Anyone play flight simulators (PC)?

[BrianM]

Years ago I used to play around with the MS Flight Simulator alot. Even bought a yolk and pedals. Then I started taking real flight lessons for a while, and was never able to enjoy Flight Sim after that. I'm not saying you won't have fun with it, but it's no comparison to the real thing.

 

[bildozr]

But there's no substitute.

3 Les Pauls= Private Pilot's license.

You can rent planes for about $100 an hour or less.

 

[Rich]

3 Les Pauls= Private Pilot's license.

Ouch!

 

[LarsK]

Ouch!

Start selling your equipment!

 

[MenaceMartin]

Yep, extensively, for many years, since i was 8 i've been playing Flight Sims... and flying properly too, not assing around on it I follow all the checklists, procedures, passed all the checkrides... yeeeeah i know. It's fun though.

I've flown a Katana aircraft (supervised) a couple of times as part of an experience bundle a few years back... the instructor was impressed which is a win!

I've been playing Train Simulators for around 10 years too... exact same idea, but train driving is actually what i want to do for a living.

Flight Simulator X is the way to go for some fantastic realistic simming. (For train simulators the best is Railworks 2, btw )

 

[Rich]

Yep, extensively, for many years, since i was 8 i've been playing Flight Sims... and flying properly too, not assing around on it I follow all the checklists, procedures, passed all the checkrides... yeeeeah i know. It's fun though.

That's what I'm looking for - realism. I'm a fairly mellow gamer (except Grant Theft Auto where I turn into a psycho) and traveling a flight path sounds fun to me, more so than doing stunt moves.

I've been playing Train Simulators for around 10 years too... exact same idea, but train driving is actually what i want to do for a living.

That sounds fun too!

 

[MenaceMartin]

That's what I'm looking for - realism. I'm a fairly mellow gamer (except Grant Theft Auto where I turn into a psycho) and traveling a flight path sounds fun to me, more so than doing stunt moves.

Awesome! in that case i can certainly say Flight Simulator X is a very wise choice indeed!

 

[Sleator]

I went through a phase where I was seriously jonesin' for a high spec pc just to play FSX. You can get it to run on average computers, but to have it at a relatively realistic level you'll need a pretty beefy pc!
What I learned, though was Flight Sim 2004 is preferred by a lot of people. It's much less needy on the specs, you can pick it up relatively cheap, & there's loads of great quality add-ons both free & not!
Don't worry, you're not alone on this one!

 

[MATTM]

I've got A LOT of hours on X-Plane. Very nice, realistic sim.

 

[MenaceMartin]

I went through a phase where I was seriously jonesin' for a high spec pc just to play FSX. You can get it to run on average computers, but to have it at a relatively realistic level you'll need a pretty beefy pc!
What I learned, though was Flight Sim 2004 is preferred by a lot of people. It's much less needy on the specs, you can pick it up relatively cheap, & there's loads of great quality add-ons both free & not!
Don't worry, you're not alone on this one!

+1, that is quite true actually.

Funnily enough, even though i have played Flight Simulator X for a short time (not my copy) i still use Flight Simulator 2004 for the majority of the time (it's the latest version i own), mainly because i downloaded an Airbus A330 for it a few years ago which i really like to fly.

I wouldn't say one game is more realistic than the other... the only main difference is the graphics They're both fanstastic simulators regardless.

 

[coldsteal2]

I used to, but i havent tried one for about 5 years
i bet they are really good now

 

[L60N]

There was a service pack 2 released for FSX which greatly improves the frame rates along with many other things. I cant over emphasize what an improvement it makes by having SP2 installed.

 

[H.E.L.Shane]

I've logged quite a few hours on Aces High II...

its a free online WWII simulator... the graphics aint the greatests, however the keep it like that becasue its online.. don;t want bandwith being sucked up by graphics..

As far as flight goes.. its about as real as it gets if you turn all the "helpers" off, like the "stall Limiters" you put a p-51 mustang into to tight a trun at the wrons speed.. and your not going to have a good day (I've lost quite a few points cause I stalled out a C-hog Corsair to low to the ground like a dumbass)

You can download the game and learn to fly for free and try it online free for a month.. so.. nothing really to loose..

There's also a "training area" where guys will actually TEACH you how to fly.

I don't play anymore cause it was eatin up WAAAAAAYYYY too much time that i SHOULD have been in my shop!!!

I've talked to guys that have actually flown p-40s, Mustangs and corsairs, and they same the game is really close...

to be good though, you'll need rudder pedals and a good joystick preferably with a throttle.. (i had the best and i still SUCKED)

HiTech Creations - Aces High

 

[Ledheadforlife]

I used to play microsoft flight sims on my commodore 64 and ibm pcxt 20 years ago, and they were pretty freakin cool even back then, they're probably mind blowing by now.

 

[Rich]

double post

 

[Rich]

I went through a phase where I was seriously jonesin' for a high spec pc just to play FSX. You can get it to run on average computers, but to have it at a relatively realistic level you'll need a pretty beefy pc!
What I learned, though was Flight Sim 2004 is preferred by a lot of people. It's much less needy on the specs, you can pick it up relatively cheap, & there's loads of great quality add-ons both free & not!
Don't worry, you're not alone on this one!

Shouldn't be a problem. I bought a new machine just a couple of months ago with:

Intel Core i5-650 3.2GHz processor
6GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
Stuffed in my old nVidia 9500GT w/1GB memory
Win 7 64 bit
Some sort of motherboard that's name I'm too lazy to type in

It's not a ubermachine, but it should be plenty adequate for most anything I do, including that game.

I really appreciate everyone's input on this. I don't buy a heck of a lot of games but, when I do, I really like to get a good idea what I'm in for so I don't waste money on something I can't return.

 

[bildozr]

You can find FSX with the Acceleration pack for $20 bucks too.

 

[Splattle101]

...IL2 1946 is great too, you get carrier ops thrown in on that one too.

Thjis is the best combat simulator for props out there for PC. And it's mod-able now, too.

None of the MS combat simulators held a candle to this title. But be prepared for a steep learling curve.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Thjis is the best combat simulator for props out there for PC. And it's mod-able now, too.

None of the MS combat simulators held a candle to this title. But be prepared for a steep learling curve.

Damn straight. The Wildcat on this is a beast compared to CFS. Just getting past the torque on launch took me forty or fifty tries at first. It is pretty unforgiving.

 

[Sukkoi19]

I use FSX to practice approaches into any airport in the world. I found it extremely useful for my Instrument rating. I have never found the actual physics to be much help when practicing maneuvers and since you cannot actually touch the instruments it doesn't do much for developing flows in my opinion. But things like NDB Approaches, DME arcs and all that great stuff I have never used as an actual pilot but required to be proficient on it works wonders for honing skills. I also found it very useful for my actual IFR ride. Just basically did the usual flight that particular check pilot is known for preferring and was basically able to practice my check-ride over and over again.