Phoenix R/C Pro Simulator Version 3.0 with DX5e

I bought this product after (unfortunately) buying my first RC plane. I had a total flight time of about 25 seconds, while the plane hopped around the sky completely out of control, and took a nose-dive into the ground, destroying everything but the transmitter!This product came recommended by a local hobby shop. I didn't listen at first...after all...I have played SEVERAL flight sim games, with quit a bit of proficiency. Why would I need this?!? After the crash, I quickly realized why. Crashing in-game costs nothing. Crashing in real life can get expensive quickly.I have logged 40+ hours on this trainer and have gone from not having any control over the plane to being able to do some basic "acrobatic" techniques. Landing now comes second nature, which was a serious problem for me when I first started the trainer. I have even ventured into the helicopter models (which I have no intention of ever flying, but it was nice to get to mess around with them).The scenery is nice and can be changed to a variety of locations, from realistic (typical flight field) to some you would be less likely to experience (Stonehenge). There are both land and water locations for practice if you have a sea plane. It's also nice that there are many bi-planes, warbirds, jets, lots of helicopter varieties, and even some gliders. There are also several models available on the website that don't automatically come with the software. You can even submit your own model that isn't included in the game!The physics on the planes is definitely different from plane to plane so that you get a more realistic feel for how each model would fly. They don't have the model that I purchased (Dynam P51 Mustang), so I can't say how the sim compares to the actual model, but flying a bi-plane is definitely different than flying the jets or gliders. You can also customize several things about the models, relating to sensitivity of the controls. My real transmitter has a dial on it for increasing the sensitivity, so it's nice to be able to do the same in the sim. You can also add weather elements (wind, rain, etc) and failure scenarios (rudder failure, dead battery, etc - with detail such as "x" amount of time into the flight or under "x" conditions).The transmitter on the sim is pretty close to my real one. There are several adapters that will allow you to use your actual transmitter rather than having to buy the one that comes with the sim (makes the cost higher), but I couldn't find one that fits my transmitter, so check before you decide to purchase with or without the Spektrum Tx control.One thing that would be nice to add as a feature to this product is a view of the flight from the plane, simulating an on-board camera. I am sure there is a lot of work that would need to go into that, but would be a nice added feature. There is an option to record your flight, but it's from the perspective you have during the flight, which is 1st person, on the ground with the Tx.Overall, great software. I haven't ponied up the money to get my replacement plane just yet. I want to get a little more comfortable with the model closest to what I had (and intend on using again). But I will definitely be more confident when I do make the purchase and am ready to fly.I would definitely recommend this product to someone who is considering RC flying. If you think it won't be worth the money, read some of the other reviews and learn from my $150 mistake. This sim is not cheap, but definitely cheaper to buy this than to crash several planes and give up on the hobby!

I was surprised at how good the graphics were. I was stunned to be "gaming" in minutes on stunning sites with other practicing pilots around the world.1) Great installation process.2) Simple to do most of the set-up.3) Fairly intuitive platform.I have two areas of disappointment:I purchased a blade mcp x and grashed it so many times within an hour of flying that I wanted to learn more. When I practice it on here it is SO EASY to fly. My impression is that it is easier to fly things on this platform by a factor of two to three times than it is in real life. Nor is it entirely realistic. In the one area that the simulator crashes easily: on the actual version I fly I can tip over without taking off and it does not damage the props at all. In the simulated version the props all fly into different pieces the instant any of them touch the ground.I cannot seem to get it to simulate looking OUT of the plane from pilots view.The other issue I have is that when adjusting the controls of the transmitter they adjustment screen BLOCKS the view of the plane so I can't see what change to make or if it is having the desirable affect. It asks me which things I want to set up for "channel 2" for example. But it does not visually show what channel two is OR what "elevator, aileron" etc. is which is two things I have to remember/guess while not being able to see the plane. As a result I spent a confusing 15 minutes setting up my transmitter rather than an EASY two minutes. This would make a huge difference for me as a new pilot. Since this is a TRAINING program treat me as a novice - don't just ask me questions I don't yet know the answer to without easy help.It is better than expected by far on the entertainment side. I suspect it will be possible with weather adjustments to get it to be effective on the practice/education side.

This is kind of a toy, but really it's an Remote Control simulator. You can fly fixed-wing, helicopters, and a few interesting crafts (e.g. gyro-copter). You can do some pretty involved model editing in a "simple" mode and "detailed" mode. The simple mode basically unlocks the full responsiveness of the model, increasing the maneuvers you can do and the probability that you'll over-correct and crash :3 But hey, that's why you're flying digital models, amirite? The "detailed" mode allows you change more complicated specifications such as the wing profile and wing root, amount of fuselage lift, etc.As for the models that are currently available, there are ALOT. And the engine characteristics between gas, electric, and turbine are also present (i.e. the slow throttle response of turbine and the quick throttle response of electric). You can also go to the website and request that they include a model.Additionally, this product includes an "fpv" mode of flight (as well as the obvious "fixed position on the ground" view), which is handy if you'd like to practice for fpv flight.Phoenix does include some weak-sauce contest things, which are almost not worth doing. However, there is a rudimentary online multiplayer as well as the TUTORIALS. The tutorials are absolutely fantastic; they're very informative. Here is where Phoenix really shines as a simulator, but not so much a game. The fun of this product is had through learning, practicing, and mastering complicated aerial maneuvers, not by flying through rings.Finally, the price is ok as well, considering that you get a legit controller (Spektrum DX5e) that easily plugs into Windows 7 to be used in Phoenix AND can be used to control real-life models.All in all, this is an awesome product for people of all ages, as it will help adults break into a hobby as well as help children develop their spatial abilities.