Great Planes’ RealFlite RC simulator has been one of the best RC simulator packages available for several years. The G3 version (photos 1 and 2) is the most current, and the most capable, RealFlight simulator. The G3 has several additional capabilities beyond the older G1 and G2 software packages. These improvements, and the G3 RC simulator itself, are studied in detail in Sport Aviator’s Baggage Compartment, The RealFlight G3 RC Simulator article.

Photo 1                                      Photo 2

Over the years, Great Planes has offered update packages for its RC simulators. The G2 series has five separate “Add On” packages that greatly expand the number of airplanes and airports in the RealFlight virtual world. All of these G2 Add On packages will work with the G3 series as well. But now there are new add on packages just for the G3 simulator. These “Expansion Packs” work only with the G3 series and add extra airfields and aircraft. Some of these aircraft are fun, and some will add to a new RC pilot’s experience.

Photo 3

The first new “airfield” in Expansion Pack 2 is the Champaign, IL armory used for the Hobbico/Great Planes E-Fest last February. Since I was fortunate enough to be at this event, I can state first hand that this “photo field” (so-called because it is made from actual on-site photographs) is a faithful reproduction of this giant indoor airport. Fortunately, this rendition does not have the large hanging cable or the basketball hoop that added some extra interest for the RC pilots flying there. The food concessions that were serving some really great Midwest foods just outside the door are also missing (darn!).

The Eclipse, shown in photo 3, was designed by Jason Noll and took first place at both the 2006 ETOC (Electric Tournament of Champions) and at the 2006 E-Fest held at this airport. The Eclipse is a fun airplane to fly and very forgiving for a 3D competition aircraft. But I would not recommend the real thing for newer pilots. But remember this is just a simulator with a working “reset button” so have it and the best of luck.

Photo 4                             Photo 5

The E-Fest site lends itself to any of the electric airplanes in either the original G3 simulator or in the Expansion Pack 2. The Ultra-Fly Radix 3D (photo 4) is another indoor 3-D performance aircraft. The Radix uses a lot of carbon fiber and is extremely light. Its minimum flight speed is about 5 mph but it can really move if pushed. Its 30+ mph top speed still allows it to perform well indoors. Again, the Radix is not an airplane for the newer pilot but that doesn’t apply to the virtual flight world.

However, the Aerocat’s (photo 5) 70+ mph top speed makes it a handful indoors. Staying ahead of this little speed demon while flying indoors will sharpen any RC pilot’s skills. If you are wondering where these speed readings are coming from, the G3 will put all the Navigation Readings, including airspeed, right up there in a separate view window if you want them. The Aerocat, while electric, is really better suited to outdoor flying. The same goes for the other electric-powered delta airplane in the G3 Expansion Pack 2; the Mini-Delta.

Photo 6            Photo 7

Of course, all the aircraft from the original G3 simulator package can also be flown at the E-Fest site. Wild RC’s Mini-IFO in photo 6 is a perfect example. The E3D in photo 7 is a bit more challenging but can be flown indoors with a little practice. Remember that practice, without real-world consequences, is what RC simulation flying is all about. New pilots learn the skills they need in the real world without the real world rebuilding experience.

Photo  8         Photo 9

The electric-powered Watt Not helicopter (photo 8) from the original G3 package also does well in the E-Fest space. For relaxation, try flying the G3 blimp indoors. Learning to rotate the engine pods in the confined area will sharpen that skill for a really strange, and fun, airplane to come; the Wolf Spyder (photo 10 below).

Photo 10

There are some things to keep in mind flying in doors. First, the camera position, what Great Planes calls your viewing perspective is limited to the default, pilot from the ground, setting. The “Chase” (flying along behind the aircraft) and the “cockpit” views are not possible indoors. But in the small space, are they really needed? Probably not.

There are several “zoom”: settings in the G3 simulation. If you plan to just fly around indoors, the auto zoom setting provides the best all-around flying experience. If you intend to try your hand at 3D however, I recommend using the manual zoom and enlarging the airplane three or four times. At normal size, the hovering airplane is easily lost in the background clutter. If I remember correctly, this also happened to the real-world pilots at the E-Fest. But they couldn’t grab binoculars in time to see their airplane the way the virtual pilot can in this simulation.

Moving Outside

Photo 11

The first Outdoor airfield is the “Aqueduct” shown in photo 11. This “airport” features a Roman-like aqueduct in ruins. At first glance, the only thought that comes to mind is what crazy person would put an airport this close to such a massive structure? The aqueduct is close to the runway and there are buildings close on the other side. Then I you realize that that is the whole point. The pilot must fly a perfect approach path in order to miss the old structure while not flying over the buildings. A simulator, while fun to fly, is primarily designed to improve your flying skills. Sometimes pilots get so lost in the art of flying new aircraft at wide open virtual fields that this purpose is lost. Flying the Aqueduct forces the pilot to concentrate and improve, or else!

Photo 12          Photo 13

There are two new aircraft in the Expansion Pack 2 that I have flown. Both these aircraft make excellent second or third airplanes. The first is the Great Planes PT-17 Stearman ARF kit (photo 12). I only have a few minutes on this airplane but can attest to its gentle responsiveness, light wing loading and easy handling. Judging from those few real-world minutes, the RealFlight PT-17 flies about the same as the real one.