RC Helicopter Simulator As A Training Tool
Most of these radio controlled (RC) software packages will work with Windows XP and VISTA. There does not seem to be any RC helicopter simulator packages that will work with the new Microsoft Windows 7; it won't be long though. Microsoft has offered free 7 downloads. Most helicopter simulators are extremely realistic. The free downloads are simple to install; just plug and play.
These newer RC helicopter simulators offer several options for the more experienced helicopter simulator pilots. Most of these simulations allow the pilot to choose different aircraft, war theaters, armaments — including in climate weather situations. It is also a test of the student's reflex action — he/she must be quick to react. When flying using a RC helicopter simulator, it will simulate a "black out" from G-forces, it can crash, run out of fuel, run out of ammunition, eject the pilot, parachute, and much more.
The pilot does not have to go online to fly and shoot down helicopters and airplanes — just stay in the practice mode. There are plenty of warplanes to go after. Finally, if the day comes that the player feels like going online and joining the community of simulator game players, that option is always available.
YSFlight is one of the better RC helicopter simulators and can be used as a game or as a student training aid. It was developed by a long-time pilot. Take your time and learn to fly on helicopter simulator packages.
If you would like more than an helicopter simulator package, the purchasing of the actual RC helicopter is a bit more complicated. There are over forty models to choose from and there are five times more to choose from in the RC airplane simulator world — a real torrent of software packages.
Radio Controlled aircraft as "toys" have been around for almost forty years, however in the last decade they are no longer toys. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has grabbed the concept of these aircraft and there are hundreds of very complicated radio controlled aircraft and helicopters deployed and doing missions all over the world. Warfare is starting to become a 'push-button" war. RC aircraft is big business and the DoD intends to spend billions of dollars on these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the next few years — both airplanes and helicopters.
There were very few drone helicopters years ago — strictly experimental and not deployed to the military. Today's UAVs are far beyond the World War II drones that we read about or see on the History Channel. An RC drone was a dumb aircraft. It could be launched and flown, but there was usually no way to bring it back to base. It was most often used as a target for manned airplanes. Therefore the on-board instrumentation was minimal. Today we bring them back, re-load them, and fly them again and again.
The DoD has initiated the use of RC helicopter simulator software and the actual 'toy' aircraft for training purposes. The training sector for helicopters in the four major military services is expected to double within the next four years, this is big business.
