THIS AIN’T YOUR DAD’S LINK TRAINER
Or
Desk Flying
the Microsoft Flight Simulators
For those of us
non-rated types that have never gotten our Pilot’s
Certificates, but still yearn to fly, many have
found
a reasonable alternative. Surprisingly,
many Licensed Pilots who no longer fly regularly or those wishing
extra
practice have found the same solution; Computer Flight Simulators.
Today’s Computer Flight
Simulators, and I’m not referring to “Flight Games” like MS Combat Flight
Simulator,
are
for the individual who wants to learn and develop their personal flying
skills. The Microsoft Flight
Simulator depending on
the version (FS-98, FS-2000 &
FS 2002/2002PRO) will
allow you to do this and much more. The only limitation is your interest, your
computer
and
your budget. It stands to reason that
the more complex the Flight Simulator Program, the more powerful
your
computer should be. Adequate Processor speeds for MS Flight Sim can range from 500mhz to over 2.4ghz.
A 40mb hard drive or better and good sound and
video cards will also help the Sim to run smoother. Should you decide to invest
in FS2002, be advised there is a standard and a
professional version. Although the “PRO” runs
$20-30 more, it’s the
one to buy as I’ll explain later. Also, MS is about to release FS2004
“Centennial of Flight”
which
at this point has had good reviews.
If you have an
older/slower computer, the FS-98 (aprox $6-29; be
sure it includes the manual)
www.ebay.com or www.Amazon.com is for you. This program will function with
the Original Pentium processor
and
32mb of RAM (I recommend 64 if possible). The graphics are simple, but adequate
to learn and perform the basics while developing the needed eye, hand and feet
coordination required to fly. Input controls, Joysticks,
Yokes and Rudder Pedals
that are used with these older computers will be of the analog types and are
still manufactured by several companies. A “Y” plug will facilitate interconnection
of a joystick and rudder pedals to
a
single “
For the more up to date
computers with the Pentium I – 166mhz , II -300mhz, III-600mhz and faster 1 GB+
processors (click on “My Computer, then in any open area, right
click, finally, click on Properties and
your system info will be displayed) you can use either the FS-2000 Professional Edition
($18-59; be sure it includes the manual)
at
www.Amazon.com , www.Ebay.com
or FS-2002
Pro ($47-59 with $20 Rebate) @ www.Nextag.com or www.Bizrate.com
. Any limiting factor will be the amount
of RAM; I recommend 256 mb minimum for FS-2000
and
512mb for FS-2002. It takes a lot of memory (RAM) to Auto-Generate Scenery for
a more realistic flight. Remember to buy
the “PRO”
version whenever possible. Your choice of Digital or Analog Input Controls will
depend upon having USB ports and how many. If you’re not sure, have a
knowledgeable friend look at your computer and
tell
you.
The Crème de la Crème
is FS-2002, the latest and greatest. If you want interactive ATC, active air
and airfield ground traffic, visual car headlights moving down the road at
night, programmable seasons/ weather and aircraft system failures, this is the
one for you. You can create your own flight plans and use every flight aid
including
G.P.S.
Want to fly your Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian for a float fishing trip in
can
get hairy landing in a rain storm with scud down to 300’ or doing an I.L.S.
approach while breaking in and out
of
snow showers. Me, I hate making that night approach in a valley located in the
Rocky Mountains of Northern Montana. If you just want to fly with no rules,
this is the place to do it. Any desk-jockey can be a “Bush Pilot”.
Want to try something
really cool…. Try your hand at the included Bell Jetranger
or any of the other helicopters
out
there ready for a free download.
Other
than your computer, the input devices, Yoke, Joystick and Rudder Pedals will be
your most expensive investments. One nice thing, all of the MS Flight Sims have the ability to
set-up
an auto-rudder thus allowing you to fly with only a Stick or Yoke. This will
allow you
to
start flying and add those pedals later. Joystick and Yokes vary from $30-300.
I’ll stay away from the pricey ones and just mention the reasonable 
Joystick/Yokes
that do the job. The most important thing is to buy a programmable Joystick
that can be used with other games. If you are going to just buy the Joystick,
you want one with a twist handle allowing nose wheel steering and helicopter
anti-torque control. A good and reasonably priced ($29-39) stick is the Logitech
Wingman Extreme. It has 7 buttons, an 8 way “Hat
Switch”, throttle and twist handle (my first stick). It has an adapter plug for
use in a “
Factory
reconditioned programmable Joysticks; Logitech Wingman
3D Extreme with game port
and
USB adapter, (7 button/8 way hat switch/twist handle & Throttle)
@$16 and Logitech
Strike Force (9
button/wheel/2 hat switch & throttle with force feedback) @$29 can be found
I don’t have a Yoke,
for me flying with a stick is more fun. Yokes are more expensive than
sticks
($80-150). CH Products makes an analog Flight Sim Yoke “
both
have 14 buttons and a throttle. CH Products also makes the same Rudder Pedals
that both Paul and I use.
They produce CH
Pro-Pedals and CH Pro-Pedals USB($80-150). Pro-Pedals
USB have toe brakes when used with
FS-2002
and Windows XP. Try the following URLs to find the above mentioned
products at www.sparco.com , www.bizrate.com & www.Nextag.com . When possible, always go for
USB connections.
Now it’s time to mention the bonus,
they’re called “ADD-ONS”. These are free 3rd
party programs covering
literally
thousands of aircraft that can be used with the fore mentioned Flight
Simulators. Remember when I mentioned buying the Pro Edition when possible, well the Pro Edition
allows you to import more of these
ADD-ONS
into your Simulator.
Besides using the ADD-ONS
specifically designed for your version, you can use
many
of the ones designed for the previous version. In other words, FS-2002 Pro can use FS-2000 ADD-ONS and and FS-2000 Pro
can use FS-98; sorry, FS-98 does not have a Pro.
There are dozens of
Sites specializing in these ADD-ONS.
Look at www.Flightsim.com , www.Surclaro.com and
for
helicopters, www.hovercontrol.com .
These
Sites are free to join, have Download Libraries and instructions on how to
install this freeware. There are also an unlimited amount of “payware” addons but many of these
aren’t any better than the free ones you can download.
I
hope that I’ve given you a “basic” introduction to the world of Computer Flight
Simulators. Now, get out there and get what you need so the next time you’re bored
at the dribble on TV, you can do a few patterns in your favorite aircraft. If
you find that you are interested, but confused by the Technical information
that I have covered, please contact Paul or me and we’ll be happy to talk you
through the problem areas.
We
get together several times a week, connect through the internet
, and spend a few hours flying together.
Future
articles will add to the info we presented here.
Join
us in this great hobby.
Steve Mock
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