Whoa .... a lot to learn

[shurt]

I'm 55 yrs old and retired a few months ago.  I got into remote control planes six months ago from 4' - 8' and it's a blast!  I purchased RealFlight 8 simulator for my remote control airplane practice and ran across some information on Aces High.  For the past few days I've been trying to learn about your club.  I gotta say,  it appears to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on!   However, it also appears to be a pretty big learning curve?

As an RC'r its not possible to use my remote control transmitter?  It is better to purchase a flight and throttle controller?   Also peddles for the rudder are necessary?   Can someone point me to the preferred equipment or does it matter?  I kinda think it would be ok to buy used equipment from someone who's not flying anymore.  Is there a list of readings or video's I should watch?  Please point me in the right direction  lol .

It is very intimidating getting into this but I think with some help it could be awesome.  Any advice is appreciated. 

[FLS]

Welcome.

Here's a start.

https://www.hitechcreations.com/support/game-faq

http://trainers.hitechcreations.com/

https://www.hitechcreations.com/support/support-help

You'll likely want a joystick, you can get a twisty stick for a rudder axis if you don't want to use pedals.

Post any questions or issues you come across. 

[serun]

Welcome aboard sir!  Yes the learning curve is sometimes steep but worth the effort.  Be warned this game can be very addicting once you kind of get the hang of it!   

[100Coogn]

I would suggest not trying to learn everything at one time.  Things can be a bit overwhelming at first.
Try to get used to using the radio comms.  Help is always available in the game via the help channel.

Good luck and welcome to AHIII.   

Coogan

[Oldman731]

It is very intimidating getting into this but I think with some help it could be awesome.  Any advice is appreciated.

It's awesome even without help, sonny.  But there's a bunch of people here who are eager to help you.  As someone said, learn how to communicate first (so you
can ask for help), and then try the Training Arena.

- oldman

[shurt]

I plan to dedicate a computer tower and use a 55" tv .... good idea?   Also,  can someone tell me what kind of controller (make, model) is popular and better to use?

Thanks in advance

shurt

[popeye]

I like CH Products controllers:  Fighterstick, Pro Throttle, and Pro Pedals.  However, there are lots of other choices.  Some players do really well using a mouse and keyboard.

I think some players do use TVs.  You will need a good GPU to get decent frame rates.  I'm using a GTX1060 and get good frame rates with most graphic features turned on.

There is a Hardware forum where you might get more expert opinions on controllers and video.

Welcome to the game!

[fuzeman]

Welcome to Aces High 

Controllers best, worst, good, bad, much depends on preference really but I do think you need them, all three, joystick of course, throttle of some type, and rudder again of some type, pedals or twisty. I've only had CH from my first Force Feedback to current Fighterstick Pro but I'm biased.
It does have a lot to learn and I felt it was like a ladder, you go up a step at a time, maybe slip one too, but you get to know a step and it becomes natural and you don't ever fall back past that step. Pretty soon your near the top. How high a ladder you climb depends on how much time and effort you put into it and how good you want to get. What you want to get out also makes a difference. If it's score or just a good time, or not having the wife yell at you because you go out too much. It wont stop her yelling but it would change into get off that darn computer!!!

No question is stupid so fire away with any you have. We are a helpful bunch, generally speaking 

[The Fugitive]

I'm 55 yrs old and retired a few months ago.  I got into remote control planes six months ago from 4' - 8' and it's a blast!  I purchased RealFlight 8 simulator for my remote control airplane practice and ran across some information on Aces High.  For the past few days I've been trying to learn about your club.  I gotta say,  it appears to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on!   However, it also appears to be a pretty big learning curve?

As an RC'r its not possible to use my remote control transmitter?  It is better to purchase a flight and throttle controller?   Also peddles for the rudder are necessary?   Can someone point me to the preferred equipment or does it matter?  I kinda think it would be ok to buy used equipment from someone who's not flying anymore.  Is there a list of readings or video's I should watch?  Please point me in the right direction  lol .

It is very intimidating getting into this but I think with some help it could be awesome.  Any advice is appreciated.

Welcome aboard!

Im 60 and have been playing this game for years. I would certainly recommend getting a stick at least. here are two options that work well.

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-2960773-T16000M-Joystick-Black/dp/B01MQEDEEW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1547610480&sr=8-4&keywords=thrustmaster+t16000m

This is a stand alone stick. It has a "twist" feature to use as rudder pedals. If you should latter get a set of rudder pedals it is easy to disable the "twist" action. It has a good number of buttons, but as you will find later, there are NEVER enough buttons  And for $40 you really cant go wrong.

https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-2960778-Thrustmaster-T16000M-HOTAS/dp/B01KCHPRXA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547610480&sr=8-3&keywords=thrustmaster+t16000m

This is the same stick, but it adds a throttle controller as well. Throttle control will be important when flying fighters, plus it has MORE BUTTONS    $130 isnt too big a jump for most.

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T16000M-FCS-Flight-Pack/dp/B01N2PE8CZ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1547610794&sr=8-12&keywords=warthog+hotas

Here are all three for $175

After that, the sky is the limit. I use a "Warthog" stick which runs in the $250 area and an old set of CH throttles and pedals. There are some custom built units from over seas that can run higher than that.

First off get the stick above. If you like the game and wish to add on, no problem. If you decide the game is not for you your only out $40. When you get started ASK QUESTIONS! Here and IN the game most players will take the time to help out.

Once we get you hooked, we'll talk VR (virtual Reality)   

[FLS]

Fugi don't forget to complete the VR checklist.

Drive a jeep inside the large hanger.

Drive a PT boat around the Carrier.

Sit in the B-29 cockpit.

Loop a Dr1.

 

[TWCAxew]

Welcome to the game sir

If your on the EU timezone I would be more than happy to fly with you and slay the evil flippz

DutchVII

[Bizman]

Welcome!

The previous posters pretty much nailed the controllers starting from cost effective. The Thrustmaster T16000m really is an excellent low cost stick even for an experienced player and their throttle and pedals are good enough if you think you'd like to use all your limbs. If you end up favouring some plane type getting a matching controller set can be a nice addition to the addiction but for starters a neutral set can help you choose your plane better.

However, if you've got accustomed to the RC controllers, something similar for USB can be used. AH can take any controller Windows can recognize. And it can take LOTS of them! Someone used to have a dozen or so identical game pads attached to a board around his stick for the various functions of the game. Bear in mind, though, that RC planes are mostly flown from the outside and below whereas AH planes are mostly flown from the inside. Bombers can be flown from the outside but even then the default view is from the rear.

Using a TV as a monitor can be done. There's one thing to check, though: The input lag. Some TV's have more of it than others. What it means is that things in your PC and video card are those that determine what's happening in and around your virtual plane. Input lag is a delay between that and what you see on your monitor. It's often caused by various enhancing technologies used for the TV - there's no harm done if you see a TV show one second delayed! In real time games like AH you can be spotted and shot during that second so disabling any image enhancers is a must. At the easiest it can be done by choosing the PC output, at the worst the settings are hidden into the deepest subcategory. There's websites comparing the input lag for many TV's, hopefully you'll find yours being among the better ones. Google is your friend.

The learning curve is steep if you want to become a master. Sometimes it feels that there's people who take this as a prepping course for becoming a real propeller fighter pilot - there's tons of suggested reading and viewing about maneuvers and other tricks used in WW2. You can take that road as far as you like. Or, you can take it easy and learn just the basics. It's like throwing darts. You can be competitive and try to win everyone or you can pass some time over a pint of beer having fun with friends. Either way it's your choice, do what suits you best.

[ccvi]

As an RC'r its not possible to use my remote control transmitter?

It depends. For plane+remote bundles from China - probably not. If you are using real model builing/flying stuff, some transmitters come with connectors for teacher/student operation. There's devices that pick up that signal and provide it to the PC as standard USB human interface device. You can use that in AH.

You might be able to do magic things like mapping a bit of aileron to rudder, it the remote supports it and puts it on the output port.

Make sure to put in double-sided push-button switches to fill everything above 4 channels. That's where it'll need to differ from using it for planes where it usually needs normsl switches or more than 4 analog inputs.

(I haven't been following the developments of the model RC area, but 20 years ago this was technically possible, so it probably is today. Why would they upgrade technology to make teacher/student flying impossible, and devices to connect to the PC are probably more cheap today than they ever were before.)

[shurt]

Thanks so much for all the replies and useful information.  I appreciate everyone who answered a question or questions I had.  Giving me the model name and link was awesome!  I'm a "all balls out" guy so I'm going to get the three controllers for $175.

I'm guessing now the 55" tv is not necessary?   I can use my 26" or larger computer monitor?  It was good to find out about the potential tv problems now than later.  For the remote control simulator we use the biggest tv we can find.  I thought the bigger field of view the better.

VR will have to wait.  It's probably in my future but not right now.  I have so much to learn and figure out that VR would just frustrate me.  Several remote control pilots are using VR at our local club.  There are also more and more things you can do with VR goggles like watch live pro hockey, pro and college basketball, pro soccer, or concerts from your living room so I'm sure to get some down the road. 

Again ..  thanks

[TequilaChaser]

Welcome to Aces High, shurt!

Don't be afraid to ask help regarding anything and I recommend spending time with one or more of the AH Training Corps Trainers!

They will get you set on the right path no matter what your game style of playing might be

~S~

TC