Lets say we both buy the same model airplane kit, you build yours and I build mine per instructions. There is a very BIG chance they won't fly the same at all.
Building techniques, glue, etc.
The point is, only a person who has bought and owned the real plane can really make the sim version fly the same.
Mind you, you can get close with the editor.
I realize this and my expectations would be that the developers actually fly these planes before they develop them or at least some of them. Or at a minimum have people test that have flown them, watch videos and study characteristics, etc. For example, I bought expansion pack #5 thinking that the Reactor Bipe EP would fly pretty close to the real thing and I could practice with this specific plane. Looking like the plane is of little significance if it flys like another plane...
That being said, yes my plane may be setup differently than the one in RF.
I believe that the same plane, equipment being equal and setup being equal will fly relatively close to one another. It's usually the components used, CG, battery, etc. that makes them different. Many threads have discussed the insignificance of getting things perfectly aligned and that minor offsets have little effect on the models we build. Of course, some of us are perfectionists and have to have things just so, but if your stab is slightly off or has a slight warp, it's only going to make a minor difference in flight characteristics.
I have taken warps and other such imperfections out of planes before and felt better about flying the plane in general, but only a very small change was noticed in real world flying.
Sorry for the rant, but I doubt if 3 of us built the Reactor Bipe that each would fly like a totally different plane. Many of us have rebuilt a crashed plane, and while it may never quite fly like it did new - I don't think it's going to exhibit coupling when it didn't before, etc. (Meaning things that are significant wont' change).
I"m just saying that while certain small tweaks should be expected, the stall factor, coupling and somewhat major characteristics of a given style of plane should be roughed out.
A simulation should be realistic IMHO.
Now, after I said all of that, for all I know the Reactor Bipe EP could fly exactly like the real thing when it's setup properly. However, I'm not the only one complaining the sim's version doesn't fly like their real models counter part.
If my model in real life is presenting a challeng holding a knife edge or other stunt, has wing rock, but in the sim it's a piece of cake - then it's defeating the whole purpose of practice.
Now, with regards to practicing stunts with helis, RF has been great!
BTW - this rant wasn't directed at you or anyone else (may RealFlight) - just venting my frustration.
