RC flight simulator

File:HHAMS Aerodrome RealFlight 7.5 screenshot1461446391.jpg

File:HHAMS Aerodrome Phenix RC Sim Screenshot.png

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.

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 [https://www.seligsim.com/ 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

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:75%; width:80%; text-align:center;" ! Name ! Type of aircraft ! Price ! Software license ! Free Demo? ! Operating System ! Controller Type ! Last stable release (date) ! External Link
Srizfly Drone Simulator !Model planes, Helicopters and Drones !US$49 !Proprietary !No !Windows 10 !Included or controller ! !https://srizfly.com/
{{rh}} \| Absolute RC Simulator \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| iOS, Android, Windows phones and tablets \| On screen controls \| \| http://www.happybytesapps.com/
{{rh}} \| Aerofly Professional Deluxe \| Model planes and helicopters \| US$300 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{no}} \| Windows, Mac \| Included or controller \| \| http://www.aerofly.com/afpd/index.html
{{rh}} \| Aerofly RC 7 \| Model planes, Helicopters and Drones \| €40+ \| {{proprietary}} \| {{no}} \| Windows, Mac \| Included or controller \|2015-08-27 \| https://www.ikarus.net/en/aeroflyrc-7/rc7-features/
{{rh}} \| Aerofly RC 8 \| Model planes, Helicopters and Drones \| €99+ \| {{proprietary}} \| {{no}} \| Windows, Mac \| Included or controller \| \| https://www.ikarus.net/en/rc8-features/
{{rh}} \| AeroSIM RC \| Model planes, helicopters, multicopters \| €65 \| {{proprietary\|Hardware keyed}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controller \| 2019-02 \| http://www.aerosimrc.com/
{{rh}} \| AirSim \| Multicopters, cars, etc. \| {{free}} \| {{free\|MIT License}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Linux \| \| 2020-04 \| https://github.com/Microsoft/AirSim
{{rh}} \| AccuRC RC Flight Simulator \| Model helicopters \| US$59 \| {{proprietary\|Hardware keyed}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controller \| \| http://www.accurc.com/
{{rh}} \| Wings \| Wings and planes including FPV racing \| $36 \| {{proprietary}} \| FPS check only \| Windows \| Any analog USB controller \| 2023-09 (1.17) \| https://www.wings-sim.com/index.php
{{rh}} \| R/C Desk Pilot \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| {{free}} \| {{nonfree\|Freeware}} \| n/a \| Windows \| Joystick \|2017-06 \| http://www.rcdeskpilot.com/
{{rh}} \| ClearView \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| US$40 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, \| Joystick or Controller \| \| http://www.rcflightsim.com/
{{rh}} \| CRRCsim \| Model Planes \| {{free}} \| {{free\|GPL}} \| n/a \| Windows, Mac, Linux \| Joystick, Controllers \| 2018-07-04 \| https://sourceforge.net/projects/crrcsim/
{{rh}} \| CSM \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| UK£69.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| n/a \| DOS, Windows \| Real Controllers \| 1998 (V10) \| https://web.archive.org/web/20050830000501/http://www.rcmodels.org/csm/csm_simulator.htm
{{rh}} \| Dave Brown RCFS \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| US$150 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{no}} \| Windows \| Joystick, Controllers \| \| https://web.archive.org/web/20060509083404/http://www.dbproducts.com/store/rcfs2001.htm
{{rh}} \| Digital Aircraft Modeller \| Model Planes \| US$40 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Joystick, controllers \| \| http://www.digitalaircraftmodeler.com/
{{rh}} \| Electric RC Sim \| Model planes, quadcopter \| US$1.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| iOS \| Touch screen controls \| \| http://jetstripes.com/games/electric-rc-sim/
{{rh}} \| FlightGear \| Planes, helicopters, model planes. (Flight simulator, not RC) \| {{free}} Flightgear#Commercial redistribution \| {{free\|GPL}} \| n/a \| Cross-platform \| Check categories: [http://wiki.flightgear.org/Category:Hardware hardware] (joystick) & [http://wiki.flightgear.org/Category:Radio-controlled_aircraft R/C]. \| 2019-01-29 \| http://www.flightgear.org/
{{rh}} \| Flying Model Simulator \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| {{free}} \| {{nonfree\|Freeware}} \| n/a \| Windows \| Joystick, controller adapters \| \| http://modelsimulator.com/
{{rh}} \| FS One \| Model Planes \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controllers, USB Simulator Controllers \| 2022-09-06 \| https://www.fsone.com
{{rh}} \| Liftoff \| Drone Racing Quadcopters \| US$20 \| {{nonfree\|Steam profile linked}} \| {{no}} \| Windows, Mac, Linux \| Real controller, game controllers \| \| http://www.liftoff-game.com
{{rh}} \| neXt - CGM RC Flight Simulator \| Helicopters, Model Planes, Multicopters and Drone Racing \| US$89.90 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Mac, Linux \| Real controller, game controllers \| 2019-12-23 \| https://next-sim.cgm-online.com/rc-flight-simulator_e.html
{{rh}} \| PhoenixSim \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| US$130–$175 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controller \| \| https://www.rc-thoughts.com/phoenix-sim/
{{rh}} \| PicaSim \| Model planes \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, iOS, Android \| Joystick, Controllers, Touch \| \| http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim
{{rh}} \| PRE-Flight \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| US$25–$45 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controller \| \| http://www.preflightsim.com/
{{rh}} \| Great Planes RealFlight \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| US$200 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controller \| \| http://www.realflight.com/
{{rh}} \| Mugi Sim \| Delta wing \| US$1 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) \| Joystick, Controllers, Touch \| 2019-03-27 \| https://baawolf.itch.io/mugi-sim
{{rh}} \| Quadcopter FX Simulator \| Quadcopters \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Android, iOS \| Touchscreen, Joystick, Controller \| \| http://quadcopterfx.3dcreativeworld.com
{{rh}} \| Slope Soaring Simulator \| Model planes \| {{free}} \| {{free\|GPL}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Linux \| Joystick \| 2006-01-21 \| http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/sss/
{{rh}} \| HELI-X \| Model helicopters and planes \| {{nonfree\|~€60}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}}. Also version 0.9 is free \| Windows, Linux, Mac \| System Joystick, Real controllers \| 2020-07-01 \| http://www.heli-x.net/
{{rh}} \| Hover Here \| Model helicopters \| {{Free}} \| GPLv3 \| n/a. \| Windows, Mac \| Real controller, game controllers \| 2022-08 \| https://c.web.de/@949205153511112756/P_wvdHpRRLWNn-kKtXzr7g https://github.com/zulugithub/HoverHere
{{rh}} \| X-Plane \| Just about anything \| US$30 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Linux, Mac \| System Joystick \| \| http://www.x-plane.com
{{rh}} \| AlphaMacSoftware's RC Helicopter Simulator \| Helicopters \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Mac \| System Joystick, Real Controllers \| \| http://www.alphamacsoftware.com/index.php
{{rh}} \| Ron's RC Flight Simulator \| Electric Foamy Model Planes \| {{free}} \| {{proprietary\|Ad supported}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Mac, Linux, Android (Chrome or Firefox browsers only) \| Logitech and Xbox Gamepads, OculusVR \| 2013 \| http://www.ostafichuk.com/rons-rc-sim/
{{rh}} \| R/C Sim Sikorsky \| Helicopters \| €35 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Real Controllers \| \| http://home.zonnet.nl/blacksphere2/rcsim.html
{{rh}} \| Reflex XTR2 \| Model Planes and Helicopters \| €169 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows \| Real Controllers \| \| https://www.reflex-sim.net
{{rh}} \| Zephyr Drone Simulator \| Quadcopters/Drones \| US$139.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Mac \| Real Controllers \| \| https://www.zephyr-sim.com/
{{rh}} \| VelociDrone FPV Racing Simulator \| Quadcopters/Drones \| £16.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Mac, Linux \| Real Controllers \| 2020-09-10 (v1.17) \| https://www.velocidrone.com/
{{rh}} \| EreaDrone 2023 \| Quadcopters/Drones \| $24.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{no}} \| Windows \| Real Controllers, Game Controllers (Xbox, Logitech, etc) \| 2023-06-23 (v1) \| https://www.ereadrone.com/
{{rh}} \| FPV FreeRider \| Quadcopters/Drones \| US$4.99 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{yes}} \| Windows, Mac, Linux, Android \| USB Controllers \| 2019-02-05 \| https://itch.io/profile/fpv-freerider
{{rh}} \| Wings \| Model Planes \| US$36 \| {{proprietary}} \| {{No}} \| Windows, Linux \| Real Controllers, Xbox, PS4 \| 2023-09 (1.17) \| https://www.wings-sim.com
{{rh}} \| SIMNET \| Multicopter, Fixed-Wing and VTOL drones \| Subscription-based \| {{proprietary}} \| {{Yes}} \| Cross-Platform (Web-based) \| Real Controllers \| \| https://simnet.aero/

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:75%; width:80%; text-align:center;"

! Name

! Type of aircraft

! Price

! Software license

! Free Demo?

! Operating System

! Controller Type

! Last stable release (date)

! External Link

Srizfly Drone Simulator

!Model planes, Helicopters and Drones

!US$49

!Proprietary

!No

!Windows 10

!Included or controller

!https://srizfly.com/

{{rh}} | Absolute RC Simulator

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| iOS, Android, Windows phones and tablets

| On screen controls

| http://www.happybytesapps.com/

{{rh}} | Aerofly Professional Deluxe

| Model planes and helicopters

| US$300

| {{proprietary}}

| {{no}}

| Windows, Mac

| Included or controller

| http://www.aerofly.com/afpd/index.html

{{rh}} | Aerofly RC 7

| Model planes, Helicopters and Drones

| €40+

| {{proprietary}}

| {{no}}

| Windows, Mac

| Included or controller

|2015-08-27

| https://www.ikarus.net/en/aeroflyrc-7/rc7-features/

{{rh}} | Aerofly RC 8

| Model planes, Helicopters and Drones

| €99+

| {{proprietary}}

| {{no}}

| Windows, Mac

| Included or controller

| https://www.ikarus.net/en/rc8-features/

{{rh}} | AeroSIM RC

| Model planes, helicopters, multicopters

| €65

| {{proprietary|Hardware keyed}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controller

| 2019-02

| http://www.aerosimrc.com/

{{rh}} | AirSim

| Multicopters, cars, etc.

| {{free}}

| {{free|MIT License}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Linux

| 2020-04

| https://github.com/Microsoft/AirSim

{{rh}} | AccuRC RC Flight Simulator

| Model helicopters

| US$59

| {{proprietary|Hardware keyed}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controller

| http://www.accurc.com/

{{rh}} | Wings

| Wings and planes including FPV racing

| $36

| {{proprietary}}

| FPS check only

| Windows

| Any analog USB controller

| 2023-09 (1.17)

| https://www.wings-sim.com/index.php

{{rh}} | R/C Desk Pilot

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| {{free}}

| {{nonfree|Freeware}}

| n/a

| Windows

| Joystick

|2017-06

| http://www.rcdeskpilot.com/

{{rh}} | ClearView

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| US$40

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows,

| Joystick or Controller

| http://www.rcflightsim.com/

{{rh}} | CRRCsim

| Model Planes

| {{free}}

| {{free|GPL}}

| n/a

| Windows, Mac, Linux

| Joystick, Controllers

| 2018-07-04

| https://sourceforge.net/projects/crrcsim/

{{rh}} | CSM

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| UK£69.99

| {{proprietary}}

| n/a

| DOS, Windows

| Real Controllers

| 1998 (V10)

| https://web.archive.org/web/20050830000501/http://www.rcmodels.org/csm/csm_simulator.htm

{{rh}} | Dave Brown RCFS

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| US$150

| {{proprietary}}

| {{no}}

| Windows

| Joystick, Controllers

| https://web.archive.org/web/20060509083404/http://www.dbproducts.com/store/rcfs2001.htm

{{rh}} | Digital Aircraft Modeller

| Model Planes

| US$40

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Joystick, controllers

| http://www.digitalaircraftmodeler.com/

{{rh}} | Electric RC Sim

| Model planes, quadcopter

| US$1.99

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| iOS

| Touch screen controls

| http://jetstripes.com/games/electric-rc-sim/

{{rh}} | FlightGear

| Planes, helicopters, model planes. (Flight simulator, not RC)

| {{free}} Flightgear#Commercial redistribution

| {{free|GPL}}

| n/a

| Cross-platform

| Check categories: [http://wiki.flightgear.org/Category:Hardware hardware] (joystick) & [http://wiki.flightgear.org/Category:Radio-controlled_aircraft R/C].

| 2019-01-29

| http://www.flightgear.org/

{{rh}} | Flying Model Simulator

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| {{free}}

| {{nonfree|Freeware}}

| n/a

| Windows

| Joystick, controller adapters

| http://modelsimulator.com/

{{rh}} | FS One

| Model Planes

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controllers, USB Simulator Controllers

| 2022-09-06

| https://www.fsone.com

{{rh}} | Liftoff

| Drone Racing Quadcopters

| US$20

| {{nonfree|Steam profile linked}}

| {{no}}

| Windows, Mac, Linux

| Real controller, game controllers

| http://www.liftoff-game.com

{{rh}} | neXt - CGM RC Flight Simulator

| Helicopters, Model Planes, Multicopters and Drone Racing

| US$89.90

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Mac, Linux

| Real controller, game controllers

| 2019-12-23

| https://next-sim.cgm-online.com/rc-flight-simulator_e.html

{{rh}} | PhoenixSim

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| US$130–$175

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controller

| https://www.rc-thoughts.com/phoenix-sim/

{{rh}} | PicaSim

| Model planes

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, iOS, Android

| Joystick, Controllers, Touch

| http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim

{{rh}} | PRE-Flight

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| US$25–$45

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controller

| http://www.preflightsim.com/

{{rh}} | Great Planes RealFlight

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| US$200

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controller

| http://www.realflight.com/

{{rh}} | Mugi Sim

| Delta wing

| US$1

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch)

| Joystick, Controllers, Touch

| 2019-03-27

| https://baawolf.itch.io/mugi-sim

{{rh}} | Quadcopter FX Simulator

| Quadcopters

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Android, iOS

| Touchscreen, Joystick, Controller

| http://quadcopterfx.3dcreativeworld.com

{{rh}} | Slope Soaring Simulator

| Model planes

| {{free}}

| {{free|GPL}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Linux

| Joystick

| 2006-01-21

| http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/sss/

{{rh}} | HELI-X

| Model helicopters and planes

| {{nonfree|~€60}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}. Also version 0.9 is free

| Windows, Linux, Mac

| System Joystick, Real controllers

| 2020-07-01

| http://www.heli-x.net/

{{rh}} | Hover Here

| Model helicopters

| {{Free}}

| GPLv3

| n/a.

| Windows, Mac

| Real controller, game controllers

| 2022-08

| https://c.web.de/@949205153511112756/P_wvdHpRRLWNn-kKtXzr7g https://github.com/zulugithub/HoverHere

{{rh}} | X-Plane

| Just about anything

| US$30

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Linux, Mac

| System Joystick

| http://www.x-plane.com

{{rh}} | AlphaMacSoftware's RC Helicopter Simulator

| Helicopters

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Mac

| System Joystick, Real Controllers

| http://www.alphamacsoftware.com/index.php

{{rh}} | Ron's RC Flight Simulator

| Electric Foamy Model Planes

| {{free}}

| {{proprietary|Ad supported}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Mac, Linux, Android (Chrome or Firefox browsers only)

| Logitech and Xbox Gamepads, OculusVR

| 2013

| http://www.ostafichuk.com/rons-rc-sim/

{{rh}} | R/C Sim Sikorsky

| Helicopters

| €35

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Real Controllers

| http://home.zonnet.nl/blacksphere2/rcsim.html

{{rh}} | Reflex XTR2

| Model Planes and Helicopters

| €169

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows

| Real Controllers

| https://www.reflex-sim.net

{{rh}} | Zephyr Drone Simulator

| Quadcopters/Drones

| US$139.99

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Mac

| Real Controllers

| https://www.zephyr-sim.com/

{{rh}} | VelociDrone FPV Racing Simulator

| Quadcopters/Drones

| £16.99

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Mac, Linux

| Real Controllers

| 2020-09-10 (v1.17)

| https://www.velocidrone.com/

{{rh}} | EreaDrone 2023

| Quadcopters/Drones

| $24.99

| {{proprietary}}

| {{no}}

| Windows

| Real Controllers, Game Controllers (Xbox, Logitech, etc)

| 2023-06-23 (v1)

| https://www.ereadrone.com/

{{rh}} | FPV FreeRider

| Quadcopters/Drones

| US$4.99

| {{proprietary}}

| {{yes}}

| Windows, Mac, Linux, Android

| USB Controllers

| 2019-02-05

| https://itch.io/profile/fpv-freerider

{{rh}} | Wings

| Model Planes

| US$36

| {{proprietary}}

| {{No}}

| Windows, Linux

| Real Controllers, Xbox, PS4

| 2023-09 (1.17)

| https://www.wings-sim.com

{{rh}} | SIMNET

| Multicopter, Fixed-Wing and VTOL drones

| Subscription-based

| {{proprietary}}

| {{Yes}}

| Cross-Platform (Web-based)

| Real Controllers

| https://simnet.aero/

References

External links

[https://rc-sim.de/ Forum - RC-Sim.de, the RC-Simulation Server]

Category:Radio-controlled aircraft