An Excellent Waste Of Time
I’ve had a few emails complaining that I’m not around as much as I should be and am I ok. Yes, I’m fine thanks! I did post a few days ago that I wasn’t gonna be around for a bit, but todays mass posting (I hope) makes up for it.
Anyhoo, I want to share with you my current favourite waste of time. It’s called FMS. No, not fuck me stupid. Flying Model Simulator. With a view to eventually buying a “real” radio control (RC) model helicopter (planes are too easy!), a couple of weeks ago I bought an RC unit that attaches to the PC by USB. The actual application is a free download and there are so many different landscapes and models (planes and ‘copters) to download that I haven’t yet tried all the ones I’ve downloaded. Some don’t load unfortunately, but hey, it’s free and the RC unit cost me twenty quid.
The screenshot on the left (click for larger versions of any of the images…) shows a Hughes ‘copter. Not really much I can say about the application as I don’t know too much about it. It took very little time to install, the PC had no problem with the USB attachment and it seems to react just like a real-life RC ‘copter would.
Each plane and ‘copter has its own characteristics, slow and fast manoeuvring, air speed, roll abilities etc. Each is great to fly in its own way, except the glider which is quite shite. Using the FMS you can control the wind strength, gusts and direction, thermals (lots or few), whether you want to view from a fixed point or on a chase cam, winch or hand launch as well as bits I haven’t tried yet. The screenshot on the right is a hercules – a fairly steady and slow handling model that’s easy (ish) to fly.
More screengrabs:
As you can see this is the classic World War 2 Spitfire. Just like the real thing, it’s a quick plane with fast but precise movement that’s fun to fly, wheels up or down depending on which model you choose to load. I also have a Battle of Britain flight, but that just loads as a white model with edges detailed.
This model is the Lockheed Martin XF-V1 experimental aircraft. It’s certainly an interesting model to fly. The controls react very very fast and if the pilot (?) is REALLY careful you can land it vertically on the crossed tail section. I crash more than I achieve vertical landing, so no screen shot.
How do you fancy flying an Apache helicopter. Yeah, it’s just a bloody model. But it’s the closest I’m ever gonna get! This chopper actually flies really nicely. The Hughes in the first thumbnail is fairly docile and easy for the beginner. The Apache is great for when you’ve honed your skill a bit.
If you really want you can fly the Apache upside down too! Just remember that when you’re doing this the controls are reversed. And yes, I did manage to land the ‘copter the right way up after taking this screengrab!
If I can get the application to work on the laptop I might take the whole shebang to the Mini Club and let people have a play and see how hard it really is. I can land most of the planes, but still crash the ‘copters more often than not. More practice needed I think. Right, where’s that controller…
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