PC Flight Sim Software

[Amish RakeFight]

Thanks for the tips in MSFS. My PC would maximize the screen, preventing me from accessing the windows drop down menus. I can infinitely adjust the weather now!

 

[Amish RakeFight]

RakeFight,

I downloaded the On Top 8 demo to give it a try.

Liked the features. But, I found the simulation to be very squirrelly in the pitch axis. Much more difficult to maintain constant altitude or climb/decent rate than in an actual aircraft. Very small yoke changes seemed to cause large deviations in the VSI. Perhaps one issue is lack of tactile feedback while applying elevator trim - you can't feel the change in the yoke pressure as you move trim wheel. Also, my current yoke is an older CH Products legacy analog controler. May need to upgrade to newer USB device.

By the way, I had the same complaint about an older Jeppesen FS2000 sim I used. However, that was with the same yoke so maybe it's got to go.

Your experience?

In general, most flight sims are going to be more sensitive than the actual airplane. This is actually a good thing. If you can practice to the point where you have good control over the heading and altitude you should be able to do a better job in flying an actual plane on instruments. The On Top is defintately a little sensitive in pitch, but after getting used to it, you can hold altitude within 20' in all the AC types available. It is definately feasible. As far as getting the trim right, it's gonna take practice to find where the sim wants to trim to be. Here's a litte tip to get it trimmed properly a little quicker. After you're at an altitude and have cleaned up the plane (cowl flaps for instance, will change the trim when retracted), you can engage the AP ALT mode and the sim will auto trim for the altitude. Once you see the wheel stop moving, disengage it and the trim has been set for straight and level. I've had the On Top 8.0 for a few years and I find it quite helpful when I'm feeling rusty.

 

[gsrcrsx68]

ok, geek confession:
I wrote a program for my pocket PC so that I could use the touchsreen to control MS simulator. Basically in stead of knowing all the key controls you could just use the touchscreen for gear, throttle, flaps, radios, VORs and on and on.
I thought it was a good compromise between the home computer and the pcatd. It would be better with a fullsize monitor and some better graphics but it worked ok.
The pictures aren't so great but if you view them full size you'll be able to get the idea.

http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1451.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1450.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1449.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1448.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1447.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1446.JPG
http://www.tricksweb.com/t/data/HPIM1445.JPG

 

[Amish RakeFight]

...it's okay, most pilots are geeks deep down.

Funny pics.

I do actually have the CH USB Yoke which has levers for the MPT, flaps, gear, trim, timer, and brakes. Makes it a little easier than using your PDA. But what you did was creative. It's a few bucks (the yoke) but well worth it in the long run. It costs less than an hour of flight time and will enhance your instrument flying on the PC. No need for rudders though, as it autocorrects.

 

[time builder]

RakeFight,


By the way, I had the same complaint about an older Jeppesen FS2000 sim I used. However, that was with the same yoke so maybe it's got to go.

Theres a way to adjust forces and sensitivities on Microsoft I forget what menu it's under. Also, if you have privledges on the programming (most downloads allow this), you can use gmax to tweak it to feel and perform like you want.