RC flight simulator

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Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for RealFlight 7.5 HHAMS Aerodrome RealFlight 7.5 screenshot1461446391.jpg
Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for RealFlight 7.5
Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for Phoenix RC HHAMS Aerodrome Phenix RC Sim Screenshot.png
Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for Phoenix RC

An RC flight simulator is a computer program that allows pilots of radio-controlled aircraft to practice on a computer, without the risk and expense of damaging a real model. Besides the obvious use of training beginners, they are also used for practising new aerobatics, evaluating a model before buying it, and to allow flight practice when conditions are otherwise unsuitable. Most simulators allow the use of real R/C transmitters to control the sim.

Contents

There are a number of commercial packages available, such as Eiperle CGM's neXt - RC Flight Simulator, SVK Systems' ClearView, Knife Edge Software's RealFlight, IPACS' AeroFly and Trasna Technology's AccuRC. There are also a number of free simulators, with SeligSIM (FS One) being the most well known and most feature rich.

Most simulators allow the importing of add-ons such as new models and landscapes. There are many web sites dedicated to offering free content like this.

Some of these simulators are dedicated to R/C flight, while others are generic simulators that can simulate both full-scale and R/C flight.

Feature Comparison

NameType of aircraftPrice Software license Free Demo?Operating SystemController TypeLast stable release (date)External Link
Srizfly Drone SimulatorModel planes, Helicopters and DronesUS$49ProprietaryNoWindows 10Included or controller https://srizfly.com/
Absolute RC SimulatorModel Planes and HelicoptersFree Proprietary YesiOS, Android, Windows phones and tabletsOn screen controls http://www.happybytesapps.com/
Aerofly Professional DeluxeModel planes and helicoptersUS$300 Proprietary NoWindows, MacIncluded or controller http://www.aerofly.com/afpd/index.html
Aerofly RC 7Model planes, Helicopters and Drones€40+ Proprietary NoWindows, MacIncluded or controller2015-08-27 https://www.ikarus.net/en/aeroflyrc-7/rc7-features/
Aerofly RC 8Model planes, Helicopters and Drones€99+ Proprietary NoWindows, MacIncluded or controller https://www.ikarus.net/en/rc8-features/
AeroSIM RCModel planes, helicopters, multicopters€65Hardware keyedYesWindowsReal Controller2019-02 http://www.aerosimrc.com/
AirSim Multicopters, cars, etc.Free MIT License YesWindows, Linux2020-04 https://github.com/Microsoft/AirSim
AccuRC RC Flight SimulatorModel helicoptersUS$59Hardware keyedYesWindowsReal Controller http://www.accurc.com/
WingsWings and planes including FPV racing$36 Proprietary FPS check onlyWindowsAny analog USB controller2023-09 (1.17) https://www.wings-sim.com/index.php
R/C Desk PilotModel Planes and HelicoptersFreeFreewaren/aWindowsJoystick2017-06 http://www.rcdeskpilot.com/
ClearViewModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$40 Proprietary YesWindows,Joystick or Controller http://www.rcflightsim.com/
CRRCsimModel PlanesFree GPL n/aWindows, Mac, LinuxJoystick, Controllers2018-07-04 https://sourceforge.net/projects/crrcsim/
CSMModel Planes and HelicoptersUK£69.99 Proprietary n/aDOS, WindowsReal Controllers1998 (V10) https://web.archive.org/web/20050830000501/http://www.rcmodels.org/csm/csm_simulator.htm
Dave Brown RCFSModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$150 Proprietary NoWindowsJoystick, Controllers https://web.archive.org/web/20060509083404/http://www.dbproducts.com/store/rcfs2001.htm
Digital Aircraft ModellerModel PlanesUS$40 Proprietary YesWindowsJoystick, controllers http://www.digitalaircraftmodeler.com/
Electric RC SimModel planes, quadcopterUS$1.99 Proprietary YesiOSTouch screen controls http://jetstripes.com/games/electric-rc-sim/
FlightGear Planes, helicopters, model planes. (Flight simulator, not RC)Free Flightgear#Commercial redistribution GPL n/a Cross-platform Check categories: hardware (joystick) & R/C.2019-01-29 http://www.flightgear.org/
Flying Model SimulatorModel Planes and HelicoptersFreeFreewaren/aWindowsJoystick, controller adapters http://modelsimulator.com/
FS OneModel PlanesFree Proprietary YesWindowsReal Controllers, USB Simulator Controllers2022-09-06 https://www.fsone.com
LiftoffDrone Racing QuadcoptersUS$20Steam profile linkedNoWindows, Mac, LinuxReal controller, game controllers http://www.liftoff-game.com
neXt - CGM RC Flight SimulatorHelicopters, Model Planes, Multicopters and Drone RacingUS$89.90 Proprietary YesWindows, Mac, LinuxReal controller, game controllers2019-12-23 https://next-sim.cgm-online.com/rc-flight-simulator_e.html
PhoenixSimModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$130–$175 Proprietary YesWindowsReal Controller https://www.rc-thoughts.com/phoenix-sim/
PicaSimModel planesFree Proprietary YesWindows, iOS, AndroidJoystick, Controllers, Touch http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim
PRE-FlightModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$25–$45 Proprietary YesWindowsReal Controller http://www.preflightsim.com/
Great Planes RealFlightModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$200 Proprietary YesWindowsReal Controller http://www.realflight.com/
Mugi SimDelta wingUS$1 Proprietary YesWindows, iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch)Joystick, Controllers, Touch2019-03-27 https://baawolf.itch.io/mugi-sim
Quadcopter FX SimulatorQuadcoptersFree Proprietary YesAndroid, iOSTouchscreen, Joystick, Controller http://quadcopterfx.3dcreativeworld.com
Slope Soaring SimulatorModel planesFree GPL YesWindows, LinuxJoystick2006-01-21 http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/sss/
HELI-XModel helicopters and planes~€60 Proprietary Yes. Also version 0.9 is freeWindows, Linux, MacSystem Joystick, Real controllers2020-07-01 http://www.heli-x.net/
Hover HereModel helicoptersFree GPLv3 n/a.Windows, MacReal controller, game controllers2022-08 https://c.web.de/@949205153511112756/P_wvdHpRRLWNn-kKtXzr7g https://github.com/zulugithub/HoverHere
X-PlaneJust about anythingUS$30 Proprietary YesWindows, Linux, MacSystem Joystick http://www.x-plane.com
AlphaMacSoftware's RC Helicopter SimulatorHelicoptersFree Proprietary YesMacSystem Joystick, Real Controllers http://www.alphamacsoftware.com/index.php
Ron's RC Flight SimulatorElectric Foamy Model PlanesFreeAd supportedYesWindows, Mac, Linux, Android (Chrome or Firefox browsers only)Logitech and Xbox Gamepads, OculusVR2013 http://www.ostafichuk.com/rons-rc-sim/
R/C Sim SikorskyHelicopters€35 Proprietary YesWindowsKeyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Real Controllers http://home.zonnet.nl/blacksphere2/rcsim.html
Reflex XTR2Model Planes and Helicopters€169 Proprietary YesWindowsReal Controllers https://www.reflex-sim.net
Zephyr Drone SimulatorQuadcopters/DronesUS$139.99 Proprietary YesWindows, MacReal Controllers https://www.zephyr-sim.com/
VelociDrone FPV Racing SimulatorQuadcopters/Drones£16.99 Proprietary YesWindows, Mac, LinuxReal Controllers2020-09-10 (v1.17) https://www.velocidrone.com/
EreaDrone 2023Quadcopters/Drones$24.99 Proprietary NoWindowsReal Controllers, Game Controllers (Xbox, Logitech, etc)2023-06-23 (v1) https://www.ereadrone.com/
FPV FreeRiderQuadcopters/DronesUS$4.99 Proprietary YesWindows, Mac, Linux, AndroidUSB Controllers2019-02-05 https://itch.io/profile/fpv-freerider
WingsModel PlanesUS$36 Proprietary NoWindows, LinuxReal Controllers, Xbox, PS42023-09 (1.17) https://www.wings-sim.com
SIMNETMulticopter, Fixed-Wing and VTOL dronesSubscription-based Proprietary YesCross-Platform (Web-based)Real Controllers https://simnet.aero/

References

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