FSX and real life flight training..my experiences!
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:00 pmHey guys,
I had 0 hours of flight training until the last week when I began training in a J3 Piper Cub! I decided to start off in a conventional gear aircraft (aka tailwheel) and I am having a blast! However, during my ground school studying, I decided to also use FSX as a training aid and flew nothing but the Piper Cub. After each flight lesson, I would go home and practice the same maneuvers in FSX's Cub. Amazingly, the flight model is very very similar to the real thing! The only major issue I'm having is that the taxiing speeds are quite different between to FSX and real life (for example, taxiing on asphalt in a Cub in real life is usually around 6-800rpm, whereas, in FSX you need it around 1200rpm ...ok i'm being picky).
I've flown with two different instructors so far and they both complimented me about my skills and instincts, and I told them it was probably partially due to FSX. The instructors have also told me that they've had other students that excelled in the training due to FSX.
Anyways, I have about 7.5 hours so far and will probably be soloing soon. The J3 Cub is so easy to fly....and fun! It really helps you develop great habits (stick and rudder coordination, etc) that will be valuable when I jump into a "sardine can with wings" (aka Cessna 150, etc).
Here are some pics:
I had 0 hours of flight training until the last week when I began training in a J3 Piper Cub! I decided to start off in a conventional gear aircraft (aka tailwheel) and I am having a blast! However, during my ground school studying, I decided to also use FSX as a training aid and flew nothing but the Piper Cub. After each flight lesson, I would go home and practice the same maneuvers in FSX's Cub. Amazingly, the flight model is very very similar to the real thing! The only major issue I'm having is that the taxiing speeds are quite different between to FSX and real life (for example, taxiing on asphalt in a Cub in real life is usually around 6-800rpm, whereas, in FSX you need it around 1200rpm ...ok i'm being picky).
I've flown with two different instructors so far and they both complimented me about my skills and instincts, and I told them it was probably partially due to FSX. The instructors have also told me that they've had other students that excelled in the training due to FSX.
Anyways, I have about 7.5 hours so far and will probably be soloing soon. The J3 Cub is so easy to fly....and fun! It really helps you develop great habits (stick and rudder coordination, etc) that will be valuable when I jump into a "sardine can with wings" (aka Cessna 150, etc).
Here are some pics: