I think that this (when modded for F/A-18s) would be brilliant
http://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/

Well, it already has an F-18!

I'm a little skeptical to be honest because, under the hood, Falcon 4 is still built very much for F-16 systems. All modded planes for it so far, even those with full cockpits produced, have been essentially F-16s dressed up with different visuals. Now, BMS might prove me wrong later, but so far I'm thinking that while it's gonna get you a lot closer than Strike Fighters, it's still not going to be a very faithful F-18 sim as such. Again, it's fairly fun to fly other planes in it already, but not to a level where it's something that you can trust as a training aid.

Apparently, X-Plane has CFD (Computational Flow Dynamics), which calculates how it flies, instead of like in FSX, where every plane has values, and is 'told' how to fly. I reckon this would be a pretty good base to build up from:06:

Edit- would making a mod for Il-2 be a decent substitute if I can't get anything to work? like have all the modern ones in a different pack?

Also, from what I see, there is an F/A-18 mod for Flaming Cliffs 2, and the physics is pretty bang on. Would this be a recommended sim?

How about you join your local aviation club (if there is one) and try out glider flying for a bit. It's comparatively inexpensive and when you start your air force training you don't train on a jet immediately but on propeller driven planes and having flown gliders before will already give you an edge over those who haven't flown anything in real life before. You'll also learn the basics of aviation, navigation and meteorology which you won't have to learn again in the air force then (and you can already show off with some knowledge and flying hours at the job interview).
Learning just from a video game sounds a bit odd to me. Sure simulations have become pretty good but it's not a replacement for the real thing.

Good idea, yes, but I am in the middle of a flying dead zone :damn:. The nearest club is about an hour and a half's drive, and I don't have a driving license. I haven't even gotten to year 12. Mind you, I've done scouts, so that's pretty for navigation and I've looked at the sky long enough to know the weather. I was, mind you, I've been thinking about this http://www.highlandwarbirds.com.au/

I've heard some rumors that one of the next planes of the DCS series might be a F/A-18 simulator...does anybody know more about it?

F/A-18 Simulator Cockpit parts For Sale
 

If you are interested in building an authentic looking F/A-18 flight simulator check out

thesimulatorstore.com

Steve

That's a, ah.... little further than I was thinking, and more expensive... :doh:

Welcome aboard :salute:

I did check it out :yeah: A bit out of our league, but good work and keep it up.