TomGoodrick

This topic is well-covered. I would just add two things to help Journeyer. In real flying, you must set your altimeter for the proper conditions and then BELIEVE it. In FS9 this means hit the B key frequently if using Real Weather because the msl barometer setting will change as you move into different weather conditions. When ATC greets you, they specify and altimeter setting. Just tap B. If ATC scolds you for being 500 ft off, just tap B and ignore them. Don't worry about it. There is some logic to all this. When you are parked at an airport, your altimeter should read the elevation of the airport. If you fly to another airport, you should be aware of the elevation of the other airport and expect to see that on your altimeter after you land. The world-wide regulation that you set 29.92in at or above 18,000 ft keeps planes adequately separated by altitude FROM EACH OTHER. At that altitude they seldom need to worry about height above the ground. But with their altimeters all based on 29.92 they are at proper levels relative to each other if they are horizontally close enough to collide.

I agree using autorudder is not ideal. But it is not as bad as you guys say. As I said above, using the foot brakes helps. For crosswind takeoffs, the wind will turn you into it. so start on the upwind edge of the runway and aim toward the other side at a point a few hundred feet down. By the time you are coming back toward the upwind edge, you should be flying.As for landing, just land in a crab. Any landing in FS9 is like landing on ice. You can land with a 45 degree crab and you won't crash like you would in a real plane.Okay, I recognize these are not approved techniques for real aircraft flying; but, in FS9 they get you in the game. If anyone gets serious about trying to use FS9 to learn to fly, you must use a desktop computer and add a pair of rudder pedals.Meanwhile, I will continue to recline in an easy chair and fly all the airplanes, big and small, with autorudder ON and jazz music blaring in my ears! In other words, I am having fun just as Malherbe should be by now.

I've been doing this a long time and I also have times when I wonder "Why?" I was a real pilot and worked 30 years as an aeronautical engineer. Maybe you can benefit from my perspective. First I would not advise getting heavy on the hardware. That stuff gets old fast. But the concept of flying a plane you choose any place in the world has to be a little interesting. And ever wonder why planes do what they do? To a large extent with a well-done model you can use FS to explore the WHYS of aeronautics. See what happens if you do ...[something stupid]...! What do you do when the engine(s) quit?You don't have to always fly jet airliners though some seem to think so. Master the Learjet. If you have just one hour to spend, you can fly a Cessna 172 on a trip of 80 nm or a Mooney 114 nm or a Baron 160 nm or .... It is not how fast you go but what you experience along the way. Try Real Weather. When you fly out and then fly back, use Real Dynamic Weather so your weather has changed during the return flight.Fly like a pro. Get good at it. Don't settle for a sloppy landing.

As one who recently switched from a desk set-up with everything needed to a laptop setup for FS2004, I certainly understand this person's problem. Just yesterday I had the embarrassment of running off a taxiway at a familiar airport driving a familiar plane. The short answer is to get rudder pedals for realistic ground control and for doing certain things in the air. My pedals are upstairs where they will stay. I have enough cables sticking out of this poor laptop. To turn while taxiing with "autorudder" you need to keep your taxi speed down to 15 knots or below and use the "foot brakes" - F11 (left) and F12 (right) - for assistance just as a real pilot would do. Indeed I used to fly a nice plane (AA-1A) in real life that could ONLY be turned using the foot brakes. If you are new to FS flying, practice both taxiing and flying with Clear Weather (no wind) until you get pretty good at it. There is no rush to turn on wind or Real Weather. The wind will make it more difficult to taxi as well as to take off and land. (Note: over 30 years of sim experience here.)