Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for RealFlight 7.5
Custom flying field of the HHAMS Aerodrome created for Phoenix RC

An RC flight simulator is a computer program that allows pilots of radio-controlled aircraft to practice on a computer, without the risk and expense of damaging a real model. Besides the obvious use of training beginners, they are also used for practising new aerobatics, evaluating a model before buying it, and to allow flight practice when conditions are otherwise unsuitable. Most simulators allow the use of real R/C transmitters to control the sim.

There are a number of commercial packages available, such as Eiperle CGM's neXt - RC Flight Simulator, SVK Systems' ClearView, Knife Edge Software's RealFlight, IPACS' AeroFly and Trasna Technology's AccuRC. There are also a number of free simulators, with being the most well known and most feature rich.

Most simulators allow the importing of add-ons such as new models and landscapes. There are many web sites dedicated to offering free content like this.

Some of these simulators are dedicated to R/C flight, while others are generic simulators that can simulate both full-scale and R/C flight.

Feature Comparison

NameType of aircraftPriceSoftware licenseFree Demo?Operating SystemController TypeLast stable release (date)External Link
Absolute RC SimulatorModel Planes and HelicoptersFreeProprietaryYesiOS, Android, Windows phones and tabletsOn screen controls
Aerofly Professional DeluxeModel planes and helicoptersUS$300ProprietaryNoWindows, MacIncluded or controller2015-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
Aerofly RC 7Model planes, Helicopters and Drones€40+ProprietaryNoWindows, MacIncluded or controller2015-08-27
Aerofly RC 8Model planes, Helicopters and Drones€99+ProprietaryNoWindows, MacIncluded or controller
AeroSIM RCModel planes, helicopters, multicopters€65Hardware keyedYesWindowsReal Controller2019-02
AirSimMulticopters, cars, etc.FreeMIT LicenseYesWindows, Linux2020-04
AccuRC RC Flight SimulatorModel helicoptersUS$59Hardware keyedYesWindowsReal Controller2015-02-14 at the Wayback Machine
WingsWings and planes including FPV racing$36ProprietaryFPS check onlyWindowsAny analog USB controller2023-09 (1.17)
R/C Desk PilotModel Planes and HelicoptersFreeFreewaren/aWindowsJoystick2017-06
ClearViewModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$40ProprietaryYesWindows,Joystick or Controller
CRRCsimModel PlanesFreeGPLn/aWindows, Mac, LinuxJoystick, Controllers2018-07-04
CSMModel Planes and HelicoptersUK£69.99Proprietaryn/aDOS, WindowsReal Controllers1998 (V10)
Dave Brown RCFSModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$150ProprietaryNoWindowsJoystick, Controllers
Digital Aircraft ModellerModel PlanesUS$40ProprietaryYesWindowsJoystick, controllers
Electric RC SimModel planes, quadcopterUS$1.99ProprietaryYesiOSTouch screen controls
FlightGearPlanes, helicopters, model planes. (Flight simulator, not RC)Free Flightgear#Commercial redistributionGPLn/aCross-platformCheck categories: (joystick) & .2019-01-29
Flying Model SimulatorModel Planes and HelicoptersFreeFreewaren/aWindowsJoystick, controller adapters
FS OneModel PlanesFreeProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controllers, USB Simulator Controllers2022-09-06
SeligSIM (FS One)Model PlanesFreeProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controllers, USB Simulator Controllers2025-03-25
LiftoffDrone Racing QuadcoptersUS$20Steam profile linkedNoWindows, Mac, LinuxReal controller, game controllers
neXt - CGM RC Flight SimulatorHelicopters, Model Planes, Multicopters and Drone RacingUS$89.90ProprietaryYesWindows, Mac, LinuxReal controller, game controllers2019-12-23
PhoenixSimModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$130–$175ProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controller
PicaSimModel planesFreeProprietaryYesWindows, iOS, AndroidJoystick, Controllers, Touch
PRE-FlightModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$25–$45ProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controller
Great Planes RealFlightModel Planes and HelicoptersUS$200ProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controller
Mugi SimDelta wingUS$1ProprietaryYesWindows, iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch)Joystick, Controllers, Touch2019-03-27
Quadcopter FX SimulatorQuadcoptersFreeProprietaryYesAndroid, iOSTouchscreen, Joystick, Controller
Slope Soaring SimulatorModel planesFreeGPLYesWindows, LinuxJoystick2006-01-21
HELI-XModel helicopters and planes~€60ProprietaryYes. Also version 0.9 is freeWindows, Linux, MacSystem Joystick, Real controllers2020-07-01
Hover HereModel helicoptersFreeGPLv3n/a.Windows, MacReal controller, game controllers2022-08
X-PlaneJust about anythingUS$30ProprietaryYesWindows, Linux, MacSystem Joystick
AlphaMacSoftware's RC Helicopter SimulatorHelicoptersFreeProprietaryYesMacSystem Joystick, Real Controllers
Ron's RC Flight SimulatorElectric Foamy Model PlanesFreeAd supportedYesWindows, Mac, Linux, Android (Chrome or Firefox browsers only)Logitech and Xbox Gamepads, OculusVR2013
R/C Sim SikorskyHelicopters€35ProprietaryYesWindowsKeyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Real Controllers2012-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
Reflex XTR2Model Planes and Helicopters€169ProprietaryYesWindowsReal Controllers
Zephyr Drone SimulatorQuadcopters/DronesUS$139.99ProprietaryYesWindows, MacReal Controllers
EreaDroneQuadcopters/Drones$18.99ProprietaryNoWindowsReal Controllers, Game Controllers (Xbox, Logitech, etc)2026-04-08 (v0.10.0cs1263)
VelociDrone FPV Racing SimulatorQuadcopters/Drones£16.99ProprietaryYesWindows, Mac, LinuxReal Controllers2020-09-10 (v1.17)
FPV FreeRiderQuadcopters/DronesUS$4.99ProprietaryYesWindows, Mac, Linux, AndroidUSB Controllers2019-02-05
WingsModel PlanesUS$36ProprietaryNoWindows, LinuxReal Controllers, Xbox, PS42023-09 (1.17)
SIMNETMulticopter, Fixed-Wing and VTOL dronesSubscription-basedProprietaryYesCross-Platform (Web-based)Real Controllers

External links