Can you simulate a 4 channel electric heli on the RealFlight G2? (such as Housefly or xrb)
Also, how does the blade compare to the housefly or xrb for a beginner? how many channels is the blade? Thanks.

Any helicopter, in terms of the way you control it, is a "4 channel helicopter" in that you only ever require the 2 sticks (4 axis) to control it. The only difference between the models is how they achieve lift, with one using only a motor and the other using the motor and blade pitch. As such, any model helicopter would be sufficent for learning to fly. In terms of flight characteristics, small FP models are certainly much harder to control than bigger ones, but that's not so much the case with the XRB or Housefly because they're both very stable helicopters for their size. At any rate, it's best to find a model that flies similarly to what you've got, or are going to get.

XRB or Housefly are 4 channel, the blade is 6 channel.

XRB & Housefly use a motor drive with fixed pitch blades spinning in opposite directions to achieve lift and gyroscopic stability, the blade uses 0 pitch blades that are rasied and lowered with servos to alter their pitch to achieve lift, while a tail rotor provides gyroscopic stability.

The only difference between the two in the way that they can be flown, is that the blade is capable of aerobatic manuevers because of the ability to apply "negative" pitch to the blades, thus allowing them to blow air upwards instead of downwards, making it possible to do loops, rolls, fly inverted, etc.

If you want to learn to fly helis, XRB or Housefly are easier, and more stable, and all around better for learning on. They have lower headspeeds and so can be crashed and sustain minimal if no damage at all. The blade will have much higher headspeeds which can be disastrous if you get a headstrike while at mid to full throttle. Both are cheap to repair though, and one will offer room to grow but will provide a steeper learning curve, I think.

Depends on what you want from the hobby, and how far you intend to progress.

Thanks for the info, that helps me better understand everything. Are you familiar with the sim Realflight G2? If i was to buy the housefly or xrb, which copter should i practice with on the sim? Thanks.

I have never used any of the RF products as they're just so darn expensive, but i'm sure someone else here can help fill you in

The XRB and Housefly both have two rotors that spin opposite each other.. Which automatically counteracts the centrifugal forces each makes, making it an incredibly easy helicopter to hover, Add to this fixed pitch and a puny tail to puff it aloft.. Its great for an office or doing army man missions from the living room to the den. But understand the fact that with the counter heads, they also counter its ability to fly forward effectively too. You’ll notice the only heli craft the military uses is either experimental or the Big Chinook dual bladed kind, ever see one of those fly fast? The models on G2 are either fixed pitch or collective pitch single rotor head, it changes the angle of the main blade coupled with power to cause lift, and the tail rotor plays an active role in counteracting the forces pushing the body in the opposite direction the rotor head spins now. Yes. its supposed to sound complicated. I’ve flown g2 sim and personally do not think that there is a craft on it that compares to a single head design. Stepping up to any collective pitch heli from one of those entails a new learning curve.. But with that you’ll be gaining on the fun factor too. It’s all about how much you wish to commit to your hobby.

do not think that there is a craft on it that compares to a single head design. typo.. I meant double..

google?