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 try. I'm semi - banned, and all post/replies have to go through a moderator (at that particular forum). I summited the right information days ago. I guess it doesn't matter. I had hoped that a CFI who is on that board once and a while would catch it. But he probably didn't notice the topic.And that's the thing. I do not privately laugh at posters. There is no way that they'd know all. I certainly don't. Most of us are better in one field than another.I'd like to present info to clear things up. Some times my replies go through, and many times not.L.Adamson

I think part of Jay

Being a real world private pilot, the thing I love most about simming is that I can do whatever I want on my computer. Since I will most likely never fly anything other than the typical 4 seater GA aircraft I fly currently, I almost always fly the heavies when simming. Over the years I have learned a great deal from flying these birds in the sim, but I am certain that I make many mistakes every time I fly. In fact, every time i fly a real airplane I make mistakes. In any event, if it feels real in the sim, then I am happy, whether or not I am flying 100% by the book. Just my two cents. Very interesting thread here though.

As an IFR Pilot I think FSX is an invaluable tool that can really help maintain proficiency.As a CFI, I can't go around giving advice to simpilots. Why? That's because I don't have the right to do it.I can help someone build a better computer for FSX, but I can't help those that are misinformed. I can't even correct them if they are wrong. All I can really do is advise, anyone who wants to know, to check with the FAR, POH, etc.I can give the basic advice, but I will not venture into an argument or a discussion about what is true or not.As I've stated in the past, this is a great community with members who really care and who will go out off their way to help. Can someone purposely try to misinform? It can happen. But, I'm not going to try to prove them wrong or right.I would like to take the time now to thank everyone who throughout the years have shared their knowledge and experience. Happy New Year!

There

I see sooooooooooooo much 'advice' about real world flying as it relates to FSX, and about 70-80% is, to be generous, bunk.I know a few here who are 'real' pilots, but I was wondering how many others are and just don't mention itMaybe we can get a list here and give some credibility to the 'advice' given?Here's my history, whats your's?Commercial- Instrument- Multiengine (SEL/MEL)Licensed in 1970

Wasn't sure I wanted to post to this thread but since so many others have I guess I will too.PPL SEL in September 2000, one year before 911 in 2001. My favorite plane was and is a Cessna 172N - N98873.I have been using MSFS since the very beginning many, many, many years ago.

I'm a sport pilot. I own my airplane (Piper J3 Cub). I am 29 and have 35hours, all tailwheel time.

ATP here, typed on the Dash 8 series, Saab 340, with the usual CFI/II/MEI to go with it. Also experience with King Air C90/B200 series when I was a CFI. I don't really know how many hours I have, probably around 4000 now, and am still learning things, about myself, about airplanes, etc. I used FS quite extensively during my IFR training, to fly approaches before I'd fly them during a lesson. The sight-picture was very helpful. I also use FS9 currently for ground lessons I give during spare time to help students. Its realistic enough but needs that "penal" component. I haven't seen any evidence of icing, runway braking factors such as rain, snow ice; there's no reason you can't pop through a buildup or a TS since FS doesn't model the updrafts properly. But as a whole, its a worthy training tool.

I have my PPL ASEL with about 120 hours and currently working on my instrument. I'd definately agree with bjratchf about FS as a training tool. It didn't really help me out much in PPL but instrument flying seems almost like second nature because of FS. I'd also say a lot, but definately not all, advice on the forum is decent. It's definitely not like reading YouTube comments on flying videos...

No PPL...... no money, then no time, then no money again...... after all, this IS Europe, where flying is mostly for the rich and/or fortunate....... BUT I started computer flight simming back in 1976 on a mainframe, wrote my own sim in Assembler, and have been involved ever since. Does that count? *gg*And I was hanging off the fences of airports ever since I was 7. And oh boy, is THAT along time ago!Then back in 1985 I got my first stick time, flying a Mistral Ultralight. I have been a student pilot ever since, basically on taildraggers, picking up lessons when I could, getting the left seat and right seat from friends who own aircraft.I didn't keep track at all times, but overall I now must have some .... GASP!..... 35 hours stick time.I'll probably will try for my UL license after I retire, provided there's still petrol, space and freedom by then. :(

I got my PPL in 2005, just two days before my father died. So, sadly I never got the chance to fly him while he was alive. Although bizarrely I'm one of probably very few people who have flown both parents after their death, since I flew down to collect their ashes.But then I had some financial and medical problems, and I haven't flown PIC since 2007 (although I still cadge as many flights as I can, right seat), and then my medical expired, and my SEP expired. So getting them back will be expensive since it involves retaking the GFT (although not the exams). But my new year's resolution for 2010 is to get them back...

I got my PPL in 2005, just two days before my father died. So, sadly I never got the chance to fly him while he was alive. Although bizarrely I'm one of probably very few people who have flown both parents after their death, since I flew down to collect their ashes.

I'd have like to flown with my father too. The night that I passed the written test, I went to my parents house for dinner. Since my father had been a pilot in his earlier years, but not flown as PIC for around 20 years...........we talked a lot of airplane talk, and about getting a twin engine aircraft, and so on. It was the last time I saw him, as he had a blood vessel burst in his skull a few days later. This was due to an over prescription of blood thinner after a knee operation (medical mistake).So these days, I'll sometimes stand in the hangar by the plane, and wish he was here to see it, and go flying.L.Adamson

PPL ASEL certified in 1993. 140 total hours (hey, flying is a rich man's game...). I've been simming since the early 1980s with subLogic/MSFS (although I loved subLogic's flight assignment ATP so much that it made me get my PPL and yearn for an airliner career; again... too much money).Not too many weeks after my successful checkride, I took a very cool flight with my father:PHNL -> PHLU -> PHOG -> PHHN -> PHTO -> PHKO -> PHNL round-robin in a rented C-152. It was a memorable trip-of-a-lifetime!Given the expense of flying, I typically get my kicks in MSFS. Here's to the future of flight simulation!

Great Thread!20 hrs toward my PPl. Slowed down lesson because of economy. Hope to start back soon. MSFS since FS98. Been around aviation since serving on the Deck of the USS Carl Vinson as a Grape (v-4 Division, Flight Deck Fueler) worked for thre FBO's after getting out of Navy, Texas Jet @ KFTW Meachum Field, Eagle Aviation KCAE Columbia Metro, and MillionAir KJZI Johns Isl, While in College for Computer Degree. Had the opportunity to fly alot working at FBO's Everything from T-6 Texan to Piper Cheyenne. Gary