Flying an airplane, whether it be full scale or a model, is not a natural act. It's not something you are born with, nobody can just walk up to a plane and fly it without some sort of instruction. Granted some people have certain characteristics that make learning to fly easier, but everyone was taught at some point, except Orville and Wilbur, which is what makes their early flights so amazing. I came to this conclusion about 15 years ago, after trying to "teach myself" to fly an R/C Trainer. I was living on a farm in Iowa and had plenty of open ground but after 3 quick "crash and repairs", I realized I needed help. Nowadays, there are many R/C clubs around that will give you instruction, and even private schools, but some people , myself included, want to fly alone and just enjoy the experience without the worry of other aircraft in the air. For these people, there are R/C simulators to learn with. I started on something called "Aerochopper" if my memory serves me. It was very animated and cartoonish but the stick movements required for flight were all I needed to learn. Later, Great Planes came out with "Realflight" which was much better but the ground handling and the scenery itself just didn't look realistic. I wanted to start flying tail-draggers and the ground handling needed to be better. Then I found "Reflex XTR" by MRC. The only thing more realistic than this is real life. Using Panolusion technology, they have taken photos of actual flying sites and developed them into a 3D simulation that is just like being there. From flying a foamie inside a gymnasium, to slope soaring off a cliff right next to the ocean, the scenery is just fascinating. The ground handling is so realistic you can feel the difference between taxiing through different grass heights. The effectiveness of the tail wheel couldn't be more realistic. MRC also makes an adapter cable to fit every radio out there that has a training jack on it. This means you can use your own radio in the sim and take advantage of your mixes, model memories, and special features. That way you will still have that same feel when you get out to the field. Unlike other R/C sims, when new updates come available all you have to do is go download them for free ! No add-on disks to purchase. New models and flying sites are all free. The program even gives you the ability to create your own model and upload it for others to use.
     These are untouched screen shots right from the simulator.
This is the only sim you will ever need, from your initial leaning experience to practicing your newest aerobatic tricks, this is as real as it gets.
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Today in Aviation History :
July 30, 1935... Lieutenant Frank Akers of the U.S. Navy becomes the first person to make a "blind" landing at sea. His biplane has a hooded cockpit allowing him to see only his controls and instruments. He lands on the USS Langley.
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Free paper planes for the kids
www.funpaperairplanes.com www.paperairplanes.co.uk/ www.bestpaperairplanes.com/
www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/
www.10paperairplanes.com/
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Aviation Weather Links
www.nws.noaa.gov/
www.noaa.gov/wx.html
http://maps.avnwx.com/
www.usairnet.com/weather/
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