After 22 years of serious flight simming, and many computer software and hardware upgrades to increase realism as much as possible in my desktop sim, I have finally decided to pursue my private pilot ticket. In addition to taking the sim hobby seriously (I have read/studied so much about real flying and try as much as possible to fly the various planes I have "by the book"), I have had the opportunity to have been at the controls of friend's airplanes over the years (various Piper singles) and the last time, about 5 years ago, in a Citation 310 (twin). I had always wanted to get my license ever since I was a teen (just turned 60) but never seemed to be at the right place or time in my life to pursue it.....because of my professional studies, military career, finances, etc. But now, while I am still mentally very sharp and in great health, I want to do just that. Years from now I don't want to look back and say, "I coulda, shoulda done it."On Saturday I went to an open house at at a flight school/charter service at the San Luis Obispo (CA) airport and took up a Cessna 172SP on an introductory flight. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt very comfortable doing the walkaround, checklists, runup, and throughout the flight....the instructor gave me some great feedback and commented that I flew the plane well, with light touch and truly seemed to understand everything about what we had just done. Upon arriving home, I immediately set up my simulator to duplicate the flight as much as possible (same location, same time of day, real weather) in the default FS9 Cessna 172 (which I hadn't even looked at for years....when I want to fly low and slow I've been using the Carenado C182Q). I placed the 2D IFR panel in my lower monitor, behind the yoke and throttle, and set the outside view in my upper 3 monitors (I use TH2Go). The resulting flight closely resembled what I had just experienced and seen (because of software mesh, GE Pro, Ultimate Traffic, Ultimate Terrain, etc, installed on my system). So....here is the question: Which of the Cessna 172 aircraft available in the FS2004 sim world should I get as an upgrade for my hanger that will as closely as possible allow me to use my simulator during my training? Are there any 172SP's available, since that is the type I will most likely train on? (I remember a few years ago that Flight 1 had a 172 and more recently Carenado offered one, but I think they were different models?). For those of you that may have used your flight sim setup as an adjunct to actual pilot training, what worked best for you? What would you recommend.Thanks in advance for your help on this.R/Mike

I used the Flight1 172 extensively during my real-world training. The FS9 version is underpowered, but you can edit the aircraft.cfg and mess with the numbers to match the SP version.For me, i used FS9 to "pre-fly" all my real world routes...going over when to switch radios, VORs, etc. So when it came to the real deal, i felt like i've done it before...and that takes the stress out. It was extremely helpful for my first x-country solo. I must have flown the route 3 times virtually in FS9.As you know, flying for real is VERY different than the sim. Stick to practicing with the real deal as much as you can. Rely on FS9 for more route planning and memorizing your radios, take-off procedures, etc.Oh, i also bought the Carenado 172; however, the instruments are very old. -feng

I used the Flight1 172 extensively during my real-world training. The FS9 version is underpowered, but you can edit the aircraft.cfg and mess with the numbers to match the SP version.For me, i used FS9 to "pre-fly" all my real world routes...going over when to switch radios, VORs, etc. So when it came to the real deal, i felt like i've done it before...and that takes the stress out. It was extremely helpful for my first x-country solo. I must have flown the route 3 times virtually in FS9.As you know, flying for real is VERY different than the sim. Stick to practicing with the real deal as much as you can. Rely on FS9 for more route planning and memorizing your radios, take-off procedures, etc.Oh, i also bought the Carenado 172; however, the instruments are very old. -feng

Very helpful feedback Feng.....thank you!Mike

melevine,Me too! Been simming since FS3 and last year took up the real thing. I'm learning in a Piper Warrior, so have one for FS9 to practise in!I'd recommend the RealAir 172 (here http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box...page=downloads), 3rd down from the top. This is actually a freeware FDE which uses the default Microsoft model, and is reckoned by many to be as close to a real 172 as is feasible in FS - it will even sideslip.;)

melevine,Me too! Been simming since FS3 and last year took up the real thing. I'm learning in a Piper Warrior, so have one for FS9 to practise in!I'd recommend the RealAir 172 (here http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box...page=downloads), 3rd down from the top. This is actually a freeware FDE which uses the default Microsoft model, and is reckoned by many to be as close to a real 172 as is feasible in FS - it will even sideslip.;)

Clicked on your link but it wouldn't open. So, went to the realairsimulations website but under their "Products" tab I didn't find any 172??? (BTW...I'm only using FS2004)

I use the payware C-172 1958 straight tail from SimFlight3D. IRL, I have more hours in 172s than any other light single and I'm quite impressed with the modeling, flight characteristics, and overall quality.Bob

melevine,Click on the link again, and then click 'downloads' - it'll be third on the page that opens - apologies.;)

I use the payware C-172 1958 straight tail from SimFlight3D. IRL, I have more hours in 172s than any other light single and I'm quite impressed with the modeling, flight characteristics, and overall quality.Bob

Thanks....will check that out tooMike

Clicked on your link but it wouldn't open. So, went to the realairsimulations website but under their "Products" tab I didn't find any 172??? (BTW...I'm only using FS2004)

http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box...?page=downloads3rd from the top

http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box...?page=downloads3rd from the top

I was looking under "Products" instead of "Downloads"............found it!

I agree with what's said on the Realair aircraft. Don't forget to add the TSS sounds to make it even better:http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID...amp;DLID=109636Have fun!

Realair one is probably the smartest choice if you are using it as a training aid to supplement ab-initio flying, since it has a pretty realistic flight model. The default Cessna is fine for learning the instruments, although I daresay after 20 years of simming that's not something you'll need to worry about!For your first flying lessons, you actually need to concentrate more on the flying, feedback from the controls, the sounds the engine is making, and the view out of the window, so the visual model and the panel are less important than the fidelity of the flight model and sounds. These are likely to be your reference points on a circuit rather than merely the instruments as is the case in a flight sim, since when you get used to things, you will find that you can get a good idea of your height from seeing how big cars and such look, and a good idea of your speed from the sounds and the feel of the controls.So stand by to get shouted at for looking at the instruments too much, which will likely be an unfortunate legacy of using FS for a long time before getting in the real thing - in other words keep a good lookout on the circuit, and take a quick look before you initiate a turn. Notwithstanding the difficulties of 'getting your eyes off the panel', you will be at a considerable advantage over many if you have been simming for a long time, since your instructor will not have to spend a lot of time sitting on the ground pointing stuff out to you, and in my experience, instructors are usually quite happy when they find that to be the case.More importantly, good luck for your first solo - that's a day you will not forget, and I can guarantee that you will feel like the king of the world when you bring it in on your own for the first time. Make sure you have plenty of money on you that day too - it's a tradition for a first solo pilot to buy a round of drinks in the bar in most flying clubs.Al

Al,You are so right! When I started learning, pretty much the first thing that my teacher (an ex-BA 747 pilot!) said to me was to forget the instruments and look out of the windows (it's a nice view over the Warrior's wings). Pick an external reference point to judge straight-and-level, and use that. Only glance down at the instruments to confirm what you already know. P.A.T.... F.R.E.D.A.... H.E.L.P.!I haven't done first solo yet - a terrifying but strangely attractive thought...;)

As far as not staring at the instrument panel, I use "shift Z" for airspeed readouts......on the upper left corner of the screen. Since I don't have multiple monitors and use the VC's, sometimes the instruments are just to small.BTW---- Sooner or later, the "feel" of real flight will transfer to the sim somewhat. No hard G-forces, but the brain will start filling in gaps. It does make simming more fun, considering it's so stationary. L.Adamson

So stand by to get shouted at for looking at the instruments too much

Oh boy :( Did I get that on my pre-solo days...I found that the best thing to do is to pick a visual reference that is in the same heading and at the same altitude as you need to fly (for level flight). The spinner usually is a good "artificial horizon replacement". Using it against the real horizon will give you a pretty accurate indication of going up or down. When turning try to look for a reference at the same heading and altitude you want to end up on. Use the spinner against the horizon (or mountains) to keep the aircraft levelled. The sound of the engine will do a nice airspeed indicator also. Anyway...enjoy flight training! Too bad you're not flying a Piper Cherokee, the Carenado one is absolutely amazing; they are so darn good at creating single-engines.