Thread: Inexpensive CT Simulator Setup

I've heard FD is coming out with some kind of simulator and saw some posts asking about it. There is a CTSW for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. I use it all the time to practice stuff. Its a great learning tool for practicing instrument flight and cross wind landings. Nothing compares to the real thing of course but I find it very similar in performance to the real plane. They make a Yoke and rudder pedals by CH products that I got for about 150.00 used off ebay. I got the yoke because I was first flying a cherokee and was thinking of buying the CH products stick to replace the yoke but found I can get by using the yoke and just hold it like it was a stick. It has plenty of switches you can program for things like flaps , trim, and different views and even lets you simulate ATC communicatons and tune to VORs. It has a Garmin 296 gps.

I know alot of people think of MS flightsimulator as a toy, but it can really be a good tool and money saver for student pilots and has been reccommended in many articles in flight training magazines.

Here is the yoke, just click on pedals to see the pedals I'm talking about. They even have toe brakes. Don't buy it new, look on ebay... My whole setup was less than 200.00. (I already had a decent computer to use). I have posted a picture by its from my cell phone. I think you can the idea from it.

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/y_fsyusb.html