cats corner

PiccoFly dedicated R/C flight simulator

Here's a novelty, I must say - a r/c flight simulator dedicated to the Ikarus Piccolo indoor helicopter that is now so popular.

Specifically designed for people that are interested in buying or already own a Piccolo, this simulator reckons to be the perfect tool with which to learn or improve your flying skills.

With the help of Norbert Grüntjens, the founder and owner of IKARUS Modellflugsport, the simulated flight model of the Piccolo helicopter has been adjusted so that it flies just like its real counterpart. Even the influence of the weight distribution due to the motors, servos and batteries is taken into account.

The PiccoFly simulator is set in a highly detailed indoor scenery with two storeys and five rooms. This gives you chance to practice and improve your flying skills just like you would in your own house. The simulator has full collision detection with every object, meaning you can land (and collide!) with everything you see.

Take a look at this kitchen scenario on the right (click for a full-screen view). Experienced pilots will be able to land the helicopter in the kitchen sink without crashing it - real experts will manage to land on the narrow water tap!

All rooms in the house are connected, so you can follow the Piccolo through the whole house by walking behind it. Be careful, though; going down the stairs to the cellar might not be as easy as you think!

PiccoFly can be controlled either with a joystick (3 independent axis recommended) or from your own transmitter using the interface cable that is supplied with one version of the product - Multiplex, Robbe, Futaba, HiTec, JR/Graupner and Sanwa radios are all supported.

I can't find a UK price quoted anywhere yet, but the simulator is distributed by J Perkins to your model shop. European prices advertised on the web are DM49/ Euro 25·05 for the joystick version or DM89/Euro 45·5 with the transmitter interface.

System requirements are a 233Mhz Pentium II or similar processor, 32MB RAM, 20MB hard disk space, CD ROM, 8MB OpenGL ICD compatible graphic card and DirectX compatible sound card.

Just for your amusement, I've put a row of thumbnail screen shots of other rooms in the house for you to explore. Click on them to see the picture in full-screen view.

We regularly have one of those tool sales in our town hall and I usually pop in to see what they have, as their stock is always changing. On my most recent visit, I came across these very nice little 4" clamps at just £1.99 each or £3.50 for two. Unscrewing the butterfly nut on the fixed head allows you to transfer the head to the other end of the tool, so that the clamping direction can be reversed, as shown in the lower clamp in my picture. A smooth trigger action moves the adjustable jaw which is released by depressing a small button. I bought a pair, and now I've had a closer look at them and used them, I will definitely be looking out for another pair at the next sale!