Oh yeah, a former air traffic controller too.Life has been real busy the last year or so. In that time, I lost the use of my left eye due to optic neuritis, caused by multiple sclerosis.Don't feel bad for me...I still am gainfully employed in a job I love, I still have 4 wonderful children and two grandchildren that I love with all my being, the same women still shares my bed after 17+ years...but I can no longer fly.The point of my post is this. MSFS 2004 is a simulator. That is what it does, it simulates. As a simulation, it is second to none. I am currently flying from Vancouver BC to Portland Oregon at 18,500 ft in my FSD produced Cheyenne 400 (newly upgraded today). I'm using all the add-on

Braun, Good post. I don't know if you live in the States, but if you do, you may apply for a waiver for your eyesight. Many pilots have lost vision in on eye and still went on flying. I believe you would have to prove that your eyesight doesn't diminish your flying ability, but many pilots have done just that.-John

That was an excellent post. I've been an avid computer gamer and user for many many years and just started with MSFS 2k4. I always enjoy playing games on their hardest settings, and in the case of simulators, the most realistic setting as possible. I've wondered if setting the realism settings to max actually gave me an experience similar to the real thing. I live just a few miles to the north of Van Nuys airport in Los Angeles and have watched for the last two years one plane after another make their turn from base to final. I now know what's going on in their mind as I watch the little planes make their turns in the sometimes extreme crosswinds we get here. I can almost see the pilot's face because they are so low. Now, when the wind is rough or the visibility low, I jump in a 172 and take off from KVNY to see what their up against. It's a blast and really has made me think about taking a trip to the flight school they have down there.T

It is my understanding that there are many one-eyed pilots flying.I lost central vision in my left eye due to the wet form of macular degeneration and lost my medical and could no longer fly. However, after about one year after treatment and when my vision had stabilized I was able to apply for FAA permission to try for a "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" waiver. After some retraining practice with an instructor I had a check ride with an FAA inspector and passed! My medical is restored and I am again flying! Maybe you should investigate the possibilities.I agree with you about FS9. It is the best!Lou

John, Lou, Tony. Thanks for your replies and for the education. (John

BT,I'm a real life pilot and an air traffic controller (controller being my primary job) and am lucky to be doing both still at 52 years old with the odd medical scare over the years but nothing yet to stop either. I too, know of several instances of pilots with one working eye. Reminded me of a story years ago when a multi engines crew turned up for briefing and it became obvious that the captain and the co only had one eye each. When investigated further, it transpired that the captain's left eye was missing and the co-pilot's right eye was missing. The outcome of this was that there was no peripheral vision on the flight deck and the company concerned passed a rule from then on that there had to be at least 3 working eyes between the 2 front seaters! Can't vouch for the accuracy of the story but it amused us at the time!Kev

I had to quit flying because of medications that I take. I feel that I have as much fun and learn almost as much while flying FS9 as I did flying the RA, and I can do alot more of it. Yesterday I was buzzing around Alaska in a Beaver for half the day. Couldn't afford to do that in the Real Aircraft.........I read so many posts where people are complaining about this and that in Flight Simulator ( I call them the Turbine Complainers cause they seem to whine all the time:) ), while I am constantly amazed at what has been accomplished in a few short years with MSFS and some of the fantastic add-ons that have been created.

I am sorry to read your post but it sounds like you have a wonderful family and support group. I wonder, however, if you might be able to fly if you were not PIC? As perhaps with a friend who is rated, or with a flight instructor?Best regards,EricPS: I have heard the same lament from relatives who were airline pilots and forced to retire at the required age. (62 I think in USA now.) My cousin also just retired from the military and had similar feelings though not linked to health.

Hello bt,Thanks for the wonderful post you made. It is a refreshingly different one from the rest. I wonder though - have you ever tried X-Plane? How do you find it in its flight dynamics compared to FS2004 if you have? Take good care,John

<>Probably "urban legend." EACH eye has peripheral vision. Close one of your eyes and ummm...see for yourself. What one-eyed people lose is depth perception, not peripheral vision.Regards,Jim

Hi John...thanks for the kind words.I do have X-plane, and have had it on and off since version 2.0.X-plane is something special by virtue of its heritage. Its a one man band, and Austin is the writer, director, and tuba player! Its also the only real flight sim available for Mac.OTOH, I have tired of chasing the elusive "groove" in x-plane. Each upgrade brings a whole new SDK, and little if anything from before works. I'm not a programmer, but I can imagine the frustration of those who program for x-plane (the add-on guys and gals). Too much work to keep up with Austin and his feverish desire to "tweak this,and change that."That said, I'll stick with FS09, but I would recommend x-plane to anyone who, like me, collects simulations. It

bt,this is how it is here in Austria - or I guess everywhere in Europe. The former CEO of Innsbruck Airport (LOWI) also had lost one of his eyes. He covered his bad eye with on of those black masks, pirates very often wear in Hollywood movies. Despite this he was still holding his pilot license, and it was quite a common sight, seeing him hopping on a Cessna or a Piper at LOWI for some flying. In the meantime he is in his mid eighties and therefore finished his flying career.So If it is possible to continue flying with only one eye in Europe, why shouldn't it be possible in the USA?Off course it is different to start learning how to fly, once you have allready lost yopur eye. This is one of the reasonns I never started flying lessons. The authorities told me, I had no chance to get a license for first time with my bad sighted left eye. But it is different, when you allready are a licensed pilot at the time you loose an eye.So, give it a try! Good luck!Wolfgang

"Probably "urban legend." EACH eye has peripheral vision. Close one of your eyes and ummm...see for yourself. What one-eyed people lose is depth perception, not peripheral vision."I don't know. When I close my right eye, I get a lovely view of my nose if I look left. OTH, I can easily advise ATC "Nose spotted at 8 o'clock" if my left eye isn't working so well :)-John