Never heard of the heli commander but I have used the FMA CPD4 co-pilot . Used it to learn how to fly airplanes as there were no instructors where I lived, and now I am using it on my. Falcon 3D to help me learn how to fly it. I think it's great I haven't had the heli very long but i am already able to hover it both low and high and haven't crashed yet. Oh yea. I have never used a Sim. Nothing against them I just couldn't justify $200 for it.