Foxplane52

• Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator 5.5
• Phoenix 4 Flight Simulator
• Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Uk
• Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Torrent

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. 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.

• This is the Phoenix R/C Pro Flight Simulator V5.5 with the Spektrum DX6i transmitter. 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.
• Phoenix R/C Pro V5.0 Flight Simulator w/Interface This is the Phoenix R/C Pro Flight Simulator V5.0 with transmitter interface, featuring 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.

Feb 08, 2017 Discussion Phoenix 5.5 install on Windows 10 - tips Simulators. I've been trying the link to DL the 5.5 DVD for several days trying different PCs and minor edits to the link but I never get anywhere.

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.

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.

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.

Related pages

Learn to fly better, cheaper and faster

Text & photos by Tom Hintz

Posted – 1-21-2014

Modern day RC pilots have a huge advantage over their pre-computer predecessors. Not so long ago crashing a plane or two while learning to fly RC aircraft was highly probable. Modern pilots from zero stick time novices to long-term veterans can make use of computer programs like the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator reviewed here to learn the basics of flight or perfect a new maneuver with no fear of crashing costing you time or money. Fly something into the ground in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator and you are a reset away from once again taking to the air to work on the mistake that caused the mishap. In this bit of the cyber world your supply of fresh aircraft is unlimited and your practice time unfettered by darkness, rain or winds – unless you choose to impose those conditions on yourself.

Realism

Because Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator runs on nearly any modern computer the graphics do not reach the level of Hollywood CGI but what you see on your screen is more than real enough for learning. In addition to being able to control the weather you can choose from an extensive list of 25 (and growing) flying sites. Here again you can’t actually smell the freshly cut grass but terrain is surprisingly realistic and the range of flying sites should let you find one that is similar to where you fly.

Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator 5.5

Also realistic are the repercussions of flying into things like the ground, trees, buildings and yourself. The designers of Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator didn’t spend a lot of time on the graphical depiction of crashing but despite those visuals being a bit lame, you know without a doubt what just happened.

Flight Characteristics

The impressive part of these modern flight simulators to me is the realistic flight of the cyber models. Most of the airplanes and helicopters are digital versions of real world models, often supplied by the original manufacturer with the appropriate fight capabilities and characteristics. While you get a bunch of models included with Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator, whenever you start the program it calls home to see if there are new models that you can download for free. With the selection of fixed and rotary wing aircraft available there is almost certainly something close to what you are or want to fly.

I have to admit that I expected a simple flying game with aircraft that looked like models but they really do have flight envelopes close to the real thing. Underpowered planes at the real field are underpowered in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator. Hyperactive models are just as hyper on your screen.

It is that similarity to the real world models that makes Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator a valuable learning tool. You can practice a maneuver in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator and take that experience to the field and execute that maneuver with the real model. Things like flying inverted, flying towards yourself and other common crash-prone situations can be flown in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator until you get used to the controls which are identical to flying the real thing. The difference is the crashes along the way in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator don’t cost a weeks’ pay and you aren’t leaving telltale spinner holes in the runway. Learning to fly with the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator is just more fun when you can confine most of the crashes to the computer and more of the flying part at the field.

Keep in mind that with the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator you use your actual radio transmitter plugged into the computer with a special cord that goes from your trainer plug to a USB port. You get to use the dual rates and exponential along with the actual sticks you manipulate when flying the real model. To me that is an important advantage over RC flight simulators that use game controllers or even plastic replicas of a real RC transmitter. There is something to be said for learning with the real transmitter in your hands.

Adjustable Reality

All of the aircraft in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator are fully adjustable in terms of controls and a long list of physical characteristics that impact how a model flies. You can move the Center of Gravity (CG) to see why you should not do that on a real plane. Though most aircraft fly just fine as they come in the program you can tweak those settings to better match your real plane if need be.

Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator includes the ability to force specific failures of the aircraft or you can let the program surprise you with them. This is great for learning how to best deal with a suddenly stopped engine. Getting back to the runway is not always possible so you have to learn to keep the wings level and set it down as lightly as possible to minimize damage. In Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator you don’t have to repair the aircraft between these learning episodes but the practice with dead stick situations can save you real money at the field is you have a problem.

In addition to the aircrafts' flight characteristics Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator lets you control the weather or let the program come up with its own idea of what the day is like. What I like about this capability is you can learn to fly a certain plane fairly well and then start adding light winds, then moderate winds to see how the plane changes. You can also change the direction of the wind so you can learn to deal with cross winds, something you will need to know at any flying field.

Other Features

In addition to learning to fly or simply practicing Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator has several other features to keep it interesting. It does have a training section that walks you through many of the aerobatic and common flight techniques. It also has a competition section where you can test various skills. They included a flight recorder so you can go back and watch your successes and failures, both painless. Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator also has an on line component where you an fly against others on the Internet if your connection supports game play.

At the Field

I originally bought the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator on the suggestion of a hobby shop salesman that was also selling me my early airplanes and small helicopters upon my re-entry to the hobby. It turns out that the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator program was the best thing he sold me. I should have noticed the dominance of toys over real RC merchandise but that realization came later and in the mean time I had the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator to expand my RC horizons.

What Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator did me was to help get my fingers connected to my eyes and brain without the cost of smacking aircraft into the Earth. The digital planes and helicopters in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator helped me overcome the dumb-thumbs condition so many of us face in the early part of our RC experience. Plus I was having fun doing it and could experiment with different aircraft types. That helped me make better purchase decisions as my flying skills improved.

Now that I am flying things like my T-Rex 550E PRO DFC helicopter Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator continues to pay off in that I can try new things on the computer before taking them to the actual field. Again the crash visuals in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator are kind of lame but you get the point. The dead aircraft miraculously heals and resurrects itself on the runway ready for another attempt. That lets you see what you did wrong so you can learn to avoid it.

Phoenix 4 Flight Simulator

The Downside

The cyber world is not perfect either and Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator has a couple limitations. Most pronounced is the small size of the aircraft representations on even large computer monitors. For me trying to fly the smaller helicopters up to 300-range ships is all but impossible. I did find out that the Align Trex 700 in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator flies exactly like my T-Rex 550E PRO DFC so I use it all of the time. So far everything I have leaned on the 700 in Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator turns out to be identical to when I do it with the T-Rex 550E PRO DFC in the real sky.

Perspective is another issue in any simulation. When doing maneuvers that are height sensitive the ground gets to be a problem because it appears suddenly. In real life your eyes always have a reference well below the aircraft and well below the bottom of the screen. So far this as not proven to be a big problem other than I find myself pulling out of maneuvers considerably higher than is necessary. That is an easy thing to fix at the field but we need to be aware of this visual limit when flying a simulator.

Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Uk

Conclusions

Phoenix Rc Flight Simulator Torrent

Anyone that wants to learn to fly RC aircraft or wants to explore the limits of their capabilities will benefit from having the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator. It will save you lots of crash dollars as well as the frustrations of banging up an expensive model. You can learn more and do it faster with the peace of mind the cyber flying field provides. The accuracy of the flight models makes what you learn on the computer easier to apply to real models in a real sky.

The Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator sells for $129.99 (1-21-2014) on the street and comes with the trainer port to USB cord so you can use most modern transmitters. I know that is not cheap but if you consider that the firs crash you have in the SIM rather than at the field is likely to cost as much as the program the real savings begin almost immediately.

Click Here to see the Phoenix 4 RC Flight Simulator product page.
Have a comment on this review? –Email Me!