So for the last few years i've basically exclusively flown the tubelinersand got pretty good at it. Learned all the systems, route planning, hand flying it, sids. stars, FMC, etc. 

 

Yesterday i downloaded a nifty freeware Cessna 150 and i haven't had this much fun in FS in years! I'm totally hooked on the GA flying now. My question is where do I take it? Airlining always had a sense of direction and what to try and learn next but this is a whole new thing and i'm not too clued up on it (last time I actually flew a plane in real life was 8 years ago and all we had time for was flying some patterns).

 

So far i can use VORs, I can use NDBs to navigate with the RMI and as far as flying the plane goes that's a piece of cake. What i really want to know is what should I be aiming to learn, like traffic patterns, how routes are formed, what sort of flights I could be doing etc.

You should work through the PPL- Commercial lessons. Navigation is great, but that's just one component of flying.

 

Oh and short take offs/landings and soft fields.

For chasing personal bests I use REX Latitude.

 

http://www.rexlatitude.com/Home/

 

Its like having a check ride. It rates your pilotage same as a PPL examiner. You are scored on the 5 main phases of flight and given a total score over all per flight. As you improve and build hours, your license is bumped a level and the difficulty is adjusted.

 

Only multiplayer end of it is really the ladder. But I don't worry about my position on that. Some of these pilots are savants. Also I use A2A accufeel and it bumps the plane around more realistically which lowers my comfort scores. I have no use for the financial side of it to be honest.

 

Latitude is for people thathat like these kinds of videos ...

 

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/aviator90/aviator90-episode-11/

 

 

All the UND videos are awesome. Flying GA is less aboutabout systems management and more about being a pilot. Latitude adds consequence to your flights.

 

One add on and free and fun... http://www.fseconomy.net/

 

Its a server where it adds a monopoly aspect to flying fsx and it tends to have more of a bush pilot GA small twins and singles kind of vibe. Its a 24/7 living world where you start out as a pilot to hire. You fly for other charter and airlines companies and earnearn money picking and completing flights. Work up to owning your own FBO and aircraft. This product adds purpose to go flying.

 

Very addictive if used together. Does not comcome with a free divorce lawyer so use with caution.

 

C.

How about basic pilotage.  Install some good photoscenery, such as Blue Sky or MegaSceneryEarth 2, download a Sectional, and see if you can navigate from point A to point B using only compass, clock and Mark 1 eyeballs. It's very rewarding and you get to do some sightseeing along the way.

Thanks guys, good responses. FSE sounds interesting, shall give that a go when I'm more accustomed to the plane! Short field skills sound fun to practice too.

I've pretty much only flown in FSE for the last 6 months ... it's addictive!

Cheers

Keith

How about basic pilotage.  Install some good photoscenery, such as Blue Sky or MegaSceneryEarth 2, download a Sectional, and see if you can navigate from point A to point B using only compass, clock and Mark 1 eyeballs. It's very rewarding and you get to do some sightseeing along the way.

As soon as ORBX releases OpenLC.... FTXG+UTX+OpenLC will be pure scenery porn. They are doing airport improvement packs for free for it too! VFR GA euphoria.

 

C.

Thanks guys, good responses. FSE sounds interesting, shall give that a go when I'm more accustomed to the plane! Short field skills sound fun to practice too.

Fastest way to understand fse is to search YouTube for a tutorial.

I've pretty much only flown in FSE for the last 6 months ... it's addictive!

Cheers

Keith

Sounds great!

If you're flying a 150 my only advice is that you fly with the wind for the purpose of groundspeeds

If you're flying a 150 my only advice is that you fly with the wind for the purpose of groundspeeds

Hehe, I'm cruising in it right now at 90 knots indicated, slow but steady!

 

Liking the fact there's no autopilot because it stops me being lazy!

Welcome to the low and slow side!

 

In addition to the good suggestions above, here are a couple more:

 

Plan G, freeware flight planning software, perfect for VFR flight plans.

 

A2A J-3 Cub with Accu-Sim, wonderful stick-and-rudder experience.  Accu-Sim is a separate purchase (or bundled at a discount) that adds many good features.

 

A2A Cessna 172 with Accu-Sim, due for release any day now, a whole new level of realism in GA aircraft.

 

Aerosoft/4X Katana, currently available and offers many features similar to the A2A 172, though not in as much depth.

 

Hope this helps.

Liking the fact there's no autopilot because it stops me being lazy!

Welcome to the wonderful world of manual elevator trim.

How about basic pilotage.  Install some good photoscenery, such as Blue Sky or MegaSceneryEarth 2, download a Sectional, and see if you can navigate from point A to point B using only compass, clock and Mark 1 eyeballs. It's very rewarding and you get to do some sightseeing along the way.

Following up on this, might I suggest working through this site at a leisurely pace?

 

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/

Welcome to the low and slow side!

 

In addition to the good suggestions above, here are a couple more:

 

Plan G, freeware flight planning software, perfect for VFR flight plans.

 

A2A J-3 Cub with Accu-Sim, wonderful stick-and-rudder experience.  Accu-Sim is a separate purchase (or bundled at a discount) that adds many good features.

 

A2A Cessna 172 with Accu-Sim, due for release any day now, a whole new level of realism in GA aircraft.

 

Aerosoft/4X Katana, currently available and offers many features similar to the A2A 172, though not in as much depth.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Will check them out, thanks!

Welcome to the wonderful world of manual elevator trim.

 

That's the one!

 

Following up on this, might I suggest working through this site at a leisurely pace?

 

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/

 

I'll have a look through, looks like the kind of guidance I need.