Best Instrument flying PC trainer?

[Summer Cloud]

Could anyone be kind enough to give me there ideas on the best instrument flying trainer PC programs they know of.
Tried MS flightsim 98 and found the instrument panel to small to use. Really looking for a dedicated software for approach practice.

[acpo]

I've read that Initiative Computing Elite 6.0 is very good but pricy at around £250-£600,
web-site: www.flyelite.ch (http://www.flyelite.ch)

Also good is Jeppesen FlightPro, its cheaper at around £100,
web-site: www.flightpro.com (http://www.flightpro.com)

There is a review of both in issue 4 of PC Pilot,
Web-site: www.pcpilot.net (http://www.pcpilot.net)

[Summer Cloud]

ACPO,
Many thanks!!!
Summer Clouud.

[TWINCOMM]

Summer Cloud,

I bought an Elite V5.1 set up about 4 years ago. Despite costing a small fortune with the add-on multi engine module and throttle quadrant, I have managed to pass 4 multi engine commercial I/R renewals (including the new European JAR test) having done most of the practice on the PC. I was even complemented on my accuracy after one of the tests!.

I can honestly say that it has been one of the best investments I ever made. In addition to being able to practice all the more tedious holds and approaches repeatedly with differing levels of turbulence and wind, you can practice planned routes prior to an actual trip.

The only health warning to anyone contemplating a purchase is that it is not an entertainment package i.e. there are no real graphics other than the instruments and a view of the runway as you break cloud. V6 may have improved on this front but I don't know for sure. For serious training/practice I've seen nothing to beat it.

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TwinComm

[Summer Cloud]

Thanks Twincomm,
Was your Elite package programmable?
For example can you enter the approaches you want into it or did it come with a standard data base?
Can you recover the flight path for perusal after?
Sounds good. What was your set up cost with peripherals?
Cheers SC.

[TWINCOMM]

Summer Cloud,

The package came with a full database (Europe in my case) and I understand databases are available for most of the world. There is a facility to make changes, ie. add your own airfields/lighting/navaids/define holds etc. You can also edit data in the database.

I use my own set of fully updated IFR approach plates, and the occasional frequency changes or beacon relocations are easily reprogrammed.

The current flight is recorded in the memory and the last hour or so can be replayed at a higher speed and a variety of zoom scales to monitor performance and accuracy at your leasure.

The kit is not cheap, looking at todays prices from one of the main pilot supply outlets here in the UK, the multi engine version 5.4 is £689 (Single engine is £499), the throttle quadrant is £175. I already had a yoke and pedals but the CH Pro pedals and CH pro yoke retail for £100 each.

The peripherals are all hooked up to a special comms box which connects to your PC via a spare Serial Port.

At first sight it appears expensive but if you consider it as the equivalent of 3 or 4 hours of multi engine aircraft rental (in the UK at least) you will get a lot more out of it than 4 hours of airtime will ever give.

I believe a demo CD is available which will give an overview of the main features and screen views etc.

The web site at www.flyelite.ch (http://www.flyelite.ch) is worth a visit since you may be able to get up to date pricing. Taxes where you are may make things cheaper.

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TwinComm

[This message has been edited by TWINCOMM (edited 27 May 2000).]

[arm the floats]

Fs 98 is perfectly adequate as you can add a vast amount of free software to improve the basic bought package.
There are IFR panels to add along with any aircraft type and country you can think of.There are also on-line air traffic controllers to make things even more realistic.Check out www.flightsim.com (http://www.flightsim.com)
I fly as an instrument rated commercial pilot and regularly use FS98 to practice procedures.

[Summer Cloud]

Thanks Twincomm and ATF,
I didn't realise you could add IF panels to MS 98. My documentation with the software is lousy.
Can you increase the size of the instruments without buying a bigger monitor?
I am presently flying a Dash-8. Seen any downloadable stuff on them?
Cheers,SC.