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DJI has just released the Mavic Air 2. See all of the specs here.

The radio control flying hobby is a fast moving one, and nothing stays still for very long. RC flight simulator manufacturers are regularly releasing updates of their sims, whether it's releasing new aircraft or flying sites, or complete newer versions of the sim. X-Plane 10 for Mac X-Plane is the most powerful and accurate flight simulator available for personal computers, but it doesn’t just run on Windows; the version of X-Plane sold here at X-Plane.com runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. In fact, X-Plane is developed primarily on Macs. In the past, we’ve called the Mac our secret weapon. I would vote for X-Plane 11, just in full release. It has the most realistic flight model, and the new features in scenery (autogen based on osm maps) and textures are a big improvement over X-Plane 10. FlightGear Realistic Flight Simulator 2020 Plane & Helicopter Sim Premium DELUXE Edition Flight Gear Incl 600+ Aircraft DVD CD Discs for Microsoft Windows 10 8 7 Vista PC & Mac OS X.

The RC flight simulator experience is the next best thing to being in the actual pilot’s seat. Sims have always been exhilarating, but nothing compares to the training systems of today. The modern ones offer flight training for a variety of aircraft. They can include planes, helicopters, gliders, drones, and any other bird. Simulators can also have different environments and outstanding graphics to boot.

RC Simulator on mac OSX.

Anyone can enjoy the experience of a flight simulator, even those who don’t fly RC models. Here’s a quick breakdown of what these realistic pilot practice systems are:

Powerful software programs loaded onto a computer
Includes a radio controller of some description
Train RC pilots before they take to the flying field
Help experienced RC pilots to develop new skills safely
Fun for family and friends who don’t even fly RC planes

The Real Benefit of an RC Pilot Simulator

Radio-controlled flight simulators are a fun and practical way to train. Newbie pilots experience more crashes than skilled users. Sometimes the damage is only cosmetic. Other times an accident grounds the craft until the user replaces a broken part. Then there are those pilots who write their models off in one hit—ouch! That can be upsetting and costly.

Going to flight school from the comfort of your home reduces the risk of accidents outdoors. That’s the point. A quality program puts you in the virtual pilot’s seat in preparation for those maiden flights.

Restricted Choice Is a Good Thing

There’s little choice out there when it comes to quality RC flight simulators. That’s a good thing. It means you won’t become overwhelmed with options or confused by offers and features. There used to be two worthy contenders, i.e., RealFlight and Phoenix. Unfortunately, Phoenix is no longer available. I’m not sure why because it was also an excellent and popular product among RC’ers.

The good news is that RealFlight is a world leader and their products are better than anything else. These programs don’t become defunct once you learn the flying basics either. You may want to look at helicopters later or learn how to fly gliders, etc. It’s also there when you want to develop new skills like fancy aerobatic and 3D routines. You get the idea.

There are a few other options though most are not in the same league as RealFlight. Some of them are free and certainly worth a look. You can read about them further down the page.

It’s Not a Game

It’s a big mistake when users of RC simulators treat the experience like a game. Yes, it’s fun, but its primary purpose is a pilot’s training tool. Try to keep things real and imagine the aircraft you’re flying is the actual model. You don’t want to become casual or pick up any bad habits that could transfer to your local flying field. Your simulator will become an invalid tool if you treat it as such.

The Learning Curve

Not all RC models are equal. Aircraft comes in different designs, sizes, aerodynamics, power systems, and abilities. Some models are easy to pilot out of the box, even for kids. But they also have restricted flight envelopes and pretty much fly themselves. Such models soon become boring as well. The real thrill of the flight is to take control and manipulate the bird to do what you want it to do.

The biggest challenge for new RC pilots is to learn hand-to-eye coordination. The brain should know what to do whatever the orientation is of the aircraft. That’s where the RC simulator comes into its own. You’ll appreciate that once you take those newfound skills to the flying field. Also, your aircraft simulator is always there to help maintain those skills or develop new ones.

Available RC Flight Simulators

The first part of this section looks at the flight simulator options from RealFlight. After those there a few alternatives including free options or those with free trials. These overviews will help you become familiar with the standard terms and simulator features.

RealFlight RF8 (Horizon Hobby Edition) w/ Interlink-X Controller

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The true-to-life physics of the RealFlight RF8 bring unbelievable realism to your world. Software like this helps to install confidence in pilots who may not otherwise fly. Skilled users also love it as a tool to continually improve their flying skills. This package is the Horizon Hobby version with an Interlink-X Controller. It has lots of extra features including 12+ new aircraft from the favorite brands.

The interface is clean and intuitive. Trainee pilots can choose from 150 different types of aircraft including drones and helis. The program has more than 40 flying sites to keep flights interesting. Furthermore, users can edit models and journeys to match their needs and expectations.

Cons: A few users have reported issues running the software on Windows 10. Check the company has resolved any issues before you decide to buy if you use Win10.

RealFlight RF8 (Horizon Hobby Edition) Software Only

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

This is the same program as the one above but without the interlink-X Controller. Not everybody needs or wants the included controller, though. The saving is around 80 dollars at the time of writing.

RealFlight RF8 (Horizon Hobby) Edition Add-On

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

This handy add-on is for existing Owners of RealFlight 8 earlier version. It’s convenient because it means pilots who want the extra features don’t need to invest in new software. The add-on includes over 12 additional aircraft from HobbyZone, E-flite, ParkZone, Blade helis, Hangar 9, and FMS.

Kingzer New 6-Channel USB 3D RC Airplane, Heli Flight Simulator

Editor’s Rating: 3.9/5

Consider the Kingzer USB 3D RC flight simulator if you only want to experiment. It’s an affordable introduction to sims and connects to a PC via a USB port. It’s restricted, but better than nothing.

DYNAM 6-Channel FMS USB RC Flight Simulator Software

Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

Dynam 6CH is a little-known FMS USB RC Flight Simulator and not one I’ve tried. It doesn’t cost much yet seems to boast a few unique features. It comes with assembly sticks that use double bearings. That suggests they stay in place after long-time use. I like that fact that it’s a USB setup too. All you do is plug the controller into the computer’s USB port to play (no batteries needed).

Lutema Heligram RC 2.4GHz Flight Simulator for Helicopters

Editor’s Rating: 3.8/5

This is the Lutema 2.4GHz Heligram Flight Simulator. It’s for helicopter practice and comes with LED SkyText Technology. It’s a fun product to use and lets pilots display custom messages on the blades which is a bit gimmicky. There’s a virtual flight range of 100 ft. (30 M). The controller allows pilots to maneuver in all directions. Simulations include dual speed, gyro stabilization, and in-flight sounds.

Absolute RC Simulator App (Free to Use)

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Best Rc Flight Simulator For Mac Os X