Well Tom I decided to search around because of the not good experience I had with Real Flight after sales people who didn't even try to help me But I'm so pleased that I did find this Phoenix setup and it's ok with windows XP, Vista, and beyond, even windows 10 that I don't use to date
Why do you think that you would need to get a new computer because the specs needed for the real flight are just the same for the Phoenix. I can also configure my Spektrum DX 5e controller with the USB lead provided too.
There's so much more to this new setup that I've not yet had the time to experiment. I'm useing the Piper Cub plane because I have the very same model I built a few years back, so I'm now training with that to get my skills back to Normal after many years out of touch with flying in the fields.
Sorry for the delay in answering you mate, but I thought I would have been informed of any replies in my emails, this didn't happen.