>1. For VFRs (Visual Flight Rules For Private Pilot>Certification) the FSim does not do any good at all. Since I live in a mountainous area, these flight simulations with added mesh scenery are very helpful for getting an idea of the airport & surrounding topography before ever going there in real life. A few years ago, I used Pro-Pilot, FLY, and MSFS for that exact reason.>4. As for the Flight dynamics..in FSim.. I have not seen>anything that even comes close.. So far. BTW.. I use the>Skyhawk 172S.Then use the RealAir 172. The RealAir SF260 for FS2002 was also great for use of rudder in aerobatics and slips. Combining what I know from real life, and what I see in the sim, it's quite realistic in many ways................ the least being the effect of real G-forces.L.Adamson

You know what is funny and you guys maybe don't realize? JK initial post mentions the fact that more time is spent searching for add-ons than actually flying. I guess it is like that for many of us, but have you ever wondered how long it takes to search this forums for information? or even how hard is to look for a specific tip or a particular tweak? well... guess those times are over with that new flight simulation search engine site, but I wonder how many people actually know what site I'm talking about. NO ONE.. So, I will keep it a secret so I can spend more time flying now ;)See ya!

Hi Larry,I would agree. I almost always preface a real flight to a new destination by an approach in FS, it's invaluable in that regard.BTW, I was out in SLC a few weeks ago seiing our daughter there, and had intended to get your phone # by e-mailing you, but things got too busy.Bruce.

>BTW, I was out in SLC a few weeks ago seiing our daughter>there, and had intended to get your phone # by e-mailing you,>but things got too busy.>Maybe next time.. :) L.Adamson

You bet!Bruce.

The facts are simple for many of us who can't afford flying lessons and flight hours this is as close as it will get for us. Frankly I am astoundted that their is even the technology to make it possibl for the regualr guy to make his/her dreams come true. Even if you do spend 5000 dollars on a top of the line system and adware you still would only spend a fraction of the cost on simming.

Well I have to agree with everything the original poster said, except for the fact that I myself will still be using a civilian flight simulator until I'm too old to know what I'm doing with it.If I had a PPL and could afford to fly every week, I would not even hesitate to delete FS off my computer and throw away the CDs. I would also totally lose all interest in the civilian flight simming world, although I would probably still fly combat sims.I only use a civilian flight simulator because I can't get a pilot's licence. And even if I could, I would not be able to afford to fly on a regular basis. So MSFS it is.And that is not knocking MSFS. I reckon it is the best piece of software I have ever bought. Maybe in 20 - 30 years, software and computers will be sophisticated enough to provide a facsimile flying experience in our own homes, but in my view I don't think that will ever be the case, for reasons that I will withhold because I'll just get flamed and arguments will start.Just on the point about spending more time tweaking than flying. Until I bought FS2004, this was always the case for me. I probably fruitlessly tweaked for 50% of the time, downloaded 30% of the time and flew for 20% of the time. With FS2004, I finished tweaking about a week after buying it and haven't had the need to touch it since. So apart from the development of add-on scenery and utilities (which I don't really consider tweaking because I am actually accomplishing something) it's all flying for me now.

I don't have the thousands of pounds needed to learn to fly and get a PPL. And I doubt if I ever will.So sims are all I have.I either fly sims or sit and look wistfully out the window at the planes overhead.It may not be 'real' but it's enough.

You must define to yourself what your REAL pursuit with FS is. If you will only be satisfied with a simulation that exactly duplicates the real thing, I believe you should move on.... as you suggest.Many people, on this forum, are in this pursuit. They burn Microsoft to the ground because some beacon doesn't glare correctly, etc. etc. And they are absolutely "strung out" on these many different details, and go to great extremes about them. One guy recently responded to the question in this forum, "What is the no. 1 thing you would like Microsoft to do in the future to Improve FS". And he responded, "Make the runway blacktop darker." And I'm thinking, "Here is some "Bozo" with absolutely zero amount of vision, or business sales moxy". This is number one ? Come on... give me a break ! And there were many other responses similar to his !!!!The degree of reality that these people want is never going to end for them, and they will always be dissatisfied... because this is what they want from the simulator no matter what stage of development it (and the hardware) are in. And their desires are OK. It's just what they want.However, if your pursuit is to be someone you are not, like me ... that's another story. I wanna be the rich guy who can afford to buzz down the 200 mile stretch of the Grand Canyon, and on into Vegas, in his own Lear jet... this morning. Or maybe I was to be the Captain of a 777 making a routine hop... NY to Lisbon. You get the picture.While all of us want "more", I am satisfied with a certain amount of "unreality", if in total the simulator creates the other things that I'm looking for.So make your choices about what you want out of the hobby, based on what it has to offer at any given time. And if they are not there.... Move on.Bob (Lecanto, Fl)

I can certainly agree with this. Like in the original post, I use flight simulators from time to time to duplicate "real life" flights, but I never expect a real life duplication; and don't expect "pure" perfection with the litterly tens of thousands of seperate entities involved with flight. If someone want's to create "exactness" for what's important to them, then fine, but I don't believe it's MS's responsibility.I also enjoy using MSFS and "others" to visit places that I havn't been, or places I plan to go to. At least MSFS can provide an idea of what the airport layout & surrounding topography will be like.The sim is also great for re-creating commercial prop airliners, military and GA aircraft from the past, which I have a great interest in. Kind of like going to the movies.......... just an intersting fantasy!! :)L.Adamson

that's true...there is no comparison between real and simulated flight...FS is just a diversion, more fun than some diversions but only because it is about flight...I used to fly (PPSL) but can't since I got married...it's just a diversion

hi,i only use freeware now,and i'm having a great time pretending to be a DC8 pilot,flying all over the globe.i use charts,and checklists,found myself a great freeware ins,a nice community surrounding the -8....can't get any better than this for me ;-)

I have recently acquired my PPL, and agree that FS can no way simulate certain things about flight. I personally don't think that it can help you fly a better traffic pattern, make a better landing, or come close to the exhiliaration of actual flying.That said, it does help with certain skills:1) Cross country navigation, whether it is dead reckoning or radio navigation2) General instrument familiarity3) Instrument approachesFor instance, I always fly my cross country flight in FS before I do the real thing. This gets me somewhat familiar with the terrain layout. Having the FSGenesis mesh and landclass really helps with this.Also, I will probably never in real life fly a jet, fly a floatplane, fly a taildragger, fly in the grand canyon, fly in the clouds with no visibiity, fly in extreme weather, experience an engine failure, etc. I can only do these things with FS.Personally I think the key is to just enjoy the game for what it is, and not get all hung up about simulating reality and getting the latest and greatest add-on. It is really a visually stunning game.I think that alot of people end up spending more time reading posts and looking for that ultimate add-on, rather than just flying around and having fun.PapaTango