86 MODEL AVIATION
et the way-back machine for the early 1980s.
You are standing in one of the larger hobby
manufacturer/distributor facilities of the day.
In a corner office you notice a few men
huddled around what appears to be a
television screen. All eyes are fixed on the
screen and their faces are bathed in a green glow
given off by whatever they are watching. When one
of the men shifts his stance, you get a glimpse of the
screen—and it’s a monochrome computer monitor.
The image is mostly black, with a few animated
green lines in the middle and some text along the
bottom. Moving in closer you see that the green lines
make up the outline of a rudimentary airplane and the
numbers along the bottom reference height, distance,
etc. There’s no sound except for the keyboard
clicking, but every so often the group lets out a
collective “Ooh” or “Watch out!”
What this group is watching so intently is a
computer program—the first of its kind—that is
running on one of the original Apple personal
computers. The program’s author, a college professor,
had just sold two of the first copies of his new
program to a couple of guys in this group.
Almost instantly a few telephone calls were made,
a partnership was created, and the result was the birth
of the Radio Control (RC) flight simulator. Notice
that I wrote “Radio Control”; the military has been
using various types of flight simulators to train its
pilots since the 1930s, but they had been bulky
and only available to those in the service. Not until the
advent of the personal computer has this type of
technology been available to help teach modelers to fly.
This first RC simulator was rough. The technology
behind it was pushing computer technology to its limit.
Loops and rolls were basically it as far as aerobatic
capability. Since the simulator had no sound, color,
scenery, or runway, it took quite a bit of imagination
and dedication to fly. However, RC-pilot wanna-bes
had this new method to use to learn how to fly.
Computers have advanced in capability through
the years, and so have RC simulators. When color and
sound became standard equipment, simulators roared
to life and included vivid color graphics. As computer
speeds increased, programmers were able to pack
more complex calculations into their programs,
improving the flight dynamics.
All of these improvements have brought us up to
today’s simulators, which include photo-realistic
graphics, accurate flight characteristics, interfaces that
allow control using actual RC transmitters, and the
ability for pilots around the globe to fly together at
virtual airfields via the Internet. Simulators have
come a long way. They are now a viable alternative to
Way Up High
S
in
Most of today’s simulators display beautifully
detailed models in photo-realistic scenery.
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:09 am Page 86
February 2004 87
theVirtual Skies
by Mark Lanterman
.
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:09 am Page 87
using buddy cords or other forms of
traditional flight training.
However, nothing in this article
should convince you to attempt to
fly your first model by yourself.
Although the simulator can give you
all the skills needed to take off, fly,
and land your model successfully, it
does not teach you how to properly
build and set up your model, start
the engine, adjust the needle valve,
or spot problems on the ground.
Enlist an experienced modeler’s
help when flying in the real world.
People normally ask how long it
will take them to learn to fly using a
simulator, but there’s no firm
answer because people learn at
different speeds. A rule of thumb is
that when you can fly competently
around the sky where you want and
take off and land where you are
supposed to, you’re probably ready
to try the real thing.
A simulator will allow you to
learn at a more rapid pace than you
ever could at the field. Most flying
sites have one or two nights a week
set aside for training; you can get in
three or four flights, but that’s
pushing it. With a simulator you can
learn any time you’re home—at
night, when it’s too windy, when
it’s too cold, when it’s raining, or
when it’s snowing. As long as you
have electricity and free time, you
can be in the air—virtually.
It’s time to jump into flight
simulation. I’ll tackle this in five
steps:
1) Types of simulators that are
available today. Please don’t
confuse this article with a simulator
“shoot-out” with one coming out the
winner. There will be no side-byside
comparisons. This is more of a
buyer’s guide; I’ll mention all
commercially available packages on
the market and a few found only on
the Internet.
2) Computer requirements
3) Using a flight simulator
correctly
4) Using advanced features
5) Commercially available
simulators
Types of Simulators: All
simulators work basically the same
way. They attempt to re-create the
experience of flying RC models in a
“virtual” world viewed through the
computer’s monitor. Although this
virtual world will look more
realistic in some simulators than in
others, you’ll see the selected model
in the center of the screen, scenery
surrounding it, and instrumentation
to help tell you where the model is.
The simulator is normally
controlled with some sort of
simulated “transmitter” which is
attached to one of the ports on your
computer (gameport, USB, serial, or
parallel). Other simulators include
transmitter interfaces that plug
between the computer and an actual
RC transmitter. Both systems are
good and allow you to become
familiar with the “feel” of a
transmitter, its switches, its trims,
and its controls. (Some simulators
allow flying via the keyboard and/or
mouse. Although it’s unrealistic, it
does give you some time in the air.)
No one simulator does it all,
even though several are extremely
good. Some offer stunning graphics.
Others have more realistic-flying
88 MODEL AVIATION
The realism that a simulator delivers depends heavily on your computer.
Older, slower systems can’t draw photo-realistic scenery fast enough.
models. Still others have strengths in a specific discipline of
flying, be it helicopters, park flyers, gliders, etc. Each
simulator has pros and cons; shop around to make sure the
one you choose has the features that are right for you.
Commercially available packages are usually the more
sophisticated programs. They offer the most features and
have highly refined flight dynamics, which can be quite
realistic. They offer a wealth of features, a large variety of
models to choose from, and the ability to tailor the
simulator to your liking.
Some simulators include a controller that mimics the
size, shape, and feel of an RC transmitter, and, as I
mentioned, others go as far as to offer an interface to plug in
an RC transmitter and use it to control the simulation. This
level of sophistication allows you to get comfortable with
your transmitter and develop a “feel” for where the sticks,
switches, trims, etc. are positioned.
Free simulator software is usually less sophisticated than
The wide variety of models allows you to fly gliders, park flyers, Pylon
racers, or Old-Timers such as the one shown (1). You can fly Scale
models in many scalelike settings, such as this Texan with an aircraft
carrier (2), or practice your competition flying with a Pattern model (3).
1
,
.
Photos courtesy the author
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:09 am Page 88
efforts, these programmers continue to help
our sport/hobby grow by helping to bring in
new people. Keep up the good work!
Computer Requirements: As you may
have gathered, all RC flight simulators
require a computer. There are a number of
titles for gaming consoles such as
PlayStation, but they are more games than
true simulation.
All simulators on the market these days
are written for Windows-based systems;
there is nothing specifically for the
Windows NT or Macintosh platforms. There
are some work-arounds that give Mac users
some hope, but they don’t offer near what
the Windows systems do.
If you have a computer system that is
less than three years old, it should be able to
run most simulators fine. You may have to
upgrade your video card to improve detail,
resolution, and frame rate. Also, check to
make sure that your computer has the proper
port for connecting the simulator’s
controller. Some use a parallel port, some
use a USB port, and others use a
gameport/joystick port.
Mac users have two options.
• Purchase Virtual PC. This software
emulates a Windows computer system on
your Mac; actually, the Mac and Windows
systems run simultaneously. Because of this,
the Windows program runs slower on a Mac
than on a dedicated Windows machine.
Although this system will work, it is so slow
that it is almost unusable at times.
• At the end of this article is a listing of
vendors that includes a free simulator
(JVRRC) that runs in an Internet browser
and uses a mouse for control. It does not
offer the features, sophistication, or flight
dynamics of the commercial programs, but it
can give you a taste of RC flying.
Regardless of the computer/simulator
combination you choose, follow the
directions and installation should go
smoothly. If you do run into problems,
check the Internet for any updates or bug
fixes. Now you should be ready for your
first lesson—virtually speaking.
Using RC Flight Simulators Correctly:
Your program is installed, your controller is
calibrated, and you’re ready to go. Rather
than just picking a trainer, slamming the
throttle forward, and zipping around the sky,
think about how to approach learning on a
simulator.
Don’t think of this as a game. Although
many of the simulators have gaming
features, don’t use them yet. Don’t see how
fast you can fly, how big of a crash you can
make, or how many things you can hit with
the airplane. A simulator makes it easy to
fall into such a routine because you can
simply hit the reset button when things go
wrong.
Instead, think of each airplane as you
would in real life: as an investment. A
typical Almost Ready-to-Fly trainer costs
approximately $300 once everything is
installed. The trainer you use on the
simulator should be viewed the same way.
Try to take care of it and keep it in one
piece.
As much as the program will allow, try
to mimic what you would do in real life; taxi
in the correct areas, take off from the
runway, don’t fly over or behind the pit area,
and land on the runway. These skills require
time to develop, but taking this approach
from the start will be key to your success
when you try to fly at your local field.
Almost every simulator has the ability to
add wind and gusts. Although these features
are not active by default, you should always
use them. Seldom will you fly outdoors
when the wind isn’t blowing. If you aren’t
used to flying with the wind, you won’t
know how to compensate for it and disaster
is almost guaranteed.
Make a few trips to your local field and
take the time to note the wind conditions.
From which direction does the wind come?
How strong is it? What about wind gusts?
Once you know what the wind is like,
program the information into your simulator.
You will be flying in conditions that are as
close as possible to what you’ll experience
February 2004 89
Setup screens enable you to tailor
models to fly more to your liking.
You can also program in settings
from real models and fly them.
commercial packages. Although some free
versions offer surprisingly good graphics,
the realism and features don’t compare to
commercial offerings. What do you want for
free?
What these free simulators do offer is a
great way to see what RC flight simulation
is all about without having to pay. They are
normally controlled with the keyboard and
mouse, but some do offer the capability of
using existing joysticks or commercially
available transmitter interfaces.
The programmers who make their
software available for free are to be
commended. A simulator involves an
immense amount of programming and is
quite time consuming. Even though they
may never see a single dollar for their
2 3
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:10 am Page 89
when you fly your real model.
I won’t go into the basics of flying here;
they are covered in your simulator’s manual
and, more recently, in MA’s “From the
Ground Up” series. Instead I’ll share a few
tips and pitfalls of simulators.
This is not a game. To be successful you
need small, smooth stick movements. There
will be a time for more radical and exciting
flying, but that’s not now. Envision that
you’re piloting an airliner full of people; the
smoother you are, the less the ground crew
will have to clean up after landing!
Try to keep the model close to you, but
not dangerously close. Many make the
mistake of flying the airplane so far away
that it is a speck in the sky. Keeping it near
makes it larger, so it’s easier to see in which
direction the airplane is going.
A pitfall of the simulator is its lack of
depth perception. Regardless of the
simulator and how detailed the picture is, it
is a two-dimentional interpretation of a
three-dimensional environment. Therefore,
it is hard to tell distance accurately. Use the
airplane’s shadow and any on-screen
instrumentation to guide you. In time you’ll
develop a “feel” for this and will rely less on
the instruments, but the shadow is always
helpful—especially when lining up the
model for landing.
Once you’ve flown the model a few
times and have a basic understanding of the
controls, it’s time to start controlling the
airplane. By that I mean making the model
fly where you want it to go rather than
putting in course corrections when you get
into trouble.
Try a simple racetrack pattern. Using the
runway as a guide, fly the model parallel to
the runway, keeping it roughly 30 feet from
the runway’s far edge. Fly the entire length
of the runway. When you reach the end,
make a gentle 180° turn away from the pit
area and fly back across the field, again
keeping the model parallel to the runway.
When you reach the end of the runway,
make another 180° turn back toward the pit
area.
If you do this right, your model should
end up back where it started. Try to keep the
airplane at a consistent altitude and fly it at a
consistent speed throughout the pattern.
When you’re feeling fairly confident flying
the racetrack pattern, fly it in the opposite
direction. Try figure eights and 360° turns,
again keeping consistent altitude and speed.
Another one of the simulator’s pitfalls is
limited viewing angle. The human visual
system can see roughly 180° horizontally
and 140° vertically. However, most
simulators have a field of view of
approximately 30° in each direction.
Because of this limitation, it is easy to lose
track of where the ground is. This can be
frustrating during landing.
Some simulators have features to help
with this, such as grids in the sky, wideangle
views, automatic zooms, etc.
Regardless of the features, this limitation is
something you’ll have to get used to.
Regardless of what you try with the
model, you’ll eventually have to land it—by
choice or by running out of fuel—which is
the last of the simulator’s pitfalls. Landing is
the hardest maneuver that a newcomer has
to master.
Most simulators will allow you to land
anywhere and at almost any speed. In real
life you can’t taxi at 100 mph or land as
hard as you want; you’ll tear the model
apart. With a real model you need to aim for
the runway and land at speeds just faster
than those at which the model will stall.
Work on doing the same thing with the
simulator.
Simulators give you the chance to make
mistake after mistake when landing, with the
hope that you will learn how to improve for
the next time. Soon you’ll learn that there’s
more to landings than cutting the throttle
and diving for the runway; it’s all about
managing airspeed and being smooth.
I’ve covered all of the basics. If you keep
practicing everything I’ve mentioned up to
this point, something will happen without
you realizing it. The more you practice, the
less you’ll have to “think” about what to do.
This thinking will be replaced with
automatic reactions that are learned. When
this happens, you have “arrived” and it will
be time to move on to more advanced flying.
Advanced Simulator Features:
Congratulations. Now that you have become
90 MODEL AVIATION
A simulator is a great way to get started in helicopters; it will
save you a great deal of money in repair parts. You can even
learn helicopter aerobatics with a simulator.
Helicopter Simulators
If you want to fly helicopters (or already do), don’t feel left
out of this discussion. Most of this article is geared toward
airplane simulation, but many of the commercial packages offer
helicopter programs as part of the same software.
Since I don’t fly helicopters I asked several notable pilots for
input. From them I learned that the helicopter simulators are
good teaching tools and that a great deal of capability is built
into most of them for advanced flying.
Everyone starts with hovering—tail in then nose in. But
that’s just the beginning; today’s simulators let you take your
“virtual” experience all the way to the extreme world of 3-D
performance: inverted flight, autorotations, pirouettes, and
more.
Helicopter simulations also offer a tremendous amount of
setup capabilities. Not only can you adjust the weight, engine
power, and control sensitivities, but you can get into adjustable
pitch and throttle curves, gear ratios, rate switches, idle-ups,
throttle holds, etc. Couple all of this capability with the handson
flying experience you’ll gain using a simulator, and it’s a nobrainer!
MA
—Mark Lanterman
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:11 am Page 90
a pilot, let’s explore the more advanced
features of RC flight simulators. It’s time to
have some fun!
• Explore the models. Yeah, I know that the
trainer is far from the most inspiring
airplane. Now that you can fly, choose some
of the other models available to you.
Although the types of airplanes will vary
from simulator to simulator, most will have
Aerobatics models, gliders, a Scale model or
two, park flyers, and maybe even a Pylon
racer and a Pattern model. Each model will
fly differently; some differences are subtle,
but others are quite a change from the
humble trainer.
• Try new maneuvers. With each new model
you explore, you will have the chance to try
something new. It could be loops and rolls
with a Scale model, riding the wind with a
glider, precision maneuvers with a Pattern or
Aerobatics model, or having fun with a park
flyer. Regardless of the model you pick, fly
within the rules I set up earlier; fly as though
it is a real model and do your best to bring it
back in one piece.
If you’re thinking of enhancing your
flying abilities, a simulator is the ticket.
Whether you’re a competitor, a sport flier,
or anywhere in between, the simulator
allows you to practice at your own pace and
become familiar with new techniques.
For instance, if you’ve wanted to try the
3-D flying that’s all the rage these days, you
can learn how to torque roll, hover, etc. on
some of the more advanced commercial
simulators. If competition is your thing,
learn how to do each maneuver successfully
and put them together in a sequence.
• Experiment by customizing aircraft. You
don’t have to be content with the airplanes
that come with your simulator. All
simulators give you the capability to edit the
models’ parameters. Change engines or
motors, propellers, airfoils, etc.
If you’ve had your eye on a certain
aircraft, start with a model that is close to it
and edit all of the parameters to match. If
you’ve done your homework, you’ll end up
with a virtual model that should fly similarly
to the actual model.
Many of the simulators have instructions
on how to edit the model “bitmaps,” which
are the graphic files that give a model its
color scheme. By using an editor built into
the simulator or a third-party painting
program, you can decorate the airplane with
any color scheme you can concoct.
• Change your flying field. Chances are
that the default flying site in your
simulator has little in common with your
local field except for grass and a runway.
Look through any other fields that are
available and find one that more closely
matches yours. Some programs will allow
you to move trees, buildings, and terrain to
make it more to your liking.
• Use the interactive features. Not all
simulators have interactive features, but
some of the more popular programs have
two types: those you can use in your virtual
flying field and those that let you fly with
other simulator owners.
Objects you can use in your virtual field
can be added with a keystroke or selected
from a menu. Add pylons for racing, limbo
poles to test your nerve, and even other
models that can fly in the sky with you.
Some of the latest simulators have the
ability to connect to other simulator owners
via a local network or the Internet. This
opens the door to interesting possibilities.
Imagine helping someone through a
maneuver when the student is in one city
and the teacher is in another. You could hold
a virtual fun-fly with competitors logging in
and participating from the comfort of their
own homes. Show teams could practice
formation flying and perfect their timing. In
each case every pilot must use the same
make and version of the software to ensure
compatibility.
• Purchase an add-on package. Several
simulators have add-on software that
increases a program’s ability. Some are sets
of additional models—maybe park flyers or
Scale aircraft. Others add features to the
simulator, such as better graphics and/or
extra flying fields. With more of these addons
coming onto the market, you’ll always
have new options to explore.
92 MODEL AVIATION
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02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:11 am Page 92
I hope you have a better understanding of
what RC flight simulators are and how
they can make you a better pilot than you
are right now. They are amazing pieces of
technology; some are better than others,
but all will do a fine job of teaching you
how to fly.
As with anything you’re shopping for,
do your homework. Look into what best
meets your budget and what will run on
your computer system. Remember that all
simulators are not the same; they don’t all
have the same features nor can they all
mimic the same types of flying.
Once you’ve made your choice, use it
properly. The only way to learn to fly with
a simulator is to practice and approach
every flight like it’s the real thing.
Takeoffs will seem easy, and landings will
take longer to master than anything else.
You will crash and you may get frustrated,
but don’t give up. Learn from your mistakes,
and you’ll be a better pilot for it. MA
Mark Lanterman
5655 David Pl.
Fairfield OH 45014
mark@airbornemedia.com
Free simulators:
JVRRC (Japanese site)
www1.jawink.ne.jp/kojiy/
trash/t010/java.htm
FMS (Flying Model Simulator)
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/inde
x_e.html
FlyRC
www.pivot.net/~acarr/ron/ron.htm
PRE-Flight
www.preflightsim.com/
Flight simulator for R/C model
http://laurent.saintmarcel.free.fr/simulator/
RC-AirSim
www.fabricated-reality.com/RCAirSim.
htm
Commercially available RC simulators
AeroFly:
Ikarus USA
5876 Enterprise Pkwy.
Billy Creek Commerce Center
Fort Myers FL 33905
(239) 690-0003
http://ipacs.de/afold/
$49.90 for software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows 95 or 98
Processor: 100% Pentium-compatible
processor with at least 133 MHz
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive space: 20 MB
Video card: Graphic card with at least 2 MB
Other: CD-ROM drive; if joystick control,
100% DirectX-compatible joystick; if
transmitter interface control, serial port and
transmitter with trainer port
AeroFly Professional:
Ikarus USA
5876 Enterprise Pkwy.
Billy Creek Commerce Center
Fort Myers FL 33905
(239) 690-0003
http://ipacs.de/aerofly/
$149.95 for software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
98/ME/2000/XP with DirectX version 8.0a
or higher
Processor: 100% Pentium II-compatible
processor with at least 450 MHz
94 MODEL AVIATION
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Complete engine and muffler packages are available.
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TWISTER 4-STROKE MUFFLERS & ELBOWS
PISTON/CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES
ULTRATHRUST MUFFLERS
PERFORMANCE SPECIALTIES
PO Box 3146 • Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: 775-265-7523 • Fax: 775-265-7522
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Hard-drive space: 160 MB
Video card: OpenGL ICD-compatible
graphic card with at least 16 MB
Other: CD-ROM drive; if joystick control,
100% DirectX-compatible joystick; if
transmitter interface control, serial port and
transmitter with trainer port
Cockpit Master:
MachineWorks Northwest
1813 Boulder Ridge Ct. N.W.
Salem OR 97304
(503) 581-4840
www.cockpitmaster.com/
$199.99 for software with transmitter,
$79.95 for software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows 95 or 98
(DirectX 7A or above)
Processor: —
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive space: —
Video card: 3D accelerated video card
Other: —
Cockpit Master Backyard Edition:
MachineWorks Northwest
1813 Boulder Ridge Ct. N.W.
Salem OR 97304
(503) 581-4840
www.cockpitmaster.com/
$50 for software with interface cord, $29.95
for software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: —
Processor: —
Memory (RAM): —
Hard-drive space: —
Video card: —
Other: —
CSM V10:
Horizon Hobby Distributors
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(217) 452-1913
www.rcmodels.org/csm/csm_simulator.htm
$159.95
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: DOS 4.00 or later or
Windows 95
Processor: Pentium 120 or faster
Memory (RAM): 1 MB
Hard-drive space: —
Video card: Fully VESA compatible
(Version 1.02) SVGA with 1 MB of VRAM
Other: Parallel port
Easyfly:
Ikarus USA
5876 Enterprise Pkwy.
Billy Creek Commerce Center
Fort Myers FL 33905
(239) 690-0003
http://ipacs.de/easyfly/
$69 for software with transmitter interface
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
95/98/ME/2000/XP with DirectX version
8.0a or higher
Processor: 100% Pentium II compatible
02sig3.QXD 11/25/03 11:11 am Page 94
February 2004 97
with at least 300 MHz
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive Space: 20 MB
Video card: OpenGL ICD-compatible
graphic card with at least 8 MB
Other: CD-ROM drive; if joystick control,
100% DirectX-compatible joystick; if
transmitter interface control, serial port and
transmitter with trainer port
Piccofly:
Ikarus USA
5876 Enterprise Pkwy.
Billy Creek Commerce Center
Fort Myers FL 33905
(239) 690-0003
http://ipacs.de/piccofly/
$64.90 for software with transmitter interface
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
95/98/ME/2000/XP with DirectX version
8.0a or higher
Processor: 100% Pentium II compatible with
at least 300 MHz
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive space: 20 MB
Video card: OpenGL ICD-compatible
graphic card with at least 16 MB
Other: CD-ROM drive; if joystick control,
100% DirectX-compatible joystick; if
transmitter interface control, serial port and
transmitter with trainer port
RCFS2001:
Dave Brown Products
4560 Layhigh Rd.
Hamilton OH 45014
(513) 738-1576
www.dbproducts.com
$139.95
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
95/98/2000/XP/ME
Processor: Pentium 266 MMX (or
equivalent)
Memory (RAM): 16 MB
Hard-drive space: 50 MB
Video card: 4 MB 3D graphics accelerator
(with Direct-X support)
Other: Gameport, 4X CD-ROM drive
RC Plane Master:
RealityCraft Limited UK
North Lodge
Capel Dewl
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 3HR
UK
www.realitycraft.com/
$47.50 for software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
95/98/ME/2000/XP
Processor: 300 MHz Intel Pentium or
equivalent processor
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Hard-drive space: 25 MB
Video card: DirectX 8-compatible 3D
Accelerated Graphics Card with 8 MB video
memory
Other: —
RealFlight G2:
Great Planes Model Distributors
Box 9021
Champaign IL 61826
www.realflight.com
$199.95
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows XP/2000/ME/98
(local administrator access required)
Processor: Intel Pentium 300 or equivalent
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Hard-drive space: 500 MB
Video card: 3D accelerated Direct X with 8
MB
Other: USB Port, 4X CD-ROM drive
RealFlight G2 Lite:
Great Planes Model Distributors
Box 9021
Champaign IL 61826
www.realflight.com
$129.99
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows
XP/2000/ME/98 (local administrator access
required)
Processor: Intel Pentium 300 or equivalent
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Hard-drive space: 500 MB
Video card: 3D accelerated Direct X with 8
MB
Other: USB Port, 4X CD-ROM drive
Reflex R/C Simulator:
Great Planes Model Distributors
Box 9021
Champaign IL 61826
www.hobbico.com
Price to be announced
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
Processor: Intel P3 600+
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive space: 25 MB
Video card: DirectX compatible with 8 MB
Other: CD-ROM drive, USB Port, fourchannel+
FM radio with trainer port
Ripmax RC Simulator:
Great Planes Model Distributors
Box 9021
Champaign IL 61826
www.greatplanes.com
$49.99 for software with interface, $14.99 for
software only
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows 95/98/MEcompatible
computer system (including
DirectX 7)
Processor: 300 MHz Intel Pentium
compatible
Memory (RAM): 32 MB
Hard-drive space: 50 MB
Video card: 3D video card with 4 MB RAM
Other: Gameport
Tru-Flite:
Miniature Aircraft
31713 Long Acres Dr.
Sorrento FL 32776
(352) 383-3201
Fax: (407) 292-4296
minair@earthlink.net
www.x-cellrchelicopters.com
www.tru-flite.co.uk/simulator.htm
$189.95
Minimum computer requirements:
Operating system: Windows 95 with DirectX
(7.0 or higher)/98/ME/XP/2000
Processor: Pentium 400 MHz
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Hard-drive space: 25 MB
Video card: 3D-capable video card with 16
MB or higher onboard video memory
Other: Spare 9- or 25-pin serial port or spare
USB port, depending on hardware version
you require; compatible radio-control
transmitter in PPM mode with buddy box or
DSC socket.
DIVERSIFIED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
5932 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Ph: 1-612-243-1234 Fax: 1-612-243-8950
Email: info@klasskote.com • Web: www.klasskote.com
For Color Chart and Information, Send SASE
Don’t Delay – Order Yours Today!
You Built the Best Model, So Use The Best Paint!
“Superior
Quality”
Epoxy Paint
System
Available in
Colors, Clear
& Primer.
38 Years of Extensive Field
Performance Provides
Outstanding Adhesion & Protection Against Many RC Model Fuels
BRODAKManufacturing &
Distributing Co., Inc.
The largest supplier of control-line airplanes
HANDLES
2-LINE, AC-U-JUST
BH-360 . . .Standard w/o Fingergrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17.99
BH-361 . . .Standard with Fingergrips . . . . . . . . . . . . .18.99
BH-365 . . .Expert Series w/o Fingergrips . . . . . . . . . .27.99
BH-366 . . .Expert Series with Fingergrips . . . . . . . . .28.99
BH-367 . . .X-PA Expert Series w/o Fingergrips . . . .38.99
BH-368 . . .X-PA Expert Series with Fingergrips . . . .39.99
also available Catalogue #12 Send $5.00 to
Brodak’s 100 Park Avenue • Carmichaels, PA 15320
Phone: 724-966-2726 • Fax: 724-966-5670
Brodak
E-Mail: flyin@brodak.com • Web Site: www.brodak.com
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