PowerSwitch: AeroFly 5
SHAWN RUBUSH
Devin anxiously waits his turn to try
the new AeroFly 5 flight simulator
while his dad, Shawn, gets in some
helicopter practice. Michael Ramsey
photo.
AeroFly 5 offers multiple viewing angles from which to fly. This
familiar location is Site 3 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana.
With numerous flying sites available, you can take your T-Rex
700 to Germany to fly.
66 MODEL AVIATION
A Mac-friendly
flight simulator
WHEN OLD MAN Winter arrives, the
opportunity for many of us to go flying is
reduced to the occasional indoor session. A
more practical solution is a flight simulator.
Having been the victim of a recent
computer meltdown and no flight simulator,
I decided to purchase an Apple iMac. I
quickly realized, to my horror, that my
flight simulator was not Mac-compatible.
As luck would have it, one flight
simulator was available for Macs: AeroFly
5 by Ikarus. It is the follow-up to the
successful AeroFly Professional Deluxe
edition and was redeveloped to run more
efficiently on today’s advanced computers
that use multicore processors and upgraded
graphics cards.
After loading AeroFly 5 and following the
instructions in the manual, the first hurdle to
overcome was getting the simulator to
function in English. When it loaded, all
instructions appeared in German.
With a quick cross-reference in the
instruction manual, I found my way to the
language options in the settings menu. After
making the change, the remaining setup was
relatively simple.
When everything was up and running, I
was immediately drawn to a familiar flying
site: the AMA flying field in Muncie,
Indiana! Being a Muncie resident, I was
thrilled to finally see it on a simulator. And
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:30 AM Page 66
May 2011 67
Above: AeroFly 5 has panorama-technology
graphics that produce unbelievable picture
quality and depth.
Right: With lifelike graphics, it is easy to
forget you are flying a simulator. If you
want to fly at the Joe Nall Fly-In without
leaving the house, this is your opportunity.
Below: Flying sites aren’t limited to
beautiful outdoor landscapes; you can even
take your aircraft, such as this Edge 540T,
indoors to fly!
I wasn’t disappointed when it loaded.
For the first time when using a
simulator, I felt like I was actually flying at
the AMA and not playing a video game.
The graphics are “insane,” which is one of
the display settings. As you might guess, I
burned the midnight oil flying that evening,
jumping to different flying sites and
changing from airplane to helicopter and
back.
I have encountered only a couple of
problems so far; when loading the CAP 232
airplane, a PT-40 trainer appears. And in
some scenery selections the Edge 540T
doesn’t load properly; it repeatedly breaks
apart.
According to the Ikarus download Web
site, an upgrade to 5.5 (already available for
Windows) will soon be available for the
Mac version. Hopefully those minor
glitches will be addressed.
There was absolutely too much to see
Photos by the author except as noted
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:31 AM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: How many people can say they’ve
flown Air Force One? This is probably as
close as you can get!
Right: One of the many system extras is
pylon-racing capability. Not only is it a
nice break from regular flying, but it can
also help you improve your rudder usage.
Below: Are you tired of the typical flying
sites? Try landing on an aircraft carrier!
and do in one evening. Having a more
methodical approach was my goal for the
second evening, with the intention of seeing
all of the available options, functions, and
parameters.
With a simple right click of the mouse, a
quick launch menu appears on the screen; it
gives you the ability to choose any action
your heart desires. Specific scenery has
small symbols in the lower corner, to show
you what contests are available at that
particular flying site.
The contests are Balloon Pop, Limbo,
Pylon Race, Air Race (similar to the Red
Bull Air Race series), Landing Contest, and
Autorotation landing. These events may
seem a little arcade-ish to some, but they
have the potential to sharpen any pilot’s
skill set.
In addition to the “multi pano” and
photo sceneries, new 4-D landscapes have
been added that include such details as
animated trees, animated wind socks, and
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPGMay 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
QXD 3/23/11 9:32 AM Page 68
May 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
animated water surfaces. The weather center
allows you to change conditions to almost
anything you could desire, such as cloud
formations, time of day, fog, wind speed,
and wind direction.
There are even thermals and wind
turbulence that randomly changes force
and direction. When you think you have
everything mastered, crank up the wind
and try some crosswind landings or throw
some fog into the mix!
The instrumentation selection has many
features such as flight information,
transmitter, binoculars, compass/wind, and
tachometer. For those who are into
soaring, a comprehensive variometer is
included.
Also available in instruments is a
feature called landing assist. Available in
the view from the cockpit, it gives you a
schematic diagram of the runway and
green boxes to indicate the proper
approach corridor. It reminds me of
something a fighter pilot might see in the
cockpit.
Additional training features include the
helicopter precision contest, which has
you fly a specific course with two colored
balls hanging from the landing skids, each
at different lengths. One ball must remain
on the ground and stay within the marked
course, while the shorter one must remain
suspended. I have only made it through the
course once; it’s very challenging!
Another training tool is the torque
trainer for fixed-wing aircraft. It’s a great
feature that allows you to take control of
the airplane’s control surfaces to any
degree you prefer until you are able to
master hovering.
One of the cool functions of AeroFly 5
is the recording center, which allows you
to watch yourself fly. You can record your
flight of any airplane or helicopter and
then replay it. It’s an extremely useful tool
if you’re planning to enter flight contests.
I’ll just keep practicing.
AeroFly 5 also has music with which to
fly. I thought this was a great idea for
practicing flight routines.
Even though the included music files
were MP3-formatted, I was unable to
import music of my own without causing
the simulator to shut down. Maybe I will
have to throw this idea at Ikarus for a
potential patch or update; for now I’ll keep
running iTunes in the background.
I was initially a bit disappointed that
AeroFly 5 required me to use my own
transmitter. After spending a couple of
evenings with the system, I began to dabble
in editing aircraft. I quickly learned that my
transmitter settings, in conjunction with all
of the editing choices, gave me limitless
possibilities to fine-tune any airplane or
helicopter I chose. Awesome!
In the time since I began this review, an
update to version 5.5 has become available.
Now that I have downloaded the updated
program, the aforementioned glitches have
disappeared. And new aircraft and scenery
are included.
With a total of 56 airplanes, 23
helicopters, 24 gliders, 16 jets, five true
scale airplanes, and more flying sites,
AeroFly 5.5 is the best flight simulator
I’ve experienced. The graphics and model
details are second to none, and the flight
realism seems to duplicate, without
exception, every wrong input I throw at
it—the same as at the field! MA
Shawn Rubush
smramr01.att.net
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Ikarus-USA, LLC
(239) 540-0067
www.ikarus-usa.com
Sources:
Updates, patches, new models:
www.aerofly.com
AeroFly 5 Details
Minimum System Requirements:
• Intel-based Apple Mac computer with
Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6
• 1 GB RAM
• 10 GB free hard disc space
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
256 MB (As fast as NVIDIA 9400 or
ATI Radeon HD 2400.)
• Free USB port to connect USB
Interface/GameCommander
Recommended:
• 2 GB RAM
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
512 MB (At least as fast as NVIDIA
9600 or ATI Radeon HD 4850.)
Review System:
• iMac with 27-inch monitor
• Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5
• Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5750
• VRAM: 1024 MB
Transmitters Used for Review:
• Futaba T9CHP
• Futaba T7CAP
Price:
• $299.00 for GameCommander version
• $249.99 for USB interface version
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:33 AM Page 69
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/05
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/05
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69
PowerSwitch: AeroFly 5
SHAWN RUBUSH
Devin anxiously waits his turn to try
the new AeroFly 5 flight simulator
while his dad, Shawn, gets in some
helicopter practice. Michael Ramsey
photo.
AeroFly 5 offers multiple viewing angles from which to fly. This
familiar location is Site 3 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana.
With numerous flying sites available, you can take your T-Rex
700 to Germany to fly.
66 MODEL AVIATION
A Mac-friendly
flight simulator
WHEN OLD MAN Winter arrives, the
opportunity for many of us to go flying is
reduced to the occasional indoor session. A
more practical solution is a flight simulator.
Having been the victim of a recent
computer meltdown and no flight simulator,
I decided to purchase an Apple iMac. I
quickly realized, to my horror, that my
flight simulator was not Mac-compatible.
As luck would have it, one flight
simulator was available for Macs: AeroFly
5 by Ikarus. It is the follow-up to the
successful AeroFly Professional Deluxe
edition and was redeveloped to run more
efficiently on today’s advanced computers
that use multicore processors and upgraded
graphics cards.
After loading AeroFly 5 and following the
instructions in the manual, the first hurdle to
overcome was getting the simulator to
function in English. When it loaded, all
instructions appeared in German.
With a quick cross-reference in the
instruction manual, I found my way to the
language options in the settings menu. After
making the change, the remaining setup was
relatively simple.
When everything was up and running, I
was immediately drawn to a familiar flying
site: the AMA flying field in Muncie,
Indiana! Being a Muncie resident, I was
thrilled to finally see it on a simulator. And
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:30 AM Page 66
May 2011 67
Above: AeroFly 5 has panorama-technology
graphics that produce unbelievable picture
quality and depth.
Right: With lifelike graphics, it is easy to
forget you are flying a simulator. If you
want to fly at the Joe Nall Fly-In without
leaving the house, this is your opportunity.
Below: Flying sites aren’t limited to
beautiful outdoor landscapes; you can even
take your aircraft, such as this Edge 540T,
indoors to fly!
I wasn’t disappointed when it loaded.
For the first time when using a
simulator, I felt like I was actually flying at
the AMA and not playing a video game.
The graphics are “insane,” which is one of
the display settings. As you might guess, I
burned the midnight oil flying that evening,
jumping to different flying sites and
changing from airplane to helicopter and
back.
I have encountered only a couple of
problems so far; when loading the CAP 232
airplane, a PT-40 trainer appears. And in
some scenery selections the Edge 540T
doesn’t load properly; it repeatedly breaks
apart.
According to the Ikarus download Web
site, an upgrade to 5.5 (already available for
Windows) will soon be available for the
Mac version. Hopefully those minor
glitches will be addressed.
There was absolutely too much to see
Photos by the author except as noted
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:31 AM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: How many people can say they’ve
flown Air Force One? This is probably as
close as you can get!
Right: One of the many system extras is
pylon-racing capability. Not only is it a
nice break from regular flying, but it can
also help you improve your rudder usage.
Below: Are you tired of the typical flying
sites? Try landing on an aircraft carrier!
and do in one evening. Having a more
methodical approach was my goal for the
second evening, with the intention of seeing
all of the available options, functions, and
parameters.
With a simple right click of the mouse, a
quick launch menu appears on the screen; it
gives you the ability to choose any action
your heart desires. Specific scenery has
small symbols in the lower corner, to show
you what contests are available at that
particular flying site.
The contests are Balloon Pop, Limbo,
Pylon Race, Air Race (similar to the Red
Bull Air Race series), Landing Contest, and
Autorotation landing. These events may
seem a little arcade-ish to some, but they
have the potential to sharpen any pilot’s
skill set.
In addition to the “multi pano” and
photo sceneries, new 4-D landscapes have
been added that include such details as
animated trees, animated wind socks, and
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPGMay 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
QXD 3/23/11 9:32 AM Page 68
May 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
animated water surfaces. The weather center
allows you to change conditions to almost
anything you could desire, such as cloud
formations, time of day, fog, wind speed,
and wind direction.
There are even thermals and wind
turbulence that randomly changes force
and direction. When you think you have
everything mastered, crank up the wind
and try some crosswind landings or throw
some fog into the mix!
The instrumentation selection has many
features such as flight information,
transmitter, binoculars, compass/wind, and
tachometer. For those who are into
soaring, a comprehensive variometer is
included.
Also available in instruments is a
feature called landing assist. Available in
the view from the cockpit, it gives you a
schematic diagram of the runway and
green boxes to indicate the proper
approach corridor. It reminds me of
something a fighter pilot might see in the
cockpit.
Additional training features include the
helicopter precision contest, which has
you fly a specific course with two colored
balls hanging from the landing skids, each
at different lengths. One ball must remain
on the ground and stay within the marked
course, while the shorter one must remain
suspended. I have only made it through the
course once; it’s very challenging!
Another training tool is the torque
trainer for fixed-wing aircraft. It’s a great
feature that allows you to take control of
the airplane’s control surfaces to any
degree you prefer until you are able to
master hovering.
One of the cool functions of AeroFly 5
is the recording center, which allows you
to watch yourself fly. You can record your
flight of any airplane or helicopter and
then replay it. It’s an extremely useful tool
if you’re planning to enter flight contests.
I’ll just keep practicing.
AeroFly 5 also has music with which to
fly. I thought this was a great idea for
practicing flight routines.
Even though the included music files
were MP3-formatted, I was unable to
import music of my own without causing
the simulator to shut down. Maybe I will
have to throw this idea at Ikarus for a
potential patch or update; for now I’ll keep
running iTunes in the background.
I was initially a bit disappointed that
AeroFly 5 required me to use my own
transmitter. After spending a couple of
evenings with the system, I began to dabble
in editing aircraft. I quickly learned that my
transmitter settings, in conjunction with all
of the editing choices, gave me limitless
possibilities to fine-tune any airplane or
helicopter I chose. Awesome!
In the time since I began this review, an
update to version 5.5 has become available.
Now that I have downloaded the updated
program, the aforementioned glitches have
disappeared. And new aircraft and scenery
are included.
With a total of 56 airplanes, 23
helicopters, 24 gliders, 16 jets, five true
scale airplanes, and more flying sites,
AeroFly 5.5 is the best flight simulator
I’ve experienced. The graphics and model
details are second to none, and the flight
realism seems to duplicate, without
exception, every wrong input I throw at
it—the same as at the field! MA
Shawn Rubush
smramr01.att.net
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Ikarus-USA, LLC
(239) 540-0067
www.ikarus-usa.com
Sources:
Updates, patches, new models:
www.aerofly.com
AeroFly 5 Details
Minimum System Requirements:
• Intel-based Apple Mac computer with
Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6
• 1 GB RAM
• 10 GB free hard disc space
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
256 MB (As fast as NVIDIA 9400 or
ATI Radeon HD 2400.)
• Free USB port to connect USB
Interface/GameCommander
Recommended:
• 2 GB RAM
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
512 MB (At least as fast as NVIDIA
9600 or ATI Radeon HD 4850.)
Review System:
• iMac with 27-inch monitor
• Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5
• Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5750
• VRAM: 1024 MB
Transmitters Used for Review:
• Futaba T9CHP
• Futaba T7CAP
Price:
• $299.00 for GameCommander version
• $249.99 for USB interface version
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:33 AM Page 69
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/05
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69
PowerSwitch: AeroFly 5
SHAWN RUBUSH
Devin anxiously waits his turn to try
the new AeroFly 5 flight simulator
while his dad, Shawn, gets in some
helicopter practice. Michael Ramsey
photo.
AeroFly 5 offers multiple viewing angles from which to fly. This
familiar location is Site 3 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana.
With numerous flying sites available, you can take your T-Rex
700 to Germany to fly.
66 MODEL AVIATION
A Mac-friendly
flight simulator
WHEN OLD MAN Winter arrives, the
opportunity for many of us to go flying is
reduced to the occasional indoor session. A
more practical solution is a flight simulator.
Having been the victim of a recent
computer meltdown and no flight simulator,
I decided to purchase an Apple iMac. I
quickly realized, to my horror, that my
flight simulator was not Mac-compatible.
As luck would have it, one flight
simulator was available for Macs: AeroFly
5 by Ikarus. It is the follow-up to the
successful AeroFly Professional Deluxe
edition and was redeveloped to run more
efficiently on today’s advanced computers
that use multicore processors and upgraded
graphics cards.
After loading AeroFly 5 and following the
instructions in the manual, the first hurdle to
overcome was getting the simulator to
function in English. When it loaded, all
instructions appeared in German.
With a quick cross-reference in the
instruction manual, I found my way to the
language options in the settings menu. After
making the change, the remaining setup was
relatively simple.
When everything was up and running, I
was immediately drawn to a familiar flying
site: the AMA flying field in Muncie,
Indiana! Being a Muncie resident, I was
thrilled to finally see it on a simulator. And
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:30 AM Page 66
May 2011 67
Above: AeroFly 5 has panorama-technology
graphics that produce unbelievable picture
quality and depth.
Right: With lifelike graphics, it is easy to
forget you are flying a simulator. If you
want to fly at the Joe Nall Fly-In without
leaving the house, this is your opportunity.
Below: Flying sites aren’t limited to
beautiful outdoor landscapes; you can even
take your aircraft, such as this Edge 540T,
indoors to fly!
I wasn’t disappointed when it loaded.
For the first time when using a
simulator, I felt like I was actually flying at
the AMA and not playing a video game.
The graphics are “insane,” which is one of
the display settings. As you might guess, I
burned the midnight oil flying that evening,
jumping to different flying sites and
changing from airplane to helicopter and
back.
I have encountered only a couple of
problems so far; when loading the CAP 232
airplane, a PT-40 trainer appears. And in
some scenery selections the Edge 540T
doesn’t load properly; it repeatedly breaks
apart.
According to the Ikarus download Web
site, an upgrade to 5.5 (already available for
Windows) will soon be available for the
Mac version. Hopefully those minor
glitches will be addressed.
There was absolutely too much to see
Photos by the author except as noted
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:31 AM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: How many people can say they’ve
flown Air Force One? This is probably as
close as you can get!
Right: One of the many system extras is
pylon-racing capability. Not only is it a
nice break from regular flying, but it can
also help you improve your rudder usage.
Below: Are you tired of the typical flying
sites? Try landing on an aircraft carrier!
and do in one evening. Having a more
methodical approach was my goal for the
second evening, with the intention of seeing
all of the available options, functions, and
parameters.
With a simple right click of the mouse, a
quick launch menu appears on the screen; it
gives you the ability to choose any action
your heart desires. Specific scenery has
small symbols in the lower corner, to show
you what contests are available at that
particular flying site.
The contests are Balloon Pop, Limbo,
Pylon Race, Air Race (similar to the Red
Bull Air Race series), Landing Contest, and
Autorotation landing. These events may
seem a little arcade-ish to some, but they
have the potential to sharpen any pilot’s
skill set.
In addition to the “multi pano” and
photo sceneries, new 4-D landscapes have
been added that include such details as
animated trees, animated wind socks, and
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPGMay 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
QXD 3/23/11 9:32 AM Page 68
May 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
animated water surfaces. The weather center
allows you to change conditions to almost
anything you could desire, such as cloud
formations, time of day, fog, wind speed,
and wind direction.
There are even thermals and wind
turbulence that randomly changes force
and direction. When you think you have
everything mastered, crank up the wind
and try some crosswind landings or throw
some fog into the mix!
The instrumentation selection has many
features such as flight information,
transmitter, binoculars, compass/wind, and
tachometer. For those who are into
soaring, a comprehensive variometer is
included.
Also available in instruments is a
feature called landing assist. Available in
the view from the cockpit, it gives you a
schematic diagram of the runway and
green boxes to indicate the proper
approach corridor. It reminds me of
something a fighter pilot might see in the
cockpit.
Additional training features include the
helicopter precision contest, which has
you fly a specific course with two colored
balls hanging from the landing skids, each
at different lengths. One ball must remain
on the ground and stay within the marked
course, while the shorter one must remain
suspended. I have only made it through the
course once; it’s very challenging!
Another training tool is the torque
trainer for fixed-wing aircraft. It’s a great
feature that allows you to take control of
the airplane’s control surfaces to any
degree you prefer until you are able to
master hovering.
One of the cool functions of AeroFly 5
is the recording center, which allows you
to watch yourself fly. You can record your
flight of any airplane or helicopter and
then replay it. It’s an extremely useful tool
if you’re planning to enter flight contests.
I’ll just keep practicing.
AeroFly 5 also has music with which to
fly. I thought this was a great idea for
practicing flight routines.
Even though the included music files
were MP3-formatted, I was unable to
import music of my own without causing
the simulator to shut down. Maybe I will
have to throw this idea at Ikarus for a
potential patch or update; for now I’ll keep
running iTunes in the background.
I was initially a bit disappointed that
AeroFly 5 required me to use my own
transmitter. After spending a couple of
evenings with the system, I began to dabble
in editing aircraft. I quickly learned that my
transmitter settings, in conjunction with all
of the editing choices, gave me limitless
possibilities to fine-tune any airplane or
helicopter I chose. Awesome!
In the time since I began this review, an
update to version 5.5 has become available.
Now that I have downloaded the updated
program, the aforementioned glitches have
disappeared. And new aircraft and scenery
are included.
With a total of 56 airplanes, 23
helicopters, 24 gliders, 16 jets, five true
scale airplanes, and more flying sites,
AeroFly 5.5 is the best flight simulator
I’ve experienced. The graphics and model
details are second to none, and the flight
realism seems to duplicate, without
exception, every wrong input I throw at
it—the same as at the field! MA
Shawn Rubush
smramr01.att.net
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Ikarus-USA, LLC
(239) 540-0067
www.ikarus-usa.com
Sources:
Updates, patches, new models:
www.aerofly.com
AeroFly 5 Details
Minimum System Requirements:
• Intel-based Apple Mac computer with
Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6
• 1 GB RAM
• 10 GB free hard disc space
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
256 MB (As fast as NVIDIA 9400 or
ATI Radeon HD 2400.)
• Free USB port to connect USB
Interface/GameCommander
Recommended:
• 2 GB RAM
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
512 MB (At least as fast as NVIDIA
9600 or ATI Radeon HD 4850.)
Review System:
• iMac with 27-inch monitor
• Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5
• Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5750
• VRAM: 1024 MB
Transmitters Used for Review:
• Futaba T9CHP
• Futaba T7CAP
Price:
• $299.00 for GameCommander version
• $249.99 for USB interface version
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:33 AM Page 69
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/05
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69
PowerSwitch: AeroFly 5
SHAWN RUBUSH
Devin anxiously waits his turn to try
the new AeroFly 5 flight simulator
while his dad, Shawn, gets in some
helicopter practice. Michael Ramsey
photo.
AeroFly 5 offers multiple viewing angles from which to fly. This
familiar location is Site 3 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana.
With numerous flying sites available, you can take your T-Rex
700 to Germany to fly.
66 MODEL AVIATION
A Mac-friendly
flight simulator
WHEN OLD MAN Winter arrives, the
opportunity for many of us to go flying is
reduced to the occasional indoor session. A
more practical solution is a flight simulator.
Having been the victim of a recent
computer meltdown and no flight simulator,
I decided to purchase an Apple iMac. I
quickly realized, to my horror, that my
flight simulator was not Mac-compatible.
As luck would have it, one flight
simulator was available for Macs: AeroFly
5 by Ikarus. It is the follow-up to the
successful AeroFly Professional Deluxe
edition and was redeveloped to run more
efficiently on today’s advanced computers
that use multicore processors and upgraded
graphics cards.
After loading AeroFly 5 and following the
instructions in the manual, the first hurdle to
overcome was getting the simulator to
function in English. When it loaded, all
instructions appeared in German.
With a quick cross-reference in the
instruction manual, I found my way to the
language options in the settings menu. After
making the change, the remaining setup was
relatively simple.
When everything was up and running, I
was immediately drawn to a familiar flying
site: the AMA flying field in Muncie,
Indiana! Being a Muncie resident, I was
thrilled to finally see it on a simulator. And
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:30 AM Page 66
May 2011 67
Above: AeroFly 5 has panorama-technology
graphics that produce unbelievable picture
quality and depth.
Right: With lifelike graphics, it is easy to
forget you are flying a simulator. If you
want to fly at the Joe Nall Fly-In without
leaving the house, this is your opportunity.
Below: Flying sites aren’t limited to
beautiful outdoor landscapes; you can even
take your aircraft, such as this Edge 540T,
indoors to fly!
I wasn’t disappointed when it loaded.
For the first time when using a
simulator, I felt like I was actually flying at
the AMA and not playing a video game.
The graphics are “insane,” which is one of
the display settings. As you might guess, I
burned the midnight oil flying that evening,
jumping to different flying sites and
changing from airplane to helicopter and
back.
I have encountered only a couple of
problems so far; when loading the CAP 232
airplane, a PT-40 trainer appears. And in
some scenery selections the Edge 540T
doesn’t load properly; it repeatedly breaks
apart.
According to the Ikarus download Web
site, an upgrade to 5.5 (already available for
Windows) will soon be available for the
Mac version. Hopefully those minor
glitches will be addressed.
There was absolutely too much to see
Photos by the author except as noted
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:31 AM Page 67
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: How many people can say they’ve
flown Air Force One? This is probably as
close as you can get!
Right: One of the many system extras is
pylon-racing capability. Not only is it a
nice break from regular flying, but it can
also help you improve your rudder usage.
Below: Are you tired of the typical flying
sites? Try landing on an aircraft carrier!
and do in one evening. Having a more
methodical approach was my goal for the
second evening, with the intention of seeing
all of the available options, functions, and
parameters.
With a simple right click of the mouse, a
quick launch menu appears on the screen; it
gives you the ability to choose any action
your heart desires. Specific scenery has
small symbols in the lower corner, to show
you what contests are available at that
particular flying site.
The contests are Balloon Pop, Limbo,
Pylon Race, Air Race (similar to the Red
Bull Air Race series), Landing Contest, and
Autorotation landing. These events may
seem a little arcade-ish to some, but they
have the potential to sharpen any pilot’s
skill set.
In addition to the “multi pano” and
photo sceneries, new 4-D landscapes have
been added that include such details as
animated trees, animated wind socks, and
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPGMay 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
QXD 3/23/11 9:32 AM Page 68
May 2011 69
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Graphics and model details reach a new
level for RC flight simulators.
• Model editing allows endless
customization possibilities.
• Multiple tools help beginners to
advanced pilots improve their flying
skills and excel. -•
Occasional software glitch causes issues
with loading specific aircraft.
• Inability to download aircraft from
other sources.
• Inability to import music of preference
for practicing flight routines.
With options to change wind and weather
conditions, you can make flying as easy or as
difficult as you want. Ramsey photo.
animated water surfaces. The weather center
allows you to change conditions to almost
anything you could desire, such as cloud
formations, time of day, fog, wind speed,
and wind direction.
There are even thermals and wind
turbulence that randomly changes force
and direction. When you think you have
everything mastered, crank up the wind
and try some crosswind landings or throw
some fog into the mix!
The instrumentation selection has many
features such as flight information,
transmitter, binoculars, compass/wind, and
tachometer. For those who are into
soaring, a comprehensive variometer is
included.
Also available in instruments is a
feature called landing assist. Available in
the view from the cockpit, it gives you a
schematic diagram of the runway and
green boxes to indicate the proper
approach corridor. It reminds me of
something a fighter pilot might see in the
cockpit.
Additional training features include the
helicopter precision contest, which has
you fly a specific course with two colored
balls hanging from the landing skids, each
at different lengths. One ball must remain
on the ground and stay within the marked
course, while the shorter one must remain
suspended. I have only made it through the
course once; it’s very challenging!
Another training tool is the torque
trainer for fixed-wing aircraft. It’s a great
feature that allows you to take control of
the airplane’s control surfaces to any
degree you prefer until you are able to
master hovering.
One of the cool functions of AeroFly 5
is the recording center, which allows you
to watch yourself fly. You can record your
flight of any airplane or helicopter and
then replay it. It’s an extremely useful tool
if you’re planning to enter flight contests.
I’ll just keep practicing.
AeroFly 5 also has music with which to
fly. I thought this was a great idea for
practicing flight routines.
Even though the included music files
were MP3-formatted, I was unable to
import music of my own without causing
the simulator to shut down. Maybe I will
have to throw this idea at Ikarus for a
potential patch or update; for now I’ll keep
running iTunes in the background.
I was initially a bit disappointed that
AeroFly 5 required me to use my own
transmitter. After spending a couple of
evenings with the system, I began to dabble
in editing aircraft. I quickly learned that my
transmitter settings, in conjunction with all
of the editing choices, gave me limitless
possibilities to fine-tune any airplane or
helicopter I chose. Awesome!
In the time since I began this review, an
update to version 5.5 has become available.
Now that I have downloaded the updated
program, the aforementioned glitches have
disappeared. And new aircraft and scenery
are included.
With a total of 56 airplanes, 23
helicopters, 24 gliders, 16 jets, five true
scale airplanes, and more flying sites,
AeroFly 5.5 is the best flight simulator
I’ve experienced. The graphics and model
details are second to none, and the flight
realism seems to duplicate, without
exception, every wrong input I throw at
it—the same as at the field! MA
Shawn Rubush
smramr01.att.net
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Ikarus-USA, LLC
(239) 540-0067
www.ikarus-usa.com
Sources:
Updates, patches, new models:
www.aerofly.com
AeroFly 5 Details
Minimum System Requirements:
• Intel-based Apple Mac computer with
Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6
• 1 GB RAM
• 10 GB free hard disc space
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
256 MB (As fast as NVIDIA 9400 or
ATI Radeon HD 2400.)
• Free USB port to connect USB
Interface/GameCommander
Recommended:
• 2 GB RAM
• OpenGL Version 2.1 compatible 3D
graphics card from NVDIA or ATI with
512 MB (At least as fast as NVIDIA
9600 or ATI Radeon HD 4850.)
Review System:
• iMac with 27-inch monitor
• Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5
• Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5750
• VRAM: 1024 MB
Transmitters Used for Review:
• Futaba T9CHP
• Futaba T7CAP
Price:
• $299.00 for GameCommander version
• $249.99 for USB interface version
05sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/23/11 9:33 AM Page 69
