Leo's RC Simulator

Summary

Flying model airplanes? Thumbs up, I say. For hobby model flyers there’s nothing quite like getting a self built wee aircraft—and there’s also nothing quite like the sinking feeling you get when you see it crash! In order to practice flying, pilots undergo simulator training, and with the help of Leo's RC Simulator you can, too! What do we think about this virtual model simulator for Android? Find out below!

Test devices:

Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Android version: 4.1.1
Root: Yes
Modifications : Yes / Popcorn Kernel 11.5
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Android version: 3.2
Root: Yes
Modifications : None

Permissions : Strike us as being perfectly straight forward.

Hobby model flyers will know that making the switch from plane to helicopter is a real challenge. In my family there are a few model plane enthusiasts, and they all tell me that helicopters are tricky but ultimately rewarding.
Flight simulators are great for practicing: simply hook up controls to a computer and Bob’s your uncle. I’ve come to rely on simulators to help me keep sharp or get better, but can an app provide the same kind of features for smaller devices?

To make a long story short, Leo's RC Simulator is both a fun pastime and a useful tool to help you practice.
The graphics are relatively realistic, which is a good start. The virtual pilot stands at a fixed point always a downside with these twpes of ‘photo levels’). Two pilot sticks are located on either side of the display, and the app has a lot of settings options specifically for controls. These include the visibility of the sticks, the layout (American or European, i.e. gas clutch on the left or right), size and more.

There are also ad-ons that can be downloaded as I was please to discover, and what’s more: they’re free. There are models made by other users, but no extra settings, which is too bad as the app only comes with two settings (as in: location settings).
Aside from this the planes fly well, but not seamlessly, although the Easyglider model performs very well. Some of the other models, especially helicopters, did not fare as well.
The controls are the main obstacle. Virtual controls simply aren’t on par with ‘real’ simulator controls.

Bottom line:

Leo’s RC Simulator won’t replace a classic computer simulator, but it’s a fun and a good option for when you want to train on the go.
 

Leo's RC Simulator looks great. In fact, it’s so good it’s almost as though one were looking at a compuer screen. The only downside is the models themselves that could be presented in lore detail, as well as the old-fashioned looking menu and pixelated icons.
 

Leo's RC Simulator performed well on both test devices, save for the recording feature.
 

Leo's RC Simulator is free and can be downloaded from the AndroidPIT App Center and Google Play.