I'm curious to hear how other people use FS2004.Do you spend most of your sim time with a specific aircraft or type or do you hop around from one plane to another?Do you prefer a specific aviation era and will you spend most of your time with planes from that era? Do you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of a particular plane until you master it completely or are you happy to just hop in and find out where the main instruments and switches are, ignoring the rest or picking it up as you go along?Do you prefer glass cockpits with digital readouts or analog gauges?Do you follow checklists when using a plane or do you just wing it?How important is it to you that a plane flies by the numbers i.e. that it as close to real world performance as possible?How often do you push planes beyond their performance envelope?Do you try to use correct radio and navigation procedures, at least as far as FS2004 allows you to do so?Do you tend to spend most of your sim time flying the same routes or in the same general area or do you choose a wide-ranging variety of routes and locations?What is the average length of your flights? Do you prefer short hops or long hauls?Do you spend the entire flight in the cockpit or do you use external views?

These sound like questions from a developer. Truly just curious? Or market research?Doug

Good question. I first started using the FS as a navigation familiarization training aid. For real world navigation on trips of some duration, its nice to practice and be aware of the naviads that may be available, in the office or at home. As for entertainment use, it's hard to beat at any age. For lovers of all things aviation, FS has become a serious vehicle to pursue aviation in all of it's phases. The FS9 box we brought back home to play with, is no longer recognizable in todays Simming world. That default FS9, has spawned an industry, artistic input, interest, dedication and a sense that this is a living thing. Weather its Heavy Iron, a Piper cub, a balloon, or a hang glider, its here, and available to the whim of all. The wonderful part is many of the things IE: scenery, planes, utilities, and all of the addons, are Gifts from dictated people. Just recently a Gentleman, Bill Lyons, and a Giant in the development of aircraft for FS, gave us all the most wonderful gifts on can ask for. There are many others who do likewise. For a few bucks, the sky is the limit. At now 73yrs old, I would have never in my wildest dreams envisioned this magical experience now available to all of us. Its been a long journey from a swivel chair, a broomstick, and trying to sound like a Steerman. Wonder what the next few years hold. Is there a home "HOLODECK" in our future?? "REGARDS AND HAVE FUN" VIN

I am a 41 year old private pilot. Due to the fact I can't seem to get my money tree to grow in the back yard, I find myself well short of being able to fly as much as I want. Generally I am able to log about 20 - 35 hours a year. I use FS9 to keep myself fresh on procedures and practices. Everytime I boot it up, I carry out a flight just as I would in real life, from the planning to the execution. Some of it needs to be created in my mind, but the Sim does such a good job, it is a fantastic supplement

I've been in love with flight since my first flight, on a Lockheed Electra back in '66. I don't know if it is true for other pilots, but for me, I feel such a sense of deep relaxation when I leave the earth and the world with all its stresses and problems is miles below my feet.How do I use FS2004? I'm probably more lax than most when it comes to cockpit drill and procedure--I simply like to set up scenarios where I am in the air, feeling the joy of flight, ducking in and out of the clouds with the setting sun at my stern. Some days that may be in a light jet, others in a microlight. Almost always I am hand flying a good majority of the flight. Despite my presence in the forums, I don't call myself a "serious" simmer. I run FS2004 on the oldest system in the bunch. And more often than not, I use it as entertainment. I took lessons 20 years ago and will be taking them up again in about six weeks now that I have a CFI picked out. Check back with me then, and my answer may be completely different :)-John

>I'm curious to hear how other people use FS2004.>>Do you spend most of your sim time with a specific aircraft or>type or do you hop around from one plane to another?most of my simming time goes to four aircraft types,i reckon my aircraft folder is the smallest of the lot :)>Do you prefer a specific aviation era and will you spend most>of your time with planes from that era? i think i do,i only fly 727's,DC9's and DC8's,using INS,too,so maybe the seventies?>Do you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of a>particular plane until you master it completely or are you>happy to just hop in and find out where the main instruments>and switches are, ignoring the rest or picking it up as you go>along?trying to fly it as correct as possible within the sim,and the more buttons to push,the happier i am.>Do you prefer glass cockpits with digital readouts or analog>gauges?Analog.>Do you follow checklists when using a plane or do you just>wing it?checklists.>How important is it to you that a plane flies by the numbers>i.e. that it as close to real world performance as possible?very important,but,as i have no real life experience:if it flies believabnle,i'm happy.>How often do you push planes beyond their performance>envelope?never.>Do you try to use correct radio and navigation procedures, at>least as far as FS2004 allows you to do so?on vatsim,that's a must.>Do you tend to spend most of your sim time flying the same>routes or in the same general area or do you choose a>wide-ranging variety of routes and locations?never the same route,lots to explore in flightsim.>What is the average length of your flights? Do you prefer>short hops or long hauls?either is good for me,but due to planning etc,i tend to not fly anything less then abnout 5-600 miles.>Do you spend the entire flight in the cockpit or do you use>external views?if the sun is setting,i might take a peek outside,usually,i'm in the pit,where the action is.cheersJP.

Sorta like a multi choice exam... A, B, C. or none of the above.>Do you spend most of your sim time with a specific aircraft or>type or do you hop around from one plane to another? B767/737>Do you prefer a specific aviation era and will you spend most>of your time with planes from that era? See above>Do you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of a>particular plane until you master it completely or are you>happy to just hop in and find out where the main instruments>and switches are, ignoring the rest or picking it up as you go>along? Since FS turbojet aircraft are a tad off the pace I would spend some time acquainting myself with the particular models handling/flying characteristics much like a base and route check tied into one before cutting loose on an approach to minimums tight on fuel.>Do you prefer glass cockpits with digital readouts or analog>gauges? A combo>Do you follow checklists when using a plane or do you just>wing it? Checklist>How important is it to you that a plane flies by the numbers>i.e. that it as close to real world performance as possible? Numbers>How often do you push planes beyond their performance>envelope? Relates to prev question and not test pilot certified or rated yet.>Do you try to use correct radio and navigation procedures, at>least as far as FS2004 allows you to do so? Roger>Do you tend to spend most of your sim time flying the same>routes or in the same general area or do you choose a>wide-ranging variety of routes and locations? Global, after all it's not my fuel bill.>What is the average length of your flights? Do you prefer>short hops or long hauls? 2 - 3 hrs>Do you spend the entire flight in the cockpit or do you use>external views? I'll leave the external stuff to guys like evil ka-nevil as I prefer to remain lapstrapped in at all times cept, fer the potty break.DouglasRW B707 ret

>Do you spend most of your sim time with a specific aircraft or>type or do you hop around from one plane to another?Aircraft are the same type. That is to say most things up until about 1939. Running Roaring Thirties I tend to change aircraft quite often but all of the same era.>>Do you prefer a specific aviation era and will you spend most>of your time with planes from that era? Era? Easy - the Golden Age of flight (up until about 1939).>Do you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of a>particular plane until you master it completely or are you>happy to just hop in and find out where the main instruments>and switches are, ignoring the rest or picking it up as you go>along?Pick it up as I go sort of. Flying vintage aircraft often means that's just the way it goes. Sort of "prop - present, fuel - a bit, air conditioning - what the heck is that ;-) ">Do you prefer glass cockpits with digital readouts or analog>gauges?No choice for me. Analogue.>How important is it to you that a plane flies by the numbers>i.e. that it as close to real world performance as possible?Very.>How often do you push planes beyond their performance>envelope?I fly races quite often so I push it as hard as it will go without falling to pieces. When not racing I stay "within the envelope">Do you try to use correct radio and navigation procedures, at>least as far as FS2004 allows you to do so?If on IVAO then ATC says procedures need to be followed. When I can fly as I wish because of the era I fly in their aren't many procedures to follow.>Do you tend to spend most of your sim time flying the same>routes or in the same general area or do you choose a>wide-ranging variety of routes and locations?Wherever the wind takes me.>What is the average length of your flights? Do you prefer>short hops or long hauls?Not often less than a day and the distance covered varies a great deal. Last flight 1 day 1,800 miles. Flight before that same route but two days in something a lot slower.>Do you spend the entire flight in the cockpit or do you use>external views?I fly in the cockpit but do use spot view largely when trying to find my way. I fly with a map and compass not the new fangled GPS thingy. I did use a NDB a few times though a year or so back.Andrew BrownROARING THIRTIEShttp://www.gordiusfs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

>These sound like questions from a developer. Truly just>curious? Or market research?No, not market research, just curious. I am a software developer by trade -- though not involved in anything flight sim related -- so perhaps some of that developer mindset found its way into my post.

I like this question because I too am interested in knowing what others do. I 've had this "game" in 2 versions of fs2k and now fs9.I didn't know that I didn't know! It was only after I figured out how to get on a forum that I learned how to download a add-on. I'm a kid in a candy store now and tend to download everything I can before somebody turns off the spigot. I tried doing the license deal and found that I was terrible so I consider myself hadzardous to all flightsim traffic. I have a terrible realtionship with 747's. They hate me so I keep realism setting to "easy" and "ignore" crash damage."Start up" through take off and climb out is exciting to me. I try to use the correct proceedures even if I have not learned them yet. Cruise is only an intermission til the next exciting part of the flight...Landing. If and when I get that sucker over the threshold and on the center line there is much rejoicing. If I get it stopped before going through 4 buildings and 8 trees, then life is good.My flights have to be short. Usally 1-2 hours and I fly pretty much the same destinations. I think I like the older,jetliners, but then there is the 747.I try to learn some ins and outs about the aircraft, but I'm not very discipline. So I I jump from plane to plane. I usually choose by the panel Installed.(I'm so easily entertained!)I've created a hobby of downloading with dial-up. I don't know if I like fs9 or not. 2002 has a gps I can figure out and does not seem so complicated. But F9 is more realisticand reqires more brain power to survive the 747 crash.I am not as serious about flight sim as I see that many are, but I enjoy it and the people into it. I thought I was an old guy playing with a "game". I find that I'm not so old and there are people more significant than I who play also. Really cool!Thanks for the question

fs is more fun as the sim and addons get more complex. A good md8x flies different from a good A30x A32x A34x or 7x7, ERJ etc., etc not to mention their panels (I tend not to use checklists)It's a lot harder to fly many a/c really WELL, especially if your simtime is limited as mine is, but that IS what I like to do - fly different a/c as I feel for them - right now I'm missing my 727 and will soon start some fedex night ops :)Spend most of my time in the Western hemisphere, mainly short/medium haul in the US and the Caribbean, though I do cross the pond occasionally. 90% of my flights are spent in the cockpit - external views mainly for wingviews and replays of approach/landing.regards,MarkXPHomeSP2/FS9.1/3.2HT/1GIG/X700pro256

An interesting question, sad that only a few responded. Well, here's my answer if you're still after such:>>Do you spend most of your sim time with a specific aircraft or type or do you hop around from one plane to another?I've got so many aircraft that I'd need years to use and master them all. That's one of my biggest problems, indeed...>>Do you prefer a specific aviation era and will you spend most of your time with planes from that era?Except of war planes and extremely old ones, I love them all, no matter which era and century...>>Do you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of a particular plane until you master it completely or are you happy to just hop in and find out where the main instruments and switches are, ignoring the rest or picking it up as you go along?I don't fly until I know the plane well. But reading and practice are two different worlds...>>Do you prefer glass cockpits with digital readouts or analog gauges?I love glass cockpits and FMSs. But on the other hand, flying by hand and raw data is much fun as well. So many choices, so little time,...>>Do you follow checklists when using a plane or do you just wing it?I'm admittedly not a good checklist performer, I do things more by intuition, but try to be reasonable and accurate.>>How important is it to you that a plane flies by the numbers i.e. that it as close to real world performance as possible?Topmost priority for me.>>How often do you push planes beyond their performance envelope?Seldom, only in emergency situations (I rarely feel the urge to kill myself in a kamikaze maneuver, but sometimes this is fun ;-) )>>Do you try to use correct radio and navigation procedures, at least as far as FS2004 allows you to do so?Yes>>Do you tend to spend most of your sim time flying the same routes or in the same general area or do you choose a wide-ranging variety of routes and locations?I'm always thankful for every new idea where to fly. I'm where the wind blows me to...>>What is the average length of your flights? Do you prefer short hops or long hauls?Short hops, if any at all. Mostly do starts and landings. That's what flying for me is essentially all about: the landings.>>Do you spend the entire flight in the cockpit or do you use external views?Cannot steer in external views, so I use them only when trimmed perfectly or on autopilot.Andreas