Runtime Games Phoenix R/C SIM V5.5

THIS IS MY FIRST R/C FLIGHT SIM PRODUCT. So I don't have anything to compare it with.Had it for a week now and notice a significant difference in performance between my older desktop and newer laptop. The overall potential of this product seems like a very good value for the price. BUT TO ACTUALLY GAIN BENEFIT FROM ALL THAT POTENTIAL REQUIRES A WHOLE LOT OF STUDY AND EFFORT BY THE END USER. Thanks in no small way to the nearly useless operating manuel. Oh the manuel is certainly useful , as far as it goes but is so laden with ambiguities and short answers that realistically it's amost useless. Lots and lots of trial and error will be required by the user to make this product exceptional. That being said , I must add that my half dozen questions posted to customer service were politely and promptly answered. I am looking foreword to enjoying practicing my R/C skills during the up coming winter months. And I hope someday that I will learn how to use this software to TEST FLY my latest and greatest scratch built R/C model airplanes. Much of the risk of disaster on first flights of a new model can be alleviated by plugging in the design parameters into Phoenix SIM 5.5 and getting a feel for the handling qualities that would ordinarily only be learned on that dreaded FIRST FLIGHT.

This is my first time flying the Phoenix V5.5, and I can say that it's a big improvement from V4.0. This physics is very similar to Realflight 7.5, which I own and use on a regular basis. The resulting flight characteristics from the control inputs are too smooth to be deemed realistic on the Phoenix V5.5, and the landings are too easy to be realistic, as well. For 3D flying, I see that the airplanes will now torque roll, whereas on the V4.0, they won't. The P factor is virtually nonexistent, though. I've yet to figure out how to max out the throws for 3D, and how to move the c.g. aft. Basic flying is way too easy on the Phoenix, and too stable. As a result, it is difficult to perform aerobatics, such as blenders, knife edge spins, and inverted flat spins. Compared to Realflight 7.5, I would give a slight advantage to Realflight 7.5. As for the quadcopters in Phoenix V5.5, they are awful, as they do not fly like the real thing.

What I hate so far (and I just received it today ...) is the deceptively misleading hype Horizon Hobby puffs out about the product ... specifically, the promise that, as the box says, the package includes "official simulations of your favorite Horizon Hobby aircraft". The "Key Features" list under the "Product Description", above, promises me that this product includes "The most authentic simulations of Horizon Hobby® RC aircraft including the innovations they feature such as AS3X® and SAFE™ technology". I - foolishly, it now turns out - believed the Horizon Hobby Hype and bought the product. Only after installing it, looking through the relatively short list of included airplanes, and then calling Horizon Hobby did I learn that - Nope!! - my airplane isn't included and - Nope!! - there are no plans to provide it in an update.Learn from my mistake, fellow shopper ... if you are even remotely considering buying this thing to use with a particular model (or family of models), call the folks at Horizon Hobby Hawkers first and ask them if it's included ... and then - no matter what they might tell you - be sure to order from a place to which you can easily return it ... just in case ...

I guess this would be ok to use to learn the basics, but this is a useless SIM if you're already flying and want to use it for practice. I was currently using Real Flight 7.5 which was a real resource hog and my laptop had troubles running it. So I decided to give this a try. What a mistake. The flight characteristics of all of the models I've flown so far are so totally unrealistic, that it makes this sim useless. Was hoping to use this during the winter months to keep sharp until the spring but as mentioned, none of these models come close to flying realistically. Can't setup dual rates and expo on your TX. Had it working briefly then it stopped for no apparent reason. Program occasionally stops responding and needs to be restarted. Won't save my settings so each time I open it up, have to set everything up all over again. What a complete waste of money!!!!!

Work will many spectrum transmitter but not the DX6E that I use. I bought another DXE that can with a receiver I need anywaysGame play is great so far. I have only flown 2 planes that I actually own and fly just to see how "real" it seems. Not bad

No response from runtime games after installation on two computers running a previous version that worked flawlessly.Both computers will not even boot up now. Still no response from the support team. Disappointing at this time.If and when I get the systems up and running again, I am sure that the newer version of this simulator be be even better than the last.I became a much better ducted fan jet and helicopter pilot due to my trainer on the old simulator. It saved me from a lot of expensive crashes.I am hoping for the best.

Had to return it due to, (Spektrum DX6e), controller not compatible.

This program really helps your muscle memory. Graphics are great and there are plenty of planes to fly.It's a must for people getting in to the hobby of RC flying!

Great product until i installed. Ut wouldn not lauch from the executable file. So i had to launch it from the programs folder it worked perfect apart from that and thanks to the customer service for product supporr.

5* Perfect item.

First class service very good product

Great product can't fault it but painfully slow delivery

Great