Customer Reviews

Great Planes Real Flight Basic Flight Simulator Mode 2

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This radio control model airplane flight simulator should not be confused with a video game or video toy, if there is such a thing. It is instead a high fidelity flight simulator designed to expose novices and wannabees to radio control flight without having to buy a real airplane and accessories. While good quality radio control models are not for the faint of heart or pocketbook, the RealFlight sim costs only about $100 and when you crash any of the dozens of RealFlight models, it costs you nothing more than the push of a button to get back into the air. The sim comes with a faux transmitter with proper controls and functions that plugs into a USB port on your computer. The models, photo-realistic flying fields and such are loaded via a single CD. Instructions are scarce, so it may take a while to learn all the controls if you are unfamiliar with RC modeling. All but one or two of the airplanes and helicopters included in the sim are actual RC models available from any reputable hobby shop. They perform, fly and sound in the sim exactly as they do in real life. Even the inevitable crashes are accompanied by very realistic and satisfying sound effects. While the sim is a learning tool for RC pilots, it is also good, clean fun and a great stress reliever. There are no points to earn, no aliens to shoot, no riddles to solve and there really is no endgame, but the very real satisfaction you feel after bringing your model back from a flight for a perfect landing is more than a fair exchange. I'd recommend this sim for anybody old enough to understand how to use the transmitter controls. I'm 60 years old, BTW, have been flying models and the real stuff most of my life, and I love it. I try to fly a couple of different airplanes very day.

For somebody who's never flown an rc plane, a simulator is a must. Remember, the military and civilian pilots all learn on a simulator before flying the real thing. Even tanks have simulators! A simulator should be mandatory, because you will crash, guaranteed, and that first plane often becomes the last that anybody will buy. Flying an rc plane is very difficult. Just because you might know how to drive an rc car, it's nothing compared to flying an rc plane. It's 1000 times more difficult. This simulator will show you how hard it is. You will crash the plane at least a thousand times before you get a reasonable idea of how to fly a plane. You should fly this simulator for at least a month before buying even the most basic and cheapest flying model. Another reason why you should learn first from a simulator, is because a flying plane is dangerous when it hits somebody or some property. A flying plane going very fast is dangerous. All these recommendations aside, I will tell you just how nice this simulator is.

It's very realistic, and each plane's characteristics in real life are in the "sim" version. The graphic realism seems to be a tad better than G5, because this Basic runs with less programming. Since this is a basic simulator, you will wish you had more planes to choose from. The more advance simulators; the G2 and up to G5, are capable of having you download other planes to fly. I wish this basic sim had more basic planes, like the Sky Fly Mac and the micros from Parkzone, Flyzone, and Parkflyer. One big thing you don't get in Basic is the wind. But that's okay, because beginners should fly with no wind. G5 has the wind and turbulence that you can vary.

If you only have a hundred dollars to spend, this is the sim for you. The generation 5.5 is preferable, but it's double the price. I think either one is worth it for the amount of real crashes it's had you avoid. Crashing is part of learning. Even experts will crash, and a simulator puts less damage to your wallet.

I bought this for my husband who wants to get into RC helicopter flying. He gets on his computer and flys and laughs most evenings. He has flown RC planes before and says that the program is just like flying a plane. I can only assume that the helicopter portion is as good. I'm thankful for the program because he gets to practice without having to pay the money to repair or buy and helicopter. Great job!

I found this item to be very useful before heading out to the flying field. The graphics are sharp and clear and you get a choice of over 30 aircraft including trainers, warplanes, an airliner, copters. You also get a choice of several flying fields. The split scree image is a very useful item in that it allows you to see your craft close-up when you are in flight and the plane/copter is off in the distance. You can make close-up corrections that are the same as the plane in flight. It is very smooth and easy to operate. It is very sensitive however as you are limited to the size of your computer screen so turns are fast and you have to have a very light touch. This is probably good in that the actual flying is wide open and not nearly so sensitive but you do have to contend with wind conditions. Overall it is a VG flight sim. They have one installed (same kind) at the museum in Osh Kosh and many hobby stores as well.

Received this for a Christmas gift from my wife. Installed easily on my Windows 7 Ultimate laptop (a multimedia laptop - HP DV7-3057nr). Graphics are great & this will give me the opportunity to learn how to fly various models without costing myself a fortune in repairs. Have been working on flying R/C heli's and calm winds were few & far between for the outdoor machines.

Excellent product for flight simulation. My grandson thought this was the best Christmas present. Very realistic and detailed.

Excellent RC Flight Simulator! Works great and is a lot of fun.

Graphics are very realistic and I feel very confident about taking

my first RC flight in the field.

I give this product a high score. I had been away from flying RC for over 40 years and the stark realism of this simulator is outstanding. I am using it to rehone my skills in a spectacular manner.Great Planes Real Flight Basic Flight Simulator Mode 2

Product has no instructions or poor to say the least in the box! The product web site does not have any useful instructions. Otherwise great graphics and fun to use. Learn on your own.

I've definitly saved money by crashing these planes vs the real deals. I have never have RC planes before, so I read the reviews about simulators and choose this one to get started. Easy to install, but the irony of this program is that it is set up for beginners to learn, but does not come with any instructions on how the controller works or what the various switches do. Most of the controls are simply to learn, but I had to contact customer service to get a drawing which labeled the various controls with their function. You appartently have to buy an upgrade to get a manual, which seems kind of weak to me. Good luck if you want to fly a helicopter! All that said it is still fun to use and I will work my way through the learning curve. Hope this helps someone!