Cgay1, the Realflight G2 is by far the best sim out there, if you elect to buy it, get the new one with the USB interface. You can most certainly use it for practicing manuevers or 3D, whatever is your preference.

The 9CA works with the new USB, however you will need a 9C to 9C trainer cord, because as of right now they did not put the 9C interface adapter in the pkg, but Great planes is working on that. They have only included an interface for Jr, and the old std Futaba adapter, as you know the 9C takes a square plug.

If you dont have add ons you cannot use the planes that have been created for that addon. You can create your own though. but I like the ones that you can download too.

Some people on this forum talk about a sim named FMS, its a free download, and I tried it, its ok, but can't hold a candle to G2.

I have a Pentium 2 333 mhz, 128 ram, voodoo3 card and it runs great. I take out some of the objects, but your computer is probably alot faster than mine, so you shouldnt have any problems. Good luck Daz...