Hi all,My wife and I were lucky enough to have a great week last week. We went to San Diego on Saturday the 11th, for a meeting (I own a business and we have an annual meeting in CA.) and for some vacation. Flew Airbus A320 to San Diego, and it was a great "uneventful" flight. Decided to do 4 days in Vegas on the way back to Pa., and we boarded an Airbus 320 (America West)for my first flight ever to McCarren. I couldn't wait to see the Vegas Strip on the right side of the airplane as I have so many times in MSFS. I felt I knew it well, and predicted to my wife exactly how we'd approach the airport. I was amazed that about 15 minutes outside of McCarren the air was so "bumpy". Then I realized that when I fly with RealWeather or other weather packages, that this same thing happens. Maybe it's the thermals or heat of the desert or something. The outside temp was 114 that day in Vegas.Anyway, as we banked left to hit the glideslope into McCarren, all was so predictable from where I was sitting. It was a great landing, and the Vegas Strip appeared perfectly. It was good to see that big Pyramid, the Luxor Hotel/Casino, in real life, and the Mandolay Bay Hotel next door. After all, I had only seen them in MSFS. As we were de-boarding, I asked the Pilot if he used the ILS. He said, "It was there, but it was such a nice day, I flew the airplane".THIS MADE ME THINK....In MSFS, I'm too quick to lock onto a glideslope, and have a "sterilized" landing when the visibility is good. I VOW THAT WHEN FS2004 COMES OUT, I'M GOING TO USE THE ATC MORE EFFECTIVELY AND ENJOY FLYING THE AIRPLANE BY HAND WHEN CONDITIONS WARRANT. Overall, I just want to say that being an MSFS fan for over 12 years has brought me much joy, and understanding. Whenever I travel now, it is impossible NOT to relate to MSFS and the education and joy it has brought me. I HOPE YOU ALL FEEL THE SAME WAY. I look forward to our new adventure beginning July 29th. The first copy of MS2004 in EB is reserved for me. The next day, I will not go into the office. I will be in my virtual cockpit. Stan

Hi Stan,Thanx for sharing your experience. I found it interesting, and too will start more hands-on landing in good weather.John

I always kick the AP off when landing..no fun in letting the computer do it,,,wait a minute, we're flying on a computer.

I have been to vegas twice, in the last year. Its a long trip from the uk :). Its just as bumpy in a 747. I swear you can touch the mountins, on the way in. The last time I was in a USAIR 757. and the samething happend, the pilot anounced a bumpy landing, and when we were at the gate, I asked if he had used the ILS and he said "no sir, what is an ILS" :). He hand flew it all the way down from around 5000 ft, even though it was bumby, Well not that bumpy, but a little.The best landing I have ever experinced, was on a Virgin 747 at heathrow. The landing was so soft, and smooth, that I kid you not the people in the middle isle, were suprised when the captian annouced that we had to wait a while to dissembark the aircraft.All I can say is that Pilots, deserve a lot of respect. Using FS you can all to easliy think planes fly themself. I would love to be a pilot, but what happens when you have got horrible X wind, no ILS, low fuel, and you have to land. Nerves of steel!!.Keep up the great work guysJason

Thanks for contributing to the thread. Yes, I am amazed that after so many years, I still look forward to flying every day with this program. I don't tire of it BECAUSE IT HAS SO MUCH REALITY TO IT. Just yesterday, I showed my wife how I could fly "down and low" through the Vegas Strip. I used the new Cessna 210, and showed her the "dancing fountains at Bellagio", and the Siegfried and Roy billboard, and all the things we saw in person. She actually was quite amazed at the actual "correctness" of all the scenery on the strip.Talk to you all soon. Stan

Oh well. Thanks a ton for sharing your experiences. I live in Germany; my sister has been in Vegas I think two years ago or so, and it seems it is another world there. I have never gotten farer away from here, Frankfurt, than Palma to the South, Norway to the North, Bordeaux to the West (came back yesterday from "Festival Entre-Deux-Airs"... *DROOOL*) and maybe Munich to the East, and I would really love to just even get into the USA or so... Must be somewhat interesting there.See ya,Etienne

Etienne,Find a way, but come over and see some of the spectacular land and resources here in the USA. From the East Coast to the West Coast, you have great differences in climate, geography, and people. The same for the North to the South. And it's all good to see. You'll find the people very friendly, and open to you. Vegas is another world...altogether. It's a playground and there's something for everyone. The best month to go there is May. You must see New York City and Los Angeles. You must visit New Orleans. You must go to DisneyWorld in Florida.There is so much to see and experience that I cannot explain it all in this thread.Write us when you finally get here. Stan