>>How do you do this? I already have the yoke/stick in one hand>and throttle in the other so it's kind of hard to operate a>mouse as well...I use Active Camera and pan/zoom with the mouse - it's easily the fastest, most flexible and realistic view you can get. Stick/yoke in one hand, mouse in the other. For some reason I never find I need to have my hand on the throttle for extended periods of time....

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Use TrackIR! Period! Case closed. Seriously, that is the only way you can properly scan your surroundings for a proper landing in simulated GA aircraft. If you eventually take up flying or are a pilot now you will find TrackIR improves your scan in the real world. Just my two cents!David

For vfr, I use vc, 0.65 zoom and then the keypad with numlock for the snapviews. I also have the two buttons on the top of the joystick is assigned to look ahead left and look ahead right.If I`m flying an instrument approach I often use the 2d panel, though a few aircraft have pop-up primary instruments (eg C421 and the IK DC9) and these I use the vc with the pop up instruments carefully lined up with the vc gauges.I`m intrigued by TrackIR, but it must be strange using head movements to pan the view when you`re eyes need to look at the same spot. I would love to try it out without having to buy it.CheersLungs

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Visual circuits, definitely the VC view. Obviously it can be a problem with the jerky gauges in VC's. I am currently beta testing the upcoming RealAirSim Spitfire MK XIV, This aircraft is the first in FS that will have totally fluid VC gauges, no lag, just like in a 2D cockpit. Circuits and curving turns to final are a delight in this aircraft.CheersTim

I haven't tried this, but just thinking about the problem, I wonder if you couldn't tune an ADF to an NDB located at the airport to give you a sense for when it's time to turn onto final while watching the instruments. Or is it unlikely to find a NDB at the airport?Not that this would simulate a RW approach technique, of course. I continually hear that this particular issue is one of the ways in which RW flying is easier than simulator flight.

Hi Par,Regarding Active Camera we have just programmed an alternative for visual airfield pattern (this will be included in the next update): ability to padlock any point on the scenery window. Simply click anywhere on the scenery and the pilots head will follow this point automatically. Press a defined hotkey to set the padlock anywhere in the scenery window. Then press a defined hotkey to enable the padlock point. Press the defined hotkey again to disable the padlock. So if you click on a runway threshold that can do the trick.Regards,

If you would like to try head movement tracking software and you have a webcam you can try this program: http://www.mousevision.com/game/index.htmThere is a trial version for free and the program is only $9.95I got one for my Logitech webcam and find it really neat for bush flying and especially helicopters. On longer flights I don't like it though... you can get a pretty stiff neck after a while!Zane

Sounds cool. I have a window behind me so can

I admit I haven't used Track IR, but have watched the maker's videos, and it seems a bit unnatural to me.In real life if I want to look left, I turn my head left keeping the eyes fixed in the skull (:)) or I swivel my eyes left, or a combination of both. With track IR, to look left I would have to turn my head left, but swivel my eyes *right* so that I am still looking at the screen. Swivel eyes right to look left seems strange.--Bryn

Really I look left with both my eyes and head while using TrackIR. When looking 180 degrees (you can do that with TrackIR much easier than in real life. I have to turn the eyes on the other direction but eyes they know how to move to keep a thing in view. You don

IFR: Learn to navigate, it's very rewarding.VFR: Use the virtual cockpit. (If you can't, then use the spot view if you must).Simple.

Paul, if you'd taken the time to read the original post you'd notice that I am using spot view now--that's kind of a no brainer. If you'd taken the time to read the responses you'd notice that there are many innovative and interesting alternatives that I and other members of the simming community can try. That, in fact, was the motivation behind the post in the first place. I suggest you read it; there's some interesting stuff there. billg

Hey ZaneThanks for the link, man. That is just the sort of thing I`d like to try out.Now where in my room full of computer debris did I bury that webcam?!Thanks againRottenlungs