PC BASED SIMULATOR
PC BASED SIMULATOR
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I use RANT 2000 from Oddsoft (www.oddsoft.com) which includes tutorials, exercises and fully customisable instruments.
It is an instrument trainer rather than a flight simulator. I believe from their blurb that the RAF and Oxford use it as well.
It is an instrument trainer rather than a flight simulator. I believe from their blurb that the RAF and Oxford use it as well.
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It's been a while since reading an article that evaluated instrument software, but if memory serves correctly, they felt the best was Elite. It was pricey, about US $700, but it was the best of the lot, based on realism, etc.
I use one called X-Plane, by Laminar Research. You can design an aircraft, then fly it on the sim, so it's good fun for a homebuilder. It does have an extensive database, so IFR approaches can be flown, and I find it pretty realistic. It has a wide selection of existing aircraft, from a 747 and Concorde, to a Schweizer 2-32 sailplane, Harrier (great fun), and helis, too: B206, R22, 300C, S-76. You can build your own terrain, set your WX conditions, etc. It will work with force-feedback joysticks. Get a throttle and pedals, too. The throttle can be used as a collective. I find the R22 harder to fly than the real one, which is a challenge. There are websites where enthusiasts post there own modifications to the basic program. I like it pretty well.
I use one called X-Plane, by Laminar Research. You can design an aircraft, then fly it on the sim, so it's good fun for a homebuilder. It does have an extensive database, so IFR approaches can be flown, and I find it pretty realistic. It has a wide selection of existing aircraft, from a 747 and Concorde, to a Schweizer 2-32 sailplane, Harrier (great fun), and helis, too: B206, R22, 300C, S-76. You can build your own terrain, set your WX conditions, etc. It will work with force-feedback joysticks. Get a throttle and pedals, too. The throttle can be used as a collective. I find the R22 harder to fly than the real one, which is a challenge. There are websites where enthusiasts post there own modifications to the basic program. I like it pretty well.
