate flyers use these due to lower cost, ruggedness and ease of repair. Amazingly, they fly quite well. Even for intermediate level adding foam military electric powered models would be a plus.

I have been flying for 2 seasons now and will most likely stick with electric foam models -- seem to meet my desires at this point. Being retired and beyond heavy competitiveness, will probably stick with electric and foamies as I progress.

2. Sorry for the lack of clarity. Basically, when flying at the club field, my view is much broader in that I can easily see the majority of the runway and flying area while also being able to easily see my plane, its orientation and small movements (unless flying fairly high). This view is critical, at least for myself in final approach for landing.

In the SIM (using the "Keep ground in View" setting), the view and perspective of real flying is difficult to attain and I understand it will never be perfect. When using the "wide" field of view the place becomes so small that orientation is lost many times and when "narrow" one loses sight of the runway. When adding camera "auto zoom" again lose much of the field of view and then difficult to set up for final. Continue to try various combinations of field of vision, camera zoom and Delayed camera but cannot quite reflect the real experience of the field. Acceptable, but would be nice to get a bit closer.

Also, before the recent updates this was not as big an issue but the settings were lost and they are just a tad different and I am not able to replicate the pre updates perspective, which was closer to what my above comments address.

3. Other issues that arose after the updates is that the throttle will not shut completely down, causing landing difficulties. Thought at first might be my radio but it works just fine at the field. It is a universal issue with whatever aircraft I load. In addition, my fps is inadequate to fly gas/nitro planes which was never a problem pre updates. My Macbook Pro is new this year, has a high speed processor and plenty of memory.

Am I doing something wrong, are there some settings I am unaware of that need adjustment or is it a bug with he updates. I am running the Professional Mac version.

Appreciate your help. Still do enjoy the Aerofly7 SIM.

Steve O

Thanks. That works but a bit of a hassle. Hope there can be a transparent solution, but may not be realistic at this point. Appreciate the response.

Steve O

This is really directed to Aerofly developers and seem to be issues seen on other forums. Overall, Aerofly is excellent and possibly the best SIM on the market, but the entire top tier SIM's continue to get better. It has helped my flying immensely.

1. On this forum many of the threads are in German and are of no help. I have selected English, but still see many in German. Could these be translated (also English to German or even other languages) somehow so we all can benefit.

2. Would really like to see more variety in trainers (including taildraggers) such as Sensei, Apprentice, etc. Given the popularity of Electrics and Foam, nice to have more of these or a way to switch from gas/nitro to electric for many of the models. Have been able to modify a couple but a hassle. Planes in the 2-4 lb. range would also be great. The Professional MAC version I have is not cheap and other SIM's seem to have addressed this to a greater extent.

3. While Aerofly probably has one of the best field views, still not like being at the field. Seems to be more limited with last update.

This is not meant to be negative or complaining, but rather suggestions to some issues that I have encountered. Really want this SIM to continue to excel and make this forum even more helpful and beneficial.

Steve O.

Hi,

Would like to suggest ability to switch electric motors for gas/nitro engines. As electric is becoming more popular, maybe having 2 of each model of popular planes if being able to change motors/engines is not feasible. I find gas/nitro so different, especially with slower throttle response, especialy when landing.

As for specific planes more commonly flown in America, do not have anything that will be pertinent as my skills progress other than maybe the Great Planes Escapade .61 with electric power. For beginners like myself, maybe more Trainers and next level low wings from Great Planes, Hanger 9, Flyzone, Sig, Multiplex, etc. As Aerofly becomes more mainstream in US it would be nice to have familiar brands. Really enjoy the sim, especially on my Macbook Pro retina and find it better than other high end sims I have tried. Wind, gusting etc. really seems to be helping my flying though still have a long way to go to be consistent and avoiding significant repairs.

Also, better manuals on how to modify -- it seems quite complex and terminology very confusing so something simpler would be most welcome for modifying a plane similar to what we typically fly. For example, aileron, rudder and elevator throws/response, setting up motors, wing loading especially since the planes are not common here. Just some thoughts -- FWIW.

Steve Osterhaus

Have Aerofly 7 Professional for Mac and so far this seems to be one of the best sims available. Still trying to learn modifying the stock planes to mimic what I own -- seems there are very few American planes. Maybe that is something future updates could add. One problem is getting smooth and level flight but my trims are not working properly and a replacement radio is on the way, though not sure that is total issue. Nonetheless, really improving landings.

My question is can gas engines be swapped for electric? As a 100% electric guy, I find gas power not as responsive and quite a bit different in the Sim. For example, the Piper J-3 (have changed to 72" and 5# which is what I own - also tried increasing power) takes several seconds to begin takeoff taxi and another several seconds to get to full speed. Also, this is the only plane I've tried so far where the rudder is not very responsive. In addition there is a lag when moving the throttle and landings are tricky due to the slight lags. My Macbook pro is new and plenty of cpu speed -- my fps is in the 42-50 range. When flying electrics no problems and much smoother flying just like my Sensei at the field.

Thoughts, ideas? Thanks.

Steve

Great information Jet Pack-thanks. My fps is running around 44 or 45 unless battery falls below 25% so not really an issue. 1.0 is now my setting.

Steve O.

Thanks Jürgen. Have a 2.4 GHz dual core i5 which is very fast, so .9 to 1.1 looks to provide most realistic performance but as a relative newbie still feeling my way.

Steve

That's kind of what I thought. I generally run at 1.0 and will continue as I am still a novice and need to get solid on my landings. Now am adding wind typical of our field for practice. We winter in southern GA, so hope to fly a bit and be ready when return to NE Wisconsin in spring.

Thanks so much for your help. Glad this forum is in place. Plan to upgrade so can practice on other models similar to what I have and am converting to electric.

Steve

Thanks Jan, helps a lot. Still confused though on sim speed -- what is realistic? 1, -.8, 1.5? At 1.3 with a Trainer model, plane was hard to slow down, and when cutting power to land seemed to stall at whatever speeds. Just would not settle on final approach as my Sensei or 182 does at the field. At 1.0 flys like my Sensei, descends nicely and settles properly at touchdown using a little elevator to flare which is close to the model in size, weight, etc. So wondering if 1.0 is the realistic level and the higher speeds are for 3d and acrobatic planes?

Understand sim speed but even with low wings I see same changes in flying behavior. So, wondering if each model has an optimum, "realistic" speed?

Thanks again,

Steve

Hi-recently downloaded Aerofly RC 7 for Mac basic version, though plan to upgrade. Runs on my newer Macbook Pro Retina with 8 gb RAM. Overall, super simulator and really seeing improvement and learning feel as just started in RC last spring and have solo flights now.

Couple questions -- under Settings, Simulation tab what does speed mean and effect. Nothing in manual, though does change flight characteristics to flyable to not flyable. How does one determine proper setting for various planes so they are realistic?

Also, confused by manual in mentioning contols (rudder,ailerons,elevator, expo, etc) are set in advanced contoller settings but can use transmitter programmed settings. Transmitter settings do not appear to have any affect nor do trim slides. What am I missing or confused about?

Do not see height option under simulation as shown in manual. Would really help on approaches etc. Only in upgrades?

Probably have more down the road and appreciate any guidance.

Steve