<p>I've enjoyed the Great Planes RealFlight simulator for a number of years. It has lasted well and I like the included transmitter controller. It is not free nor cheap, but it will save you a lot more in RC models that you can bring home from the flying field ready to fly again (i.e. it will save you many crashes).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T07:53:42.080Z
I'll add that while the free sims are good enough to learn the basics, you're likely to spend more time on a commercial sim because of the extra graphics quality, wide range of models and game-like features (like obstacle courses). And Real Flight is pretty much the only option now that Phoenix has gone.
Robin Bennett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-04T22:17:55.507Z
2020-08-04T22:17:55.507Z
user3818628
<p>Most people start in 'chase plane' mode, where the virtual camera follows the model. This lets you get a feel for the controls. Once you've got the basics, switch to a camera on the ground because the vital skill to learn is thinking of the control directions relative to the plane and not your view. The most common beginner mistake is to steer the wrong way when the plane is flying towards them, so practice this until steering the right way feels natural to you.</p>
<p>Your first challenge is just keeping the plane in the air and within sight. If you find this hard, pick a large, high-wing trainer plane, and reduce the simulation speed. Many sims have a 'zoom' function that helps when the plane is far away. Don't get too used to artificial aids like this though, turn them off as soon as you can manage without them because they won't be there in real life!</p>
<p>Then learn to land. Learn where the plane needs to be to glide in to the runway, and when to pull the nose up (flare) to touch down gently.</p>
<p>When you can land, turn on some wind to make it more realistic. Try a wide range of models to learn their differences. Practice flying an out-of-trim model because almost all models will be out of trim on their first flight, and you can even turn up the simulation speed to simulate how nervous you will be on your first real flight.</p>
<p>When you can do that, I suggest downloading the <a href="https://achievements.bmfa.uk/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BMFA's achievement scheme notes</a> (look in the Downloads menu) or similar for another country. Having a syllabus will give you a set of targets, so you learn the basics before moving on to aerobatics, and there's a lot of guidance on how to do everything.</p>
<p>Now for the opinion bit: I suggest trying a few free simulators, then downloading the demo version of Real Flight to see if the extra features are worthwhile. Free simulators are perfectly adequate for learning to fly but the extra graphics quality, models and game modes are more likely to keep you coming back to a commercial sim.</p>
<p>I also suggest buying a small toy quadcopter/drone that can be flown indoors. That will teach you fine stick control and you can learn to avoid control-reversal when the model is flying towards you. It will also teach you the one thing sims are bad at - flying carefully so you aren't crashing all the time!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T08:54:24.580Z
By "small toy drone", do you mean a small fixed-wing plane? Wouldn't that need a lot of indoor space to be able to fly without crashing into walls?
Flux
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T09:15:30.630Z
@Flux - sorry, I meant a quadcopter. You're right that even the smallest fixed wing toys need at least as much space as a squash or badminton court. I've amended my answer.
Robin Bennett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T08:38:33.730Z
2020-08-05T09:10:02.350Z
2020-08-05T09:10:02.350Z
Robin Bennett
<p>My go-to simulator is the free CurryKitten FPV Sim, but I’m biased as I helped with the asset design.</p>
<p>Another good option is RC Plane 3 on Steam, and it’s also free!</p>
<p>To control it, it’s recommended you get a hobby-grade transmitter. Most of these can simply plug into the computer and function as a joystick, though depending on the program you use you may have to map the axes.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T07:45:36.913Z
Why buy an actual transmitter if you're only using it for a sim? The USB-only simulator transmitters cost about a quarter as much, feel the same and don't have a battery to charge.
Robin Bennett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-05T08:49:41.757Z
@RobinBennett I suggested a real transmitter as the OP mentioned they only wanted to be using a sim for now, with the intention on eventually moving over to real model.
Drones and Whatnot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-01T23:40:54.023Z
2020-08-01T23:40:54.023Z
Drones and Whatnot
<p>I intend to learn how to fly RC fixed-wing planes (I have previously worked on semi-autonomous aircraft, but had never learned how to fly RC planes). However, I currently live in a small place where there are no suitable places for flying planes (due to population density, lack of facilities, and laws). There are no &quot;empty places&quot; in the entire country. For now, I will be satisfied with flying in a simulator, leaving real-life practice for the future. I don't mind buying the RC remote control. What kind of simulator should I get? Is there any criteria I should use to find a suitable simulator for fixed-wing RC aircraft?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-31T04:08:52.017Z
Could you specify a little more about what you're looking for in a simulator? This question currently falls too close to inviting highly opinionated answers, IMO, and some more details about what you'd like would help address that. *e.g. planes only or planes and multirotors?, compatability with a specific controller?, etc*
ifconfig
<fixed-wing><simulators>
How can I learn to fly RC planes using a simulator?
Flux
# How can I learn to fly RC planes using a simulator?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-07-31)

I intend to learn how to fly RC fixed-wing planes (I have previously worked on semi-autonomous aircraft, but had never learned how to fly RC planes). However, I currently live in a small place where there are no suitable places for flying planes (due to population density, lack of facilities, and laws). There are no "empty places" in the entire country. For now, I will be satisfied with flying in a simulator, leaving real-life practice for the future. I don't mind buying the RC remote control. What kind of simulator should I get? Is there any criteria I should use to find a suitable simulator for fixed-wing RC aircraft?

**Tags:** fixed-wing, simulators
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you specify a little more about what you're looking for in a simulator? This question currently falls too close to inviting highly opinionated answers, IMO, and some more details about what you'd like would help address that. *e.g. planes only or planes and multirotors?, compatability with a specific controller?, etc*  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-08-04. Score: 3

I've enjoyed the Great Planes RealFlight simulator for a number of years. It has lasted well and I like the included transmitter controller. It is not free nor cheap, but it will save you a lot more in RC models that you can bring home from the flying field ready to fly again (i.e. it will save you many crashes).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I'll add that while the free sims are good enough to learn the basics, you're likely to spend more time on a commercial sim because of the extra graphics quality, wide range of models and game-like features (like obstacle courses). And Real Flight is pretty much the only option now that Phoenix has gone.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-08-05. Score: 2

Most people start in 'chase plane' mode, where the virtual camera follows the model. This lets you get a feel for the controls. Once you've got the basics, switch to a camera on the ground because the vital skill to learn is thinking of the control directions relative to the plane and not your view. The most common beginner mistake is to steer the wrong way when the plane is flying towards them, so practice this until steering the right way feels natural to you.

Your first challenge is just keeping the plane in the air and within sight. If you find this hard, pick a large, high-wing trainer plane, and reduce the simulation speed. Many sims have a 'zoom' function that helps when the plane is far away. Don't get too used to artificial aids like this though, turn them off as soon as you can manage without them because they won't be there in real life!

Then learn to land. Learn where the plane needs to be to glide in to the runway, and when to pull the nose up (flare) to touch down gently.

When you can land, turn on some wind to make it more realistic. Try a wide range of models to learn their differences. Practice flying an out-of-trim model because almost all models will be out of trim on their first flight, and you can even turn up the simulation speed to simulate how nervous you will be on your first real flight.

When you can do that, I suggest downloading the [BMFA's achievement scheme notes](https://achievements.bmfa.uk/) (look in the Downloads menu) or similar for another country. Having a syllabus will give you a set of targets, so you learn the basics before moving on to aerobatics, and there's a lot of guidance on how to do everything.

Now for the opinion bit: I suggest trying a few free simulators, then downloading the demo version of Real Flight to see if the extra features are worthwhile. Free simulators are perfectly adequate for learning to fly but the extra graphics quality, models and game modes are more likely to keep you coming back to a commercial sim.

I also suggest buying a small toy quadcopter/drone that can be flown indoors. That will teach you fine stick control and you can learn to avoid control-reversal when the model is flying towards you. It will also teach you the one thing sims are bad at - flying carefully so you aren't crashing all the time!

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: By "small toy drone", do you mean a small fixed-wing plane? Wouldn't that need a lot of indoor space to be able to fly without crashing into walls?  
> **username_3**: @Flux - sorry, I meant a quadcopter. You're right that even the smallest fixed wing toys need at least as much space as a squash or badminton court. I've amended my answer.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2020-08-01. Score: 2

My go-to simulator is the free CurryKitten FPV Sim, but I’m biased as I helped with the asset design.

Another good option is RC Plane 3 on Steam, and it’s also free!

To control it, it’s recommended you get a hobby-grade transmitter. Most of these can simply plug into the computer and function as a joystick, though depending on the program you use you may have to map the axes.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Why buy an actual transmitter if you're only using it for a sim? The USB-only simulator transmitters cost about a quarter as much, feel the same and don't have a battery to charge.  
> **username_4**: @RobinBennett I suggested a real transmitter as the OP mentioned they only wanted to be using a sim for now, with the intention on eventually moving over to real model.  

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