GC9876

Budget is tricky as we already have some reasonably high end PCs so will need to check spec and see whether we can use those or need to start again Is Prepar3d a development from MSFS? In other words did they buy the rights as it were? Or is it a completely new product. A brief look does seem to indicate it is designed with aerodynamic realism in mind, which is definitely the way we want to go. when you say “low level” do you mean literally (eg learning to fly the circuit, or “low end” meaning cheap and easy? I've been warned of TVs because of the refresh rate (all Greek to me!) but wonder if we really need the 166Hz some monitors offer?

Thanks for responses to date. To clarify, we are NOT concerned about the ability to process and render multiplayer combat style games. I want software that (within reason) accurately simulates what a real aircraft does. it has been suggested by one of the potential end users that the latest FS from MS is pretty good. Streaming scenery is not an option for us. It must be self contained. I’ve run the FSX existing software we have and have a reasonable grasp of the basics. The visuals are good enough that I can recognise an airfield with which I am familiar. But, as I said in the original question, it takes a while and some knowledge and skill to get it set up across three screens. From what I can tell there seems to some commonality with commands, between different software (Carl E to start engines, for example). whilst I appreciate that respondents have a preference for one or the other it would be useful to know why! Also about experiences setting up over three screens. Many thanks

Good day everyone from a brand new member! I hold a professional pilot’s licence but know almost nothing about simulation on a PC and need to learn quickly as I have volunteered to help build one, for my local RAF Air Cadet youth organisation! We have sourced an old light aircraft cockpit and (having cut it off) are using this as a basis to build a sim. Obviously our budget is limited which has determined , to an extent, what we can afford, but the plan so far is to use Logitech instruments, a Thrustmaster Wartgog joystick, with extension tube, Logitech Saikonrudder pedals, and a Honeycomb Bravo throttle quadrant. There’s plenty of space for expansion in the future is we can raise additional funding, such as adding radios and nav instruments. However I am open to argument as to how this might be wrong, bearing in mind we aren’t going to be spending thousands on a joystick! The plan is to have 3 screens externally to the cockpit, and drive it all from a PC. Obviously I am more than happy with the flying aspects but the computing side is a mystery. So the big question is which software to use? To my mind there are three criteria to consider:- Realism of aircraft flight charecteristics realism of scenery ease of use The last of these is important. I have ex perimented with an existing copy of MSFS X (Steam edition) and we can set up multiple screens to achieve a reasonable panoramic view. But it is fiddly to do and has to be set up again every time we turn on the PC. Is there a solution that is “turn key”? There will be lots of users of this sim, not all of them very computer literate, so it’s really important that whoever is using it can press the “on” button and it all fires up across all there screens. We have decided that we don’t want to “stretch” a single image across three screens by the way. This is not satisfactory in terms of field of view. Finally, there is the issue of suitable PC and graphic card selection to give adequate performance. I’ve been hunting around the internet trying to find some answers, and as always if you ask five people you get seven opinions, but I know others will have cracked this problem before and I shouldn’t need to reinvent the wheel! Bybthe way, we are only looking to (accurately)simulate low performance light aircraft. The need for such features as high speed multiple player air to air combat etc is minimal. This sim is primarily designed to be used for proper training (as much as possible within its limitations) not gaming. Any and all pointers, advice, opinions and links are welcomed Many thanks