Comparison

PC Pilot vs RCM&E

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PC Pilot

This digital magazine delivers comprehensive coverage of flight simulation, from reviews of the latest software and add-ons to in-depth tutorials and industry news. It caters to both novice and experienced virtual pilots, offering insights into various simulation types.

Highlights
  • Flight simulation software reviews
  • Add-on aircraft and scenery reviews
  • Industry profiles and interviews
  • Advanced flight tutorials
  • Beginner's guides
  • Latest simulation news
Features
Read full description

PC Pilot Magazine Brought to you by Key Publishing Ltd, the World’s Leading Aviation Publisher. Published bi-monthly, PC Pilot magazine is the biggest-selling flight simulation magazine in the world. From the most detailed instrument-only simulator to fast-paced combat sims and everything in between, it’s your one-stop shop for Flight Simulation! Each issue features reviews of the latest simulation software, new stand-alone programmes, add-on aircraft, plus scenery and utility software for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator series and other commercial simulations. Each issue* also includes free access to the download content, supplied with the print edition. Regular features include: • Sim News: The latest flight simulation news from around the world • Product Reviews: Reviews of the latest simulation software – who will achieve the coveted PC Pilot Platinum award? • Industry Profiles: Interviews with publishers and developers within the industry • Tutorials: Advanced flight tutorials and training, from expert virtual pilots • Beginner’s Guides: Tips and technical advice for the novice flight simmer And much more! *Available from Issue 85 / May -June 2013 onwards. Please note: Posters, calendars or wall planners, plans, decals etc. may not necessarily be included with this digital issue. Please check the specific issue’s description within the app, to see if it is included with that digital version. Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of this title is © copyright. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest regular issue at the time of purchase. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

About

RCM&E

This app delivers the latest in radio control flying, featuring in-depth reviews, build articles, and expert columns. Access current and past issues of the leading UK model flying magazine, with free plans included in print editions.

Highlights
  • In-depth reviews of R/C models and electronics
  • Informative features and opinionated columns
  • Free plans with accompanying build articles
  • Access to current and back issues
  • User accounts for purchase protection
  • Multiple subscription options
Features
Read full description

Catering for all aspects of R/C flying, Radio Control Models and Electronics first appeared in May 1960 and is the biggest and best selling monthly model flying magazine in the United Kingdom with a large overseas readership. RCM&E has brought benchmark levels of writing and photography to the hobby and each issue has extensive reviews, informative features and opinionated columns from a number of well-known contributors. With every Print issue you'll find a high-quality free plan along with an accompanying build article. RCM&E publishes 13 great issues a year. ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest regular issue at the time of purchase. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

Screenshots

PC Pilot1 screens
RCM&E4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PC Pilot at 4.8 against RCM&E's 4.6. PC Pilot also leads on ratings volume (64 vs 14). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PC Pilot sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 2 months and RCM&E sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PC Pilot holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of PC Pilot's written reviews are positive against 56% of RCM&E's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PC Pilot ships an update every 5 months, RCM&E every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PC Pilot versus RCM&E: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPC PilotRCM&E
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (64 ratings) — better4.6 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews59.6% of reviews — better56.3% of reviews
Number of ratings64 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.211.2
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKey PublishingMortons Media Group Ltd

Customer experience

PC Pilot

All ratings64 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive59.6%
Neutral3.5%
Negative36.8%

RCM&E

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative31.3%

Bugs and requests

PC Pilot

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App crashes after login/authentication
  • App crashes after updates
  • Endless loop of downloading purchased issues
  • App crashes when opening purchased magazines
  • App stuck on blue loading screen
Show 8 more
  • Pages missing from magazine issues
  • App crashes when trying to read downloaded issues
  • Download status bar freezes
  • App crashes constantly, even when idle
  • Cannot create a user account
  • App crashes and becomes unresponsive
  • App is very slow on iPhone 4
  • Rendering issues fixed in newer versions

Requested features

8 requests
  • Fix app crashes
  • Ensure compatibility with latest iOS versions
  • Improve download stability
  • Provide links to add-on aircraft
  • Reformat magazine for better iPad screen display
Show 3 more
  • Allow disabling page turning animation
  • Update app for iPhone 5 compatibility
  • Rework flimsy menus

RCM&E

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

PC Pilot

Subscriptions3
  • PC Pilot Magazine7 Days trial$3.992 Months
  • PC Pilot Magazine14 Days trial$12.996 Months
  • PC Pilot Magazine1 Month trial$23.991 Year
One-time9
  • Issue 80: July-... (id:797190)$5.99
  • Issue 82 Novemb... (id:796744)$5.99
  • Issue 83: Janua... (id:797153)$5.99
Show 6 more
  • Issue 84: March... (id:797289)$5.99
  • Issue 95 (id:793322)$5.99
  • X-Plane 10 - Th... (id:797168)$5.99
  • Microsoft's Fli... (id:793299)$5.99
  • DCS: A-10C Warthog (id:794230)$5.99
  • Microsoft Fligh... (id:805834)$7.99
11 purchases

RCM&E

Subscriptions3
  • RCM&E Auto-Renewable Subscription1 Month trial$12.993 Months
  • RCM&E Auto-Renewable Subscription1 Month trial$26.996 Months
  • RCM&E Auto-Renewable Subscription1 Month trial$36.991 Year
One-time8
  • April 2013 (id:738909)$4.99
  • March 2013 (id:736741)$4.99
  • Autumn Special ... (id:739560)$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Model Flying Wo... (id:749308)$4.99
  • February 2025 (pp:1112159)$4.99
  • Oct-16 (id:792353)$5.99
  • Nov-16 (id:792357)$5.99
  • Dec-16 (id:792359)$5.99

Questions

Is PC Pilot free?
PC Pilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RCM&E free?
RCM&E is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PC Pilot or RCM&E?
PC Pilot is rated higher. PC Pilot averages 4.8 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while RCM&E averages 4.6 from 14 ratings.
Do PC Pilot or RCM&E have ads?
Neither PC Pilot nor RCM&E shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PC Pilot or RCM&E?
PC Pilot ships an update every 5 months, and RCM&E every 8 months. Most recently, PC Pilot was updated on September 25, 2026 and RCM&E on September 22, 2026.

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