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Having something that works with a proportional joystick controller (e.g. - Logitech clone of Sony style game controller), if not an actual RC controller, is es

Having something that works with a proportional joystick controller (e.g. - Logitech clone of Sony style game controller), if not an actual RC controller, is essential as well. Keyboard controls are horrible for practicing flying. (I believe the packages you mention come with an RC controller mockup, as well as usually supporting a PC-to-transmitter patch cable) Alas, the big boys are Windows-only software :-( There is at least one inexpensive RC simulator out there that runs on Android (and has pretty good glider simulation), which lets you use a PC USB controller for the sticks. You need a USB "On The Go" (OTG) adapter cable to plug the full size "PC end" of the controller into the micro USB socket. I had a free simulator that worked on Mac, but I forgot its name after it stopped working.

mbrameld 11y ago
The FrSky Taranis transmitter can be used as a USB controller with a normal mini USB cable. It runs about $175, but you're not likely to outgrow it since it has tons of knobs and switches, runs an open source firmware, and can accept JR-style transmitter modules.
atourgates 11y ago
I actually learned on an Xbox 360 controller originally, not nearly as good as a real transmitter, but much better than a keyboard. Both Phoenix and RealFlight come in packages either with a controller, or a cable to plug in your RC controller.
- Roboprog 11y ago
  Interesting. Isn't the XBox controller "asymmetrical", in that the left joystick is above the D-pad, further up and to the side than the right joystick is? (much like a Nintendo Gamecube controller) transmitter vs controller images: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/280927693588-0-1/s-l1000.jpg http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/280927693588-0-1/s-l1000.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/PlayStation3-Sixaxis.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/PlayStat... http://gaming.logitech.com/assets/47832/f310-gaming-gamepad-images.png http://gaming.logitech.com/assets/47832/f310-gaming-gamepad-... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Xbox-360-S-Controller.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Xbox-360... http://www.gamechoiceclub.com/image/gc_controller_black.gif http://www.gamechoiceclub.com/image/gc_controller_black.gif

mbrameld 11y ago

The FrSky Taranis transmitter can be used as a USB controller with a normal mini USB cable. It runs about $175, but you're not likely to outgrow it since it has tons of knobs and switches, runs an open source firmware, and can accept JR-style transmitter modules.

atourgates 11y ago

I actually learned on an Xbox 360 controller originally, not nearly as good as a real transmitter, but much better than a keyboard. Both Phoenix and RealFlight come in packages either with a controller, or a cable to plug in your RC controller.

Roboprog 11y ago
Interesting. Isn't the XBox controller "asymmetrical", in that the left joystick is above the D-pad, further up and to the side than the right joystick is? (much like a Nintendo Gamecube controller) transmitter vs controller images: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/280927693588-0-1/s-l1000.jpg http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/280927693588-0-1/s-l1000.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/PlayStation3-Sixaxis.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/PlayStat... http://gaming.logitech.com/assets/47832/f310-gaming-gamepad-images.png http://gaming.logitech.com/assets/47832/f310-gaming-gamepad-... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Xbox-360-S-Controller.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Xbox-360... http://www.gamechoiceclub.com/image/gc_controller_black.gif http://www.gamechoiceclub.com/image/gc_controller_black.gif