I have been on flight sim by microsoft since it became popular with version 5. i have used their newer version - fs2002 for about 6 months,and it rocks the world! there are websites that offer aircraft downloads, including rc model types, and the fact that you can change views to fly it from a fixed ground perspective helps.

it's all very well having a simulator for rc pilots, but do they give you real weather conditions? or even photo realistic areas to fly in?

on the subject of why we buy simulators for RCP's, i know someone who bought a heli for extortionate amounts using his savings- he totalled it within 2 minutes of getting the rotor moving, even with the trainer gear.

I guess to inexperienced pilots, simulators are very cost effective- just buy a sim for 50 quid, instead of paying out 200 for the new parts of a totalled plane.