Hi Guys,

Just wanted to share some experience as a newbie....

One of the first steps that I have taken to get into RC is to get hold of a simulator comprising of a 4 ch controller from Sai and relevant software downloaded from online stores called ClearView.

Man, I am really enjoying it!!!!

Its fun actually to crash and get the plane back in action without a problem 

So I am actually trying to get a feel of RC flying in a sim just to build up the confidence level before I attempt to fly an actual model.

Regards
Pankaj

Good going Pankaj !

There are multiple threads here on how to build up your RC skills on a sim (mostly for helis, but the idea is applicable to planes also).  Don't just go on repeating the same pattern of flight, you have to break the routines and have some definite goals. A sample goal would be to touch down at the center of the runway as much as possible.  Turn on some wind in the sim, so that there is some element of risk/randomness.

one good way is to make the plane a bit out trim so that u better take hold on controls

Shall do all that, but right now finding it difficult to get to land a) the plane at approx same place and b) land without crashing..

All that text book knowledge about aerodynamics and all that is good, but the moment the plane takes off, the theory goes out as well 

So far, the score after 2 days is about 4 safe landings in 10 tries.....

Pankaj

This is a good site to learn different patterns http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/aerobatics/maneuvers/index.htm#3d - even on the sim. But FMS is somehow not very useful.

which simulator u r using ?

FMS, the version of clearview that I have does not allow interfacing with the TX. Any idea where to get one that will work. Or preferrably, does some one sell realflight?? The demo versions are keyboard only.

I do believe that there is a conversion cable required so that a Tx can be connected to PC. I am using a esky controller which is more like the sticks of the Tx with a usb connector. The main issue that I face on my Vista PC is that everytime I connect the controller, I need to go to device manager and do a "scan for update". Its only then the controller shows up on the Clear View. Maybe you would need to do the same.....

Pankaj

I use FMS with a hitec TX. Connects to the MIC (audio in) via a standard jack. No issues with using the sim. Not much use though apart from being a video game.

Guys,

to tell the truth, I am having difficult even with the sim so a little help is in the requested. I am trying to make a circle and land almost the same place that I took off from. It is proving difficult to come in a definite direction and speed. Most of the time I keep forgetting which control to apply when the model is facing me (fully/partially). Is this normal? How do I overcome this?

Pankaj

It is quite natural/normal.  You are experiencing what every beginner generally feels ! It is also one of the most thrilling aspects of RC flight (reversal of some controls when the model faces you), which is lacking in flying real aircraft !

Overcoming this is simple enough, just keep practicing    It will become send nature soon enough, and you will be applying controls even without consciously thinking about them.

Another just a plane newbie question....

Is there a guideline on when to apply aileron an when to apply rudder? I am trying to use aileron all the time but if I apply it steeply, then the plane just comes down rather fast.


Pankaj

Aileron vs Rudder....   Let us see... 

For normal flight (not doing high alpha/3D stuff)

1: Both can be used for turning.  People who start with planes with no aileron have no option, so they use rudder for turning; except for that, I have seen most people (including myself) using ailerons for the most part for turning. Most people start out using ONLY the ailerons for turning.

2: As people's flying skills improve, they start using a little bit of rudder to ASSIST with turns.  Ailerons still do the bulk of the work, rudder just assists.

3: Rudder is particularly important in the last few seconds when you are trying to line up to the runway to land. When you are really close to the ground, it is best to make small corrections to the aircrafts glide path using the rudder (instead of ailerons).  People who have mastered rudder control are able to make much nicer landing time and again.

And the most important tip for anyone starting out is to apply controls as lightly as possible, as little as needed.  If you practice touch down at around the same spot near the center line of the runway time and again with the help of rudder and aileron, and repeatedly do touch-and-gos, that is a very nice way to build your confidence and skills in the usage of both aileron and rudder appropriately.

Based on my experience   :

1) The rudder turn is like SKID in the air
2) Aileron turn is like a banking .

It is largely due to this that the  nose does not drop much in the case of a rudder turn.

Just to improve understanding imagine  it on a bike like skidding and  banking turns 

Hence if you want to turn using aileron's it is required to hold a bit of up  elevator as well.

sai

A proper turn uses both aileron and rudder. Look up the two terms "adverse yaw" and "coordinated turn" in google to get the explanations. This one of the first basic lessons full scale pilots get.

In a turn aileron and rudder are used in the same direction. During landing approach we use rudder to move the aircraft sideways to center it on the runway and use the aileron in opposite direction to counter the roll due to rudder and keep the aircraft level. You can practice this level side slip up in the air, sometimes the maneuver comes out looking good.

Wikipedia has these topics covered.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_yaw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_flight

Here is the instrument that helps pilots to execute a coordinated turn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_coordinator

Thanks folks on the aileron vs rudder.... have been practicing bit of rudder to correct the approach.

OK, so progressing with the sim.... managed to get the landing to about 8 success in 10. One thing that I would like to understand is the amount to throttle to use for take off and landing.

I would like to think that it really does not matter if go full throttle for take off (I suppose this is not an actual plane where one needs to think about V1 and V2 speeds), but for landing, if cut out the throttle completely on approach i usually get a proper touchdown. But is this advisable?

Then I have been practicing in a no wind situation, so I think I would need to maintain some amount to engine power - but to what extent??

Pankaj

The aileron vs rudder thing is also very important from another aspect.  If you start flying helis, you are forced to use rudder assistance for turns.  This is in fact one of the major differences people experience when they move from planes to helis. 

So if you started off using a bit of rudder assistance on your turns with planes, it would help you with heli flying later on 

OK guys a question,

In the simulator, one can set the weather conditions. Now, wind direction I can understand, but as far as the flight characteristic is concerned, how would the model behave in air if there were turbulence and/or themals?

The reason for asking is that these should be present in real life conditions as well, so what should one look for and what must one do if one encounters these two phenomenon?

Pankaj

Steady winds are not a problem, it is the gusts that pose a challenge especially when you have to do cross wind landings. That is one thing you could practice using rudder and opposite aileron to align to the runway.

You know what? I am finding it hard to land with a diagonal wind of about 1m/s. The model comes in steadily and after it touches ground tilts to one side and crashes most of the time. So essentially does it mean that I need to determine the wind direction and align the plane directly against/along it?

Pankaj

For small and light electric planes going directly against the wind is the best way even if it means going across the runway. Keep safety in mind and get it down away from people in the pits. For glow and bigger electrics you need to align to the runway irrespective of the wind direction.