PC Flight Sim Software

[gfvalvo]

Hi All,

I'm looking for recommendations on PC flight simulator software. The main "mission" is practicing instrument procedures in high performance piston singles and light twins. As such I'd like the sim to have a good data base of navaids, ILS facilities, and airports. IFR GPS with database is a must and software plug-ins for different boxes would be even better. Support for glass cockpit and steam gages. Finally, control of winds, night/day, ceilings, and visibility.

Program should support USB yolk and rudder pedals, but I'm not interested in spending $3K for a full-blown PCATD.

I'm sure Microsoft's new Flight Sim X has outstanding graphics and it would be cool to use it to "fly" a Lear or 737, but not at the expense of quality and realism in my main requirements. Stated another way, is it a flight sim or a game?

What are the alternatives?

Thanks.

 

[gsrcrsx68]

It's a good sim. Has a garmin gps, soon to have a glass panel(if it doesn't already), ok selection of planes. I used mine a ton for my rating...worked just fine.

I think it is loaded with the same db as a lot of the other sim packages.

 

[ms6073]

On Top 8: http://www.asa2fly.com/product1.asp?SID=1&Product_ID=103&

X-Plane: http://www.x-plane.com/default.html

Elite 8.0 (probably most advanced IFR PC Flight Simulator but also the most expensive): http://www.flyelite.com/software.php?product_id=5

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I would recommend "On Top 8.0" by ASA. It contains all of what you ask. You'll need a yoke though, something like the CH Products Yoke works well.

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/y_fsyusb.html

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[Jafar]

I really dig Flight Simulator X. It does have the G1000 in the deluxe version, and it's a pretty good representation of it. Real world weather, and the ATC is way better than previous versions. The only hang up is you've got to have a very high horsepower machine to run it properly.

 

[falcon20driver]

you dont need rudder peddals to practice an ils or other instrument approachs, or a fancy flightsim yoke, a cheap analog 20 dollar joystick works well.

ms flightsim 2004 works great for keeping sharp on the gauges, its all about scanning and thinking about what you're doing, not about how an expensive toy yoke moves the attitude, a stick moves it just the same, set the vis to 1/2 mile and shoot any approach in the world, complete jepp database, goodluck finding a value as good as fs2004, 29 bucks or cheaper.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

you dont need rudder peddals to practice an ils or other instrument approachs, or a fancy flightsim yoke, a cheap analog 20 dollar joystick works well.

ms flightsim 2004 works great for keeping sharp on the gauges, its all about scanning and thinking about what you're doing, not about how an expensive toy yoke moves the attitude, a stick moves it just the same, set the vis to 1/2 mile and shoot any approach in the world, complete jepp database, goodluck finding a value as good as fs2004, 29 bucks or cheaper.

I've used both On Top 8.0 and MS FS 2004. There is definately a difference. The types of aircraft available and the weather settings are not as easily configured in MSFS as they are in On Top. MSFS seems like it is more geared towards the average non-pilot or recreational flyer whereas On Top has more authentic IFR-like settings and aircraft panels. It is more for the instrument rated pilot who wants to practice approaches rather than all the fluff and scenery found in MSFS.

Just my opinny.


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[seethru]

I've used both On Top 8.0 and MS FS 2004. There is definately a difference. The types of aircraft available and the weather settings are not as easily configured in MSFS as they are in On Top. MSFS seems like it is more geared towards the average non-pilot or recreational flyer whereas On Top has more authentic IFR-like settings and aircraft panels. It is more for the instrument rated pilot who wants to practice approaches rather than all the fluff and scenery found in MSFS.

Just my opinny.


.

I have not used On Top 8.0, so I cannot offer an opinion on that program. But I will say that the MSFS product is an outstanding adjunct toward instrument flight training.

I don't recall the weather being difficult to set, and obtaining real world weather is simply a mouse click. The real world nav database and procedures makes practicing your approaches before your checkride a snap.

Since you obviously do not have the sensation of movement, I don't think MSFS as useful in basic maneuvers (i.e. stalls, steep turns, etc).

As mentioned earlier, pretty cheap. Especially what it costs for an hour in a real plane with an instructor.

Edit: Just checked the price of the On Top simulator. $112! I don't know. MSFS is heavily supported and at a fraction of the price.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

In MSFS, it seems that once you set the weather, you can't reset or adjust the parameters after you've begun the flight. There is more freedom in setting things such as flight and weather parameters with On Top.

 

[Publishers]

On Top and Elite are really pure flight simuators designed for practice and practical experience. FSX and FS2004 have to work more on the scenery and different not flying effects to get the market that they are trying to attract. If you are in it strictly for the learning, go with the first two, for fun and a bit of learning, FSX.