flightsim

In ModelFlight #7, I gave you a preview of the new Ripmax R/C Flight Simulator, due out this summer. I saw the development version of this sim being run at the Sandown show and I must say it was quite impressive from the graphics point of view. Mind you, the demo was being run on a huge flat screen the likes of which none of us would be using, and that certainly added to the impact. One view I saw was a tracking shot of a CAP 232 screaming across a vast stretch of water, coloured smoke streaming from its wing tips - more of a game-type shot than a realistic r/c simulation experience, of course, but doubtless great fun to fly.

One of the latest r/c model simulators to come on to the shelves of our model shops is RealFlight Deluxe, the latest and best version of Great Planes well-established simulator,and now including ten helicopters as well as the original nine 'planes.

RealFlight approaches graphics in a very different way than most others, utilizing real-life photographic images of backgrounds, plus the added realism of correct Doppler-effect stereo sounds, giving you actual engine and flight sounds as you would hear them on the field or in the cockpit.

Great Planes say that this is the first r/c flight simulator specifically designed for Windows® 95/98 and available on CD ROM; it takes full advantage of more powerful processors and is compatible with DirectX® accelerated 3D graphics and sound cards, although you can use the programs own internal 3-D technology but with some limitations on the graphics representation.

There are hosts of options available in the program, from choice of planes or helicopters, model engines, music and sound, flying fields, weather, etc., plus the usual choices of resolution and reality to trade off against frame rates and general smoothness, of course!

This simulator will need a good deal more PC power than many of the others on the market such as Tru-Flite 3D, Aero-Fly or CSM's 3-in-1 (all of which also cost considerably less) so be sure to 'check your spec' to avoid disappointment. For first-class performance it really wants a Pentium II running at 300 MHz or above with a high-performance 3D accelerated video card, at least 30MB RAM and a CD-ROM drive (16x). The manufacturer's quoted minimum specification is much lower than this - as they always are - but this would also give a lower performance.

Click these thumbnails to view screenshots from the simulator.

The simulator can be purchased with its own Futaba-made transmitter look-alike controller as pictured at the top of this item at a cost of £199.99 or with a Tx interface to enable you to use your own radio gear, this configuration costing £179.99. These are recommended retail prices - I've seen both options at £20 less than that in the modelling press. Either option, that's a lot of money for a simulator and if that's the direction we're going in, then my price-guess of around £100 on the Ripmax sim is likely to be far too low! There is also an upgrade available for owners of the standard version at a cost of £79.99 and a couple of add-ons of more aircraft, engine and terrain enhancements.

There's a very comprehensive five-page write-up of this simulator in the June issue of Model Helicopter World, by the way.