RealFlight 9.5S RC Simulator

Fly virtually at AMA’s flying site

By Jay Smith | [email protected] Photos by the author

Flying at Site 3 at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center is a blast. Smoke effects are well done in the simulator but seemingly disappear when they reach the runway.

If you are unfamiliar with Steam, it is a video game digital distribution service. You can purchase RealFlight directly from the Steam store and download it. If you purchase the edition that includes the Spektrum InterLink transmitter, you will find a card inside the box with your activation key. You can then create a Steam account online (if you don’t already have one) and download and install the game.

The good news with this change is that some modern PCs no longer have an optical drive (CD or DVD ROM), so that won’t be an issue. Also, if you upgrade your computer or lose your files, you simply log into your Steam account and you can redownload all of your games. Additionally, you have access to the digital content on the day of release and will receive any product updates going forward.

How long it takes to download RealFlight depends on the speed of your internet. In my case, I downloaded the game in 9 minutes. After RealFlight has been downloaded and installed, which no longer requires registering the game or the transmitter, you simply need to calibrate the transmitter and it is time to start flying.

You’ll find yourself starting at Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois, with a Habu jet, awaiting your command on the runway. If the field looks familiar, it is because this is the field where Horizon Hobby evaluates its aircraft, shoots product videos, and holds the Horizon RC Fest.

At this point, you have many choices. If jets aren’t your thing, simply select one of the more than 175 aircraft to fly, including airplanes, helicopters, and drones. If you want a change of scenery, you can choose from more than 40 flying sites.

At a Glance

Specifications

Specifications

Price: $69.99 to $199.99

System Requirements

Minimum recommended system (some graphical features might be disabled; aerodynamic calculations will remain high quality):
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11

Intel Pentium 1.0 GHz or equivalent 512 MB RAM

10 GB hard drive space
3D-accelerated video with: 32 MB dedicated video memory Fully DirectX 9 compliant (Shader Model 2.0 or better)
Internet connection required to download the Steam and RealFlight 9.5S software
Spektrum InterLink DX Simulator Controller; a Spektrum wireless simulator dongle plus a compatible DSM2/DSMX-equipped transmitter; a RealFlight-compatible controller, or another compatible gamepad/joystick

Plus

Pluses

More than 175 aircraft, including airplanes, helicopters, drones, and more.
40-plus flying sites, including 3D fields and PhotoFields.
Excellent physics with SAFE and AS3X incorporated.
Compatible with VR headsets, including the Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE.
A simple, intuitive interface.

ManufacturerDistributor

Manufacturer/Distributor

Horizon Hobby

(888) 959-2307

www.horizonhobby.com

www.realflight.com

For Best Graphical Performance

Dual Core 2.4 GHz CPU
2 GB RAM
3D-accelerated video with 512 MB dedicated video memory

Multiplayer Requirements

Broadband internet connection
Computer microphone for voice chat

VR Requirements

Compatible with some VR sets (available separately). Check manufacturer’s requirements for VR system use.
Works with both the Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE VR headsets

InterLink DX Controller Requirements

USB port
Compatible FM or FM-selectable transmitter (if using the interface mode)

(The latest version of RealFlight, 9.5S, has switched to digital distribution via Steam. This means that you will no longer find a disc in the box but instead will download the game. Those who play PC games will likely be familiar with Steam. The author has roughly two dozen games in his Steam account.)

RealFlight offers several options when it comes to the actual flying, beyond the starting point when you launch the program. If you want to take a break from flying your aircraft of choice at the flying site you selected, you can choose a scenario such as aerotow, junkyard, grappling, and a day at the races, to name a few that I enjoy. You also have challenges such as balloon busting, FPV drone racing, and limbo. The challenges require the pilot to start out with easier tasks and pass them in order to unlock the harder ones.

On the training side, you have access to Flight Training, Heli Hover Training, Heli Autorotation Training, Heli Orientation Training, and the Airplane Hover Trainer.

For training, the simulator can help your flying a great deal. It is perfect for learning a difficult maneuver or trying out another model to determine whether you are ready for it. However, it is important to try and keep from learning bad habits while having fun flying. When I fly using the simulator, I try to stick to the fundamentals, no matter whether it is open flying or the gamelike challenges.

RealFlight supports Virtual Reality (VR). Through the use of a headset, VR provides a computer-generated simulation of a 3D image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real way.

What does that mean? By donning one of the supported headsets, you are basically transported to the flying field, and all of the surroundings that are seen in your headset are at the airport you selected. Turn around and you will see what is behind you, such as the pit area or clubhouse. Look down and see the ground, or look up into the sky. When you are flying your RC aircraft, you will be tracking it with your head just like actual flying.

The headset also has built-in headphones and provides positional audio. When I started my first flight experience in VR using an Oculus Rift, my airplane was idling approximately 5 feet to my left and I knew it was there by the sound. I had to turn my head to the left to see it. As I taxied out for takeoff, I nearly had the urge to call out my takeoff.

The VR fun doesn’t stop there. You can also put yourself into the cockpit of aircraft, such as a Russian Thunder (Yak 54), and look around as though you were in the full-scale aircraft. From the cockpit view while in flight, you can look out over the wing or out of the upper part of the cockpit and see where you are headed.

Multiplayer is another exciting component. Joining friends online and flying together really helps on days when you can’t get to the field. I find that when I fly with others, we push our skills, such as when we held a hovering contest.

A flight simulator is a good investment and likely less expensive than losing a single aircraft. If you don’t need a USB transmitter, RealFlight 9.5S can be purchased directly from Steam for $69.99! With all of that stated, I’m going back to flying in RealFlight and try to improve my limbo skills!

Balloon busting is one of several fun, gamelike challenges.

Soaring is a relaxing way to fly. Aerotow is fun and great practice before trying the real thing for the first time. Keep that wing level during the tow!

Causing failures to happen to the aircraft can make for some interesting flying, as seen on this Albatros. As Jim Bourke found out when he actually lost a wing half on the flying field, this type of practice on the RealFlight simulator could save your model aircraft.