Hello all!

I recently introduced myself in the new member area, and figured this would be my next stop.  I am going to start piecing together a flight simulator (hope to have it done before the holidays).  My plan is MSFS 2020.  My initial thought, is a 60" TV.  Within a couple months, I want to add about a 40" on each side for a fairly realistic feel.  A couple questions for you;

1)  My reasoning for a 60" (maybe 55", maybe 58", maybe 60") is to somewhat simulate a real cockpit.  I plan to have 2 seats (left/right), and 1 yoke/rudder pedal set on the left.  My question with this is, on MSFS 2020, in lets say the Citation CJ4, is it doable to have the entire panel displayed on the TV, and sit towards the left and fly it?  I fly the CE525 series Citation real world, and I'm hoping to somewhat emulate the feel.  Would be neat to have the entire panel and outward view for 2 people to enjoy.

2) As far as GA airplanes go, in the real world I primarily fly C-172's (6 pack).  I will also use the SIM to keep my Instrument skills sharp.  Is MSFS a decent platform to keep up on this?

 

Thanks for any feedback, I plan on asking a lot of questions here over the next few months :-)

Hello,

If you want to simulate a real cockpit, use a VR headset, not a (some) monitor (s).
But 2 other people will not be able to enjoy.

Using 3 TVs or 3 monitors is not as good as using only 1 large monitor, because of the gaps between monitors.
If you do so, use the same size for all 3 TVs !
You will not be able to set left view on left monitor, right view on right monitor for your friends (center monitor for you)

Most important is a powerfull computer (CPU, GPU, nvmedisk) with a fast internet connection (you will have to download more than 120 Gb of data)

I think you might also want to try asking your question in the home cockpit building section. They usually have multiple monitor setups. 

https://www.avsim.com/forums/forum/142-the-home-cockpit-support-forum/

Might want to try a few generic peripherals such as a radio panel or maybe an autopilot panel, plus a throttle quadrant with mixture and prop levers. These are not too costly and give you more of a feeling of operating the controls and switches on an aeroplane. One that i do strongly recommend is this which gives you a lot of bang for your bucks in having full autopilot functions, plus a trim wheel and a flaps lever.

But even if you don't have these bits of hardware, having the panel and the view out the window on a monitor and just using the mouse to click stuff, or keyboard shortcuts does the job okay. I think it's probably fair to say most people just do that and only perhaps a plug in joystick. That's the good thing about flight sims on a PC, you can do it the way it suits you. Or, gets this other stuff over a long period of time if you like, as you decide what you would think might enhance the experience for you.

Depends how far you want to go with it, extreme curved projector screen + 3 projectors is about as good as it gets if you do it right (requires extra HVAC load for summer). VR is good, but the effect is a bit much for long flying sessions for many (some do better than others). You can get a good projector cheap either refurb or used these days for such purposes. I never did the curved 3 projector setup, but I did have a single curved projector screen for a little bit.

I rate it like this

1) Extreme single curved / angled or multi-screen angle with 3 projectors
2) Flat projector screen
3) Curved TV
4) Flat TV
5) Flat Monitor or similar
 

Edited September 8, 20223 yr by Alpine Scenery

Take a look at these 2 links as this is what your wanting to achieve. The most important thing when using larger monitors is to use the same make and model for all 3 displays. Using different size screens and the colour variations between different models + manufactures all add to break the immersion.

MSFS 2020 Multiple monitors Finally!! - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc0gMN9q0rw

 

Edited September 8, 20223 yr by Garys

15 hours ago, SeattlePilot said:

As far as GA airplanes go, in the real world I primarily fly C-172's (6 pack).

In that case the MSFS standard edition is not the one for you...get the de luxe edition that includes the C172 with steam gauges.

https://www.polygon.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-guide/21403173/all-planes-list-get-new-planes-standard-deluxe-premium

Welcome!

I have a 55” 4K TV for a monitor and I think I’d be pushing it to have it zoomed out far enough to see the entire CJ4 panel.  I keep it at the default zoom level and everything is nice, clear and easy to read.

2 hours ago, regis9 said:

Welcome!

I have a 55” 4K TV for a monitor and I think I’d be pushing it to have it zoomed out far enough to see the entire CJ4 panel.  I keep it at the default zoom level and everything is nice, clear and easy to read.

Good to know! Can you do like a 3/4 view? My plan kind of was a 60ish inch TV for the main screen, and maybe two 40" TV's for left window/right window.

9 hours ago, Chock said:

Might want to try a few generic peripherals such as a radio panel or maybe an autopilot panel, plus a throttle quadrant with mixture and prop levers. These are not too costly and give you more of a feeling of operating the controls and switches on an aeroplane. One that i do strongly recommend is this which gives you a lot of bang for your bucks in having full autopilot functions, plus a trim wheel and a flaps lever.

But even if you don't have these bits of hardware, having the panel and the view out the window on a monitor and just using the mouse to click stuff, or keyboard shortcuts does the job okay. I think it's probably fair to say most people just do that and only perhaps a plug in joystick. That's the good thing about flight sims on a PC, you can do it the way it suits you. Or, gets this other stuff over a long period of time if you like, as you decide what you would think might enhance the experience for you.

Great advice! My plan was a nice yoke and rudder panels, a throttle quadrant, and gear selector.

3 hours ago, Garys said:

Take a look at these 2 links as this is what your wanting to achieve. The most important thing when using larger monitors is to use the same make and model for all 3 displays. Using different size screens and the colour variations between different models + manufactures all add to break the immersion.

MSFS 2020 Multiple monitors Finally!! - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc0gMN9q0rw

 

That's EXACTLY what I'm planning!!! Thanks for the links! Looks like 3 - 55" TV's may be the ticket!

Whatever you do stay away from that xp thing.  Lol

sp

4 hours ago, Sky_Pilot071 said:

Whatever you do stay away from that xp thing.  Lol

sp

What is the XP thing? Sorry, newbie here lol!!

3 hours ago, SeattlePilot said:

What is the XP thing? Sorry, newbie here lol!!

Presumably X-Plane, the simulation software that NASA and Airbus (amongst others) use to test early design concepts. 

... but it doesn't look nearly as nice as MSFS. Flight model comparisons are open for robust debate though ... 

1 minute ago, lupedelupe said:

Flight model comparisons are open for robust debate though ...

But are deadly boring 😀