Free In-Browser RC Flight Sim in Development

by R0n0 | December 28, 2013 | (4) Posted in Projects

I have been into RC Aircraft and cars since I was 14 years old, I remember saving for ages to buy my first plane.  The great people at FliteTest have shown me how cheap and easy it can be to get into flying RC foamy aircraft, I wish someone like you was around when I was a kid!  Flite Test inspired me to contribute something to the RC community, I thought that the one thing I could add to help them to increase the popularity of the hobby was to make a free RC Flight simulator that was focused on sheet foamies and home built RC.  My goal is to create a free web site that lets people easily create and share their own foamy designs online and even fly with friends over the net.

I have been working on this simulator/game since December in my spare time, and it has progressed to the point where I wanted to show it to other people to get their opinion of what I can add to make it fun and useful at the same time.  It currently has a pretty realistic flight model with 6 planes and a quadracopter!  I hope to improve the physics engine as I try new things.   I also added airsoft bullets and bombs drops to make it a little more interesting while I finish the flight physics engine.  I will be posting my changes weekly so you can see the progress of the project.

There are some technical limitations to making this simulator run on a web browser:

  • It runs on Chrome and Firefox and now Android Tablets!  It won't work on Internet Explorer or Safari because they do not support the Gamepad API yet.
  • If running on a PC it requires a USB game controller that is compatible with the Gamepad API built into the browsers.  You can use the numberpad on the keyboard to fly, but that is pretty painful. I use a Logitech Dual Action Gamepad, and I hear it works with an Xbox controller. On windows a PS3 controller is not easy to get working.  On linux pretty much all controllers seem to work.  I do not know if it works with any of the USB transmitter interfaces as I do not own one, but I have ordered one to try out.

You can check out the current working version at my website.  http://www.ostafichuk.com/rons-rc-sim

There is also a new shorter easier to remember url now http://RonsRCSim.com

I just ordered and OculusVR developer kit (on Feb 8), so once I get that I will be making the simulator work with the worlds first affordable Virtual Reality headset!

Please send me comments on features you would like to have in the simulator/game!

 

Here are some more screenshots:

The Knuckle H Quad

The FT-22 !

COMMENTS

rcflyer729 on February 4, 2014
i will look at it nice job
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rcspaceflight on February 4, 2014
This is the USB controller I have it and doesn't work. :(

http://www.amazon.com/Volantex-Simulator-Airplane-Helicopter-Training/dp/7293000014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391549185&sr=8-1&keywords=volantex



I have a feeling it simply doesn't work because the USB Tx doesn't have a single button on it. It's all axises and sliders. (I see I have to push a button for it to start working, and I have no button to push)
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rcspaceflight on February 4, 2014
Oh, and I have no idea what format your 3D modeled planes are, but if you want to use the FT planes I've made for RC Desk Pilot, I'll gladly share them so you don't have to re-make any of the FT planes.

But it's one of those things that it's not hard to make them and it may not be saving you any time. I understand if you just want to remake them, but I though I would offer.
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R0n0 on February 4, 2014
Thanks very much, I would like to get a copy of your models. I am sure with a bit of work I can convert the models into my format. Hopefully, I can figure out how to automate it and be able to import many more RCDeskPilot models as well. Eventually I will build an aircraft builder/editor right into the web page, just takes a bit of time. I will look for your previous posts and download your FT models!
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rcspaceflight on February 4, 2014
I don't know about converting all of the planes from RCDP. You don't want to be plagiarizing other people's work. (When you don't have their permission.)

But downloading the planes I've made by going to the two articles I wrote with them would probably be the best way for you to get the 3D model files that I've made. They're .x files. I don't know if that's what you used.


A plane builder/editor is definitely a great idea. If it's simple enough to use and easy for people to share planes, then there will be a hundred planes for your sim in no time. Even RCDP has quite a few planes made from a hand full of people. And that simulator takes some effort to make planes for. Mostly the 3D modeling portion.
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R0n0 on February 4, 2014
Good point about copying, thanks, I would definitely need permission before copying aircraft. I have taken a look at the files and they are quite complex, I will look into it more a bit later. My models have a much much much simpler configuration, I will post the format on my site when I get a chance.
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rcspaceflight on February 4, 2014
I was worried about that. If they aren't usable, then they aren't usable. I just thought I would offer incase they where.
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Christian Jeppesen on February 4, 2014
Impressive work, with great potential. I like it a lot :).
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nigobo on February 6, 2014
Awesome work! Will try this with my usb-controller when I get back home. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I have been working as a webdeveloper for more than fifteen years and might be able to help in some way if possible.
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R0n0 on February 8, 2014
Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it, but I haven't decided yet how I want to proceed. ie. Open source the project, or something similar to that. I will see how much work it becomes and make a decision in the next couple of months.
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neil Mcclellan on March 11, 2016
Hey nice job but you should add controls for the chromebooks because they don't have a number pad
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pilot_joe on February 7, 2024
Hey man could you open the sim back up I loved it and Im sad I can't play it now
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R0n0 on February 7, 2024
Hi Pilot_Joe, sorry I did not know anyone was still using it! I will find a place where I can re-post the sim and let you know the new address as soon as possible.
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pilot_joe on February 7, 2024
hey thanks, i didn't think you would reply but thanks nice job making it.
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pilot_joe on February 26, 2024
if you do find a place to post it can you put it in the comments or something
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Free In-Browser RC Flight Sim in Development