The Dave Brown Radio Control Flight Simulator, written by John Kallend, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as the first true flight simulator in the R/C industry. Aggressively marketed by Dave Brown Products, under the supervision Mr. Dave Brown, a Sportsman who needs no introduction in the industry due to his outstanding contributions to fixed wing pattern competition, which include to his credits the title of AMA National Champion.
The Dave Brown Flight Simulator comes pre-packaged with its own transmitter, equipped with some good feeling open style gimbals. The transmitter also includes a number of buttons, some of which have dual functions. On the left and right are the elevator and aileron dual rate switches. The switch on the top of the transmitter, controls the autorotation and restart features. Each channel also has its own appropriate trim lever. Attached to the transmitter is a ribbon cable with a 15 pin joystick connector. The transmitter is accompanied by full documentation and a floppy disk for easy installation on your PC.
PC REQUIREMENTS
The RCFS simulator is designed around the IBM and IBM compatible computer system with a minimum of 512K, 256K video ram, and equipped with a color-graphics card (EGA, VGA, or Super VGA), and a game port (a 15 pin "D" connector 2 rows of pins) in order to attach the transmitter. Also required, MS-DOS version 2.0 or later. The RCFS program automatically adjusts for different processor speeds, however, faster more powerful computers such as the 386, 486, or Pentium, will offer smoother animation.
The RCFS simulator is not meant to be run under windows. Also, RCFS does not recommend launching from any DOS shells, menus or other similar programs. It should only be run directly from DOS.
The program will automatically configure itself to the hardware in use, however, there are a few circumstances in which it may he advantageous for the user to alter his own configuration. On slower systems, such as the 8088 or 8086, it may be advisable to remove scenery and runways in order to keep the update speed of the program fast enough to be acceptable. This will substantially increase the processing speed, making the model considerable easier to fly.
Sound Support
If you have a Adlib, SoundBlaster or SoundBlaster compatible sound expansion card installed in your computer, you'll be able to take advantage of realistic engine and rotor sounds while you are flying. The sound pitch and level is effected by changes in distance, speed, and throttle level. This support is enabled automatically if you answer "Yes" for sound support in the RCFS installation program. The sound may be accessed or changed by a simple keystroke.

Immediately after installing the program you are presented with the main menu in which you have the following choices; Airplane, Run The Program, Set-up The Plane, Test Pilot, Wind and Turbulence, Quit, and Helicopter Simulator. While most are self explanatory, the "Test Pilot" option runs the program with randomly selected parameters. The model may be out of trim, inherently unstable, overweight, etc. With the "Wind & Turbulence" option, you can add wind, wind turbulence and change the direction in which the wind comes from. If wind is added, the wind indicator in the right hand information bar shows the current wind direction as in relation to your view.
USING THE HELICOPTER SIMULATOR
There are 10 different helicopters which are programmed into the RCFS. These range from a basic trainer and go up through more advanced selections including Electric and Hot Dog models. All can be reconfigured to your liking. When using the helicopter simulator there are several keystrokes which adjust model color, scenery, sound, etc. The helicopter has landing pads at every 90 degrees around the field, as well as, scenery in the distance. An actual competition helicopter course and a functional limbo pole are also included.
You can independently change the color of any model's surfaces by using several function keys, "F3-F7". Also, each model can have a unique scheme, if changed you are prompted if you want to save the changes when you exit the program. Pressing "F1" displays the "Help Screen", which provides a menu of selected keystrokes available.
HELICOPTER PITCH CURVES
Pressing "P" while running the simulation brings up a display of the pitch curve of the helicopter. Two curves are available if switchless inverted mode was selected, and one curve, if switched inverted is used. The display may be swapped between the two curves by pressing "1" or "2". Five adjustable setpoints are available on each curve. Pressing "Enter" moves from one setpoint to the next. The up and down arrow keys are used to adjust the setpoints. The program adjusts the throttle curve automatically to maintain constant rotor r.p.m.
The power available (specified in the setup menu) governs the maximum and minimum values of pitch that can be used. For convenience, the pitch needed for hovering is shown on the graph (both upright and inverted), so that you may more readily set the hover point on your collective stick. RCFS recommends that you set up #1 linear for normal flight, and #2 for inverted flight. You can exit the pitch curve display by pressing the "ESC" key. If you change any pitch curve of any model you will be prompted if you want to save the changes when you exit the program.
HELICOPTER SCENERY
When you first enter the program you will notice a wide variety of scenery. A large, snowcapped mountain range is to the north, several trees and a barn are towards the southeast, grass-topped mountains are in the southwest, and a lake is towards the northwest. With the exception of the trees, lake and barn, all scenery is out of range of the helicopter. You can use the scenery to help reference yourself around the field.
The level of scenery can be toggled by pressing the "F-10" key. This will change the scenery display to one of the following: all available scenery, background scenery only, competition course / limbo pole only, and no scenery.
In conclusion, The Dave Brown simulator can and will provide the user with ample features to help simulate their own helicopter. Keep in mind the RCFS system does require a game board for operation. As I have mentioned, regarding simulators in general, in order to achieve the benefits of this or any other simulator, you should use it only as part of your overall training program. Attempt to spend equal time on the simulator as you do out at the field burning fuel. Possibly the most attractive feature of the RCFS system is the price. We found the street price to be as low as $125, this means if it saves you one good crash, the simulator would pay for itself.