The more I spend on getting closer to 'realism' in the sim, the more I think "wouldn't I be better actually spemding this money on flying for real?" Home cockpits and so on just serve to remind me that it is only a simulation and time for some real flying. I find that a spot of real flying conversely, adds greatly to my enjoyment of simming. So for me, it has to be a balance between Real World and Sim World.

If anything flying real world makes me less likely to sim when I get home :( . But doing anything eight hours a day will have that affect.My realism is limited to all the software addons I can afford (ASA,Level-D, etc) and my wonderful Saitek Yoke and CH pedals, and sometimes the X52 Joystick for the airbus/cub/combat sims. Come to think of it, I've probably spent $2,000+ on flight simulator alone, trying to aim for "realism". :( The best thing I ever bought was Trackir 5!

I will not do a flight unless 90-140 people come to my house and sit behind me while I fly.

I will not do a flight unless 90-140 people come to my house and sit behind me while I fly.

lol I also find dousing the living room with Jet fuel also helps with immersion :)

I will not do a flight unless 90-140 people come to my house and sit behind me while I fly

Now what if you screw up your touchdown?

If anything flying real world makes me less likely to sim when I get home :( . But doing anything eight hours a day will have that affect.

When I started my flight training to become a commercial pilot I did the exact same thing. I used to think "What's the use?". Ever since I started flying I realised flying in the sim is actually harder than flying in real life!Actually, I think a yoke, pedals and some throttles would help a bit. But then again, I've never owned any of those and I've been happy simming that way.

I will not do a flight unless 90-140 people come to my house and sit behind me while I fly.

Now what if you screw up your touchdown?

They all move their arms above their heads and then lie scattered on the floor :(

------------------Matt- yes, Ultimate Terrain and Ground Environment. Two monitors from the AGP card, one mon from a PCI: both cards are GeForce FX5200. The CPU is an AMD XP2200 1.8 GHz with 2GB Ram.Monitors are synched in FS9 Panel Cfg by altering the angle of the two outer views. (via Camera adjmt. in FSX) The amount of Outer View shift is a function of the bezel separation distance versus the (horiz) width of the middle monitor. If you measure these to 1 mm or 1/16" you can get a very precise result for the degrees of view shift - to 1/100

How did you set that up? I have two 17" CRT's and two 17" LCD's thatI could try and use to achive somthing like that. Does it require any special hardware like T2Go?

MattM- TH2Go is not used- just a second video card to drive the third monitor. Your present main video card should be able to drive two monitors to get you started. 2GB ram will help. I use 2 17"LCDs and an 18" CRT- study how they are positioned in the pic I posted above.Read through the AVSIM threads I noted above. This works for 2D panels- if you are a dyed-in-the-wool Virtual flyer, you will need TH2Go.Alex Reid

Now what if you screw up your touchdown?

With the way I fly I would have a lot of people scattered on the floor.... :(

When it comes to real world flying, well i have obtained my commercial license, but it just got so expensive to take my wife and daughter flying for even one hour that i have become more and more into simming. I know it is quite ridiculous to shy away from the real world flying to sim flying, but when ONE hour of flying can pay for my MONTH'S Cable, internet, phone and cell phones(2 cell phones) bill, it just doesnt make any sense anymore, my flight sim has everything i need into it(except for track IR) so it doesnt cost anything anymore, except for the little bit of hydro the computer uses :( One hour real world flying= BIG BUCKSOne hour sim flying= virtually no cost whatsoever.I've done my time in the real world sky, unless i win the lottery im gonna stick to simming.as for the realism, well just the standard, only fly to add-on scenic places, real world weather, checklists, flying by the book eg: 250knots or less below 10k.Now if I can only come around and purchase track IR i think i would have it made. Hey, wait a minute, instead of going flying in the real world for an hour, i can take that money i would use for the hour, purchase track IR and have it everyday of the week if i want with no additional cost, SOLD :(

I have never once flown once due to the fact that no matter how loud I yell 'PROP!' the engine does not start.

When it comes to real world flying, well i have obtained my commercial license

Then why don't you fly for a living?

Then why don't you fly for a living?

Having a commercial by no means provides for a living. Trust me.Back on point, though :( . One of the best programs I use (Rafal mentioned it) for realism is VATSIM. I just hate it when "pre-teens" get on and act-- well-- "immature" :( .

My simulator went from an FS9 filled with realistic scenery and traffic to a FSX without autogen and too much special effects.In other words it bame a 747 level-d simulator thanks to PMDG :D

Then why don't you fly for a living?

Exactly what zachLw said, here in canada your lucky to make 25 grand a year just startin out, and I mean REAL LUCKY. Ive seen it as low as 15 grand a year for up and comers, Try feeding a family on buttons, it doesnt work.

I have never once flown once due to the fact that no matter how loud I yell 'PROP!' the engine does not start.

Man, I have the same problem. It's the weirdest thing.Bill