Flight Simulators for fossils

[flametree]

I too like many threads starting to appear am an older pilot who has been out of flying for quite a few years and thinking about getting back into it. Being a family man with mortgage kids etc cost will be a consideration.

Wondering what the best/cheapest flight sim to practise IFR procedures at home would be before I go and fork out for the real thing. Remember I am computer illiterate and the last video game I played was Space Invaders so want something simple easy to learn but effective.

[esreverlluf]

Any of the Microsoft Flight sims from about 5 and up would do the job. FS X is awesome! Anything with the instruments in the appropriate layout is good enough. It is more about getting your scan going than anything else.

There are plenty of other products out there that will also do the job just as well. Remember, it is more about getting your scan going than anything else.

Similarly - don't worry too much about really flash joysticks / rudder pedals - it's all about the SCAN !!

Good luck with the plan.:ok:

[breakfastburrito]

You have a three real choices
X-plane (http://www.x-plane.com/)
Elite (http://www.flyelite.com/software.php)
Both of these are FAA rated for IFR training. X-Plane requires a powerful system to run with the eye candy turned up, but for IFR its fine on a 3 or 4 year old system(~pentium 2.4G)
Microsoft FSX (http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulatorx/), it is not FAA rated to my knowledge, it also requires a powerful system.
The Elite system has an accurate MD-80 recreation (as well as other aircraft), modest hardware requirements. For genuine IFR practice it is nice because the Flight Director & automatics work just like a real aircraft. X-plane has the FS type automatics which are not acurate representations of real autopilots unless you buy add on packages.

All can be run from a standard joystick & keyboard commands, or something nice like CH products range (http://www.chproducts.com/retail/index.html).
An yes, they do help get your flying.

[PyroTek]

flametree, i agree with esreverlluf, An M$ flight sim would do the job I guess, however, to run FSX you might need a magnificent computer.
I've tried FSX on my (Rather good) computer, I decided on using FS2004 instead, due to the detail in FSX being too high for my graphics card.

[18-Wheeler]

I'd also recommend www.x-plane.com, it's better than M$FS in many ways.

[Thylacine]

They don't come any cheaper than FlightGear which is a freeware download and available both for PCs, Macs & Linux.

That is FREE to use and upgrade not just a free trial.

I cannot verify whether it is comparable with the MS Flight Simulator but worth a look and try.

Download from http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/

[Jet_A_Knight]

X-Plane - hands down.

MSFS is a toy, where X-plane is more realistic. And if your PC is not that hot, it reduces the visibility, rather than giving you jittery detail, good comprimise, especially if you ant to practice IFR.

[kalavo]

FSX isnt even close to realistic.

XPlane however I can even spin the aircraft. XPlane hands down!

[Capt Kremin]

If all you want to do is practice your scan and procedures then FSX is more than enough. You can buy the particular aircraft you will be flying or even download a free version from many sites.

Here is one place to look at.

http://www.pcaviator.com/dlstore (http://www.pcaviator.com/dlstore)

[AerocatS2A]

I've seen copies of MS Flight Sim 2004 for $19.95 at EB Games. 2004 is fine for what you want.

[adamk]

AerocatS2A: totally agree...

FSX will gives you all the eye candy. but if you just want to practise procedures and approaches, FS2004 is good enough. Especially when there are already many many available add-ons available.