Software Focus: Flight Simulators

Without a doubt, it's been flight simulators that has really got my passion for simulations going. My history of flight simming has gone something like (Not necessarily in order)-

Apple Macintosh
F/A 18 Hornet
Chuck Yeager's Air Combat Simulator

PC
Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 http://www.fsinsider.com/

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/fs2000.aspx

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/default.asp

Lock On: Modern Air Combat http://www.lockon.ru/index.php?lang=en

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs1/default.htm

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs2/

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3 http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/combatfs3.aspx

Search and Rescue: Coastal Heroes


The Microsoft suite has without a doubt been the benchmark that I've compared others to, however they all had various things that I liked or disliked! (Doesn't every game?)

Search and Rescue Coastal Heroes was something a bit different. It's a helicopter based simulation in which you had a choice of 3 choppers to pilot and to complete various SAR missions- I really enjoyed this from the perspective that you had to actually do something, not just fly around. Unfortunately, the critics weren't too nice in their write ups about this game, and it's interesting to note that the software manufacturer (Globalstar) make no reference to it anywhere on their site anymore...)

The Combat Flight Simulator suite left me with really mixed feelings- loved the first one, but unfortunately didn't really get into the next 2. I just didn't think they were as good which may seem strange given the software developers (In particular, Microsoft) generally make great improvements their gaming software (Unlike Windows!!!) As the name suggests, these aare set in the WWII era and you pilot various planes and compete missions. Again, enjoyable from the perspective that you had to do something other than simply fly your plane.

Microsoft Flight Simulators have been fantastic and it has been a great experience to fly and watch the progression of each release, particularly in the graphics. FS2004 has set an incredible bench mark for graphics, especially in the scenery area! (Flight Sim X is due for release soon, so we'll see what's in store for that- http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx )

The interesting thing about the FS suite, is the amount of add on's. There's everything from full blown consoles, yokes, pedal, VR headsets, etc. (as an example, check out http://users.bigpond.net.au/pctestpilot/hardware.htm ) Then add to this the software add on's such as new planes, jets and helicopters and the range of scenery that's available. (Another example of this is at http://www.surclaro.com/nuke/html/index.php ) If you're really keen, then you can subscribe to magazines dedicated to the PC flight sim world. (Another example is at http://www.computerpilot.com/ or http://www.pcpilot.net/

I've also been led to beleive that the flight instructions/lessons in the MS flight sims are spot on and are being used by many student pilots world wide.

LOMAC has been the most incredible flight sim experience for me though! This is a high speed jet fighter simulator that is incredibly PC hardware taxing (video/graphics cards) , but well worth the upgrades to play if you're serious about flight sims. Loads of missions (Including mid air refueling!!), loads of incredibly detailed jets to fly over great terrain and with incredible weather textures- what more can I say? Having said all that, the biggest downer for LOMAC is the really lame flight lessons and the keyboard mapping- there is not a single key left on your keyboard (Inc. CTRL and ALT combinations)- there are so many keys to remember and use. Check out the weblink for more info....