RC Flight Simulator Review- RealFlight G4.5

Great Planes RealFlight Simulator  is arguably the most popular and widely used sim of its kind.  The latest release Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is the “new and improved” version.

Lets take a closer look at it.

One important consideration before you go out and but the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 however, is your computers ability to run it.  Like any other graphics intense application,  the limiting factor might very well be your computer.  I am running a liquid cooled Q6700 Core 2 quad CPU @ 2.66 GHz, with 8 gigs of RAM and dual ATI Raedon HD 4800 graphics card. (Geek Alert!)  So I can enjoy all of the available features that Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 has to offer.  But unless you have a decent machine, you will have to disable many of the features that make this simulator special.  Make sure you check out the:

(minimum system requirements)

Some graphical features may be disabled. Aerodynamic calculations will remain high quality.

• Windows* XP or Windows* Vista®
• Intel® Pentium® 1.0GHz or equivalent
• 512 MB RAM
• 4 GB Hard Drive Space
• DVD Drive
• 3D Accelerated Video with:
  32 MB Dedicated Video Memory
  Full Windows DirectX® 9 compliant (Pixel Shader 1.4 support)

For best graphical performance.

• Dual Core 2.4GHz CPU
• 2 GB RAM
• 3D Accelerated Video with:
  512 MB dedicated video memory
  (Pixel Shader 3.0 support)

Truth be told, if your computer is just at or slightly above the “minimum system requirements”,  you may be disappointed with how Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 performs on your system.  You really do need a computer that is closer to the “optimal system” If you want to enjoy the awesome graphics and realism that this new simulator has to offer.  The good news is that most desktop computers buit today in the $500+ range will meet most if not all of the optimal requirements.  However, if you have an older system, and are not interested in upgrading your computer to accommodate the latest version of RealFlight, but you would still like have a great simulator to learn on, then you may want to consider some of the previous versions of RealFlight.  They are less taxing on your system but are still great simulators.  They can be found all day long on places like Amazon.  You also get the added benefit of saving some coin!

If you do choose to purchase the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5, you will notice that it comes with everything needed to fly.  Virtually speaking of course!  You will get the installation disks, the included Futaba controller, and all of the connecting cables to use your own transmitter.

Once you complete the installation of Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 on your computer, you just plug the controller in and get ready to fly!  It works just like any other 6 channel controller.  In fact, you can access just about anything in the user interface of the simulator by using the controller.  I like the mouse and keyboard option personally, but they are not necessary.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 includes over 60 aircraft choices all of which can be accessed by the menu/select button.  When you choose you flying field, which Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 features over 25 of,  you will notice the choices of water!  What a great idea.  I have only flown a few float planes but in my opinion The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 does a great job of simulating all of the complexities of taking off or landing on water.  The water sites include floating, reactive objects that add realism — and cause damage when they’re hit.

Another benefit of Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is the Virtual Instructor. Not only will a few of the top pilots in the world show you how they fly, they’ll talk you through the maneuvers so you can learn how to do them yourself.  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 includes more Virtual Flight Instructor segments, including tutoring by John Glezellis.

The version also features night flying.  If you have never tried it, give it a go,  you will love it.  For all of you aerobatic enthusiasts, the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 can simulate 4D flying with variable pitch props includes torque roll training!  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 allows you to add streamers or smoke trails as well for some added visual excitement.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is based on 3D sites with over 5000 square miles of digitally created TruLife™ terrain, and features TruFlo™ wind dynamics.  It has an amazingly realistic collision detection system so don’t think you can just slam in on home when it’s time to land.

Some other useful tools in the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is the customization features.  You can edit your flying sites with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 FlexiField™ flying site editor.  You can customise your aircraft with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 AccuModel™ aircraft editor featuring ReadySelect™ ,and if you enjoy scratch building, you will find that the ability to make design modifications and test them out with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 to be a wonderful tool

In summary, the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 has alot to offer.  It is an excellent learning tool for the novice or the experienced pilot.  In fact you better be carful, it can be just as addicting as flying a real plane!  I have been messing around with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 for several months now and still havn’t used all of the functions and features.  Overall, I love it.  And if you have a computer that will run it… I highly recommend it.