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1. Is the interface cable compatible to RealFlight (G2)?
A. No, at this time the Parallel, PIC-Serial, and USB versions are FMS only. We are working on a Gameport version that would be compatible to any software that uses a joystick; including G2.
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2. When do you ship? And when should I expect arrival?
A. We ship every business day (Monday to Friday) via USPS (Global) Priority Mail. If payment is cleared by 10am PST, the item is usually shipped the same day. Transit time is typically 2~3 days (upto 5) for US addresses; 3~5 days for most overseas locations (up to 10). However, mail delivery can sometimes be a bit unpredictable.
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3. What's the bare minimum PC for running FMS?
A. Although the published minimum is a PII 300 MHz, we recommend a 500 MHz+ system, with a decent, DirectX compatible 3D graphics card (vitually all cards are). We've found that the nVidia GeForce (cheap) is an excellent buy. Please note that the graphics card is more important than the speed of the CPU!
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4. What's the advantage of USB over the PIC-Serial?
A. Functionally the two are equivalent (FMS sees no difference). Some newer laptops do not have serial ports, and USB ports tend to have much less conflict. All this at a cost, however. Note: the latest USB can provide power to the Futaba FM (and compatibles) transmitter.
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5. The package comes with the main FMS program or just the additional aircrafts?
A. The CD in the package comes with the latest version of FMS and the additional aircrafts, as well as the latest versions of DirectX drivers for your operating system.
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6. How does FMS compares to RealFlight?
A. Lenthy answer here:
FMS is much cheaper because it is FREEWARE, being support by aircraft designers around the world. The cost involved is for the interface cable. The software itself is being discussed to be "open source" for which developers around the world could contribute to its functionality (not just aircrafts). Michael Moeller (FMS's programmer) will retain the copyright.
As for the comparison between FMS vs. Great Planes' RealFlight. I must say that RealFlight is more realistic on screen due to its "photo-realistic" graphics; and Realflight also pays more attention to minute aerodynamics details. The drawback of Realflight is its limited number of aircrafts and it's more picky on PC hardware in terms of compatibility. FMS on the other hand is excellent in its 3D rendering and the response of the models is very close to realistic. FMS also has the support of many aircraft designers around the world. FMS is more than adequate to develop your stick reflexes. Of course, FMS is freeware.
This is just a personal gauge, I would say FMS is above 90% in terms of plane response. FMS does not implement the full set of complex aerodynamics calculations, so some small subtleties are left out for the sake of performance (PC calculations).
About the hardest thing for a beginner is when the plane turns around and flies toward you (left-right is now reversed). You will crash many times before this "stick reflex" is learned, this is where a simulator is invaluable.
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