Microsoft Flight Simulator for IFR Practice !!!

[Mr Cat]

Hi Guys,

I know this was mentioned recently but I have failed to find the thread on the search function. I am wanting to purchase a flight simulator to practice my IFR for my renewal.

Can someone please tell me how to configure MS Flight Sim to practice my IFR stuff, or any other suggestions as to which flight sim to purchase.

Many thanks in advance.......

[Hasselhof]

X-Plane. Set up is easy to figure out. Buy a decent 3rd party IFR training aircraft. Buy full flight controls.

[Cap'n Arrr]

If you already have flight sim dont bother buying another one. But, its not too useful in terms of practicing hand flying an approach, its much easier to use to practice scanning, and applying rules of thumb for drift/time etc, as well as regaining track.

Turn the AP on HDG mode, practice holding in wind and what not. For hand flying you cant beat an approved Cat B sim, except with an actual aircraft. Although, having said that, MSFS isnt COMPLETELY useless for hand flying practice, just not as good as a real sim.

Arrr

[ITCZ]

I'll back up the previous recommendation for X-plane. It can run in Windoze, Linux and Mac. They have just released a new version so copies of Version 8, which is still better than MS sim, can be had for US$29. Add any USB joystick and you will have a top notch sim for under AU$100.

Download a demo for free: http://www.x-plane.com/demo.html

System requirements: http://www.x-plane.com/sysreq.html

Current prices and deals:
http://store.x-plane.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=3

There is a huge amount of free add ons for x-plane, and most are free. Checkout www.x-plane.org for forums and freebies.

[powerstall]

MS FS 2004 was a good enough way and a cheap way for IFR practice, used it for navigation, entry to holding patterns, time to stn. etc. etc... but wont help you that much on the handling... but it was a very big help when i had a sim check for an airline i was applying for...

[Hasselhof]

but wont help you that much on the handling...

Thats why you buy X-Plane instead Just spent about 5 hours on it today with full Saitek setup to help get ready for my renewal. Goes great