RealFlight Trainer Edition news & patch notes

RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.50.209 is now available as a free release for all Trainer Edition users. It adds support for the new Spektrum WS3000T and various other improvements. When it comes to using your own transmitter with RealFlight, the new Spektrum WS3000T Wireless Simulator USB Dongle is a game changer. For radios that support Smart Transmitter Files, the WS3000T sends an STF to the transmitter that automatically configures it for RealFlight. Then, RealFlight detects the WS3000T and automatically selects the correct radio profile. The whole thing becomes a true plug & play process, eliminating complicated user setup to get you flying faster and more successfully! If your radio does not support Smart Transmitter Files, that’s okay. The WS3000T retains the same broad Spektrum DSMX and DSM2 compatibility as the WS1000 & WS2000 before it. However, it improves on them by supporting up to 20 channels compared to the previous maximum of 8! Some other noteworthy “quality of life” improvements: Users now have the option to specify the location where RealFlight will read/write “user files” on disk. This offers a workaround when the default location causes problems. See the bottom of this post for details. It should not be possible for RealFlight to make the DirectX driver crash in modern Windows. Such problems typically indicate some kind of GPU hardware failure. However, if that does occur, RealFlight handles it more gracefully now.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added support for the new Spektrum WS3000T Wireless Simulator USB Dongle
  • RealFlight detects the WS3000T and automatically selects a radio profile designed specifically for it
• Ability to specify RealFlight's "user files" location on disk via command line (details below)

Improvements/Fixes

• Improved handling of DirectX driver crashes. RealFlight displays a single error with more useful information about what is happening and offers to restart automatically.
• Fixed a crash on startup if RealFlight experiences an error retrieving the Documents directory from Windows
• Training: When loop behavior is enabled, lesson playback correctly handles reaching the end of a lesson
• Selection menu filters normally persist within a session, but if they result in an empty list, the menu will revert to unfiltered on its next load
• Clicking Reset to clear all selection menu filters does not alter the scrolled position of the filters section
• Radio Profile Editor: The "Smoke" channel is more accurately labeled "Smoke/Gear"
• Award dialog appearance is correct when unlocking vehicles (fixed a broken header image) (Does not apply to Trial Version)
• Improved the descriptions for several settings that are sometimes disabled based on attributes of the currently loaded airport. When disabled, the descriptions contain additional text to better explain the cause. Affects:
  • Pilot Position (located in Free Play > Pilot View menu)
  • Camera Type (located in Free Play > Pilot View menu)
  • Sun Azimuth (located in Free Play > Environment menu)
  • Sun Inclination (located in Free Play > Environment menu)
• Scenario Quick Select dialog correctly defaults to the most recently loaded scenario, even if some invalid scenarios have been removed from the list above it
• Scenario Quick Select dialog displays error messages for invalid scenarios when a filter is active (though only for scenarios that filter includes)
• The default multiplayer server message text refers to its correct location on disk for those who wish to modify it
• Manage Game Lists dialog's listbox is now scrollable for stock game lists, allowing all the games in longer lists to be viewed
• Misc. other UI improvements

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete. Custom User Files Location As mentioned above, users now have the option to specify the location where RealFlight will read/write “user files” on disk. By default, Trainer Edition uses \\RealFlight Trainer Edition (e.g., C:\\Users\\Ryan Douglas\\Documents\\RealFlight Trainer Edition). However, sometimes that default location causes problems for RealFlight, such as when the path contains unsupported characters or when Microsoft OneDrive is involved. Setting RealFlight to use a different location on disk can sidestep those issues so the software will run. Specify the desired location using a command line argument as in the following example: -UserFilesLocation="D:\\My Files\\RealFlight Trainer Edition" Notes:

• The location given must be a full path including drive letter (i.e., an absolute path).
• If there are spaces anywhere in the path, the whole thing must be wrapped in quotes as shown above.
• If the specified directory does not exit, RealFlight will create it.
• Make sure it is in a location that is writeable by an application with standard user (non-administrator) privileges.
• Do not set it to the user files directory from a different version of RealFlight!

To add a command line argument for RealFlight:

Run the Steam client.

Right-click on RealFlight Trainer Edition in the left pane and select Properties…

On the “General” page, add the new option as shown above in the text input box beneath the text saying “Advanced users may choose to enter modifications to their launch options.”.

Close the Properties dialog.

Run RealFlight like usual. This is a new feature. Please report any issues you encounter while using it.

RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.50.196 is now available as a free release for all Trainer Edition users. It adds a third E-flite UMX Conscendo variant and numerous improvements.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added "Advanced" variant of E-flite UMX Conscendo with flaperon and spoileron mixing enabled (does not apply to Trial Version)
  • Unlock it by logging 2 hours of flight time, just like the other E-flite UMX Conscendo variants

General Improvements/Fixes

• Fixed a crash when cycling through console history using up/down arrows
• Longer recording filenames are supported
• Minor fix to “Heli Training 02 - Intermediate" scenario description
• Fixed a Spektrum Plus flight controller memory leak (affects only the E-flite P-51D Mustang 1.0m in Trainer Edition)

Selection Menu Improvements/Fixes

• Filters are fully cleared and the list of displayed items is correct after:
  • Applying filters that exclude all content, producing an empty selection list
  • Leaving those filters active and exiting the selection menu
  • Reentering the selection menu
  • Clicking Reset
• Keyboard input works as expected when persistent filters are present on menu load
• "Select" button is disabled when filtering causes the list to be empty
• "All On/Off" state is set correctly for all filter types after clicking Reset

Other User Interface Improvements/Fixes

• Added support for page up/page down keys in selection lists
• Settings' default values are displayed as part of their descriptions in navigation menus. Previously they were only shown after navigating to the individual property pages.
• Aircraft selection dialog "Product" & "Power Plant" filters correctly modify the displayed results, even when all options are deselected
• Changing an environmental setting and returning to it again without exiting the menu retains the previously altered value (affects Wind Direction, Wind Speed, Sun Azimuth, and Sun Inclination)
• Misc. improvements to long resource name handling and spacing in general

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.50.179 is now available as a free release for all Trainer Edition users. It adds new vehicles, new scenarios, and a whole lot of improvements and bug fixes! This release coincides with the release of the physical HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition model, which includes a copy of RealFlight Trainer Edition in the RTF Basic completion level.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition
• Added E-flite P-51D Mustang 1.0m to the list of aircraft that unlock after 2 hours of flight time (actual time spent in the air)
• Added two sets of scenarios focused on helping train beginner pilots, one for airplanes and one for helicopters. They are numbered and intended to be experienced in order.
• Made widespread improvements to the user interface
• Added Image Quality setting, located here: Settings -> Graphics -> Display -> Image Quality
• Added support for the Spektrum DXS USB Simulator Adapter (SPMA5000), which is included in the Cleetus McFarland Special Edition RTF Basic package
  • Includes autodetection and a new "Spektrum DXS (wired USB)" controller profile

Improvements/Fixes

• Fixed a memory corruption bug. It is unclear how many users this may have impacted, if any, and how it would have manifested if so. It may be responsible for some random failures or even startup crashes for some users.
• Added high-quality aircraft preview images in the main menu
• Training: Changed how lessons and their titles are presented.
• Challenges & Training: Replaced menus with updated versions
• Challenges & Training: Fixed a situation where the paused state could get partially stuck, with lingering broken UI elements
• Challenges: Removed old Pause dialog. Added challenge instructions to Pause menu.
• Added keyboard & controller navigation support to remaining in-challenge dialogs (e.g., level begin, level complete, level failed)
• Multiplayer Host & Join menus: "Server Details" menu item correctly opens the Server Details info dialog
• Multiplayer Host & Join menus: Added missing "Game Info" menu item
• Main menu selection dialogs' advanced filtering options work correctly when a non-English language is selected
• Introduced a missing setting to control whether the multiplayer simulation sound reduction setting is applied in MP sessions
• Improved names, description text, and the enabled/disabled functionality for multiplayer sound reduction settings
• Added support for home/end keys in selection and navigation lists
• Fixed an issue that could affect the roll rate on some aircraft
• Temporary resources are cleaned up more thoroughly on disk after multiplayer sessions
• Reworked rendering of stars in the night sky, making color differences more obvious
• Added a subtle flicker effect to the stars
• Added support for more elaborate blinking light behavior on aircraft
• Moon flickering when water is enabled is improved, but not completely fixed
• Reduced color banding in the sky
  • Sky dithering improvements are an example of something made possible by the update to DirectX 11
  • Turning up Image Quality has the potential to negate this improvement
• Added resolutionScaleOverride console command to allow fine-tuning the new Image Quality behavior
• Possible fix for UI lag that occasionally coincided with RealFlight gaining and losing focus
• Scenario Quick Select dialog's description area has a scrollbar to handle longer descriptions (necessary for the new scenarios)
• Award dialog appearance varies by unlockable reward type
• Time spent with a vehicle's position or orientation locked does not count toward total flight time
• Load Flight Recording menu item is disabled while a recording is in progress
• Names of enabled/disabled-type settings are slightly altered for greater clarity
• Alt-F4 keyboard shortcut now exits the sim while in the main menu system
• InterLink reset button closes the main menu
• Selection dialog filters persist for the duration of a session
• File paths in popup messages at the top of the main menu system are displayed correctly with all characters intact
• Improved text alignment for true/false settings
• Fixed some bad text in the “Preferred First-person Camera” setting description
• Numerical setting values do not display excessive decimal places when metric units are selected
• “Enable Recording Microphone” setting's default value is correctly listed as false
• Added new Welcome dialog tips and updated some existing ones
• Misc. other user interface improvements
• Technical Support dialog displays serial number and version info correctly

Aircraft

• Blade 150 S: Colorscheme name is properly capitalized
• Blade 150 S: Visual tail rotor wobble is eliminated
• HobbyZone Carbon Cub (all versions): Removed a couple unintentional inputs, one of which (Switch D) affected flight

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition 1.50.106 is now available as a free release for all Trainer Edition and Trainer Edition: Trial Version users. See below for the short but noteworthy list of changes.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added E-flite UMX Slow Ultra Stick to the list of models unlocked after 2 hours of flight time (does not apply to Trial Version)
• Added RealFlight Help Guide document, accessible via the main menu: Help > Help Guide

Improvements/Fixes

• No unused RFX subdirectory is created in \RealFlight Trainer Edition

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition 1.5 is now live! This substantial upgrade expands the available content and adds many features from our flagship product RealFlight Evolution. 1.5 is a free automatic update for all existing users. RealFlight Trainer Edition is now based on DirectX 11. This will help a lot of people who could not run the software due to DirectX 9 compatibility issues. An expanded roster of “Next Step” aircraft and airports in 1.5 further fulfill RFTE’s mission of training RC beginners. Trainer Edition supports your continuing growth as a pilot by unlocking those additional aircraft as you log more flight time. See below for a complete list. Also note that the Blade 330 S heli joins the list of base models, available immediately. Along with more content come many RealFlight Evolution features. A few highlights:

• A brand-new user interface
• Adjustable wind
• 3D terrain airports (available after 4 hours)
• Additional camera modes such as first-person cockpit view and chase cam (available at 3D airports)
• Optional flight failures and setup failures, to help prepare you for things going wrong at the field
• The full complement of RF Evo on-screen Gadgets, such as configurable NavGuides (telemetry data) and a heads-up display
• Multiplayer, for flying with other RealFlight users online and even receiving remote instruction

Starting with this 1.5 upgrade, RealFlight Trainer Edition is built directly from the RealFlight Evolution codebase. This means all Evo changes and fixes that would affect Trainer users can readily go into RFTE updates as well. The Trial Version of RealFlight Trainer Edition also receives this 1.5 update. However, its time limit does not allow for unlockable reward content. As always, RealFlight Trainer Edition owners are eligible to upgrade to full RealFlight Evolution at a significant discount.

Unlockable Reward Content

Log 2 hours of flight time to earn the following: Aircraft

• Blade 150 S
• Blade Eclipse 360
• E-flite Conscendo Evolution 1.5m
• E-flite Night Radian 2.0m
• E-flite Slow Ultra Stick 1.2m
• E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.1m
• E-flite UMX Conscendo
• E-flite UMX Radian

Airports

• Alpine Meadow
• Athletic Club

Log 4 hours of flight time to earn the following: Aircraft

• Blade Fusion 360
• E-flite Commander mPd 1.4m
• E-flite Habu SS 50mm EDF
• E-flite Habu SS 70mm EDF
• E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.2m
• E-flite Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m
• E-flite UMX Timber X
• E-flite UMX Turbo Timber Evolution
• E-flite Valiant 1.3m

Airports

• Alpine Lake
• Soccer Field

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition: Trial Version is updated to version 1.00.035. The full, non-trial version of RealFlight Trainer Edition did not experience the issue being addressed, so it remains unchanged at 1.00.034. For some RFTE: Trial Version users, the software would run once, then crash immediately on subsequent attempts to run. Affected users should be able to run normally after updating to 1.00.035.

Release Notes:

Improvements/Fixes

• Fixes a startup crash that affected some RealFlight Trainer Edition: Trial Version users after running the software once

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.00.034 is now available as a free release for all RFTE and RFTE: Trial Version users! This update adds support for the Spektrum MLP6DSM via direct USB connection. Using the MLP6DSM wirelessly with a WS1000/WS2000 dongle was already supported through the “Spektrum Receiver (MLP6DSM)” controller profile. Now, connecting the MLP6DSM via its USB port is also supported natively. RealFlight recognizes the radio and automatically selects the new “Spektrum MLP6DSM (Wired USB)” controller profile for it. If you have already run with your MLP6DSM connected through USB in an earlier version of Trainer Edition, the autodetection will not happen. There are two ways to start using the new profile:

Select Simulation -> Select Controller…, expand the “Profile” dropdown control, and manually select the new controller profile.

Select Help -> Reset To Defaults… This will reset RealFlight and the next time you run it will automatically select the new profile. Note that you will lose any and all other settings changes you have made. See a helpful video walkthrough here.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added support for the Spektrum MLP6DSM radio via its USB port. Includes autodetection and a new "Spektrum MLP6DSM (Wired USB)" controller profile.

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.00.033 is now available as a free release for all RFTE users! This update adds a new airplane, support for a new Spektrum radio, and several other improvements. See below for full details.

Release Notes:

Features

• Added HobbyZone Apprentice STOL S 700mm
• Added support for the Spektrum SLT6 radio via its USB port. Includes autodetection and a new "Spektrum SLT6 (Wired USB)" controller profile.

Improvements/Fixes

• Completing the entire set of Aeroscout Beginner Mode training lessons (levels I, II, & III) unlocks Carl Henson airport. This matches the Apprentice and Habu Beginner lessons behavior.
• All RealFlight Trainer Edition executables (main application & helpers) are digitally signed, which mitigates most antivirus software false positive issues
• Time spent in rewind no longer counts as in-air flight time
• Welcome dialog: "Upgrade RealFlight" button now refers to RealFlight Evolution
• Welcome dialog: Updated some stale tips

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

We are pleased to announce RealFlight Trainer Edition version 1.00.025! This update adds new HobbyZone AeroScout training content as well as our first Steam achievements! These achievements target the beginning pilot. See below for more details on these and other changes. Features

• Added training lessons featuring the HobbyZone AeroScout S 1.1m
• Added achievements for each of the following: - completing all the AeroScout training courses - completing all the Apprentice training courses - completing all the Habu training courses - accruing 2 hours of total flight time - accruing 4 hours of total flight time

Improvements/Fixes

• Fixed an occasional crash when changing aircraft
• Training lessons are sorted into tabs by vehicle
• Integrated controller-related improvements from RealFlight 9.5S, including: - New radio profiles (see footnotes 1 & 2 below) - Better Spektrum DXS support - "Deadband Percentage" defaults to 0 (see footnote 3 below) - RealFlight displays a reminder to turn off your transmitter on exit when using a Spektrum WS1000/WS2000 dongle

How to Get It Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete. Footnotes Note 1: One of the great things about the NX series radios is that they can connect directly via USB cable without the need for any additional hardware. If you are connected this way, select the new "Spektrum NX series (Wired USB)" radio profile in the Select Controller dialog. (RealFlight will automatically default to this profile if it detects an NX transmitter.) On the other hand, if you connect your NX using a Spektrum WS1000/WS2000 dongle, select the "Spektrum Receiver (NX Series)" radio profile. Note 2: Mode 1 users should also change the radio gadget display mode. From the main menu, select Gadgets -> Radio Mode (gadget only) -> Mode 1. Note 3: This setting will not change automatically for users who have run previous versions of the software. You will need to change it manually if desired. (Resetting everything to defaults will also do it.) From the main menu select Simulation -> Settings... Then in the Settings dialog, select Controller in the left pane and adjust Deadband Percentage as desired.