Multiplayer is good fun and easy to do, I spent an hour or so this afternoon flying circuits around Bermuda, then tonight we (about 8 of us) were going over Niagra falls in our amphibious Cessnas.
FS2002 is very enjoyable, just like being a real pilot without the drop in living standards and you get to go home at night.


......I'll get my coat!

Nicer airplanes than I get to fly in real life too ;)

Leaving me in the left seat of a 747, with the engines running, lined up and ready to go? Are they quite mad?

[ 03 December 2001: Message edited by: BayAreaLondoner ]

Cheers bayarealondoner. I tried the avsim.com website and found some good stuff on there last night.

Have I missed something or is it impossible to start the game anywhere other than the active runway? It seems a bit daft being lined up to go and then asking taxi permission to be told to 'hold short'.

bow5 - you should be able to select another area of the airport (this may depend on the airport). For example, if you choose KSFO, you're given the choice of the runways but also various gates. You do this from the airport selection screen.
Hope that helps.

David.

BAL, thats ok with powered aircraft but try selecting a glider flight and you are lined up at some point on the airfield or runway without a tug infront ! or have I missed something ?

It must be only on specific airports then. Apparently Heathrow doesn't qualify to be big enough to be able to start anywhere other than the active runway. Same with Gatwick. I guess you must have to buy more add ons for the priveledge.

Would it really have been that hard to place the aircraft somewhere else on the field?

FS2002 just doesn't cut it. Still very much on the lines of an arcade game. For the 'real' flying experience try PS1.3a (www.aerowinx.com). Fly online with ATC as well. There's just too much to say in this post, so spend some time & check out the site in detail.
"Keep the blue side up chaps".

Microsoft Flight Simulator Pro 2002
 

I bought it a couple weeks ago and it makes good practice for me, seeing as how I'm still working on my PPL.

I was just curious what all your opinions are on the product.

Thanks!

I think it is an amazing piece of computer technology. Much better than 2002! What will they come up with for MS Flight Sim 2004??? <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

Eff Oh.

Great ha?

Although, many users (especially those with top end graphics cards) are experiencing this blurry texture problem where the ground beneath looks like its been smudged, kind of yucky! I love the chrome effects though! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Me thinks that the flightmodels are not all that realistic... But you cant get it all now can you.
Especially the rudder does not seem to work like in the real thing or produce same aerodynamical reactions as in an airplane.

I have recently started to use it with CH Yoke and rudders. This has introduced a new level of realism and while it still in no way matches the real thing, it is helping both as both a training aid and a method of aiding currency. I definately think its good for instrument flying and would have been a great help before my IMC rating.

FS2002 is a great scenery viewer, but the aircraft dynamics leave a little to be desired!!

Once some decent 3rd party planes come out it should be the DB's <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Some of the "big planes" are already out: Dreamfleet and PSS 747 and 777 (well you can hack it to work).
The Project Open Sky stuff works.
I think there's a Canuck or Beaver out too, and the DC-3 project associated with a museum is available on CD.
Maybe someone will address GA aircraft soon?

Overall, is it a lot better than the 2000 PRO edition, and is it worth the money ?

The Jepp database is renewed, a lot of fixes are there now and real weather allows you to download upper winds, not only sfc.

Still has some bugs but thinks all in all is as good as the price say it is. You can't really expect a "real" characteristic from the sim but very good in general.

AB

"Overall, is it a lot better than the 2000 PRO edition, and is it worth the money ?"

Not if you have to buy a new computer to run it. The only reason why I bought FS2002 was because I heard that the scenery was much better and, importantly, smoother (I wasn't getting very good framerates in FS2000, so I was hoping for a slight improvement in this regard). However, it refused to run at all on my laptop (I only have a 4Mb Video chip).

Rgds.
Q

Flight Simulator
 

Ok, so being a student, a LOT of people have recommended MS Flight Simulator, good idea or save my money?

If so, what is the difference between MSFS2002 and MSFS2002 Pro?

About $20 :)

Thats about it really!

I would always recommend anyone interested in flying to have a copy of MSFS as it is very versatile. Unlike anything else in aviation it is cheap. You can for example practice Instrument Procedures but do it at virtually any airport you choose and have the benefit of breaking through cloud at decision height and doing a landing. Never done a back-course approach? Pick Varadero and have a shot.

If I were buying, I'd go for the Pro version. It has more planes and better customisation features.