Been thinking about this hobby of ours and the unique individuals that seem to be drawn to it. Each one of us have a very strange side to us, or we would not stick with this obsessive hobby for long. Even though we are very different from each other, the way we approach and develop this hobby is from only a couple of different angles. Basically there are two ways to fly virtually and make it seem very close to reality. Each has it's strong and weak points. One moves more of the simulated world into our physical one, and the other moves more of our physical world into the simulated one. Both are the best way in their own way, but as our family and friends often like to remind us, neither is reality.One is to immerse the physical operator's mind into the simulated world, placing him inside the virtual cockpit graphical interface, sitting on the virtual pilot seat and presenting him with a near perfect electronic representation of the physical reality. By entering this world and by mastering the use of such devices as Track IR the pilot and the simulation become an extension of each other. The fidelity and believability of the pilot's experience is dependant primarily upon human skill and the software interface of the simulation program. Using simple physical, but complex virtual controls, the pilot commands the virtual aircraft from within, thereby rendering a physical replicated cockpit redundant.The other way is to connect only part of the simulated world with a physical, replicated cockpit, keeping the pilot outside the graphical interface and in the real world. All else is shared with the virtual reality version except that all instruments and controls are physical and not virtual. The fidelity of the pilot's experience is dependant not only upon the characteristics of the simulation program, but also upon the quality and functionality of the physically replicated cockpit, and the ability of it's complex hardware to interface with the simulation program. The pilot controls the complex hardware, and the hardware controls the virtual world from without, thereby rendering a virtual cockpit redundant.What is the difference when all is said and done when each type is developed and implemented to the full extent? I don't know, but I will guess that the virtual version represents a broader and more immersive environment as the entire cockpit changes with the aircraft flown. The virtual pilot will jump into an F16 and scream for the heavens or shepherd a docile 747-400 into an ILS landing. The other pilot, the one outside the simulation program, is stuck in the same cockpit and imaginary airplane he designed it to look and function like in the first place. The first pilot becomes a virtual pilot, flying virtual aircraft in a virtual world. The second becomes a virtual pilot also, but flying a virtual aircraft in his garage.IMHO one is not less valid or realistic than the other, and whichever route is chosen, or combination thereof, it does not classify whether they are first, second or third rate flight simulation pilots. Only their skill at realistically operating and handling their virtual aircraft does that.Kind regards,

Thats a lot of thinking about a hobby.

Thats a lot of thinking about a hobby.

But for some, the hobby is about a lot of thinking.Infinite diversity, in infinite combinations.

For me....I went to flight school back in 1994 to 1996. I didn't go the next step to Commercial License and eventually stopped flying due to the cost of keeping up that hobby. Flight Sim technology improved to the point where it is good enough for me, but not quite as good as the real thing.Today a Cessna runs for about $220/hour at my local Flight Club and I can fly in FSX for a lot less then that. Don't know what side of the hobby that puts me on but at least I can still fly in some way without having to pay a lot for it.Cheers

Same here, only i went on to get my commercial, but honestly i wished i had stopped at the ppl level and kept that money that i spent on the cpl.it is such an expensive hobby(real flying) that i could not justify to keep doing no matter how much i enjoy flight. Flight sim really does fill the "void" for me. My "real" flying days are over, for the price of one and half hour of flying A MONTH, i was able to purchase a motorcycle, pay the insurance and payment, and have it sitting in my garage to ise as much as i want in a month, for cheaper then 1 and a 1/2 hours flying time.I am really not sad to say that my real flying days are over, as much as i enjoyed it, its just not feasable. Its one of those things that i can say " been there, done that" but now its over for me unfortunatly.P.S unless the lottery comes my way ;)

Same here, only i went on to get my commercial, but honestly i wished i had stopped at the ppl level and kept that money that i spent on the cpl.it is such an expensive hobby(real flying) that i could not justify to keep doing no matter how much i enjoy flight. Flight sim really does fill the "void" for me. My "real" flying days are over, for the price of one and half hour of flying A MONTH, i was able to purchase a motorcycle, pay the insurance and payment, and have it sitting in my garage to ise as much as i want in a month, for cheaper then 1 and a 1/2 hours flying time.I am really not sad to say that my real flying days are over, as much as i enjoyed it, its just not feasable. Its one of those things that i can say " been there, done that" but now its over for me unfortunatly.P.S unless the lottery comes my way ;)

I do it for a living and I can barely afford it haha ;)

Edited February 27, 201214 yr by Cessnaflyer

Very interesting analysis Stephen!I find myself to be the person that immerses themselves into the simulation environment.(Cheaper too! )

Edited February 27, 201214 yr by Ben Cap - ERS

There is not a lot of history in computer flight simulation, not really, with only a couple of decades or so at best. That is not enough time to securely integrate wisdom into our still evolving knowledge base. At first it was thought that a flight simulation computer should be best used to supplement a hand built replicated cockpit by providing a realistic moving view out of the windscreen, and perhaps even to present certain flight dynamics and airplane like sounds. Most everything else would have to be created with skillful ingenious craftsmanship from wood, metal, plastic, wires and paint.Think of a 70 year old Link Trainer, with the addition of a computer screen built into the front. But now, with the recent dramatic advancement of the MSFS series and the availability of the powerful new hardware needed to run it, flight sim computers do the entire job. A flight sim computer, properly setup and equipped pulls the pilot through the screen into the virtual cockpit, melding man and machine into a flesh and bones electronic fusion...

Next comes the purchasing and selling of your sanity, your reality and even your soul... :( :LMAO:Kind regards,

Don't forget these types of things though!Flight Sim nirvana or instant divorce? You decide! :(

Edited February 28, 201214 yr by HiFlyer'

Don't forget these types of things though!Flight Sim nirvana or instant divorce? You decide! :(

I want one!It's interesting how it changes the angle of the seat to simulate changes in acceleration. I wonder what his neighbours looking through that window think..