Hello, I have a great interest in simulation games all over the board but i am very aware that flight simulation is probably the most difficult one to learn. My question is HOW hard is it to learn to fly, do i NEED to own a joystick and is xPlane the best software out there at the moment?

 

I have no intentions of becoming a pilot in real life, i am just looking to enjoy a game.

 

Thanks for help

Wow, those are not simple questions.

 

1) Flying is a lot of checklist, preparation, math, map-reading, and a whole bunch of other stuff. To get started you may want to read some basic books or youtube vids on how airplanes work vis-a-vis life, thrust, drag etc... Even the most basic flight lessons have a ground school that explains these things.

 

2) X-plane does not have an inbuilt tutorial system, but you can find tutorials many on the web.I think X-plane.org has a "flight school" series of tutorials, there are also many here on Avsim, that are not necessarily simulator specific.

 

3) You don't technically need a joystick, but if you want to really simulate flight you should have one. You wouldn't wan't to play a car-racing game with the keyboard, same principle here.

 

4) As to whether it's the best software out, well that's a debate that has and will go on forever. I will say it is the best simulator currently/actively being developed for by the publisher and is being constantly improved. FSX and Flight are other choices.

 

This is an X-plane forum so I won't harp on this too much, but good old FSX has a basic inbuilt tutorial system in the form of narrated missions, that may be helpful to you.

Thank you for the help

My pleasure. Welcome to the hobby. I should have mentioned that the company "angle of attack" has a FREE video series called aviator 90 that is a great IntroductIon tutorial for those looking to learn flying basics and more.

Thank you very very much for that link, the guides are of excellent quality and has put my mind at ease with me wondering about the difficult learning curve.

 

A couple more questions i have.

 

In x-plane what do you believe the best plane to start off with would be and are there any low price good quality joysticks you can recommend in the United Kingdom?

 

Thanks again, big help!

You could get a second hand Saitek Aviator.

 

The best plane to start off with is going to be the Cessna 172, it's what most people train on as their first airplane.

You sir, are a godsend.

 

Do you play online at all?

Once i get the ropes i would love to play with you sometime

I haven't worked out online play yet, but I'll get on it.

What flight simulator is being used in aviator 90 because on the x plane demo i do not have a 3d cockpit.

I believe aviator 90 uses FSX, but the default cessna 172 in XPX does have a 3d cockpit. I think you want to assign a button to "command view" and youll jump into the cockpit.

I sent you a PM ping