I cannot agree with the above.
I've unearthed quite a few unrealistic "quirks" with Aerofly's physics even on the latest version. You don't have to get very deep into plane editing to see this.
Under certain conditions planes will act if they've hit a virtual brick wall of sorts, which changes their flight behaviour for a second or two.
Of course good luck in actually making planes behave like their real world counterparts in AF. Many things are incorrectly calculated.
The editor options are severely limited... just try to do snap flap mixes for instance...
Aerofly's 2D airfields are superficially good looking but degenerate quickly as you zoom in the view... IMHO 3D airfields is where it's at! You can't get a virtual plane to fly through a tree branch in 2D and view the effect on the tree.
However Aerofly's 3D airfields ARE VERY impressive, the problem is that there really are only three 3D terrain areas available. ( gotta love the 3D tunnel through the mountain that you CAN fly a plane through ).
The only 3D airfields are those provided with the sim, and the end users have no way of generating 3D airfields of any sort.
Heli's physics is greatly lacking in AF. Just ask any heli pilot.
Planes do not exhibit the second and third order effects you see in real life.
Jets are not better in AF, but the recorded SOUNDS are.
It is amazing how much this little thing affects the perception that the jet planes seem to be more realistic as a result.
I'd like to see Realflight improve audio effects and jet sounds likewise.
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Even with the things that could stand imrpovement, Realflight wins hands down if only because of its "tunability" and extensibility coupled with superior flight physics.
The flight modeling is consistent in Realflight, you will not suddenly get a plane doing something uncharacteristic in the middle of a flight...
If something doesn't fly right, you CAN fix it in Realflight. ( though there is still the thrust lever moment issue around the center of pressure, when thrust is provided via a POD... but most people will never encounter it. )
2D airfields are soooo passe. 3D is where is at... which is why everyone wants better and better 3D rendering. Developer bowling anyone?
In order of flight physics accuracy
Realflight
Aeroflight
Phoenix
In order of 3D airport object "looks". (not terrain maps)
Aerofly
Realflight
.
.
Phoenix
In order of "tunability"
Realflight
Phoenix
Aerofly