Simulations - The Definitive Package?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: UK
Simulations - The Definitive Package?
Well, it has been a long time since I last posted, but as I have remembered my password 
, I am pleased to confirm I am still alive and well!
Anyway, my question is simple. Can anybody offer a definitive software package to recommend as the best tution and practice for improving the instrument scan e.t.c? I do currently have FS2000 as a leisure based piece of kit.
I imagine most of them on the market are cost effective if they save even 1 hours worth of aircraft time in training for the IR test.
I would really like to know about the most professional and realistic simulation in pursuit of this goal, so that I can start practicing. I am not currently in training for the CPL/IR but would appreciate any helpful advice in this area.
, I am pleased to confirm I am still alive and well!Anyway, my question is simple. Can anybody offer a definitive software package to recommend as the best tution and practice for improving the instrument scan e.t.c? I do currently have FS2000 as a leisure based piece of kit.
I imagine most of them on the market are cost effective if they save even 1 hours worth of aircraft time in training for the IR test.
I would really like to know about the most professional and realistic simulation in pursuit of this goal, so that I can start practicing. I am not currently in training for the CPL/IR but would appreciate any helpful advice in this area.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: UK
Not sure what a/c are on FS2000, but I found the Baron on FS2002 more than adequate as an aid for the multi IR. I was also fortunate here as the Baron was laid out in a similar fashion to the a/c I did the IR on (HSI, RMI etc), so scanning practice certainly benefited from this.
2002 version is very handy as you can play back SIDs, Approaches and Holds just to see how accurately they were "flown".
I wouldn't say it helped when it came to flying the real thing, but certainly good practice for getting an idea of what to expect from instrumentation during the different phases of flight.
As for other packages such as RANT, Elite etc, I can't advise, but FS will certainly not hinder you in this area..........
Good luck
2002 version is very handy as you can play back SIDs, Approaches and Holds just to see how accurately they were "flown".
I wouldn't say it helped when it came to flying the real thing, but certainly good practice for getting an idea of what to expect from instrumentation during the different phases of flight.
As for other packages such as RANT, Elite etc, I can't advise, but FS will certainly not hinder you in this area..........
Good luck
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: London
Can say you can't do much better than FS2002,
*most nav aids work on proper frqu.
*You can get your PROCEDURE of flying together (but not handleing.)
*More accurate X.Wind drift treatment.
*You can get better add-on software to put in correct: outer markers, rwy position and elevation. for Garry Simmons 's
UK2000 scenary webby.
*Proper 3D virtual cockpits.
*Tons of free add-on a/c available from www.fsfreeware.com
to suit your real trainer.
It really helped me get thro my IMC in minimum time!
Well worth the money, Just don't tell the lads!
*most nav aids work on proper frqu.
*You can get your PROCEDURE of flying together (but not handleing.)
*More accurate X.Wind drift treatment.
*You can get better add-on software to put in correct: outer markers, rwy position and elevation. for Garry Simmons 's
UK2000 scenary webby.
*Proper 3D virtual cockpits.
*Tons of free add-on a/c available from www.fsfreeware.com
to suit your real trainer.
It really helped me get thro my IMC in minimum time!
Well worth the money, Just don't tell the lads!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Worcs UK
As far as I know most of these packages do not incorporate ADF dip which, when doing your IR is one of biggest pain in the arse. The only package which seems to incorporate ADF dip is Elite which costs over £300, for extra dosh you can have a Seneca aircraft model which is likely to be beneficial.
Peronally I used Jeppersen Flite Pro £90 which is OK, but no dip and quite poor weather generation. It did help me learn routes and procedures though.
cheers
MJR
Peronally I used Jeppersen Flite Pro £90 which is OK, but no dip and quite poor weather generation. It did help me learn routes and procedures though.
cheers
MJR
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Coventry, UK
I haven't played with sims for a while, but I remember that Fly! was fairly good for cockpit realism and instrumentation. Plus, it's only £10 now so you can't go far wrong even if you buy it to have a change from Microsoft's offerings. There is also a sequel version, but I've not "played" it yet...
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 17,503
Likes: 1,846
From: England
MS FS has pointless graphics (learning IMC remember!) and you spend too much time flying the aircraft.
My money is on RANT for teaching you procedures such as hold joins, procedure turns etc.
Not that MS FS does not have merit, its just that were you to only buy one then I would go for RANT IF your focus is on learning IMC / IR test procedures.
Good luck,
WWW
My money is on RANT for teaching you procedures such as hold joins, procedure turns etc.
Not that MS FS does not have merit, its just that were you to only buy one then I would go for RANT IF your focus is on learning IMC / IR test procedures.
Good luck,
WWW
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Bournemouth, Blighty
I've found FS2000/02 pretty useful with regards to instrument flying.
As an aside, not really keeping with the rest of this thread I confess, has anyone ever seen a sim flight model that realistically portrays a spin in a light aircraft?
It's always the first thing I try and I'm always disappointed. Has anyone tried X-plane?
As an aside, not really keeping with the rest of this thread I confess, has anyone ever seen a sim flight model that realistically portrays a spin in a light aircraft?
It's always the first thing I try and I'm always disappointed. Has anyone tried X-plane?
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Coventry, UK
QNH 1013, Fly is available at any of the high street game stores for £10, in fact, you also get an airport managing simulation, Airport Inc. (highly boring) bundled with it! As for the sequel, that also is available on its own for £10!!!!! Cheap and cheerful, but I have no idea if UK navaids are included...sorry!
Regards,
MS
Regards,
MS
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,910
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
I must praise Elite. Superb IFR realism. Even has that pesky dip! Can programme all sorts of annoying failures/turbulence and other things. I didn't buy it, I just bought some time on it from a nearby flying school. Well worth every pound I spent. A lot cheaper than the aeroplane!
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: England
MS Thanks for the info. I did look in PC World without success but will try to find some game shops in town.
Redsnail, Is the nearby flying school near to me (in the north midlands) or is it near to someone in the Southern Hemisphere (I hear rumours that is where you are from)? I have heard a lot about Elite and would like to have a session. My current practice is on Flitepro and On-Top V7.
Redsnail, Is the nearby flying school near to me (in the north midlands) or is it near to someone in the Southern Hemisphere (I hear rumours that is where you are from)? I have heard a lot about Elite and would like to have a session. My current practice is on Flitepro and On-Top V7.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 696
Likes: 10
From: Shropshire
I used FS2000 to practice procedures out of Cranfield for my fixed wing IR. I found the main benefit of it was for me to learn the individual routes - when to turn, when to think etc. For practising basic instrument flying I found it too complex ie it wanted to teach me how to fly - so because you were working hard to fly it I could not concentrate on what the needles were doing (in the end I did it all on the autopilot). Back in the days of the sinclair QL I wrote a little program for myself which basically gave me a helicopter which flew at 100kts, would start and stop a left or right rate one turn, set a rate of climb or descent at 50fpm increments. It gave all the required instrument displays VOR ADF ILS and markers. This allowed me to practice procedures over and over again with the correct speed and rate of turn every time (sadly the keyboard died about two months later so I never made my fortune!) Any how, what I think I am trying to say is, the more simple the simulator is to fly, the more time you will have to think about what the needles are doing, flying skills can only be honed on the aircraft or a 'real' simulator.
Cheers
TeeS
Cheers
TeeS
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: UK
Detailed UK
I am a keen sim pilot - had to be - couldn't afford the real thing until recently!
There's loads of detailed UK scenery available for FS2000/2 but especially try:
Gary Summonds work (internet download or CD)
Barry Perfect GB Airports (internet download or CD)
Great Britain and Ireland (boxed product by Justflight)
Search Flightsim.com and avsim.com for aircraft, panels and scenery
The most stunning part of all though is when you start flying online using VATSIM the Virtual Air Traffic Control network. Only then can you really experience the true cockpit workload of flying an ILS approach and having to speak with ATC in a very busy airspace. A good way of participating in such fly-in's is to join virtual airlines such as BAVirtual (www.BAVirtual.co.uk.)
Hope this is helpful.
There's loads of detailed UK scenery available for FS2000/2 but especially try:
Gary Summonds work (internet download or CD)
Barry Perfect GB Airports (internet download or CD)
Great Britain and Ireland (boxed product by Justflight)
Search Flightsim.com and avsim.com for aircraft, panels and scenery
The most stunning part of all though is when you start flying online using VATSIM the Virtual Air Traffic Control network. Only then can you really experience the true cockpit workload of flying an ILS approach and having to speak with ATC in a very busy airspace. A good way of participating in such fly-in's is to join virtual airlines such as BAVirtual (www.BAVirtual.co.uk.)
Hope this is helpful.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: London
One thing about FS2k2 is it is in some respects trickier to
fly than a real plane. this is particularly true in the case of pitch
control, with many people finding it difficult to maintain level.
meaning your are working harder. If you can stick with it and master the procedures as well as handle well I would suggest this
IS A GOOD BRAIN EXERCISE and will set you up for the real deal,
I found flying Biggin Hills DME procedure a doddle after simming it.
You can if you wish adjust the pitch moment by bringing up the a/c 'airfile' in word and also adjusting 'joystick sensitivity'
SPIN SPIN SUGAR;
You are unlikely to find an acc. spin physics in the currant FS2k2
But I was asked by Alpha Simulations to help create and test fly a detailed Tiger Moth add-on which can be 'made' to spin, go to www.alphasim.co.uk It still isn’t perfect because of FS limitations, but has many of the handling traits of the ones I've flown for real.
You can also reprogram the 'airfile' to adjust fight handling / flight physics by opening it in Word.
fly than a real plane. this is particularly true in the case of pitch
control, with many people finding it difficult to maintain level.
meaning your are working harder. If you can stick with it and master the procedures as well as handle well I would suggest this
IS A GOOD BRAIN EXERCISE and will set you up for the real deal,
I found flying Biggin Hills DME procedure a doddle after simming it.
You can if you wish adjust the pitch moment by bringing up the a/c 'airfile' in word and also adjusting 'joystick sensitivity'
SPIN SPIN SUGAR;
You are unlikely to find an acc. spin physics in the currant FS2k2
But I was asked by Alpha Simulations to help create and test fly a detailed Tiger Moth add-on which can be 'made' to spin, go to www.alphasim.co.uk It still isn’t perfect because of FS limitations, but has many of the handling traits of the ones I've flown for real.
You can also reprogram the 'airfile' to adjust fight handling / flight physics by opening it in Word.