- Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Updates
- Phoenix Rc Flight Sim Download
- Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Torrent
- Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Download
- Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Reviews
- Rc Flight Simulator For Windows 10
- Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Cable
Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Updates
For top-quality virtual radio control flying, the Phoenix rc flight simulator is a superb choice for beginners looking at getting in to the hobby, as well as for seasoned professionals looking at honing their competition skills - and for everyone in between too! The Phoenix rc flight sim first appeared in the mid-2000s. The Phoenix Pro V5.5 Simulator includes over 200 airplanes, helicopters, autogyros, and more! An RC flight simulator is the perfect way to learn how to fly RC airplanes and helicopters, without the risk of crashing. It also gives you the opportunity to improve your skills when the weather doesn't allow you to be at the flying field.
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.
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.
Phoenix Rc Flight Sim Download
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
Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Torrent
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.
Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Download
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
Absolute RC Simulator is free to download, so it has 100s of reviews. Despite that, it only gets an average rating from all the feedback. That’s likely because the graphics are subpar. I still think it’s a brilliant introduction for first-time users, and it’s versatile too. You can use it with RC planes, helis, and boats. It even comes equipped with 4 different camera modes.
Pilots get to choose from several flying fields. Skilled users can exploit various interactive objects to advance their aerial skills further. This app has 4 control modes and 3 skill level settings.
Helicopter 3D Rescue Simulator App for Planes and Choppers (Free)
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
This is the 3D helicopter rescue flight simulator app and another free download. It provides fun and challenging virtual flight practice for helis and RC planes. The app comes with several challenges that include engaging rescue missions. There are also heavy lifts as well as carrying victims to hospitals. Other standout features are the realistic sound effects and detailed chopper rescue environments.
City Plane 3D Aircraft Pilot Flight Simulator (Free Download)
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5
This app based flight simulator is a training app for flying passenger jet airplanes. It has two main practice flight modes. One is the Emergency Plane Landing and the other is Airplane Rescue. It’s more of a game than a realistic RC training simulator, but you can download it for free and take a look.
Airplane Flight Simulator RC by RC i6 Games (Free Download)
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
Last on the list is an airplane flight simulator app with lots of flight training programs. Users can learn how to take off, land, perform emergency water landings, and control the aircraft in a storm. Other flight practices include banner advertising, racing, firefighting, and landing on an aircraft carrier. There are tons of missions and 40 levels to choose from at the time of writing. It’s free to download.
Summing Up
Modern RC planes come with many failsafe and beginner-friendly flying modes. Even so, pilots of all levels do crash on occasion, especially when they take full control of the plane. Flight simulators help you develop real skills without the risk of damage to the actual model. Plus, simulators are fun to use indoors when the weather’s too bad to fly outside.
Page Update 2018: Sadly the Phoenix sim is no longer in production, a huge loss to the hobby IMO. But this page is still worth a read if you're thinking of buying a used Phoenix sim on eBayFor top-quality virtual radio control flying, the Phoenix rc flight simulator is a superb choice for beginners looking at getting in to the hobby, as well as for seasoned professionals looking at honing their competition skills - and for everyone in between too!
The Phoenix rc flight sim first appeared in the mid-2000s. Originally it was predominantly sold in the UK, but in October 2009 the company struck a deal with North American radio control distributing giants Horizon Hobby and since then Phoenix has been globally available and widely marketed.
As a result of the deal, the Phoenix rc flight simulator was offered with a radio (Spektrum DX4e or DX6i) included in the box, rather than just the software alone, as it was originally sold.
Above: the Phoenix with DX6i - a great combination indeed.
The quality of the Phoenix sim is outstanding and the realism of the aircraft is very good. Most of the flying sites are photo-realistic, and the overall virtual flying experience on the Phoenix rc flight simulator is superb.
On a personal note (I have RealFlight and Phoenix sims) flying on the Phoenix is even more realistic for me because several of the flying sites are close to my home area, so I've seen the sites in real life!
The Phoenix sim certainly does deliver all you'd expect a professional quality rc flight simulator to deliver, and the editing options of the aircraft are vast and comprehensive. This means that if you own one of the many aircraft available on the sim, there's an excellent chance that you can tweak the necessary specs and characteristics so that the virtual airplane, helicopter or glider exactly replicates your real one.
Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Reviews
The choice of aircraft on the Phoenix rc flight simulator is good, with well over 100 and that list steadily grows.
Since the Horizon Hobby deal the tech team at Phoenix have added some of the more popular Horizon brand aircraft to the list, namely airplanes and helicopters from the HobbyZone, ParkZone, E-flite and Hanger 9 ranges, although it has to be said that not all of them fly true to the real thing with the default settings in place; some editing is need to make, for example, the ParkZone Radian fly more accurately.
The range of high-end competition airplanes and helicopters is very good, giving championship level pilots plenty of opportunity to hone their flying routines to perfection.
Rc Flight Simulator For Windows 10
Phoenix RC simulator screenshots.

Below are a few screenshots taken from my own Phoenix rc flight simulator, click an image to view it larger...
Below is a demo of the Phoenix rc flight simulator, to illustrate the realism...
Phoenix vs. RealFlight
Without going in to a detailed side-by-side review, I can offer a few pointers if you're having trouble deciding which rc flight simulator to buy. I have and use both (RF G4.5 & Phoenix 3.0) so the differences outlined below are based on my own personal observations.
(Important: these pointers might not be valid with regard to later versions of both sims. They were good at the time of writing, but I accept that both sims have improved a lot since then.)
- Quality & realism: Both sims are excellent but for me Phoenix has the edge. The aircraft look slightly 'less' computer generated than the RF ones, and the lack of computer generated flying sites in Phoenix means that you're always flying in a photo-realistic place. Also, the Phoenix water-graphics are just outstanding, particularly the ripples created by helicopter downwash - very impressive! (see the Sea Ranger screenshot above).
My main gripe is that the Phoenix sim planes do seem to be all underpowered on the default settings, and this is more noticeable in the IC planes and gas turbine jets. - Choice of aircraft & flying sites: RF wins hands down on this one. Although Phoenix has well over 100 models now (and growing) the RF 'AddOn' CDs and Knife Edge forum member swap pages mean that a seemingly endless range of aircraft is available for the RF series of flight simulators. Similarly, there is a huge list of flying sites to choose from for the RealFlight sims, compared to Phoenix's.
- Ability to edit aircraft and scenery: Both sims offer comprehensive editing capabilities that the beginner won't need. Professional rc pilots would be very happy with the editing options, I think. All technical aspects of the aircraft design can be tweaked and changed as desired. As for scenery, the Phoenix flying sites aren't very editable simply because they are photo-realistic. The RF sites have more options and there's a long list of scenery objects that can be added to (or taken away from, or moved...) the sites, both the photo ones and the computer generated ones.
- Controller & Tx: Until the Phoenix-Horizon Hobby deal, the Phoenix rc flight simulator was never offered with a transmitter-based controller, but the RealFlight one was. The Phoenix is now available with the Spektrum DX5e Tx. Flying on a sim with the same Tx that you'll use at the field is definitely the better option, but the RealFlight 'Interlink' controller is perfectly realistic (manufactured by Futaba and modelled on one of their 8 channel Tx's).
A nice touch with the RF one is that you have control over some simulator options, such as selecting model and flying site, from the controller buttons - you don't get this with Phoenix and it's a surprising annoyance after getting used to the RealFlight Interlink convenience!
On the Phoenix plus side though, you can calibrate and edit your transmitter settings on the sim to match the exact set-up for your own aircraft, and so what your Tx does in real life, it does on the simulator. - Ease of use: Both about the same; very easy to get started with and both sims take you by the hand through installation and setting up. No complaints for either one and any potential complications will only arise when you want to get very technical and start seriously editing the models. Even then, the editing process for both sims is straightforward enough.
- How they run: This is obviously going to depend on the power and quality of your computer, but for me the Phoenix definitely runs smoother and less 'sticky' than the RF G4.5. It seems that the Phoenix is less 'resource hungry' than RF. The RF photo sites run smoother than the computer generated ones.
- Multiplayer abilities: Good for both. The new RF G5 improves on the G4.5 for internet interaction, with multiplayer combat flying available - sounds like fun to me! The Phoenix multiplayer option is excellent and both sims offer instant messaging capabilities between pilots.
- Training features: Both simulators offer excellent virtual training, from real-life professional radio control instructors and pilots. Everything from taking off and basic flying to advanced aerobatic and 3D maneuvers (for planes and helicopters) are covered, with full flight demonstrations and Tx stick movements shown along with a spoken narrative. Just select your lesson, watch the instructor perform it and then try it yourself!
- Fun stuff: Both Phoenix and RF have a few games and competitions to have fun with and hone your flying skills such as spot landing, limbo flying, balloon bursting and bomb dropping. RealFlight has more games to play in online multiplayer mode.
- Mac compatibility: Not being a Mac user I can't make a fair judgment on this but from what I gather, an Intel based Mac running Windows or Bootcamp will cope with either sim. Check forums for a definite answer before you buy to install on a Mac!
- Overall: in my opinion it's a tough call. Both rc flight simulators are excellent and each have their pros and cons. I think it's fair to say that the Phoenix sim is more suited to the advanced / professional rc pilot than the RealFlight 'G' series, but a complete beginner is going to do fine on the Phoenix, particularly with the Spektrum DX6i package.
I have and use both sims - if I had to choose between them, having used both, I think the Phoenix would win. Just.