RC flight simulators
- virtual RC flight training at home
RC flight simulators for home computers first became available in the late 80s but were very limited in their realism, simply because of chunky computer graphics and limitations in computer processing speed.
But throughout the '90s and with the rapid improvement in home computers, rc simulators quickly evolved into a very realistic radio control flight training aid, second only to side-by-side club instructor training.
Nowadays of course, with warp-speed computer processors and outstanding graphics possible, rc flight simulators such as the RealFlight 'G' series and Phoenix sims have become outstandingly realistic. Such simulators have reached into many homes and have become one of the most popular rc flying accessories; they have helped countless novice rc pilots learn the basics of radio control flight, and expert pilots rehearse their aerobatic and 3D routines to a faultless performance.
Above, the RealFlight G4.5 is one of the top selling sims
See the top quality rc flight simulators in detail.
A good quality rc simulator consists of very powerful software and may or may not include a realistic transmitter interface. The interface, if included, works in exactly the same way as a normal transmitter but instead of sending a radio signal to the receiver in the model, the signal passes through a cable to drive the software installed on your computer.
Where a transmitter interface isn't included in the box, the simulator software is driven by connecting your own transmitter to your computer. This is in fact the better option because it lets you get 100% familiar with flying with the Tx that you'll use at the field.
But whichever Tx you do use, whether your own or a supplied interface, the aircraft's response to your control input is precise 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!
As with everything else radio control, prices have dropped in recent years making a simulator quite affordable, and with most households now owning - or having access to - modern personal computers and laptops, sims have rocketed in popularity as a sensible and very effective training aid.
Modern day rc flight simulators such as the RealFlight and Phoenix 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 for the RealFlight sims - 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 multi-player mode is also a great feature via a good internet connection.
The better quality rc flight simulators will feature a virtual flight school, where professional rc pilots teach you everything from basic take off and landing techniques to the hardest 3D maneuvers. Each lesson is narrated by the pilot, and Tx stick movements are shown so you can see exactly what's happening and when.
The better sims also allow aircraft parameters and flying sites to be edited to suit your own preferences, although of course the pre-programmed settings are perfectly adequate for the beginner.
Below are some screenshots from the RealFlight G4, these are the kind of images that you can expect from a modern rc flight simulator (click on images to view larger):
And below is a short video so you can see the kind of reality that sims like the G4.5 offer (bear in mind that a lot of quality has been lost in the video production; the actual sim gives photo-realistic quality.)
See the RealFlight G4.5 in more detail.
Screenshots and a demo video from the Phoenix sim are shown below:
See the Phoenix flight sim in detail.
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 get damaged sooner or later, 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 control', or 'reverse co-ordination', which is the term used when the aircraft is flying towards you and the turns become reversed ie left is right and vice versa. This is an invaluable advantage because reverse control catches so many new rc pilots out in their early days.
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 airplane or helicopter is spinning out of control, imagine that it's your actual aircraft 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 will inevitably get transferred onto the flying field.
Of course, have fun with it and enjoy every moment, but remember why you bought the simulator 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 flight simulator!
See the top quality rc flight simulators in detail.
Related pages
Phoenix rc flight simulator - a closer look at this top level sim.
RealFlight G4 sim - a closer look at a modern rc flight simulator.
Training methods - the main ways of learning how to fly rc aircraft.
Ground School - a few lessons to learn before getting airborne.
How to fly airplanes - RC flight school for beginners.
RC airplane controls - the primary ones and what they do.
RC flying do's and don'ts - some basic safety tips.
RC flying FAQ - some common questions about getting in to rc flying.
RC flying glossary - meaning to common flying phrases and words.
