The amazing capabilities of home flight simulation

[Boac]

While I was doing some 'real' simulator training for those wishing to find employment in airlines, I used MS Flt SIM with add-ons for the 737, 747 and 777 to help prepare my 'exercises' and could not, quite frankly, have managed without! I recall setting my 737 off in VNAV and LNAV from LGW to GVA to look at timings, waiting for cruise alt, setting IAF altitude in the MCP and going off to Tescos to return to 'the seat' for the autoland on one occasion.

Now I see you have everything from space simulation to micro-lights, and of course the graphics are just incredible.

Anyone else here 'dabble'?

[MoreAviation]

I haven't but your thread is well timed as I was about to ask whether anybody here had used PC simulation software to prepare for IR renewals etc? As the power of processors has increased, the PC does seem to be a likely candidate for an in home simulator (not full motion obviously) with a couple of additions such a yoke, pedals, throttles etc.

Does this sound reasonable or am I just a gullible fool who doesn't realise that it is all about boring a hole in the sky at great cost to oneself and the planet.

[Boac]

Yes, I have and no you are not! Mind you I have not gone as far as yoke and pedals.....

I have also used the FS for teaching NDB tracking ("what is that" I hear the CotML cry.............) and as a 'brush up' on the way the needles move and to play with FMS/CDU/LNAV etc, quite brilliant.

[MoreAviation]

Yes, I have and no you are not! Mind you I have not gone as far as yoke and pedals.....

I have also used the FS for teaching NDB tracking ("what is that" I hear the CotML cry.............) and as a 'brush up' on the way the needles move and to play with FMS/CDU/LNAV etc, quite brilliant.

Do you recommend Microsoft FS as a good application to start off with in the Sim world and, if you do, do you know if it will allow the additions of peripherals such as a yoke etc?

As for NDB tracking, I am sitting here with the Oxford Aviation "IMC rating and Instrument Flying Multimedia and Flight Training CD just to brush up again on the finer nuances of flying those pesky NDB approaches of which there are still plenty in Southern Africa and Africa generally...

[Boac]

I'll have to pass on the 'cockpit additions' MA, since I did not use them. Many years ago I bought a 'stick' to enable me to play F15s in the gulf games - it was good. I found the PMDG series add-ons were good for Boeing and AB.

If you just want to track in and outs on the needles, I suggest autopilot in at a suitable altitude and just use the left+right keys to start with. When you get to the uppy/downy bit, it is not too crucial if you set the wrong rate of descent. Remember when you crash, go make another coffee.


If only we good trap a few Flt Sim nutters here..........................

[Wodrick]

Does an add on Microlite with an added autopilot and then flying it round the world while on nights in Maintrol for a well known charter operator count ?

Did it with an L10e following the route of you know who as well, didn't crash nr Howland Island though.

[ribrash]

Just found this thread.Have worked my way through all the MS FLT sims as they came out.Good fun and keeps one current till the lotto turns up.

[Slasher]

Only ever use MS Combat flight sim. Don't muck around with it much these days but now and then the Japs and Luftwaffe need a sound thrashing.

[Slasher]

I think Team Fusion did some pretty amazing stuff.

[bbvideo=560,315]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6u4JxgE2S4[/bbvideo]

[ExSp33db1rd]

I'm afraid to dabble, I know it will consume me ! I'll wait for the wheelchair era I think.

[Slasher]

Yeh once the code is rewritten and a schmick new IL-2 is released I'm definitely gonna download it!

[unifoxos]

What Speedbird said - if I start on it I'll never stop, and maybe never get motivated to get back in the air for real.

[John Hill]

We have a moderately complex simulator in our museum set up as an ATR72. It is interesting to see the differing approach to 'flying' by people of different ages.

The older guys look at the scenery display trying to find our airstrip but when they do they are almost always too high, too fast and too late. The younger members are more likely to engage autopilot immediately after take off and do a nice straight in approach almost every time.