(Wow what horrible grammar I had. Guess it was too late last night.

Indeed interesting. Since there is no mention of how this conclusion came about I felt compelled to register and respond to just this thread because it hits home for me. I never thought about RC planes until yesterday was out with a friend and was in a hobby shop and saw several cool things. On impulse decided to pick up a Hangar 9 P51 trainer because it had simulation software and presumed I could fly the plane in a day or two. 2.5 hours on the sim that night, next day I sucessfully took off and landed my plane. Not bragging because I had a trainer linked in to help when I got in a bind but it the end after taking it up and circling for about 8 to 10 times, I was able to take off by myself 2 times and bring it in and land 1 times with no helpd. (Actually landed 2 times but the guy linked to me got nervous on the send landing because I bounced a little and he took over on the bounce and took off.)

What I will post for others contemplating sim software.

The software I used came with the plane was not very elaborate and the things it helped me with. Basically familiarity with holding the controller, steering, taking off and landing.

What it didn't help with, beings it's not the greatest sim software, it didn't account for taking off on rough, grassy surface, wind etc. However, I'm online right now actually looking at something I can plug my the JR XF 421 that came with my plane that will simulate the environment alot better. Also something that allows me to practice adjusting my trim and using more options on controllers.

Flying a plane is just like anything else. You have to train your coordination and muscles to react as you can't think when your trying to do something. If you have to think then it took too long. This is what the sim software will do for you.

Nothing is ever going to be 100% accurate, for every day, every altitude etc. Everything changes and that's up to you to adjust. However, sim software does give a good foundation to build off of.

Having said that, don't presume that you can do all types of crazy stuff on a sim and then just go out and do it with an RC. That's the same as if you have get good with a trainer and then go out doing acrobats with a biplane. You still have to get used to it and ease into it and learn the nuances and adjust to the plane. What I mean is yesterday, a guy showed up with a stunt plane that he flies all the time and took off doing all kinds of stuff without warming up. But when he tried my P51, he took it up nice and easy and felt the plane out by steering, elevating etc and then when he got a little comfortable he worked his way into some more advance things.

That's what I was trying to explain about my perception of the sim software. It gets you used to steering with the plane going away from you and coming back. What the rudder does etc. It gave me enough feel to take off and land and manuever around in the air. But I'm sure if find the "good stuff" it will help me with the other stuff as well.

I just don't see how anyone though can say it hurts. The only way is if you get false confidence and think after a week you take off and you can act crazy with the plane. But that's not the softwares fault, that's the flyers. To me that's like flying one model of plane and switching to another and expecting trying to fly it with out adjusting to it and then blaming the first plane for screwing you up. (It's not the planes fault.