THIS AIN’T YOUR DAD’S LINK TRAINER
Or
Desk Flying
the Microsoft Flight Simulators
(Part 2)
I had so many areas I wanted to cover
this time but something extra-ordinary happened about two months ago. Let me
preface this article by saying that I have been flying MS Flight Simulator
since the release of FS98 back in 1998.
Before that, I “flew” a number of flight sim
games. Helicopters have always been in my blood but there were no real programs
(including MS Flight Sim) that had anything with
decent flight dynamics until FS2002. FS98 had a
Now back to the meat of the article. In
August, Microsoft launched the latest version of Flight Sim
and called it
“Flight Simulator 2004 ACOF” (a century
of flight) honoring the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers
first flight. It’s also known as FS9 so you won’t get confused. After following
many of the “on-line forums”, I decided to take the plunge. It was worth every
penny spent because Microsoft has added a whole new dimension to Flight Sim. It’s now just about as real as it gets. Let start out
by saying, it won’t run on an old computer however; you don’t need a super
computer either. The box gives you minimum requirements but you really need
something a little stronger for fluid graphics.
Here are a few screen shots that show a
comparison between FS2002 and FS2004. As you can see, the difference is night
& day.
These pictures are approaching the
FS2002 is on the left and FS2004 on the
right. Look at the difference in the scenery.
Here we see the
FS2002 to
the left and FS2004 to the right.
Also note the sky!!!
Finally, here are shots of
Seattle-Tacoma Intl. from the active runway.
I’m sure you can see the differences
easily.
FS9 now comes with two stock helicopters.
The
Robinson R 22 on the right.
On the left, you’ll find Jordan Moore’s fine
model of the Erickson Aircrane and on the right. Dave Eckert’s HH-43 in Camo theme.
(Soon to be released, will be a new HH43F featured in several exterior
paintings). These are only two of MANY add-on helos
for Flight Sim.
As you can tell by now, I’m hooked on FS
2004 ACOF and there is no turning back. The flight dynamics keep getting better
and better. For those of you who enjoy “seized wing”, there are way too many
new pieces of candy to mention here. Maybe I’ll convince Steve to do an article
on that for a future issue.
On a final note, you can get as
extravagant as you want. While many folk enjoy a desk top joy stick with the
“twist-grip” type rudder control. Some of us tend to get a little out of
control and build their own versions of home built cockpits. Here are a few
pictures of what my wife puts up with.
Thank God she understands my passion!!!
Flight Sim is
found almost anywhere that sells computer software or games. It’s easily
installed, and a lot of fun to play with. If you just want to jump in the
cockpit and fly, go ahead. If you’re a real “pilot type” and want to go through
all the procedures (pre-flight, start-up, ATC clearance, etc) it’s all there.
The REAL KICK is flying “on-line”. Come join Steve and me in this fun computer
hobby. When on-line, we are able to see and talk to each other and then the fun
begins. We fly as much fixed –wing as we do helos and
the back and forth challenges are abundant.
If you are interested in Flight Sim and have more questions, email me at h43huskie@comcast.net
‘til next time,
Paul
Metzner
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