Commerical/Instrument SEL, MEL, 1585368CFI (Unfortunately, retired).I agree that occasionally something may be "bunk" (or quite possibly a simple mistake), but by far in large, the vast majority of RealWorld/FS related posts are quite valid.Happy flying:RTH

"I don't think that we need to post our credentials for a sim site."Just curious as to why as I have seen similar reaction in other threads, therefore I have stopped doing it?Please do not be offended by my reply as the last thing I want to do is to take away from the theme of this thread. No offence is intended.I don't think such posting is meant to be bragging, but are things in which we take a great deal of pride. I got my PPL, Commercial, and CFI the hard way and am proud of it. By that, I mean I PAID for it. Immediately after I got the tickets and had spent all of my money, they reinstated veteran's benefits. At least that helped pay for my instrument and ME ratings. Now retired for many years, FS is my link to real world memories.I respectfully appreciate seeing the achievements of others both in FS and Real World on this site. I think It is also of some value to know how credible the knowledge of the poster is at times, both relative to computers and FS as well as the real thing.Respectfully:RTHEdit: Sorry "DJJOSE". I fear I replied to and quoted you in error. It was another reply to which I made reference in my first line.

Although I appreciate the enthusiasm of some of the members, I would rather rely on the FARs for real world knowledge, instead of the advice of someone (a name) on an FSX forum.There's much to be absorbed, but a student pilot should be advised to check with his CFI or the FARs before embarking into the unknown. I do think that many great people here offer some excellent advice. I don't think that we need to post our credentials for a sim site.

One recent example is a user explaining that you should NEVER use VS or FLC because the FMC ALWAYS flys the plane, which is about as far from real life as you can get, there are many other examples for those that care to look.

There are other examples you won't find in a text book either. At Site X ( a different X sim), a simmer and student pilot inquired as to why his sim model " Grumman Yankee" was always going left wing down after he turned off the auto-pilot, and had previously trimmed for roll, with balanced fuel & passenger weight in the first place. Someone said that this was do to "torque", as in real life, and that this sim just as a steep learning curve. Well........................ this is incorrect, as a Grumman Yankee will not have any noticeable effects of roll from torque at cruise or descent speeds. The (small)size of engine compared to the airframe, and the fact that it's not being full throttled at slow airspeeds as in a go-around.........will not produce a pronounced left roll. This "aileron roll" thread has run about a week now, with no corrected answer. In reality, it's either the model, the sim, or controls. But not torque!L.Adamson

alsmot got the PPL Windsor CYQG 45 hrs. 2008.

I've been a student for the last 20 years (I'm only 26 at the moment) and haven't had the time or money for a PPL yet. However, I'm a former mechanical engineering student with work in fluid dynamics for N2 compressor design. So in terms of ATC procedures, etc...well my answers don't always carry a lot of weight. In terms of how, why and with what systems an airplane operates...well I know my engineering side pretty well.

Like many of those who responded, my tickets are early '70s vintage. I came across FS long after. Having said that, I feel that FS could have been a very useful supplement to my training, particularly for the instrument rating, although FS would have also been useful for PPL for things like aircraft and airport familiarization, basic navigation skills, planning, etc. For IFR, I use FS often for conditions I would never fly in the RW (I hope). For example, last night I flew a flight from KMSP-KDSM first with icing on per FSUIPC in the SF-260 to simulate and deal with the consequences, then turned icing off so I could shoot several approaches to KDSM in fairly marginal conditions, including a go-around. Very good practice. I usually use RW weather per ASA (looking for the worst conditions AOA minimums), but will also fly approaches into heavy thundersnow with moderate/severe turbulence, strong crosswinds at minimums - something no sane pilot would do. All approaches are hand flown - very good practices for scans, etc. Again, FS is a great training tool if used wisely, but I certainly would not apply this adverse weather training to fly in anything approaching similar conditions in the RW. As the saying goes, there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots. Count me in the "old" category.Apologies for the thread creep, but perhaps this is still relevant with respect to advice -

Not to be "that guy"...But if you see someone giving the wong information... Why don't you respectfully present the right information instead of laughing (privately) at the poster(s) giving it?I work in a highly specialized field that, ironically, everybody and their uncle thinks they can do... But can't. Like most specialized professions it takes hard work, dedication, skill and actual God-given talent to do well. However, that doesn't mean I sit back and watch novices make fools of themselves for my amusement, or "entertainment" as the OP put it. That's arrogance and condescending to be blunt.I respect and appreciate all of those on this thread who have listed their real world experiences and credentials. I am always open to learning something new about aviation from those who actually work in and have real life experiences, good and bad, with it every day.However, that doesn't mean I, as a computer game geek, can't, or should not offer as much advice as I can. Especially, if I know the advice to be correct. This is in regards to not just certain procedures, or how things work (in theory) on a plane, but also how to get the most out of your hardware to run MSFS at its optimal best, etc.My point is we're supposed to be a community.Communities are made of many different individuals with varying levels of skill AND interest.A perfect example is lot of the younger simmers (the Youtube crowd) are in their pre-teens and early 20s. A lot of them don't care about complex procedures like how to program a FMC, or how to perform a precision instrument approach (ILS), etc. They just like "kicking the tires and lighting the fires". However, this doesn't make them any less of a Flight Sim enthusiasts, does it? On the same note, a lot of the younger crowd are also working toward their PPL at age 16. They want careers as professional aviators are willing to work their arse off to achieve this goal. Again, same segment, but entirely different skill level and interest.My point in being a xxxxx is the OP's post smacks of elitism and arrogance.He is well within his right to ignore everyone else on the forum except for those on this list. But I would hope this isn't the true nature of this thread because that is not in the spirit of what AVSIM is designed for, IMHO.

I've been flying for a living for 30+ years both fixed and rotary wing.....have been flexible enought to be able aquire skills in a lot of areas of aviation and when rececions hit it has been handy to have a diverse background. For the last 9 seasons i have been flying fixed wing forest fire suppression which although being ifr capable is a requirement the bulk of the flying is vfr. I've been incolved in flight simming sinse the late 1980's off and on but it has been the last 10 years i have got back into it. While my interest in flight simming was for fun I found it was keeping my hands and feet ifr skills up to speed as when I'd report back to work in the spring I had a much easier time with the ifr training and checkrides than a lot of my co-workers......something some eventually noticed and themselves got into msfs to help with keeping the ifr profficiency up. A lot of people scoff at the thought of using msfs in this way but for me, in addition to being a great hobby/pasttime/whatever as a spinoff benefit my ifr level has been kept good. In fact for the last few years my organization has used me as an instructor in our comkpany sim to help others get up to speed in the spring.I have really enjoyed msfs. it gives me a chance to experience aircraft that my career will not take me to. I enjoy creations by PMDG, Ariane, and most recently Capt Sim. The Eaglesoft business jets are great to. Plus with all the scenery add ons it is fun to just go out and explore.Dave

........Do you lot know how ludicrously expensive flying training is in the UK?? ..........

I do :( :(..........

Not to be "that guy"...My point in being a xxxxx is the OP's post smacks of elitism and arrogance.He is well within his right to ignore everyone else on the forum except for those on this list. But I would hope this isn't the true nature of this thread because that is not in the spirit of what AVSIM is designed for, IMHO.

You seem to have misunderstood me. I normally DO jump in and try to assist, IF it happens to be something I am knowledgable about. However, because "elitism and arrogance" isn't in my personality, I usually wait to see if other's can help first. I have nothing to 'prove'.Citing my 'example' earlier, I didn't jump into the thread about the FMC for one very good reason; Although through experiance I know atc procedures, I have never actually flown a 'real' plane with an FMC. When I leared there was no such thing. That doesnt negate the fact that ATC will and does give instructions that preclude using the FMC exclusivly and require the pilots to actually fly the plane, speed restrictions, altitude restrictions, weather, traffic, any number of reasons. I also have a lot of friends that do fly for the airlines, and when I have a FSX question that relates to airliners, such as FMC's, I pick up the phone, give em a call, and try to get an answer I can pass along if needed, to ensure any answer is accurate if others haven't already answered.I started this thread to see if those here with actual, real life, "my butt is on the line", experiance would post about themselves so that others could see who they are and lend credibility to THEIR assistance when they give it. So far the replies are exactly what I was hoping for, there is no hidden agenda here, I really wish folks would stop trying to analize my motives and simply post their experiances, most have and I am loving the replies.

ASMEL Commercial Instrument - finished in 1963

I have to agree with CryogenicPilot (CP) that this is a community with an amazing range of users. For those that want to just "kick the tires and light the fires", that's great. I have a father-in-law in his mid-eighties who enjoys this basic approach, and it doesn't seem to bother him if he crashes 10 times, as long as he lands OK once. Goodness knows, I often basically "kick the tires and light the fires" when I want to tour various parts of the world. A given weekend may take me to Italy, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Grand Canyon, etc. - try to do that in the real world! When I want to land, I look around for a nearby airport or just use GPS NRST function. Not much planning, other than the starting point. Some aircraft, like the SF-260, are also great for aerobatics training. I have RW experience in that as well, but have worked on maneuvers/sequences in FS that I haven't done in real life.I quite agree with comments by dbw1 (Dave). Aside from its training uses, FS also allows all of us to fly aircraft that we will never have the opportunity to otherwise do. And some of the simulations are amazing.I take the OP at his word without any analysis of motives. Overall, I'm not too concerned about one less-than-fully informed poster providing advice to another on FMC uses - because the only harm that's likely to result is "virtual". I think that RW pilots can be very helpful to those who are just learning to fly, for example, the young aspiring pilots that CP mentioned. There it is much more important to correct any bad advice. I think we can also give suggestions on more advanced uses, because FS can be very useful for keeping us sharp, as Dave's message illustrates. I also tried to give a few examples of how FS could be used, as well as a caution on a possible misuse.Overall, a good thread - thanks to the OP.

Hi all.ATPL~9000 hrsTyped on B737NG/Dash8/Pretty much most of the King AirsThe realism with these addons just keep getting better and better. Lately I had the knack to try turbo props once again. I bought the JS41 from PMDG. Henning asked me if I wanted to beta test this thing but I wasn't into FSX at all and despised the VC. After buying the J41 I was wrong. Amazing working done on this thing and I love the VC although the trackIR is a must. The 3 2-D panels (radio,FMS,Autopilot) they created I think is a must as well since they are used quite a bit throughout a flight and I don't like programming an fms in VC. Looking forward to their upcoming B737NG and Dash8. Have fun guys and a great new year!

Began desktop flying at the age of 8 in 1981 with MSFS II on the venerble PCjr and . PPL in 1990 at KADS to ATP in '97 with now defunct Atlantic Coast Airlines(JS32, CRJ2). Presently with NetJets on the 800xp Honeywell fleet. As avid a flightsimmer as ever...

Simming since 1986 (FS 2.0) and did my PPL in 2003. Have about 250 hours which are pretty much evenly spread across C172s, Piper Warriors and Arrows, plus two hours of single engine jet stick time. :)-Mike