Crashing and Burning in a Virtual RC World

As I've mentioned a time or two, I'm no RC pilot. But all hope is not lost. I've found a way to combine two of my passions — RCs and video games — and perhaps become a decent RC pilot at last. RC Flight Simulation software lets me crash and burn over and over without breaking a single airplane wing or sending any helicopter propellers sailing across the grass like out-of-control Frisbees. Unlike other flight simulation software, that puts you in the cockpit of a real plane, RC flight sims put you at the controller of an RC airplane or helicopter. I've rounded up a few free and demo RC flying programs that let you earn your wings at your computer with virtual RC aircraft. I've been testing many others as well and I'll be telling you all about them in the coming weeks. If you've tried an RC flight sim program that you really like (or really dislike), tell me about it.
_{Photo © M. James}