The complete FS One package includes the unique TacCon™ controller. The TacCon is actually a 7-channel transmitter simulator. A special feature of this simulator is that the TacCon can be adjusted to behave just like any 7-channel computer transmitter including channel mixing (rudder to elevator for example, to achieve straight knife edge flight), end point adjustment, exponential control and much more. If you wish, you can use your own transmitter instead of the TacCon. Adaptor cords for all major transmitter brands are included.
The entire program is contained on four compact disks and occupies 4 GB of hard disk space. It is a complex program with nearly endless adjustability, possibilities, flexibility and capabilities. (That should take care of the “…bilities” for now.)
But the simulator is easy to use, right from the start. In the package is a Keyboard Command Card. this invaluable tool works just like the note cards new piano players mount on their pianos to match each key to the correct note. Save this card as it will come in handy dozens of times in just your first 24 hours with the FS One.
Minimum Computer Requirements
The FS One simulator is a very modern program, with many abilities, and therefore has definite computer requirements. The absolute minimum is first, a CD drive to load the program. Second, only Windows XP or 2000 Pro (SP3 or later) or newer Windows OS releases will operate it. The computer needs at least a 1.8 GHz Pentium IV (AMD Athlon XP 2500) or better Processor. Best would be at least a 2.8 GHz Pentium or Athlon XP 3000 processor.
The minimum RAM memory is 512 MB but 1 GB would be best. The minimum graphics card should be in either the NVIDIA 5000 series or ATI Radeon 9000 series class and have at least 64 MB memory. 128 MB memory would be better as would using either a 6-7000 series GeForce or X600 Radeon class card. There are two 3-D fields that will not tax older computers’ graphic abilities.
The computer used for the review tests uses a 3.2 GHz Intel processor, Windows XP, 1 GB RAM, 540 MHz speed memory and a Radeon X-300 series graphics card. At all times the FS One operated perfectly with never a blur, skip, slowdown or freeze frame. All options were always enabled, including all possible scenery, noises and sky graphics.
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The aircraft graphics are amazingly accurate. But even more accurate is the way they fly. Flying one of the FS One’s airplanes is exactly like flying the real world counter part (with just two exceptions noted later). It is difficult to realize you are flying a virtual airplane since the FS One’s aircraft handle exactly like the originals. There is even runway friction slowing the airplane down on landing and resisting the takeoffs. Grass runway takeoffs have more rolling resistance than do the paved runways, as they should.
You will NOT find yourself saying that an FS One virtual airplane flies differently than does a real RC model. The simulation is that close and exact. If you can’t fly the Blade CP helicopter in the real world, you won’t be able to fly it in the FS One’s world either. If your approach speed while landing the Alpha 40 Trainer tends to be high and you are always landing “long” at your club field, don’t expect to do amazing short-field FS One landings. Of course, the great thing about using the FS One is that you can practice a lot to get those approach speeds down to where they should be and safely learn to fly the CP without ordering three helicopters’ worth of parts.
Let’s look at the FS one, starting with the airfields that are available. Before activating the simulator program, disable the screen saver if any, because the FS One does not. Suddenly appearing star fields or colored pipes can really mess up a good landing approach.
The Airports
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The Alpha 40 shown in photo 2 is landing at “Big T” airport as part of the FS One’s flight training lessons. The FS One has flying lessons from the very basic to advanced 3D maneuvers. All are narrated and performed for you by the simulation. The narrators are Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini, two of the very best RC pilots in the world. Fight lessons from these two pilots alone is worth far more than the FS One’s total cost.
Big T (photo 4) is a “Pano” (Panoramic) field modeled using accurate aerial and ground level photographs. The graphics are excellent and make you feel you are actually flying at the field. However, not all the differing view angles, including chase and cockpit views, are available at any of the Pano fields. Only the basic RC Pilot views can be seen but those are the viewing positions most important to RC piloting. The Heads Up Display (HUD) is available at all fields however and is especially useful flying gliders at the various Pano ridge sites.
Because just the RC Pilot’s views are visible at Pano fields, the “helicopter” aerial images of the 3D fields, which do have all the differing viewing angles, cannot be shown. Therefore, only the images from the airfield selection tables (like those in photos 4 and 5) can be shown for the Pano fields. Click on each photo to enlarge it and you will even be able to read the FS One field description box.
Big T is a special challenge for landing practice. The runways are very narrow requiring the pilot to learn excellent approach control to make it to pavement. Add some cross wind, all winds are fully adjustable, and the challenge becomes very real. Start with the Alpha 40 here before trying to land the 33% Extra in a heavy crosswind if you don’t like repairing broken landing gear legs. Sorry, forgot it was just a "sim" there for a minute. Just use the reset button. I love virtual airplanes and reset buttons.
Pitkin County Airport has lots of approach space but the runways, while larger than those at Big T, are still on the narrow side. The same challenges apply here but are extra difficult if you are flying some of the jets. The high approach speeds, 75+ mph, don’t give you much time to get everything lined up and the crosswind slip adjusted before touchdown.
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Worthington Airport (photo 6) on the other hand is wide open with big runways and lots of space. This is just about a 360 degree flying field with approaches from all sides. The flying is done from the ramp space but there is a big runway way out there. The ramp is bordered by drums to keep out the full-size stuff. You should watch out for the drums while landing but you don’t really have to; you can’t hit them.
This probably a good time to explain that most of the obstructions at the Pano fields cannot be hit. These are photographs only and the airplanes can roll or fly right through them. Some of the Pano fields have obstructions you can hit, like the trees at “Gone Wireless” Field and the near walls at Tri-Cities Parking Garage. All of the indoor Pano sites’ obstructions are hit-able and make for fun and challenging indoor flights.
Photo 7 shows the big 33% Extra at Worthington taxiing right through a nearby fence gate with the gate very closed. None of the visible obstructions at Worthington are more than pictures. They are great photos but they will never get in your way. The buildings, fences, drums, cars and everything else here are just for graphics. All the detail images truly enhance the realism of flying on the ramp, but will not cause real-world type problems.
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There are two Pano RC Club flying fields. The Decatur Field (photo 8) is suitable for everything except jets. Sometimes the trees and building are hazards and sometimes they are not. I just wish my club field looked like this!
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Eagle Sky is another of those wondrous, wide open flying fields in farm country. There are two pilot perspectives here. Eagle Sky 1 (photo 9) looks back towards the pit area and down the long runway. This field is a comfortable fit for all but the really big airplanes. When I say really big airplanes, keep in mind that most of the FS One’s airplanes can be made any size up to actual size. I don’t think the full-size Mig 15 would find Eagle Sky a comfortable fit but, hey, try it and see what happens. Eagle Sky 2 (photo 10) looks down the big cross runways and is the most comfortable pilot’s position.
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There are three glider flying sites, all good for slope soaring or Dynamic Soaring. Thermals are completely adjustable in the FS One. That is a new feature I had not seen before in most simulators. West Field Miners Summit is a good field for soft slope soaring but great for thermals. The outdoor sites can be set for thermal activity so all outdoor FS One flying sites can be used for regular soaring practice.
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The Bianca Crater is a true virtual-only site that was computer generated. It is good for slope soaring if the winds are set correctly. The water here and at Jockey Ridge proved to be very hard, allowing both safe landings (photo 13) and takeoffs (photo 14) with the giant electric-powered (complete with spoilers) 44% scale SwiftE sailplane.
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