Runs well on this config
 

Windows XP (SP1) on AMD Athlon 900 (Slot A), ABIT KT7A, 512Mb PC133, 20Gb HD (Fujitsu Picobird), Creative GEFORCE3 Ti200 (64Mb).

Running with Lago Terramesh of UK and Eire (well recommended) and Lago Emma Field on top of Standard Scenery. Custom sceneries of EGPD, EGNX, EGNJ.

Frame rates are set to target of 16FPS, densities etc are high if not quite maxed out and it is nice and smooth. Smoothness is the key here rather than out and out frame rate. As a lot of people know it was the stutters that made the experience with FS98 and FS2000 quite difficult.

:cool:

Upgrades for fs 2002
 

Hi,

Hardware upgrades may be a moot point based on the framework within which the software is designed to run.
I'm running FS2002 on a Pentium 4 2.53 GHz cpu system with a MEG of PC1066 Rambus and the latest nVidia card, the GeForce 4 Ti 4600 128 meg DDR memory grafix card.
I am unable to exceed 35 frames per second at any resolution or hardware setting.
Microsoft decided that to integrate other high workload functions of the software it was not necessary to exceed around 35 frames per second and waste processor power, good thinking, most of our limited brains are unable to process with any accuracy anything over that animation rate. ( Your home television animates at around 24 fps )
Conclusion:
You should be able to run FS 2002 with nothing more than about a 1.5 Ghz cpu on a moderate grafix card, something like the 64 Meg GeForce 2, for best results.
FS2002 runs smooth as silk on my laptop also( P3m 1.2 GHz cpu 512 ram, 32 meg geforce 2 grafix onboard ) and I run it at 800 by 600 with moderate grafix settings and get around 24 to 30 Frames per second.
So don't go buy the latest and greatest for FS2002, unless, of course, you wish to also obliterate aliens at a stupendous rate, using the latest belt-fed missile launcher at 200 frames per second in glorious 3d directx 8.1 rendered slaughter with surround sound.

Per ardua to my undershorts.

Piper Arrow for Microsoft Flight Sim 2000
 

Dear folks,

Though y'all might know of an add-on I can purchase/download etc.. with a Piper Arrow that is compatible with Flight Simulator 2000. I need to brush up on my checklists/procedures/get used to having a landing gear etc... as I am starting my CPL in a few weeks!

Ta, TB

Hi TB,

Try

www.flightsim.com

there is a massive library of planes. You need to register then go to the main menu (at the bottom of the homepage) then search file libraries. It's self explanitory from there.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Wobbers

Pop along to www.avsim.com and have a search in their file library and look for reviews. Alternatively, try www.flightsim.com, but that is difficult to get a slot on without paying :(

If it is not in either of those two then it probably is not available.

It's available to download free here:

http://www.simviation.com/files/1props/arrowiia.zip

Enjoy.

Hmm, you have a cheapo sound card?

Can you play .wav and .mp3 files in Windows?

Also hit Q is FS2002 to turn sound off/on.

Just to let you all know, my friend took the advice of Gordon, our local Computer Expert, who took his old computer away, and modified it as follows:

New case with 300w power supply (original power supply inadequate).
PC Chips motherboard with integrated Video, Modem, Sound, Network Card
AMD 1.7Ghz Processor
254MB SDram
AMD processor fan
16x DVD/ 40x CD Player
Video Card Creative 3D Blaster GeForce2 Titanium 64 Mb/ 400MHz/ DDR/ AGP/ TV
His old Hard Drive and Floppy Drive were re-used.

Virtually a new package. Cost £290, including labour, for the above (and he’s got the better part of another computer in components left over!)

Before adding the GeForce card, he was getting between 9 and 22fps at 640X480 res. He then went from 128Mb Memory to256Mb- not much difference. However, since adding the additional (low cost- £50- included in above price)Video Card, performance has leapt to between 24 and 34fps at 800x600 res. Beautifully smooth and realistic operation.

Thanks for all the replies and advice- appreciated.

Flight Sim Question
 

I've had a search for previous threads on this but failed to find what I need......

With Xmas approaching the missus has kindly offered to buy me the MS Flight Sim 2002. My question is - do I need to buy add-on software with detailed UK airfields, and if so, which one???

Thank you!

:)

Hi there. I am going to send this to the computer forum for you. I know there has been some questions like this on there. Keep an eye on it there too. :)

Frankly if you just want to enjoy the flying from the cockpit view the airport scenary is not important.

MS have done a very good job in compiling generic scenery with accurate runway headings for most airports worldwide in FS 2002.

However if your'e someone who enjoys the 'arcade' outside view of your aircraft then there are some very good independant companies offering good scenery.

Try these links.

http://www.uk2000scenery.bizland.com/puplic/index.htm
http://www.wilcopub.com/A22v1.htm

There are many more besides.

The UK 2000 scenery (first of the two links in the post above) is by far the best available - although currently the 5 or so volumes only cover airports up to the Manchester area. I've got it myself and its awesome.

For other airports I would either wait until subsequent volumes are released or download individual airports from sites like www.avsim.com. Hope this helps.

VFR in flight sims and stick
 

Hi all,

I have two quick questions regarding PC flight simulators.

First, has anybody tried the new FS2002 photographic sceneries for VFR flights? Do they work or not worth the money?

And second what are your experiences with joysticks and pedals for flight simulators? I have a 3 axis logitech which is completely useless and need to upgrade to something more suitable. I'll probably stick to a stick (!) instead of a yoke but otherwise am open to any suggestions.


By the way going back to VFR in sims, I recently bought flight unlimited 2 for less than a fiver and it is indeed good enough for VFR!! It really is miles ahead of FS2002. I am very curious how version 3 looks like but unfortunately it's out of stock (everywhere).

Only drawback is the map is not so good for planning but I guess buying a sectional map for the SFrancisco are would solve the problem.

Thanks for the help,
mak

Hi,

I've got the VFR scenery and as long as you fly above 5000' you should find it OK. I would say that unless you have a high-end PC that you may have a problem with frame rate issues. The scenery is all there but it is not 3d so if you are flying low you will see that the ground is all funny colours. But again if you look at these funny colours at 5000' they become roads, rooftops, railways etc. I'd say buy it.

As for controllers, I have a "Thrustmaster Topgun". It has a separate throttle lever which itself has 4 buttons and also a rocker switch that can be used to control the rudder. The joystick also has a twist action for the rudder but there is a switch so that you can select whether to use the rocker switch or the twist action for the rudder. It cost me £30 and is well worth it.

Hope this helps.

I heartily endorse SuperOwl's choice of stick. The Thrustmaster Top Gun is the best I've ever used, great for choppers, and I've tried 'em all over the last 20 years!

Flight Simulator
 

:confused: I'm a simple fellow who's enjoyed FS98 and now 2002. When I was landing at night in FS98, the strip would light uyp like a Christmas tree, lovely. In 2002 this doesn't happen.
Is it the program or am I missing something.

Runway lights at night may be made brighter by doing the following: Hit "W" 2x , and stretch scenery window to full screen. Now, hit w to put panel back. Now raise the seat by hitting shift and enter together, or lower by hitting shift and backspace together.

also, have you seen this:

VFR Photographic Scenery: Central & Southern England

£29.99 on Just Flight's own web site - so how can Amazon do it for £19.99?

Put your landing lights on. On the big jets, it lights up the runway.

What exactly do you mean anyway by saying the runway doesnt light up in 2002? Try putting scenery levels up also...

smooth skies