66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70,72,74,77
66 MODEL AVIATION
Power Switch: FS One Flight Simulator
BY TOM SULLIVAN
The supplied controller, referred to as the TacCon, has all the
functions of a typical seven-channel transmitter.
An outstanding tool for making the
“oops” and honing the skills
The TacCon transmitter utilizes a USB interface. Also included is
a keyboard-command card.
The FS One software comes on four CD-ROMs. Be sure to
check for updates on the Internet after installation.
FLIGHT-SIMULATION software has come a long way. It seems
that not long ago airplanes were simple stick figures filled in with
solid colors. Today’s simulators offer photorealistic models and
scenery.
One of the latest systems on the market is Horizon’s FS One
Precision RC Flight Simulator. It claims to offer highly accurate
models, airplanes developed by aerodynamicists, extensive highalpha
“post-stall” effects, and more.
There is not enough space in this magazine for me to go through
all the FS One’s features and options. I’ll touch on as much as I can
and point out a few concerns. If you still have questions after
reading this review, visit the FS One Web site or give Horizon
Hobby a call.
Our FS One package came in a large, eye-catching box that
should stand out on a dealer’s shelf. Inside was the TacCon
controller, the FS One USB interface, an adapter cord to use a JR
transmitter, four CD-ROM installation discs, an installation guide,
and a Key Command Card.
The TacCon controller is a simulated transmitter with the same
size and feel as a typical seven-channel unit. It has mechanical trims
on the four main functions (ailerons, elevator, throttle, and rudder).
Also on the front is a reset switch in the bottom left corner, a push
button in the upper left corner, and a rotary control in the upper
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:45 PM Page 66
October 2007 67
Photos by the author
The considerable amount of data on the four CD-ROMs took
more than 45 minutes to install.
Control over all functions, including mixing and servo throws, is
available to set the user’s preferences.
Choose from any of the 25 flying sites. Standard 3-D sites and
Photopanographic sites have different levels of realism.
The user can choose from the 31 supplied airplanes and modify
them to make new models.
The helicopter selection screen offers 11 choices, which can be
modified to make new models.
Learn new skills by watching the prerecorded flight-training
lessons by Mike McConville and Quique Somenzini.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:29 PM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
One of the FS One’s strong features is
electric indoor simulation. The E-flite
Aerodrome is home to the E-Fest.
Smoke is among the FS One’s many
options. It can be toggled on and off, as is
done on the real RC airplane.
Practice flying a park flyer in a real park or
soccer field. Shown is the popular
ParkZone Aerobird.
Another of the FS One’s strong features is its
helicopter simulations. The Horizon Hobby
Vigor is on a high-speed “photo” pass.
The FS One roster includes two turbinepowered
aircraft from Bob Violett Models,
one of which is this beautiful MiG-15.
right. On top you’ll find a two-position switch on the left and a
three-position switch on the right.
All these dials and switches (except the reset switch) are
multifunctional. By that I mean their purposes change depending on
the type of model (airplane or helicopter) you select.
The Install Guide can be described only as a quick-start guide. It
doesn’t have much detail, providing just the basics to install and run
the simulator.
The Key Command Card is much more useful. It folds out and
lists every keyboard command used with the simulator. On the
reverse side is a useful, color-coded QWERTY keyboard.
Installation: Loading the FS One is straightforward. Insert Disc 1 in
the computer and the installation program starts, presenting you with
two options: “Install” and “Cancel.” Click on “Install,” choose
where to set up the program, and the installation starts.
My first concern arose when installation began. The typical
progress bar appeared on the screen, but above that was a note that
read “Installation may take up to 1 hour.”
I have a wide variety of simulators (RC and full scale) as well as
a large selection of today’s popular graphic-intensive games. None
of them has taken as long to install as the FS One. From the time I
clicked the “Install” button to the end of the process took 46
minutes. I think you can install Windows quicker than that.
And you cannot go off and leave the computer to install; you
have to insert the other discs as installation progresses. If a printed
manual were included, this would have been the perfect time to read
it and familiarize myself with the program—but there wasn’t one. I
advise you to have a copy of MA handy to read.
It could be interpreted that the installation time is related to
thorough physics data that is incorporated into the program. Overall,
the install time is worth the wait.
The TacCon controller has a 4-foot cord that plugs into the FS
One USB Interface box. Then the Interface box plugs into a USB
port on your PC. Its cord is approximately 5 feet long, so you’ll have
plenty of cable length to hold the controller comfortably.
A 5-foot adapter cord is included in case you choose to use your
JR transmitter with the FS One. This cord will plug into the
The helicopter selection includes simpleto-
fly models, such as this E-flite Blade, all
the way up to turbine-powered models.
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:21 PM Page 68
October 2007 69
+
• Includes TacCon FS One simulated seven-channel transmitter.
• Adapter included to allow you to use your own transmitter.
• Includes Key Command Card showing all keyboard shortcuts.
• Setup screens are well thought out and easy to navigate.
• Wide variety of airplane (31) and helicopter (11) models from
which to choose.
• Twenty-five different flying sites from which to choose (five 3-
D, 20 photopanoramic).
• Fantastic-looking aircraft and photopanoramic sites are
extremely realistic.
• The feeling of the transmitter input to aircraft response is
remarkably realistic.
• Realistic-damage modeling allows the model to break apart on
impact.
• Slope, winch, tow-airplane, and hand-launch gliding options.
• Many subtle things add to realism: exhaust, landing gear, and
wings that flex under load; moving control surfaces; rough
grass that takes a bit more power to taxi through; etc.
• Additional features including flight recorder, flight training,
two games (Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing), and two-player
modes.
-
• No printed manual included. The manual is part of the
program and must be viewed on the screen. (The user can
print documents in the Help File.)
• Clipping paths do not exist on many objects; this makes the
model visible through trees, buildings, etc., when it should be
hidden behind them.
• Only some objects have collision detection; many objects can
be flown through easily.
• Many of the selectable views and features are available only
when flying in one of the five 3-D flying sites.
• Wind setup menu could have been made much simpler. Using
the assigned quick keys for wind adjustment is much easier.
• Electric-powered sailplanes (those with “E”s on the end of
their names) do not have visible propellers.
• Regardless of power, direction, or turbulence loaded, the
smoke will not blow away as it should.
Pluses and Minuses
Minimum PC Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later) or XP
1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD XP processor
512 MB of RAM
4 GB of hard-drive space
CD-ROM drive
NVIDIA or ATI graphics card with 64 MB of RAM
Sound card
Review PC System
Windows XP Professional
2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor
2 GB of RAM
52X CD-ROM drive
ATI Radeon 9600 video card (256 MB)
Sound Blaster Live! sound card
Prices:
Retail: $349.99
Street: $209.99
Requirements, Features, and Prices
FS One Wireless Interface
See the FS One in Action!
Visit the MA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/
index.htm and check out the exclusive online feature.
Watch movies, formatted for PCs or Macs, that clearly
demonstrate the realism of this computer RC flight
simulator. MA
–MA staff
The wireless module is
compatible with any DSS
Spektrum programmed
systems such as the DX6
or the 2.4 GHz systems
from JR.
The Spektrum WL1000 Wireless Sim Interface is
designed to work with the FS One. Once the adapter is
bound to a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 radio, users can
operate the simulator wirelessly. It also allows users to
take advantage of the software in the transmitter and
eliminates the hassle of dealing with wires. MA
—Tom Sullivan
10sig3.QXD 8/23/07 1:11 PM Page 69
Interface box and your transmitter’s trainer
port.
Before you run the FS One for the first
time, register your copy online and
download the latest updates. Version 1.0.4
was the most recent as of this writing, and it
did solve a few problems I would have
mentioned later in this review.
Setup: Starting the simulator brings up a
nice series of menu screens that are easy to
read and well thought out. You can get to
almost any portion of the simulator with just
a few clicks, which is great for the average
pilot. If you want to go more in depth, those
features are there too; they are just not as
obvious and require a few simple clicks.
Most users will probably jump right into
the simulation by choosing the “Single
Player Freestyle” option, then “Fly.” This
will load up the default mode and the default
flying site, and you’ll be on your way.
However, I suggest that you take the time to
set a few options beforehand.
Calibrate your choice of controller—
either the TacCon or your transmitter. Also
make sure your video and audio settings
match your computer’s capabilities. There
are many options you can set regarding
smoke, towlines, physics, and messages, but
I suggest leaving those as-is until you find a
need to change them. The default options in
those menus were fine for me for the most
part.
From the main menu you have two basic
options: Single Player or Two Player mode.
In either you can select Freestyle,
Towplane/Sailplane, and Game simulations.
(Flight Training is also available in Single
Player mode.)
Selecting any of those options will bring
up a screen where you can select a model, a
flying site, sky and wind conditions,
recordings, and more. All current selections
are shown in their own windows, so it’s
easy to know exactly what you have
selected. You can change any of the choices
by clicking on the appropriate window.
The Aircraft Selection menu brings up
all the available models for you to choose
from. The selected model is shown rotating
in the center of the screen with a description
below it. On the right side is a vertical slider
where you can see the other models that are
offered.
A nice variety of airplanes and
helicopters is available, such as sport, scale,
electric, 3-D, turbine, trainer, sailplane, etc.
Most are current Horizon Hobby aircraft,
with a few generic models and a couple
from Bob Violett Models.
The Flying Site Selection menu brings
up the 25 different sites where you can fly,
20 of which are referred to as
“Photopanographic.” That means they are
photorealistic and quite good-looking.
The other five sites are referred to as
“3D” and should not be confused with 3-D
flying. They consist of basic threedimensional
models and are not as lifelike as
the Photopanographic sites.
However, the 3D sites allow you to
choose the type of sky to go along with the
field. This gives you a wide range of cloud
coverage, haze, and time of day from which
to choose. Between the two types of scenery
you’ll find traditional flying fields with
paved or grass runways, indoor facilities,
soccer fields, hillsides, parks, and even a
parking garage.
The Wind Selection menu is
straightforward, allowing you to choose
steady wind or turbulent wind and thermals,
wind speed, wind direction, etc. The
interesting thing is how you choose these
settings.
Rather than having a few sliders to
change each feature independently, you are
presented with a long list of prepared wind
conditions. You have to read through the
options to find the one for which you are
looking.
There are also menus pertaining to Flight
Recordings, but I’ll mention those in more
detail later. For now let’s start the
simulation and fly!
Flying: Loading took a bit longer than I
expected—upward of 30 seconds depending
on the selections I made. A typical load time
was approximately 15 seconds. The note
about load time is merely an observation—
not a fault of the program.
Once the simulation has loaded, what
you see will vary a bit depending on the
options you have selected. Regardless, you
should have your model in the center of the
screen, ready for action.
I was pleasantly surprised by how
realistic the models looked and by the
Photopanographic backgrounds. It was like
watching the real thing!
The FS One’s flight modeling seemed
true to life; I could tell the difference
between bigger scale and smaller scale
airplanes. I could actually feel the
discrepancy in the heavy response of a 33%
Edge 540 in high-alpha 3-D flight compared
to the feather-light feel of a profile foamie
floating down in a Harrier landing.
There has to be some incredible behindthe-
scenes aerodynamic modeling going on
because this simulation replicates many
aspects of real-world flight. Those include,
but are not limited to, post-stall effects, tip
stalls, torque and gyroscopic effects,
propwash, ground effect, wind, thermals,
and turbulence.
All models include realistic crash
damage, so pieces of the aircraft break
away—sometimes violently—when they hit
the ground or an object. The aircraft can
tumble, cartwheel, and ground loop exactly
as they would in real life.
In addition, varying surfaces produce
diverse ground-handling effects. You’ll
notice a difference between how a model
taxis through grass as opposed to taxiing on
pavement.
As if you didn’t have enough aircraft
choices, you can use the Scaling Wizard and
Aircraft Editor tools to increase or decrease
any airplane’s size and power output. The
FS One will realistically depict the effect
your changes have on flight behavior,
giving you a virtually limitless number of
aircraft variants to fly. You can also
customize any model’s colors, trim scheme,
and decals with almost any graphics editor.
I could go on and on about the feel of the
FS One, but you should experience it for
yourself. Go to your local hobby shop, visit
a fellow club member who has one, or take
a trip to any of the hobby consumer shows
across the country to get exposure to this
simulator.
Special Features:
• Flight Training: You can select this option
in the Single Player mode, in which you
will see a screen where you can load a
variety of Basic and Advanced lessons.
These are prerecorded flights made by
renowned pilots Mike McConville and
Quique Somenzini.
The pilots tackle almost everything from
basic takeoffs and landings to advanced 3-D
maneuvers such as the Harrier, Blender, and
Inverted Flat Spin. When playing any of
these lessons you’ll watch Mike or Quique
fly the model, see his stick movements on
the screen, and hear him talk you through
the maneuvers. The lessons are limited to
fixed-wing aircraft.
• Flight Recording: As is typical of today’s
simulation packages, the FS One offers a
system with which you can record, save, and
replay prerecorded flights or make your
own. This simulation comes with more than
160 recordings you can play back.
When selecting any of these recordings
you will also have to choose the flying site
referenced in the recording name; it is not
automatically loaded. Many of the
recordings are those used in the Flight
Training and Towplane features, but there is
a great deal from which to choose.
Recording your own flight is just a
matter of pressing the record key—“[”—at
the appropriate time and naming the
recording when you’re saving it to disc. You
can load the recordings later and either
watch the flight or fly along with it.
• Towplane/Sailplane: Choosing this option
will allow you to fly either the towplane or
the sailplane. The computer will fly the
other. To make the computer “fly” you will
have to load one of the recordings. It is best
to choose the appropriate recording, its
corresponding flying site, and an appropriate
model for you to fly.
I had a problem when choosing a few of
the gliders to fly as the sailplane. I would
load the appropriate tow program for the
computer and start the simulation. Certain
sailplanes I picked would start moving
instantly even though the towplane hadn’t
moved an inch!
As it turns out, several of the gliders
have electric power; each of these has a
capital “E” on the end of its name.
Unfortunately those models’ propellers are
not displayed on screen. Also, those gliders
have the rotary knob as their throttle control.
If this control is not rotated to the “off”
position, the glider will begin moving.
Once at altitude you can release from the
other airplane by pressing the “Insert” key.
This simulation works quite well, although
the towline seems to be indestructible and
amazingly elastic.
• Games: Bomb Drop and Pylon Racing are
included with the FS One. Both are
interesting diversions from the normal
simulation.
Either game can be played from the
normal RC-pilot position, but it is difficult. I
had much better luck switching to a chaseairplane
view.
Bomb Drop loads your airplane of choice
with wing-fired rockets and bombs. The
object is to hit targets positioned in the sky
and on the ground. Your score will reflect
your accuracy. In the options menu you can
choose limited or unlimited ammo and how
the targets look. This game is available only
in Single Player mode.
Keep in mind that this game is just that
and not something to use for practice. AMA
forbids the use of pyrotechnics on model
aircraft.
Pylon Racing is available in single- or
two-player modes. You set up a course by
choosing the number of pylons, the number
of laps, the penalty for cutting a pylon, etc.,
and then you choose your flying site (there
are limits on which sites you can select)
and your aircraft.
As with all pylon races, the object is to
get around the course as fast as possible
without cutting a pylon. It’s fun to fly with a
buddy and see who can get the fastest time.
A Few Problems: The difficulties I’ve
pointed out thus far are more nuisances than
big issues. However, there are three major
problems I need to mention, one of which is
the lack of “clipping paths” on some items,
as I noted earlier.
Clipping paths allow a model to pass
behind an object and be hidden by that
object. Many of the trees and buildings are
missing these paths.
Let’s say you load the Decatur Club Site
and take off with any model, and then fly
out a good distance from yourself. On the
east side of the field are a few large trees,
and the southeast side has a few more trees.
Fly low enough that your model should
be hidden when flying behind the trees and
you’ll see that it never disappears. This
problem is apparent in many of the
Photopanographics sites.
Another issue is collision detection.
Although many objects have collision
detection, many others do not.
To see an interesting example of this,
load the Tri-City Parking Garage site and a
model that can take off in a short distance,
such as one of the 3-D aircraft or any
helicopter. Take off with your model and fly
past the garage’s concrete walls. Then dive
the model toward the ground and something
unexpected should happen.
The lack of clipping paths will show up
again, as will the fact that you can fly through
almost any portion of the garage with no
damage to the aircraft. If you try to pass
underneath your position (flying under your
feet), your model will crash, sending pieces
of it straight up into the air.
The other problem is related to the
Towplane/Sailplane feature. When selecting
this option the software should limit the
available models to those that are appropriate
for this task.
Let’s say I want to pilot the sailplane. I
am free to choose any model I want—
including a turbine-powered helicopter. Now
I can load in any recording as my towplane,
such as a tiny Piper J-3 park flyer.
Once loaded, the simulation starts and off
goes the tiny J-3, effortlessly pulling a
machine that is many times its weight into the
air. This can’t happen in real life, but many
such combinations can be made in the
simulator.
The FS One offers a good simulation overall.
It features a wide range of choices in one
package. The fact that you can use your JR
transmitter is a plus. Although I’d like to see
more than Horizon’s aircraft available as
models, the selection is good and most fly
just as I’d expect their real-life counterparts
to.
The clipping-path and collision-detection
problems are unusual in a simulator in this
price range, and I hope they will be addressed
quickly.
How does the FS One compare to others
on the market? I’ll leave that up to you to
decide.
This is a solid simulator that offers more
than enough features to tackle whatever kind
of RC flying you want to try. A variety of
flying sites and the gaming elements provide
a nice distraction.
This system’s price point puts it in the
middle of the pack. I hope there will be
continued development (and updates) in the
flight simulation and more add-on packages
in the future.
I’ve just been informed that a new patch,
version 1.0.7, has been released. It addresses
some of the problems I’ve noted, such as the
wind parameters. There are also two new
airplanes offered by FS One as free
downloads, and a Hangar Pack, expected to
be available in the near future, will include
even more new aircraft. MA
Tom Sullivan
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(800) 338-4639
www.fsone.com
Other Review Sources:
RCM&E: May 2007
Flying Models: April 2007
Model Airplane News: February 2007
Quiet Flyer: February 2007
RCMF: May 2007
www.masportaviator.com