I've been looking into buying/borrowing a PC based flight sim. I know packages like G4 are AWESOME, but they're also AWESOMELY expensive (i'm currently unemployed so money is tight)

Are there any sims that are really "worthwhile" and affordable? I found "E-Sky" for $20, and it comes with a "fake" controller. The price is right (low) but is the sim worth it or a waste of time? Are there other sims that are low price and decent quality?

You might take a few minutes and read some of the threads in the R/C Flight Simulations Forum. You'll get a good sample of what lots of guys think about their favorite sims. And it'd be a good place to ask the question.

Basically, every sim works for some people. Some sims work well for larger numbers. All of them will help to a degree. There happens to be a chart of the most available sims and their features over on the R/C Flight Simulations Forum, btw.

IMHO sims are a good tool to teach muscle memory..and aerobatics....every student I've taught that had a sim learned quicker...doesn't mean you can't learn without a sim, you can...most of what you learn flying RC is how much throw equals how much aircraft reaction....and teaching your eye what you are really seeing...
the downside to sims is it can't scare the quake in your knees...and they just can't give you your full visual range....
if its a choice between flying and a sim...get flying

I used FMS (Flying Model Simulator -the software that comes with Esky controller I think) and it did it's job of teaching orientation, muscle memory, and to not overcorrect or overmanipulate the sticks.

You can download FMS for free and can buy a wire to hook your own radio up to your computer.

Once I flew a real plane I found FMS to be a bit hokey, but again, it did it's job and taught me some basic practices (it will NOT teach you how to fly a plane, there are some things that just can't be accounted for in a simulator)

I've got G4 and it's been a great help.

I understand that the price on FS One has just been cut in half to $99. Given what I've heard and read about it, that really is an excellent price for what you get. If I didn't have one, that's what I'd do.

FMS is free..the $20 is for the TX and the driver for the TX.
You can even use a gamepad with FMS. Or run a line from your TX into the mic jack.
You can adjust the perimeter, camera setting, sim speed...etc...ect of how a model will fly or float on the screen.
FMS being a freeware, it's a lot easier to just get in there and do some fine tuning. Kind of like dial in a model.

FMS dosn't have smokes, movable control surface, the models don't break in piece, rotating props, MP3 player, Vedio recoder,
online gaming,..etc . But it'll look just as good and feel just as the rest of them. Adjust it accordingly.
If you can't ...it meant you didn't look into it . It's base off of the same principle.
You can go 3D or photolistic. All sim looks the same to me

A sim is a good tool to have but will never replace the real deal nor a flight instructor.
My 4* dosn't look like nor fly how it's out of the box. I bash the heck out of it. I do the same with FMS.
It's just an extension of this Hobbie for me.

Thanks for all of your help. I know when I have a question about sometihng, I can ALWAYS get multiple good answers! I agree COMPLETELY that sims DO NOT replace actual "stick time" ! Computer Sims can't freak you out like it can when it's your $300 plan on the line if you louse it up!

As a little "segway": My 1st job out of GaTech was building FAA certified Level C & D flight simulators for Delta, Jetstream, and a bunch of outfits in China. My job was to make everything (the graphics) the pilot saw out of his window as realistic as possible and maintain a 60fps setting using raster and caligraphic lights and MultiGen software running on a Silcon Graphics Onyx 2 super computer [8D] At the time, these monstrosities (they were the size of 2 full sized refrigerators sitting side-by side) were CUTTING EDGE. And at $3 million they were just plain COOL !!!!!!!!!!! EVERY runway, runway light, taxiway, signs, the surrounding terrain, population centers, etc.... you get the point was my responsibility to make "the world" (I even built an aircraft carrier for the Navy to practice putting planes on the DECK rather than the Ocean.) The sims were mostly (with a few exceptions) for Gulfstream G4s, MD80's, MD88's, and other planes like the Saab JA50 twin turboprop. I have to admit that (1) it didn't pay worth a darn and (2) it was probably the COOLEST job i've ever had! We used to schedule time in the Hartsfield Atlanta Detla training rooms to get "sim time" to test our databases (it usually came at weird times like 2:30am on a Tuesday but I NEVER argued!). Let me tell you, you REALLY don't know flight sims until you've been in a fully reconstructed MD-80 cockpit with a 150 degree 3D wrap around screen in front of you, and the whole shebang sitting on a HUGE 6 axis motion simulator [X(] It was a $10 million dollar video game and it was SOOOO wicked that you just wouldn't believe (actually CAN;T believe it) until you experience it!

OK, end segway I'm going to give FMV a try (because it's free....) I know G4 is a GREAT program, but right now it's between my son going to the doctor and getting his meds or ME buying what is essentially a "toy"...... But I still wish I had that program, from everything I've read it's pretty much the bar that everyone else chases.

And I can tell you for certain that sims (with the exception of the giant flight sims at Delta for a paltry $10M) are NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR STICK TIME !!!!! That's the bottom line. I know they can get you familiar with the thumb movements and basic course correction techniqes, some maneuvers, etc.... but it's JUST like what JETMECH05 said about not being able to "simulate" the raised pulse, the sweats, and the barely controlled FREAK OUTS when you encounter a situation you're really not sure about (sudden high cross winds, other airplaines in your path, having your engine die for whatever reason -> you know, all the FUN stuff [:@]

Thanks for the tips!!!

I bought the ESky USB controller with bundled FMS CD. The controller is surprisingly good for $19.99 once it's configured and calibrated correctly. I also tested it with the Clear View simulator available at http://www.rcflightsim.com. You can download the demo version and try it out; if you like it you can register it online for $39.99 and get access to all of Clear View's features.

This would give you two flight simulators and a controller for under $60. Clear View's physics and graphics are both very good, and it would be a good combination with the ESky controller.

FS One just underwent a signficant price drop and is now available for $79.99 with transmitter cable or $99.99 with USB controller. Hobby Lobby has the Easy Fly 3 Simulator in stock, which is based off of the Aerofly Professional Deluxe physics/graphics engine for $99.99 with a USB controller.

These are all good options for an RC pilot who wants a high quality flight sim for less than $100.