Tom's Model Guide

The Flight Model Simulator (FMS) by Tom Laird. 26/2/2002

Notes on buying the Flight Model Simulator
This is a free download from http://simulator.home.pages.de
Further, there is a large number of model and scenery files available, including some for the kids: X-Wing starfighter, Thunderbird2, Superman. The West Calder scenery file is available form the "Downloads" page at http://www.modelclub.org as is links to the program, and links to the interface suppliers.

Installation.
Installation was easy and straight forward. I simply unzipped the program into a directory of my choice. An icon was placed on the desktop and double-clicking on it launched the program. To set up the interface, go to CONTROLS | ANALOGUE then select RESOURCES and check that you are on the correct Com port. Then go to "Controls" and enter a channel number against each control. You might need to go to "Mapping / Calibration" as well before the sliders should then start moving. Click "Reverse" if they are going the wrong way. Click "Exp" if the model is too jittery. If the sliders still do not work, try changing to the other Com port. I found the Super Cub to be pretty stable but some of the others were a bit more interesting. If the model keeps turning, diving or climbing use the transmitter trims as normal.

There are a number of keys for zooming-in, out, left, right, up, down etc as well as "C" which swaps between Chase view and Static. Both do the job pretty well. The up / down movement is a bit course however.

There are a number of different resolutions available so you should be able to run the sim irrespective of your PC's power. Further, fogging and shading can be turned off saving even more processing power, and you have the choice of 16bit or 32 bit colour. If English is not your preferred choice, you have 17 others to choose from.

You can select between the keyboard, a game joystick, or your transmitter linked into either the serial or parallel port. You transmitter will also work via the game port if you have the correct adaptor. This way you can check out the sim without having to buy the interface cable. If you are running Windows XP you will need the PIC version of the interface rather than the ordinary serial version.

Flying the FMS simulator.
The first model I tried was the Pits Special. This was very responsive although it did calm down after I had selected the "Rates" switch on my transmitter. Also if you go to the transmitter set-up page and select the "Exp" box for ailerons and elevators, you will find it much better. The rudder works so you can practice your stall turns, and the Cub aims for the ground when inverted, just as you would expect.

For glider guiders you have the options of winch or hand launch and adjustment of the thermal activity.

There are hundreds of models to choose from, although not as many scenery files. The models are very good with different flying characteristics and sounds i.e. the F4 Phantom is a bit more exciting than the Super Cub.

Verdict on the FMS simulator
The 2 main faults are the course adjustment of the pilot's viewing position and no facility for wind adjustment. Also, unlike Real Flight you cannot adjust the model's position relative to the centre of the screen so that on landing, the runway can take you by surprise when it appears.

As a training simulator it does a pretty good job. It will get you over the initial steps of flying a model around the sky, coping with a model coming towards you, and the psychological hurdle of taking your hands off the sticks long enough to adjust the trim levers. It will also get you flying inverted without risking your model. For the price it's a "Must Buy".

My son practices for his "Bronze" on FMS

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