MS Flight Sim most accurate a/c
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 213
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From: Vigo-Spain
MS Flight Sim most accurate a/c
Hi!
I don't know if this is the right place to post it, but I would like to know which aircraft of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (freeware or payware stuff, i don't care) is the most accurate and has the closest instrumentation and performance to the actual aircraft.
I want to know because I want to prepare some serious turboprop / jet stuff close enough to real world operations, so I become familiar with IFR at high speeds and Flight Levels (and have some fun too!!!).
Thank you!!!
I don't know if this is the right place to post it, but I would like to know which aircraft of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (freeware or payware stuff, i don't care) is the most accurate and has the closest instrumentation and performance to the actual aircraft.
I want to know because I want to prepare some serious turboprop / jet stuff close enough to real world operations, so I become familiar with IFR at high speeds and Flight Levels (and have some fun too!!!).
Thank you!!!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 172
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From: UK
Personally, I find the PMDG 737NG add-on for FS to be very good in terms of a working FMC etc.
http://www.precisionmanuals.com
http://www.precisionmanuals.com
Super-Friendly Aviator
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Reigate, UK
Try X-Plane:
www.x-plane.com
More realistic modelling than MSFS, FAA approved (see the site) and used by a certain SpaceShipOne designer with the surname of Rutan.
V1R
www.x-plane.com
More realistic modelling than MSFS, FAA approved (see the site) and used by a certain SpaceShipOne designer with the surname of Rutan.
V1R
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: CYYZ
Forget MSFS. Forget X-Plane. Check this out http://aerowinx.de/
You'll never get anything more realistic than this. It's probably the best 747-400 systems/procedures simulator out there.
You'll never get anything more realistic than this. It's probably the best 747-400 systems/procedures simulator out there.
Last edited by PCav8or; 15th January 2005 at 00:50.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: far far away
And for the MSFS, my vote goes for the Flight1 ATR-72
http://atr.flight1.net/
There are really few things not as in the real plane
Greetings,
Smola
http://atr.flight1.net/
There are really few things not as in the real plane
Greetings,
Smola
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
PMDG, PS1 & X-Plane,
I have the three of them - they all have their issues.
PS1 is really designed for 747-400 rated pilots, has no visuals and is extremely expensive (I paid €350 I think). That said, use it for a while and you could make a reasonable go at operating the real thing (in the sim). FMS/LNAV/VNAV & PFD/ECIAS simulation is superb and would make a brilliant FMS/systems trainer. One 'bug' I found was that at light load and TOGA is would break Mach 1 in level flight. Maybe it's not a bug! Joystick support is diabolical. Say no more.
PMDG 737 is good but could be better. Too much emphasis on graphics and not enough on the systems... accurate enough to keep a 737NG pilot in currency I would suspect.
X-Plane is in a class of its own really - flight model is second to none, you can design your own aircraft (which really teaches you about aerodynamics), instruments can be custom made (and show accurate VOR/ADF problems like dip etc), it's updated literally every week (I'm considering buying X-Plane 8 but it's evolving so fast that I might miss something). Systems simulations is generic and was non-existent - until last week that is - it's being heavily redesigned now. Even the scenery is spectacular.
Even now I look at FS as more of a game really (which the occasional gem) - stretching it takes a LOT of work, but X-Plane doesn't.
Who knows what lies ahead!!
V1R is correct, XP is approved for FAA ATPL training - says a lot about the quality really. I expect it to be used in PPL level training in the next couple of years.
As you can see I'm an ardent X-Plane fan
Edited to add: One provisio - to log time it needs to be used in with a full-motion sim in an authorised FAA training school. Just found out it's approved for the FAA IR/CPL as well.
I have the three of them - they all have their issues.
PS1 is really designed for 747-400 rated pilots, has no visuals and is extremely expensive (I paid €350 I think). That said, use it for a while and you could make a reasonable go at operating the real thing (in the sim). FMS/LNAV/VNAV & PFD/ECIAS simulation is superb and would make a brilliant FMS/systems trainer. One 'bug' I found was that at light load and TOGA is would break Mach 1 in level flight. Maybe it's not a bug! Joystick support is diabolical. Say no more.
PMDG 737 is good but could be better. Too much emphasis on graphics and not enough on the systems... accurate enough to keep a 737NG pilot in currency I would suspect.
X-Plane is in a class of its own really - flight model is second to none, you can design your own aircraft (which really teaches you about aerodynamics), instruments can be custom made (and show accurate VOR/ADF problems like dip etc), it's updated literally every week (I'm considering buying X-Plane 8 but it's evolving so fast that I might miss something). Systems simulations is generic and was non-existent - until last week that is - it's being heavily redesigned now. Even the scenery is spectacular.
Even now I look at FS as more of a game really (which the occasional gem) - stretching it takes a LOT of work, but X-Plane doesn't.
Who knows what lies ahead!!
V1R is correct, XP is approved for FAA ATPL training - says a lot about the quality really. I expect it to be used in PPL level training in the next couple of years.
As you can see I'm an ardent X-Plane fan
Edited to add: One provisio - to log time it needs to be used in with a full-motion sim in an authorised FAA training school. Just found out it's approved for the FAA IR/CPL as well.
Last edited by Confabulous; 17th January 2005 at 22:29.
Metrosexual
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Enroute
I have found x-plane to be the most flyable.
It's not perfect, but it's very good, better flyability than MSFS, for sure.
http://www.x-plane.com/
It's not perfect, but it's very good, better flyability than MSFS, for sure.
http://www.x-plane.com/
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 6
From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
There's an open source multi platform sim available called 'Flightgear' & can be downloaded for free. From their website www.flightgear.org:
"The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. Source code for the entire project is available and licensed under the GNU General Public License.
The goal of the FlightGear project is to create a sophisticated flight simulator framework for use in research or academic environments, for the development and pursuit of other interesting flight simulation ideas, and as an end-user application. We are developing a sophisticated, open simulation framework that can be expanded and improved upon by anyone interested in contributing."
The information given in the features page of the website is quite impressive - www.flightgear.org/features
I've not yet installed it due lack of space but I intend to as soon as I can make room.
"The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. Source code for the entire project is available and licensed under the GNU General Public License.
The goal of the FlightGear project is to create a sophisticated flight simulator framework for use in research or academic environments, for the development and pursuit of other interesting flight simulation ideas, and as an end-user application. We are developing a sophisticated, open simulation framework that can be expanded and improved upon by anyone interested in contributing."
The information given in the features page of the website is quite impressive - www.flightgear.org/features
I've not yet installed it due lack of space but I intend to as soon as I can make room.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
From: Near sheep!
If you are looking for instrument flying (lets be honest, the sims will never 'feel' like the real thing) then definately all of the following:
ALL MSFS
PSS DASH 8
FLIGHT-1 ATR72
CAPTAIN SIM 707 & 727
IRON KNUCKLES DC9
As I said, you will never get the true feel, but for learning instrument skills the above are all great.
I feel the PMDG 737 is top stuff, but is more about learning the 737 systems than anything else, same goes for the PSS 'buses' and the PS1 747-400.
Happy Flying
ALL MSFS
PSS DASH 8
FLIGHT-1 ATR72
CAPTAIN SIM 707 & 727
IRON KNUCKLES DC9
As I said, you will never get the true feel, but for learning instrument skills the above are all great.
I feel the PMDG 737 is top stuff, but is more about learning the 737 systems than anything else, same goes for the PSS 'buses' and the PS1 747-400.
Happy Flying
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 328
From: near an aeroplane
Not really Tech log stuff anymore, but check out www.Flightsim.com, or www.Avsim.com. (Free) registration required but loads of goodies available.
Small tip if someone likes playing with older kites: http://www.dmflightsim.co.uk. The VC10 model has been tested against the actual full size simulator!
Small tip if someone likes playing with older kites: http://www.dmflightsim.co.uk. The VC10 model has been tested against the actual full size simulator!
