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Learning to Fly: Virtual Flying Lessons

From "Radio Control Hobbies"
episode RCH-205

In this segment, Chris Chianelli demos some software that will allow you to practice your flying technique without fear of crashing your plane. Using this program, your computer is connected to your actual RC transmitter. This set-up allows you to safely and easily practice and refine your flying techniques.

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Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

RC Helicopters --Computer Flight-Sims

Wanna learn to fly a plane without worrying about crashing? Consider using a flight-simulator program to learn how to maneuver a virtual RC trainer. The one shown in our demonstration is the RC Flight Simulator from Dave Brown Products (TM ). Using this program, your computer is connected to an actual RC transmitter. The program mimics your plane's actual movements in response to the action of your controls, allowing you to refine your flying technique.

Using a radio-transmitter control attached to a computer screen (figure A), you're now ready to begin a flight simulation. In fact, the program allows you to operate the "virtual plane" by plugging in directly to your actual plane's radio transmitter if you desire. Since you're using your own radio transmitter as a "joystick," you can effectively practice your flying techniques and experience the same "feel" that you will when flying your actual RC model.
The computer-generated graphic plane is displayed on the screen and responds to your controls as you prepare to taxi and take off (figure B).
The program comes with a number of selectable model planes programmed in, each with its true-to-life flight characteristics. In other words, the controls in the program are specific to the particular model that you are flying, so the responses match what you would expect when flying your own plane. Once you are "off the ground," the program offers a realistic three-dimensional representation of your craft in flight (figure C) as you take it through various flight moves.
Use your transmitter to operate the throttle, rudder, elevator and aileron -- just as you would on your actual plane. The program allows you to refine your skills with the three basic axes of control -- yaw, pitch and roll. Experiment with flying around the environment, avoiding obstacles and controlling your maneuvers. The program emulates many of the situations you'll encounter at the actual flying field.
Use a program like this to practice your flying techniques even during inclement weather. You can also load the program onto a laptop for practice when you're travelling.

Flying Tip: As you fly an RC plane (virtual or real), you essentially "let the airplane fly itself." Avoid over-steering or over-controlling the plane. Instead, make minor adjustments to gently redirect the flight path.

Figure D

Figure E

Chris Chianelli's Mailbag

Q: Anthony, a DIY viewer from Farmindale, NY writes: Chris, I've only been flying a little while, and only been to the field a few times. I'm having a real problem controlling my plane when it's coming toward me. Can you help?

A: This is a common problem among those new to flying. With a basic understanding and some practice you can overcome it. For now, simply concentrate on the aileron control. (Later, as you get more advanced, you'll incorporate rudder control into this as well.) When the plane is flying away from you, the controls are intuitive: right is right, and left is left. But when the plane is coming toward you, it's a mirror effect -- the controls are reversed. Picture the plane coming toward you with a straight, level orientation (figure D). As the airplane tips in one direction, your natrual tendency will be to pull the stick in the opposite direction to right the plane. In fact, you're making the situation worse by doing this.

Here's what you need to do: With the plane coming toward you, if the wing dips in one direction (figure E), push the aileron stick in the same direction as the dip to right the plane. With a little practice, this will begin to come naturally to you.

In the segment that follows, Chris offers advice on prepping your plane at the RC flying field prior to take-off.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
	Learning to Fly: Basics of RC Trainer Planes
	Learning to Fly: Virtual Flying Lessons
	Learning to Fly: RC Flight Prep
	Learning to Fly: RC Flying Lesson