iPhone/iPod touch as a helicopter simulator?

Can you use a mobile phone as a helicopter flight simulator? Is it a flight simulator or just a game? Do the screen size give the sim any justice?

With the combination of iPhone/iPod Touch and the latest X-Plane 9.50 the answear is - yes you can!

But are we talking a full time helicopter flight sim here? To be honest, I don't use it at home - ever. I use it when am bored. Taking the Metro to the city (hardly ever take the buss), at the airport waiting for my plane (the real one) to leave and when am in the air, and any other "time" consumer when there is nothing else to do. The first reviews of it, a lot of people complained that it was difficult to fly. Mostly those who said that, never bothered to read the instructions and where unfamiliar to flying helicopter simulators. Helicopter controls are "touchy" just like they are in real life helis. You need to take it easy. Get it "light on the skids", then you can pull some more power (raise the collective). But before I go any futher, lets have a look at the software:

The latest version of X-Plane 9 Helicopter Simulator is v9.50 (just recently updated from 9.40). And sells for 7,99Euro. For that you will get unlimited updates on the v9.xx version, for free. The best "mini" flight sim ever made for mobile phones (and as 2010 comes - the rumored mac tablet approaching, are you listening X-Plane programmers??). Six different regions to fly in, multi gaming, choice of weather with corrections, time of day, weight sheet, multi-views including a instrument panel, multi player.. As for helicopters, you get 5 choices:

*Robinson R-22

*Bell 206

*Blackhawk

*Sea king

*S-76C

Flying it on the iPhone 3G is no problems at all. I have not tried on the new 3GS or iPod Touch. But since both of those platforms has a better cpu (its brain) so it should load it a bit faster and maybe even run it more smoothly. If anyone have tested it with the new Touch or 3GS feel free comment on it below the post.

I suggest you to read the few tips before starting up the heli. You can also head to the X-Plane website for full instructions. But as everything else, play with it, and you'll get the hang of it.

I do enjoy the X-Plane helicopter simulator and recommend it if you have a iPhone or iPod touch. Is it god? Yes! Is it fantastic? No! But it will entertain you for some time. Plus help killing the dread full "waste of time" periods commuting or waiting in the bank etc. It does hoverer give helicopter simulator fanatics one more way to enjoy this time consuming hobby! ;)

Link to the app at X-Plane home webpage:

X-Plane Mobile

Link to Apple's website:

Apple iPod Touch

NB! Legal disclaimer! (I don't want apple to sue me for "misusing their property)

Both iPhone and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple. For more info about the legal aspects of using the names you can go to Apple - Legal Information