Free RC Simulator Guide

"Choose from the many of free RC simulators available for download!"

Free simulators are nowhere near as realistic as the commercial RC flight simulators. But they are great for a brand new pilot trying to get used to "control reversal", which is one of the most difficult parts of learning to fly.

FMS is the most popular and arguably the best free radio control airplane simulator available. There are many others including demo versions of expensive simulators.

But these free RC simulators won't do you much good unless you have a controller for them!

Flight Simulator Controls for Free RC Simulators

In order to benefit from these free RC simulators, the flight simulator controls need to be very similar to the transmitter you will be using at the field. If your transmitter has a trainer port you can purchase and adapter that lets you use your transmitter with the computer.

A controller cord for your radio can be found below. Some radios have different style plugs than others. Be sure to read the "product info" after clicking the link to make sure you are ordering the correct cord for your radio.

GWS USB to Futaba (Square) FMS Flight Simulator Cable -
Transmitter to PC USB Interface GWFSM002C

GWS USB to Hitec (Round) FMS Flight Simulator Cable -
Transmitter to PC USB Interface GWFSM002A

GWS USB JR 1/8in mono plug FMS Flight Simulator Cable -
Transmitter to PC USB Interface GWFSM002B

GWS 1/8in Stereo Plug End FMS Flight Simulator Cable -
Transmitter to PC USB Interface GWFSM002

Many of the people who are interested in using a free RC simulator are just getting into the hobby and do not have a transmitter to use. You can purchase an E-Sky controller specifically designed for FMS for very cheap. These controllers come with FMS on a CD so you don't have to bother with downloading it. This is definitely the way to go if you have a dial up connection.

If you have a dual analogue PC game controller lying around, this can be used with Flight Model Simulator(FMS). The major drawback is that both sticks spring back to neutral position when you let off of them. This is a problem because the throttle stays where you put it on an actual RC airplane controller. You don't really get the entire feel of an actual transmitter when using a PC game controller. But it is fun to play around with if that's all you have.

Flight Model Simulator (FMS)

You can download your FMS free RC simulator here. The beauty of FMS, other than the fact that it is free, is that you can build and share your models. There are many talented people out there than have come up with some spectacular models that you can download for absolutely free. Here are some links to a few pages filled with different kinds of models from park flyers to jets. If you have a link that you would like to share, feel free to send it to me and I will post them below for everyone to see.

Gary Gunnerson's FMS Models:
Everything from tiny park flyers to jets.

Osito Sekiai's Planes for FMS:
Links to a variety of sites with FMS aircraft.

Shinichiro Nishiya's FMS Models and Tutorial:
Large variety of models with tutorial on how to make your own aircraft.

Rizkyssetio's FMS models:
Park Flyers.

Nest of Dragons FMS Models:
Some very unique sailplanes and hang gliders.

CG Art's FMS models:
Very nice page! Jets, warbirds, vintage, helis, and more.

Jim's FMS Models
Warbirds, aerobatic, helis, and more.

RealFlight® Generation 4 Free Demo

RealFlight® Generation 4:
This is an absolute a must download! This free demo includes a trainer and a runway with state-of-the-art aerodynamic modeling and graphics. If you have a usb controller you're in business!

If you fall in love with this RC airplane flight simulator, you can find the full version of RealFlight G4 here!

Other free RC simulators

It has been my experience that FMS is by far the best free RC flight simulator available. Here are some other free simulators that you may want to play around with. The E-Sky usb controller will not work with all of these.

Ron's Software Page:
R/C Flight Simuator, FlyRC

Slope Soaring Simulator:
SSS is a free, open-source flight simulator with an emphasis on gliding around interesting terrain.

HeliSimRC :
HeliSimRC is a freeware, Radio Control (RC) model helicopter simulator. It is designed to simulate the popular 450 size electric helicopters.