Flight Simulator or Emulator?

[zamber]

I see helicopter flight emulators on the web. Are they really better than the simulators like they claim? They say because the rc aircraft are real, it is more like flying a real helicopter.

 

The second video is a combination FPV and emulator. The user controls the RC aircraft by watching the video screen while using the heli-chair.

 

Considering the large size of some RC helicopters, there might be some merit to this for training. The manufacturer says the user has to deal with real physics, winds, etc. since the aircraft is real.

 

What are your opinions, please?

 

This person is in a real Mosquito helicopter, controlling a RC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y5xIeQwVnI

 

[Wally]

"Considering the large size of some RC helicopters, there might be some merit to this for training. The manufacturer says the user has to deal with real physics, winds, etc. since the aircraft is real.

What are your opinions, please?"

"Some merit" is too broad in my opinion. Any familiarity with controls, reactions, etc. has potential benefit to training. There is the possibility of adverse habits being formed if the training is not properly directed. The cues and reactions necessary to the most fundamental skills of controlled flight is very, very different than any simulator can produce. 48 years, 11000+ hours of PIC and I can't hover most simulators, and my son (zero flight time) regularly out-flies me with RC aircraft.

[avbug]

A simulator actually simulates the aircraft to the person filling the role of pilot in the simulator. It has the same cockpit layout, the same controls, same feel, same operation and response. There's a reason that the FAA accepts the ability to earn a type rating for an aircraft in a simulator, without ever having set foot in the actual aircraft. The simulation is that good.

 

The FAA makes no such provision for "emulation."