Just bought a copy of Jane’s FA/18. Weeee…. er, sorta. So far I’ve spent more time learning how to fly than actually flying. Things sure have changed since I saw my first flight simulator on a neighbor’s Timex Sinclair. The manual goes pretty deep into the flight controls of the plane, which is the reason for the OP.
How accurate are these simulators? I would think that navigation systems are pretty straightforward. What about flight responses? What about the controls? Does Microsoft / EA / Microprose hire ex-pilots to fill them in on the details? How much of that is classified? How do these simulators compare to those used by airlines and the military? If I got good at flying a Cessna on MSFS, how long would it take to learn the real thing?
I just read a review of F/A 18 and the author praised the realism of this simulator. This was in a flying magazine so I trust the opinion. Most other combat simulators are not especially realistic. This is because the complexity of learning to use a very realistic simulator would scare away a great portion of the intended audience.
Civilian fligh simulators on the other hand can be quite realistic. I am a private pilot and used several of them throughout my training. I especially like the realism of Flight Unlimited III. It has stunning graphics and several common planes to choose from. Flight simulators are great for learning instrument lay out, navigation (GPS, VOR, and by compass) and even some parts of the air traffic control system. I do feel that being very familar with a good flight simulator helps you learn to fly for real.
I just read a review of F/A 18 and the author praised the realism of this simulator. This was in a flying magazine so I trust the opinion. Most other combat simulators are not especially realistic. This is because the complexity of learning to use a very realistic simulator would scare away a great portion of the intended audience.
Civilian flight simulators on the other hand can be quite realistic. I am a private pilot and used several of them throughout my training. I especially like the realism of Flight Unlimited III. It has stunning graphics and several common planes to choose from. Flight simulators are great for learning instrument lay out, navigation (GPS, VOR, and by compass) and even some parts of the air traffic control system. I do feel that being very familar with a good flight simulator helps you learn to fly for real.
Why would they have to hire ex-pilots? I think Bill can still afford someone who is current even though he’s now poorer than Larry Ellison. (boo-freakin’-hoo) MS says on the back of the Flight Simulator box that they get flight data right from the manufacturer.
The simulations are pretty good based on the little bit of time I have in a Cessna 150 and 172 but lack of actual motion and a panoramic outside view is more than a small detail. Ironically sense of motion can actually work against a pilot in the real world because the middle ear is usually fooled by the motion of flight. In a correctly coordinated turn your would “feel” level even though the plane is in a high bank.
All I know is that I gave up a bit on Falcon 4.0…it took too much of my valuable gaming time to figure out how to fly the thing than to actually enjoy shooting at other planes. Call me lazy if you will, but hey, give me Simcity or Civilization (I’ve been hitting Colonization pretty hard lately, might I add) type game anytime.
To toss another related question into the fray, whats the difference between MS FS and FS Professional edition? Do they give you an actual aircraft in the Professional edition? I’m guessing more realistic controls/reactions from the simulator, but thats just a WAG. I’m not all that into flight sims.
Without someway to see out of your plane in different directions without hitting a key on your keyboard or joystick, they’re not realistic at all. I suggest you give away your software and all related hardware to one of your relatives.