JamieAs far as I know it's the only military aircraft that has a totally automated take off procedure, I think it allows for take off fronm the deck and a climb to about 2oo ft above seal level at which time pilots get there hands on the stick and throttle. Landing is pilot controlled thank god.I still wouldn't want to try it, there was a Janes Combat Sim that simulated the FA/18 including that hands off take off. Never had a copy myself, I preferred the old Tomcat F15, and Flying Eagle. 40 tons of military muscle.Wycliffewww.wycliffebarrett.co.uk

The bottom line is that take off ,whether trundling down the runway in a C150 or a 747 or being shot off the bows of a CV at 170kts, is always going to be the easy part.Getting back on the deck(land or sea) in one piece and in a respectable fashion (without any kind of autoland)is a hundred times harder.Most civil GA aircraft are inherently stable and - if pointed down the RW and the throttle opened,will take off on their own once flying speed is reached.Whilst military types are often inherently unstable by design- the fact is that much of the second by second control is in the hands of a computer which effectively provides that stability.However - come the landing there is still the need for judgements to be made by the pilot that can't be handled any other way. There's a lot of truth in the old quote"Any landing you walk away from is a good one" and for me - landings will always give the biggest thrill(both real and virtual)- but carrier landings are still top of the list(only virtual ones I'm sorry to say!)Dave

Flying an instrument approach down to minimums.And I'll always remember one of my first flights in FS2002 when I flew from Africa to Gibraltar. As I glided in past the Rock, the sun was rising over the Mediterranean Sea. It was the middle of a freezing January night in Canada and I felt like I'd arrived in paradise.BlairCYOW

Hey, I so agree with that - 'specially if you're using Gary S's EGLC scenery, plus the Canary Wharf add-on. Try the same landing in rough weather with PSS Dash 8 - not an easy land in the best of conditions at the easiest airport. You'll be well satisfied to do a smoothie.Bud

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Tight shirts and high skirts...as for yourself...? :)

Getting a really good detailed airport (with a good AFCAD), downloading real world weather (hopefully the weather will be interesting) then watching the AI move around the airport. It's just like being at a real airport.

Flying VFR over the Brecon Beacons from Cardiff to Liverpool in The Baron Beechcraft with VFR Photographic Scenery UK swithed on. So cool.I found what looks like a motorcycle scramble track on the top of one hill, did a tight 360 at about 1500 ft above it incredible.Excellent feeling of realism.Have a lookhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/wycliffe.barr...onbound_jpg.jpgWycliffewww.wycliffebarrett.co.uk

OOpsThis screen shot was when I did the same flight in the cessnaWycliffe

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