I'm looking for a realistic sailplane, along with an add-on that would aid in thermal  searching. Thanks!

If I recall correctly, FSX as standard, has the ability to make thermals visible, thus helping you to visually identify them, head over to 'em, and start corkscrewing for altitude. :smile:

 

Also, check out this ------->   Cumulus X  ------------->  http://www.luerkens.homepage.t-online.de/peter/

I believe the best gliders are still those offered by Aerosoft, such as ;

http://en.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop.php?action=article_detail&s_supplier_aid=11133&s_design=DEFAULT&shopfilter_category=Flight%20Simulation&s_language=english

and

http://en.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop.php?action=article_detail&s_supplier_aid=11231&s_design=DEFAULT&shopfilter_category=Flight%20Simulation&s_language=english

CumulusX is definitely a must for soaring in FSX.

 

The Aerosoft Discus that Dave linked to above is pretty good, but I actually prefer the freeware gliders provided by Wolfgang Piper here - http://www.fsglider.de/p_e.htm

 

Another couple of good ones can be had here -http://virtualsoaring.org/flight/downloads/aircraft_fsx.html

 

Cheers,

Derek

Despite the above, I would encourage you to forget about FSX altogether for sailplanes unless you are definitely not interested in ever learning to fly real sailplanes. If you see sailplanes in any Flight Sim as an introduction to flying sailplanes for real, I have to strongly discourage you altogether. If you want to become a sailplane or gliders pilot contact your nearest Gliding Club or National Gliding Association. It is a very accessible and exciting form of aviation. Again if you intend to fly gliders for real virtually every glider pilot will tell you that you should avoid simulators until you have flown solo and are licensed. If you have no intention of ever flying gliders for real but want to have a somewhat realistic soaring experience then I would recommend "Condor - The Competition Soaring Simulator" Just Google it to find it. But again, If real gliding is your goal then stay away from simulators.

Well well, as a real world glider pilot I must say I've had great fun flying gliders in FSX. Most memorable occasion was when we flew 50 km distance in a multiplayer session in Austria. Cumulus X, Aerotow and Pirat were in use. Dedicted glider sims are graphically so antique that they kill the immersion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjKD37GjcD4

 

However I will say it again. If Real gliding is your goal do that first! There are no consequences to bad habits in a simulator! However, you can and will learn bad habits in a simulator. Those bad habits will manifest themselves in your real glider flying should you go down that route. Better to be properly trained in a real glider and then when simming follow all of your real world procedures.

 

But sure if you have absolutely no intention of ever flying real gliders; knock yourself out on FSX or whatever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjKD37GjcD4

 

However I will say it again. If Real gliding is your goal do that first! There are no consequences to bad habits in a simulator! However, you can and will learn bad habits in a simulator. Those bad habits will manifest themselves in your real glider flying should you go down that route. Better to be properly trained in a real glider and then when simming follow all of your real world procedures.

 

But sure if you have absolutely no intention of ever flying real gliders; knock yourself out on FSX or whatever.

 

I think that's a very good point and one that should be taken seriously.

The warning about learning bad habits with a simulator is not necessarily a knock against simulators.  If someone were to go out and teach himself how to fly a real glider without an instructor, he also might learn some bad habits (assuming that he didn't kill himself first).  Maybe we should have a real-world glider pilot sitting at our side, instructing us, as we fly the sim.

 

Avidean, I would be interested in hearing what some of these bad glider-simming habits are. The most common bad habit that I know of is not looking outside of the cockpit for other aircraft. 

 

(I've got a few hours glider time, both sim and real life). 

Avidean makes a great point, the same can be true of powered aircraft. As great as A2A's upcoming 172 will be, and no doubt will be excellent. A2A's 172 will accurately model flight dynamics, systems, proceedures, and show why the proceedures need to be done a particular way. It will show how the plane behaves in XX scenario.

 

However FS simply can't replace the feeling of flight, the peripherals, the vibrations and so on. You can't feel your bottom shift against the seat if you enter an uncoordinated turn. You can't feel the mushiness in a yoke as you approach a stall. You can't look over your shoulder as you are gauging your landing spot. You can't truly learn the dangers of night flying, related to head movements. These things must be experienced in a real airplane.

 

Despite all that, flying is very much enjoyed in FS...even with all the payware scenery and planes, its a helluva lot cheaper LOL. Same with soaring. I am sure SOAR is a much better sailing engine, but its hard not to want to soar over the beautiful FTX sceneries and such. As others have said Cumulus X helps a lot. Aerosoft's Discus, Michal's Pirat, Dave Rowberry's Tailess Gilders are all great. Aerosoft also has an ASK-21 in the works.

 

Cheers

TJ