PC flight sims
 

Does anyone know if there are any half decent pc based simulator programs that simulate 'adf dip' in turns?

any help appriciated

Well, i haven`t tried any of those myself, but a quick search on google braugth up those:

for FS 2002: http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/

http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/efpanels/

And for FS 2004: http://www.precisionmanuals.com/


;)

You should take a look at X-Plane as it is a pretty good flight sim. If it doesn't have what you are looking for, the program author seems to be more than willing to add features requested by users.

goates

According to the X-Plane website the latest version does include ADF dip. I've downloaded the demo version and the effect is negligable in normal flight - nothing like the real aircraft :-(

Although it's not a true flight sim, RANT XL certainly has dip plus tutorials etc about what it is. You can get a demo free from www.oddsoft.co.uk

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is ADF dip?

Like Compass Dip, but with the ADF.

ADF Dip

In some ADF installations the ADF needle 'dips' towards the low wing in turns. This effect is most noticeable when flying directly to or from a beacon (both head and tail dip in the same manner, depending whether you're tracking to or from) and is zero when the statrion is on the beam. Dip is typically a maximum of around 10°. Whether you get dip or not depends on the antenna; old fashioned 'towel-rail' antennas are dip free but the small Bendix King antennas using the 'Bellini-Tossi' system that you'll find on most spam-cans suffer from dip. It's just one more thing to cope with on the IRT!

From my experience dip is of such a random nature the programmers probably didn't bother adding it.
At the club i used to work we had two warriors.
One aircraft had the adf loop under the belly between wings, this gave loads of dip ( i think the wing blanks off the signal) and the other under rear fuselage clear of the wings, resulting in no dip.
Also rarely seen any dip in Cessna but loads in Senecas.

flight sim on laptop
 

Hello,
I am thinking about getting myself a new laptop, but I'll have to be able to fly the sim on it as well. Can anyone give me any advice on what I should be looking for? (can't exactly afford the fanciest and newest invention)
Thank you....;)

Dell.

Pure and simple.

Hi Ekiam:

I guess I’d want to know what you meant by your statement that you would “…have to be able to fly the sim on it…” and, what you mean by “…the sim…” before I could give you a really good answer. For example ....

If you’re talking about programming that can be verified as accurate and one that contains the operation of the aircraft systems and such, I would think that almost any laptop/notebook computer would fill that need. Keeping abreast with and understanding as many of the nuances of an aircraft’s systems is always a good idea and can be a somewhat pleasant way of spending a long lay-over in a less-than-desirable location. But, you note that I said, “can be verified.” From where did the programming come? How do you know that what this program will present is accurate? If you don’t know these answers, how do you know that what you’ll see is worth the effort and the cost? Keep in mind that in the aircraft, systems work together. If the computer is programmed to represent a lot of single systems – they very likely will not be integrated and therefore, more than likely will not replicate what goes on in the aircraft. Also, some of these programs are generated from information provided by “pilots” who have provided their “expertise” as to the operation of the systems – at least the way they understand them.

The reason I go into this in such detail is that I know there ARE software programs for aircraft systems operation that are taken directly from the FAA/JAA approved flight simulators that can and do run on personal computers – either desk top or laptop/notebook. That is the kind of software you would want (I would think) and not some kluged-together representation. After all, you might be placing yourself at the mercy of the accuracy of those providing the information if you ever wind up flying that particular aircraft type. Secondly, I wouldn’t spend any money (read that as “zero”) on a laptop or notebook that you think may sharpen your piloting skills. Trust me that is just not going to happen. If you’re interested, I can go into the details of this, but suffice it to say – don’t waste your money.

Of course, if you’re only interested in “flying the sim” and seeing how well you can land your “B747” on the aircraft carrier deck, or see if you can complete an Immelman Turn and a Split S, and then safely land on the runway, all with all engines failed … there are a lot of forums available where I’d bet you could get a good answer.
________
AirRabbit

IMHO ;) for graphic options for gaming (if that's what you are looking for) I'd avoid the Dell and go for one of the Sony Vaio range, more expensive but then you do get what you pay for.

I just exchanged my desktop Pc for a new HP notebook, cost £699 from john Lewis, runs Ms flt sim 2002 at the highest detail and perfectly fast enough graphic rate. Not the most high spec notebook but for the price I think not bad. And small enough to take away on stop overs.

Specs are:

1.5ghz
80GB hard drive
512 ram
14" bright screen
wireless etc...

Have not yet tried the 2004 flight sim, but then the 2002 version has everything I could need for the moment.

Flight Simulator Software
 

Hello All,

I'm currently looking to buy an airbus A320 add-on for FS2004. So far i've come across 3 products;
1) Fly the Airbus Fleet by Abacus
2) A320 Pilot in Command 2004 by Aerosoft Germany
3) Airbus - Holiday Destinations by Aerosoft Germany

I already own the A320 Pilot in Command software by Wilco publishing.However, it was quite frustrating getting it to work because that particular software had lots of bugs and unresolved issues. For example, I'm still unable to turn the knobs to tune the radios and nav-aids.

Hence why i'm looking for a new simulator software. The features i am particularly interested on are the 2D cockpit view and compatibility with FS2004. So if anyone out there has used these products or know about them, I would much appreciate any feedback (both good and bad) you might have.

Thanks,
h1tman47

I can't speak for those three, but I also suggest you have a serious look at A320 Professional by Phoenix Simulation Software (available from JustFlight.com. or downloadable directly from Phoenix.) 2D cockpit is good, with high-resolution panels and plenty of buttons to play with. With regards to FS2004 - I bought it shortly before FS2004 was released and there were compatibility issues, but there is a patch downloadable from both vendors (depending on who you buy the original product from) which solves these issues. Overall it's a very good product.

bjkeates is right, PSS A320 is great, very nice to hand fly on approach and the MCDU is pritty good quality and easy to work :ok:

Also if you like boeing, try there new 777, the panel's on that are some of the best if seen!

Another vote for Phoenix A320 Professional. It's a top class sim with hours of fun to be had (much to the annoyance of Mrs G :} )

Flight Sims
 

Does anyone know what flight sims, if any are CAA/JAA Approved? I was just looking a sim provider website and they use FS2K4 and says its FAA Approved. I wasnt aware FS2K4 was, but maybe it is?

X-PLANE is FAA approved- as long as it's used in a full motion simulator. You can get a full motion simulator for a snip at $150,000. I don't think PC world stock them though.