RC flight simulators -
learn to fly at home!

RC flight simulators for home computers first became available in the 1980s, but were very limited in their realism simply because of computer and performance limitations.
Throughout the '90s however, rc simulators evolved into a very realistic rc flight training aid.

Nowadays of course, with warp-speed computer processors and outstanding graphics, rc flight simulators such as Great Planes' RealFlight G4 (successor to the trusted RealFlight G3.5 simulator) have become outstandingly realistic. Such sims have reached into many homes and have become a serious flight training aid, helping novice model pilots learn the basics of radio control flight and hone their skills.

A good quality rc simulator, like the G4, consists of a completely realistic transmitter and powerful software. The transmitter works in the same way as a normal one, but instead of sending a radio signal to the receiver in the model, the signal passes through a cable to the software on your computer.
The airplane's response to your control input is immediate and accurate, and the smooth graphics and realistic engine sounds (accurately matched to your throttle stick movements) really make you feel like you're standing on the flight line, flying the real thing!

And as with everything else radio control, prices have dropped making a simulator very affordable, and with most households now owning - or having access to - a modern personal computer, sims have rocketed in popularity as a sensible and very effective training aid.

Modern day rc flight simulators such as the excellent Great Planes RealFlight G4 feature all the popular model aircraft, including helicopters, gliders and turbine jets. Electric and IC models can be selected, and a range of 'add-on' CDs greatly increase the choice of flying possibilities - although the standard range is more than enough!
Events such as pylon racing, spot landing and limbo flying are available to really test your skills, and online multiplayer mode is also a great feature.

Any good rc flight simulator will allow customization of airplane sensitivities, stability, weight and many other parameters, as well as changing weather conditions at the flying sites. The flying sites can also be edited in a vast number of ways.

Below are a few screenshots from the G3.5 (predecessor to the G4), these are the kind of images that modern simulators give you (click on them to view larger in a new window):

(Screenshots shown are property & copyright of Hobbico Inc., used with their permission)

Learning to fly radio control in this safe environment is as realistic as it gets without actually taking a trip to your local flying field.
And of course, it eliminates the dreaded aspect of learning to fly radio control - the damage zone!
When learning to fly rc, there's a good chance that your model will suffer some degree of damage at one time or another, but learning on a flight simulator will drastically minimize those little 'incidents'.

Indeed, a big advantage with learning to fly rc on a simulator is that it gets you used to the reverse co-ordination, which is the term used when the model is flying towards you and the turns become 'back to front'. This is an invaluable advantage as many mistakes are made in the early days of flying because of the pilot becoming confused and turning the model the wrong way.

Of course, another big advantage of owning an rc flight simulator is that there's no excuse not to fly ~ even when the weather is against you, you can still be practicing all those maneuvers from the comfort of home - all the time teaching yourself to become a much better radio control pilot ready for that next trip to the flying field.

Keep it real!

It's easy to see an rc flight simulator as a glorified game consol, and you'd be forgiven for flying your virtual model in as many crazy ways as possible and trying to do the most spectacular crash ever!
But don't! Remember that your sim is there to teach you to fly; when your virtual model is spinning out of control, imagine that it's your actual model and that it's going to cost you a few hundred bucks if you destroy it. Do all you can to try and recover, and get the model back to earth safely.

In other words, don't let yourself get into bad habits on your simulator, because these just might get transferred onto the flying field.
Of course, have fun with it and enjoy every moment, but remember why you bought the sim in the first place, and use it accordingly - as a serious training aid to your flying!

Remember - a computer doesn't crash the same way as a model airplane does; if you're serious about rc flying, get an rc sim!

The RealFlight and Hanger 9 rc flight simulators are available from Red Rocket Hobby Shop.

Related pages

RealFlight G4 - a more detailed look at the latest sim.

Ground school - the basic stuff that you should know before you start flying model planes.

Training methods - the main ways of learning how to fly radio control planes and helicopters.

RC airplane controls - the primary ones and what they do.

Flying model airplanes - tips for flying a simple 1 or 2 channel Park Flyer type airplane.

Basic rc airplane aerobatics - learn some easy stunts and impress your friends!

RC flying do's and don'ts - some basic safety tips.

---

Main flying categories	| Airplanes | Helicopters | RC flight training | General interest |
Other model categories	| Other types of aircraft | Cars & trucks | Boats & watercraft |
Website help & info	| Homepage | Site map | Site search | About Me | Contact | | Website FAQ | Resources | Link to us | © Copyright |
Community	| Add content | RC Airplane World Forum |

Back to top of page