Good news: FS2004 has improved, and the airplanes in FS2004 are pretty good, too! For the VFR crowd, the airplanes spin OK, now. And for the IFR crowd, the planes appear to track the glideslope more smoothly. It looks like major improvements all around! Of course, MS does something that no other flight sim does: it allows for add-on airplane skins so that you can swap airplanes just as easy as putting on a different pair of shoes. We sell some of the more useful training and commuter add-ons, but there's lots of other really wierd add-ons (like SPAD biplanes, and B17s). Heck, FlightSim 2004 is so cheap, you don't even need to hesitate to buy it (it's the other stuff that will cost you big bucks!)
If you're a fan of - or just wondering about - Microsoft Flight Simulator, here are some useful links:
Information from Microsoft
Start with the official Microsoft Flight Simulator Web Site. It provides the latest information about the current version, including product features, minimum system requirements, updates, and helpful advice from MicroSoft's "Flight Sim Team". You can also find many useful articles about Flight Simulator on the official Web site. The short answer to the often-asked question about what kind of computer you need to enjoy Flight Simulator is fairly straightforward. If your computer is no more than about two years old, it probably has the basic horsepower to run Flight Simulator - provided you have a good video (graphics) card and at least 512 Mb of RAM. Many of the inexpensive systems being sold today don't include high-performance graphics cards, so be sure to check that vital component. For more information, scroll down to Video Cards on this page.
Don't overlook the Learning Center, the Web-like guide to Flight Simulator that is installed when you set up Flight Simulator on your computer. The Learning Center contains hundreds of pages of information, videos, pictures, illustrations, and links that explain Flight Simulator and many important details about real-world aviation.
Information for Pilots
If you're a pilot wondering what Flight Simulator has to offer, check out A Pilot's Guide to Flight Simulator and Flight Simulator as a Training Aid, both available on the official Microsoft Flight Simulator Web Site.
Wired News magazine ran a useful article in October 2003 about the role Flight Simulator can play in flight training.
In addition, AOPA has created a special page for Flight Simulator aviators on their Web sites.
Aviation Charts and Information
Microsoft Flight Simulator includes a worldwide Jeppesen NavData database of airports (nearly 24,000), plus the FAA's list of navigation aids, approaches, and other information. Although the data are about 18 months old by the time they're released in a new version of Flight Simulator, you can fly most approaches and routes using aviation charts available on this website. Most of what's in the Microsoft package is reasonably accurate, but pilots might should be aware that the only way to have an accurate database is to use an updatable package like ASA's On Top.
One of the developers of MicroSoft Flight Simulator writes useful articles in General Aviation News on flying with MS Flight Sim.
Aviation Software that Works with Flight Simulator
Several companies that develop flight-planning software, moving maps, and other programs for real-world aviators have made their applications compatible with Flight Simulator. Here are a few examples:
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Jeppesen makes SimCharts, a worldwide set of Jeppesen IFR charts that matches the data used in the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Anywhere Map offers the AWM Sim Trainer, which translates data from Flight Simulator 2004 into a form that the Anywhere Map software can recognize and display on PocketPCs and TabletPCs.
Joysticks, Rudder Pedals, Throttles, Etc.
It's really difficult to fly a desktop flight sim without a decent control yoke. Rudder pedals also help with the maneuvering in cross-winds gets complicated. We can supply all the newest hardware!
The truly twisted flight simmers should visit the Home Built Cockpits Web ring.
Video Cards
If you're curious about the best video cards to use with Flight Simulator, review the latest offerings from NVidia and ATI. How to Buy a Graphics Board at PC World is an excellent guide through the thicket.
Popular Community Sites and Magazines
If Flight Simulator is one of your hobbies, you can find soul mates at Avsim, FlightSim Network, Fly Away Simulation, and other fan sites based all over the world. Computer Pilot Magazine is the leading print periodical devoted to flight simulators.
Links to many Web sites devoted to Flight Simulator are also available on the Community link on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Web site, and the article Expanding Your Hobby in the Learning Center in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 provides more information about virtual airlines, simulated air traffic control, and other activities for the hard-core virtual aviator.
Absolute Minimum Specs: Pentium 450MHz; Windows 2K or XP; 128mb RAM; (Win98: 64mb RAM) 1.8 GB drive space; 1.8GB drive; DirectX 9 or later (included with Microsoft Flight Simulator: A Century of Flight) Video card: 8 MB/3D with DirectX 7.0 or later drivers Other: mouse, joystick/yoke, sound card, speakers/headphones
NOTE:Online/multiplayers: 56.6 kbps modem or LAN
(On the other hand, if you're into flight-school type training, with flight instructors, you'll probably want to look at ASA's On Top), an FAA-certified PC-ATD.