The Flyzone Diablois a hand-launched edf (above left) that does not have gobs of power. A simple keyboard click sends it on its way, with the usual drop in altitude from a hand launch which requires you to be a pilot, not a passenger. Flying a
(HUD). The HUD, as well as a Nav Aide, Timer, Variometer, Binocular View and Transmitter are all available in the “Gad- gets” menu. The one that I find most valuable is the binocular view. While not “actually” a Challenge, how about night flying or flying off an aircraft carrier? Given the variety available, it will be hard to become bored.
Transmitters
Two different transmitter packages are available, as well as an interface only mod- ule to use your own transmitter. The first package comes with the Tactic TTX600 transmitter, which is appropriate for those just thinking about R/C flying who have not yet invested in a transmitter. This allows you to learn on Real Flight, and then take that transmitter to the field. The InterLink Elite version is the system I was provided for this review.
Futaba manufactures the Interlink Elite controller for Real Flight, and it feels like a real transmitter, because it is in a real transmitter case. Instead of an antenna, a
Corsair (above right) is almost a right of passage for many given its popularity. RealFlight has the physics pretty close for flying at Greg’s home field, and the scenery at the Photo Field is comfortably close to what Greg sees at home.
USB cord comes out of the top to connect with your computer. Once connected, you can operate all the functions needed from the lower face of the transmitter using the menu select button (on the left) and the up down arrows (on the right) without having to touch your mouse. As always, the red re- set button (at the far left) starts your flight over, but it also provides a rewind feature so you can rewind and re-practice the last ma- neuver and learn from it.
On the top left of the transmitter, is the channel 8/mode/idle up switch and on the front face is the channel 5/dual rates switch; on the right front face, is the dial for channel 6/flaps/gain and on the top is the channel 7/smoke/retracts switch. While not where they are on my transmitter, they are marked so you know what they are and are easy to use. The transmitter is even more “life-like” in that the trims are digital, so you never worry about them getting knocked askew. Like all Futaba transmitters, the feel of the gimbals and overall feel of the transmitter just feels “right” in my hands.
Conclusions
No mater how you look at it, Real Flight 7 has massive bang for the buck. If you have never flown R/C, a good simulator is the place to start (especially during the win- ter!), and this simulator with its myriad of trainer aircraft and fields, as well as the training modules and tutorials will help to decrease the frustration level associated with learning anything new... tremendous- ly! For the experienced pilot, increasing the wing loading while decreasing the engine power and making the control throws high (and twitchy) sure teaches throttle and con- trol surface management. Doing consecu- tive (and smooth) touch-and-goes becomes a productive exercise for when the weather turns nicer. With three different transmitter options, and a software-upgrade only option, Real Flight has hit a home run with a financial price-point to fit everyone and is an excel- lent way to keep up, and improve our flying skills while enjoying the realistic physics and amazing graphics.
One of the more popular simulator aircraft over the years is the V-22 Osprey (above left), which has been smoothed out and is now a nice (though demanding) airplane to fly. A desert scenario features the V-22, and it is very fun
FLYING MODELS
to buzz the gas station—just don’t hit the fuel tanker! While the realism is fantastic, a flat monitor (above right) suffers even more so than the real world from the camouflage effect of trees in the background. Can you find the airplane?
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