Which simulators work with a joystick input?

[tpheliflyer]

I know FMS does because that's the sim I'm stuck with at the moment, using my esky usb simulator transmitter. It gives a joystick input so I'm wandering what alternatives there are to FMS.

[hawkman]

Clearview is one sim that might work ok, you can find a demo version somewhere around.

I used FMS for a very long time, its not the end of the world to get stuck with it.

Clearview would be worth it if you can switch the idle up modes and throttle hold as well. These switches are the ones that you would use in real life.

Rob

[tpheliflyer]

Thanks Rob, that's just the sort of simulator I'm looking for. I think you're right that FMS isn't bad, but clearview does have some very attractive features.

[hawkman]

Yes it does.

Its a bonus if you can use a real radio on the sim and have the same switch functions...this way you get used to switching modes as you fly around...there is nothing worse than flying about and fumbling for a switch...I smashed my first heli this way. I was doing an Autorotation and the rotor rpm was getting low, I had switched throttle hold on...I was trying to switch it off and fumbled around...WHAM!!! in went the heli...wrote it off.

Being able to adjust how the Sim Model flys is a good thing too...you can get a favorite heli and adjust it to suit or just experiment etc etc.

FMS serves a purpose, and for freeware its good.

Rob

[tpheliflyer]

I guess FMS will do for now though.

[hawkman]

Heck yes....get the most out of it. Learn to hover 'nose in' ie nose of the heli towards you and at all angles in between...when you get good at that then put the trims off center and try it....learn to fly the heli inverted.

You have a wind direction and speed option too dont you? well switch them on and do the flying about...especially the hovering about.

FMS will give you that edge. I used it a long time...I then went and bought a kit and once built I went and flew it...I was doing circuits on my first tank of fuel. Never looked back since.

Rob

[tpheliflyer]

FMS is a great tool, whoever made it WILL go to heaven, lol.

I bought the esky simulator transmitter so that I can learn to fly mode 2. My 4 ch dragonfly was mode 1 and I wanted to change it, so I did, opened up the transmitter switched a couple of plugs around and locking/spring mechanisms. The simulator transmitter was taking a while to arrive (from China), well not that long but I was getting impatient, took up my heli for the first time on mode 2 and crashed it, braking the tail rotor. Couple of days later the simulator transmitter arrived and while waiting for the spare tail rotors to arrive from China (they arrived today), I was able to get used to flying mode 2 on FMS. Now that I'm used to mode 2 on the sim, lets hope all those simulator hours convert to real life proficiency. We'll see, if the weather's good tommorow I'll give it a shot.

I love playing around on FMS with a TRex model I downloaded, it's great fun, and I also do hovering drills a lot as well as circuits.

[hawkman]

Thats important, doing the hovering thing. Anyone can throw the heli around the sky but doing slow controlled circuits and hovering is very important.

I used to use a sim called EasyFly, this had a signpost thing...I used to practice for hours just hovering and landing the heli on the post cross tree.

I have a Trex, they are good helis...I had radio glitches with mine so its grounded for now...but they fly well...and are well made.

Rob