this Thanksgiving diner and Christmas, it would really be fun to be able to say my hobby right along with everyone else saying what they did during the summer and not sound so freakin' nerdy.

"Everyone else" implies that there will be someone else at the table other than yourself. Bad mojo happens when that is the case...If my wife and I celebrate Thanksgiving with more than the two of us present, there is a virtual guarantee that there will be more than one turkey at the table... (brother-n-laws, wild Aunt what's her face, and the 82 year old lady in diapers from down the road a bit with her cane and a mean disposition). So, we only have ONE turkey at the table, and he's stuffed and doesn't give a fig for my hobby. My wife already knows what I do for a hobby and she got over it years ago. :(

Hehehe Tom, nice one! I also educated mine, and I'm lucky having a supporting girlfriend in that matter. She actually didn't say anything when I decided to buy me a PFC yoke.

Mine actually takes part in the hobby. She is a ParaSailer and has a passion for flying as well. She has natural instincts to fly FSX and prefers flying the default Air Creation 582-SL Ultralight. She likes to fly over some of the ridges she jumps off of. Gives her away to study the terrain in these areas.I don't take part in her hobby as I have no interest in jumping off any cliffs, I would much rather rent a C150 and just fly over everthing...Parasailing is one of the worst hobbies as you can't jump unless the winds, temperatures and many many factors are correct. At least with a C150 you can turn a key and go.Cheers

What we really need is the self-confidence to say what we actually do - play a computer game - and stop emplying pointless euphemisms. No one wil really believe them anyway.

What we really need is the self-confidence to say what we actually do - play a computer game - and stop emplying pointless euphemisms. No one wil really believe them anyway.

I do not play a computer game! :diablo:I practise my flying proficiency skills on the same type of state of the art flight simulation systems used to teach and train the best military and airline pilots worldwide! If ever I am in an aircraft that experiences an emergency, I can be called upon to do my duty and assume command and save the lives of all on board, don't you know! :(

I am in an aircraft that experiences an emergency, I can be called upon to do my duty and assume command and save the lives of all on board, don't you know!

Oh boy.... here we go. Now this will turn into the classic "Could you fly a real 747 if both pilots were _____? You can insert food poisoing, irate attendant does the unthinkable, irate first class passenger employs Crown Royal bottle to render crew out of it, or whatever your fantasy might lead you to. :LMAO:Stephen, you are going to regret posting that.... :(

I am sure there is a very good reason why Microsoft has distanced itself from the brand 'Flight Simulator'.......The Legal Department had a problem with the use of 'Flight' and 'Simulator' used on a product sold by the company. They are very clear today that MS Flight is a gameThis is something new from them probably because they want to distance themselves from the crazy culture we've become. 5000+ hours on a Microsoft Software Package doesn't make anyone a pilot....Makes them a bit of a nut :LMAO:But I am one tooCheers Stephen :(

Stephen, you are going to regret posting that.... :(

I hope Stephen didn't eat the same tuna salad that the Pilot and Co-Pilot ate? :Sick:I recently (6 mos.) relocated into a "55+" residence and met some new people. They would ask what I do with my time and I'd tell them "I make computer game add-ons". If their eyes didn't glaze over I'd try to follow-up with a description of MSFS and the global concept of the community. I guess I could tell them that I'm a "geo-spatial engineer", but I like to think I just move some dirt around in the game!

What we really need is the self-confidence to say what we actually do - play a computer game - and stop emplying pointless euphemisms. No one wil really believe them anyway.

:( :( Not a computer game!Call it a hobby, call it a real world simulator, call it to save lives, but I do not play a computer game! Just like Stephen, cheers mate B)

Stephen, you are going to regret posting that.... B)

I'm gonna make sure he doesn't :(

Meh, it's a computer program used primarily for the purposes of entertainment (which is not mutually exclusive with education, before someone points out how much FS has taught them about aviation/geography/etc), it fits enough of the definition of game for me. Of course I find the idea that game and simulator are mutually exclusive terms a bit silly anyway.I'm studying engineering and have always enjoyed math and science. I play Dungeons and Dragons. I enjoy pretending to fly planes on my computer. I also enjoy playing other computer games. If someone wants to call me a nerd or a geek because of that, I'll agree 100%. If someone wants to think badly of me because of any of that, well that's their loss, not mine.

Great thread!It doesn't matter what I call it. My son recently asked me what toy airplane I was pretending to fly these days. How do you even answer such a question and retain a shred of dignity? :blush:Kind regards,

You reply as follows: "Today I'm going to pretend to fly a 737 (or other plane of choice)."The perceived loss of diginty comes from this idea you apparently have that predenting to fly toy planes is somehow something you need to be ashamed of. It's an activity that you enjoy and (if practised in approprate moderation) does not harm anyone, what's there to be ashamed of? The only person who can remove your dignity is yourself. Don't be ashamed of enjoying flight simming and your dignity will remain intact.

Oh dear God! People actually pay for that? I thought it was a joke at first...What's next, "Septic Tank Cleaning Simulator!" "Get really down and dirty as you learn how to clean septic tanks! More fun than a pen full of pigs wallowing in their own sh...."

In a thread which is ultimately about how people outside of our hobby perceive flightsimming I find this remark rather ironic. "Oh dear God! People actually pay for that? I thought it was a joke at first..." is probably the response of many people to the idea that there are people who will spend 9-12 hours pretending to fly across the Pacific on autopilot and spend thousands of dollars on that to boot.

Not a computer game!Call it a hobby, call it a real world simulator, call it to save lives, but I do not play a computer game! Just like Stephen, cheers mate

But it is a computer game. We sit in front of a computer and respond to what we see on the screen by using keyboard/mouse/controller etc for our amusement and entertainment - just like any other gamer. As I said, have the self-confidence to say what you actually do. By pretending otherwise you're only fooling yourself. The rest of the world will still regard it a a game.

good gobly goo! and someone revived this thread? whooo.. just to update you all of where I'm at.. I don't care anymore either what people think.

Hey guys (those that take the pulpit), :Just Kidding:These are not self esteem issues, but tongue in cheek humour! :Party:Smile!They are supposed to be funny.

You guys actually ADMIT you do this in public! Guess I am still haven't come out of the closetActually, if I am among my workpeers I can say I am into "gaming" and not get a second look.If I am trying to impress someone I say "I design airports for flight simulation".and if I ever create an addon for P3D I'm gonna say "I am a sub-contractor for Lockheed Martin!".it's not what you say you do but the conviction and attitude you put behind those words,

If ever I am in an aircraft that experiences an emergency, I can be called upon to do my duty and assume command and save the lives of all on board, don't you know! :(

Someone asked me that exact question a few days ago. You know what I told them?If I was put in a situation like that, I would respectfully decline. Why?1) It would be arrogant of me to presume I could actually operate an aircraft without any RW training or experience.2) I honestly could not justify putting my family through the the ordeal of dealing with the media or judicial actions, should the outcome be a negative one.3) In a day and age of frivolous lawsuits, even if everything turned out OK someone out there would find fault with my actions, and feel the need to file suit.Would you want to put yourself and your family through all of that mental anguish just for the chance to have '15 minutes of fame'?Not me. If I'm going to die, then that's it.Sorry if I hijacked the original thread.