Editor Reviews

Flying a plane from your couch sounds like something out of a dream, but RFS (Real Flight Simulator) makes it feel real. The game puts you in the pilot's seat with cockpit views, realistic controls, and all the airport hustle. It's not for someone looking to crash a plane and call it a day. This one’s for players who enjoy aviation's steady, procedural parts — pre-flight checklists, real-time weather, talking to ATC, and sticking that smooth landing after a two-hour haul across the Atlantic.

The first thing you'll notice is the learning curve. The free version gives you basic aircraft and limited airport access, but the real deal comes with the Pro subscription. You get global maps, real-time flights from live traffic, advanced flight plans, and multiplayer. It feels less like a mobile game and more like a mini-flight sim built into your phone.

Flying isn't just tapping buttons and watching the sky change. You manage fuel, altitude, flaps, and autopilot and must listen and respond to air traffic control. It gets serious. Planes behave differently depending on the model. Weather affects your flight, so taking off in the rain or landing with crosswinds adds a bit of stress in a good way. Even taxiing feels real — if you don't follow the route or pay attention, you'll drive into the grass.

Graphics are solid for mobile. The clouds roll in nicely, lighting changes based on time and weather, and cities light up at night. It's not console-level, but good enough to trick your brain during a late-night flight over Europe. The interface is packed with options, though it can initially be overwhelming. Once you get used to it, you start appreciating the detail — things like tuning the altitude manually or setting custom weather for practice.

One aspect that stands out is multiplayer. You can fly with others in real time, share airspace, follow real-world flight paths, or join a friend's flight. Communication is limited, but it adds a social layer if you're into that.

The realism is what gives RFS staying power. It doesn’t gamify flying too much. You won’t earn XP for loops or barrel rolls — instead, you’ll spend time planning proper flights and getting that sweet satisfaction of a perfect touchdown after an hour of precision flying.

How to Play?

Step 1: Open the game and pick “Start Flight.” You’ll choose your aircraft, weather conditions, and airport.

Step 2: Use the throttle control on the left to speed up. Pull the yoke or swipe up on the right side to lift off when you hit takeoff speed.

Step 3: Keep your plane level. Use pitch (up/down), roll (tilt), and yaw (turn) to stay balanced. Watch your speed and altitude.

Step 4: Use autopilot for easier flights. It manages heading, altitude, and speed. Great for longer flights.

Step 5: Tap the map to plan or change your route. You can set waypoints, view airports, and monitor traffic.

Step 6: For landing, reduce the throttle gradually. Lower your landing gear and align with the runway. Use flaps for slower descent.

Step 7: Touch down gently. Apply brakes and reverse thrust (if available) to stop. Don't slam the runway, or you'll bounce or crash.

Step 8: Use the cockpit view for realism or third-person view for easier control. Switch anytime mid-flight.

Step 9: Complete flights to earn XP. These unlock new airports and features. You can fly globally with real-time traffic if you're online.

Step 10: Use the tutorial flights to get better. They teach you taxiing, takeoffs, landings, and advanced controls.