RealFlight Simulator: Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 Review

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is the latest version of the incredibly popular Great Planes RealFlight Simulator. New features in the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 version include the ability to take off and land on water - a very satisfying addition to the water-based scenery available in Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G3.5 version.

Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 vs G3.5 Comparison.

RC flying is one of those addictive yet painful activities - the thrill of getting a great performance out of a plane or helicopter is matched by the anguish when your model comes down a bit harder than planned!

Well do I remember trudging through the underbrush, or wading out into the large, muddy, shallow lake beside the flying field, searching for the pieces of a model that for some reason had plummeted from the sky. Back in the day, we had built the models from scratch, too - cutting the ribs from balsa using templates, rigging up clamps, pins and glue over many evenings, and painstakingly applying the heatshrink, trying to avoid bubbles. It MEANT something when one of those babies bit the dust!

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is designed to help RC fliers, whether beginners or world champions, to hone their flying skills to a new level without risking damage to their prized models. If only such things had been available in my youth!

"I personally use RealFlight to practice for upcoming aerobatic competitions as not only does this flight simulator contain the most realistic flight physics available on the market today, but you are also presented with PhotoField flying sites...simply said, it doesn't get any better than this!" - John Glezellis, Competition Pilot, Team Futaba 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes at XFC, 2nd and 3rd place at the ETOC, 2nd place at the E-Fest Invitational Competition.

You won't believe the realism of the flying experience with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5. You're holding a controller, thumbing the sticks, hearing the pitch of the engine - it's got everything but the piercing smell of partially-combusted two-stroke fuel!

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is significantly more demanding of your computer hardware than the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G3.5. The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 requires at least 512 MB of RAM, and to use its full graphics capability ideally requires 2 GB of RAM, whereas the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G3.5 is happy with a meagre 256 MB of RAM.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 includes over 60 aircraft choices — several equipped with floats!

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 features over 25 flying sites — several including water!

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 allows you to take off — or land — on water!

Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 water sites include floating, reactive objects that add realism — and cause damage when they’re hit.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 includes more Virtual Flight Instructor segments, including tutoring by John Glezellis.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 features night flying — including a 3D carnival site.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 can simulate 4D flying with variable pitch props - incredibly popular!

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is based on 3D sites with over 5000 square miles of digitally created TruLife™ terrain.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 features TruFlo™ wind dynamics.

The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 has unparalleled collision detection.

 The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 allows you to add streamers or smoke trails.

  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 includes torque roll training.

  Edit your flying sites with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 FlexiField™ flying site editor.

  Customise your aircraft with the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 AccuModel™ aircraft editor featuring ReadySelect™ preview box.

  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 features excellent helicopter orientation training.

  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 models counter-rotating helicopter blades, which simplify and speed learning to hover.

  Fly with a genuine Futaba controller, or attach your own transmitter - the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 offers unparalleled realism!  

These days, what with electric motors, planes arrving "Almost Ready To Fly" - assembly involves attaching the engine, radio, servos and control rods, I mean, really, young folk these days don't know how easy they have it - and now the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 allowing pilots to learn to fly without leaving their loungerooms ... I have to say that we may in danger of taking all the mystery and romance out of the sport.

  Or maybe we're just cutting back the mess, fuss, and heartbreak. The thiry-something whippersnappers certainly still seem to be having fun - and hanging planes in the air  like helicopters using the backwash off their propellers has become the new "in thing", it seems. And they call it "4D" - I'll admit, it's a bit mindboggling to watch them doing it. shouldn't really do that sort of thing. It's just  ... wrong.

  But if 4D aerobatics are your cup of tea, they are fully supported by the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5.

  The Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 offers excellent value, both to the beginner RC flier, and to the experienced pilot looking to hone aerobatics skills and master new manoeuvres. Used and recommended by leading instructors and champion pilots, the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 is a must-buy for anyone interested in flying radio controlled models.