radio-control

flying model simulator

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

i've played with this a couple of times before, but i've always used the keyboard since i never have a controller laying around. today i used my windows x360 controller and it works pretty well. the sticks center which suck, but it still works. i really like the trigger buttons for throttle too.

i ran across this while looking at rtf heli kits. you can buy one for $80 + international shipping of $30. holy crap. that includes the 4 channel controller too!

http://www.hobbyjapan2000.com/

i'm going to see what happens with the prices on black friday. that just might be a nice soltice gift plan.

so.. back to fms. i really wish i had this thing around when i was in R/C, it sure would of saved a lot of grief. not that it is realistic or anything, but it does give you a bit of the gist of the real thing. except for that part about spending 10 hours fixing it after a 30 second flight. doh.

the other cool bit is that it allows you to try shit you never would do. after barely getting the hang of flying the heli around i decided that was too easy (bullshit) and went to fly inverted. i did it second try. holy shit. must be all that video gaming.