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Chock · 08-12-07, 10:19 AM

Flight Simulator is one of those things where you get more out of it, when you put more in, both in terms of what you know as well as add-on software. FSX is a good base package, and one which I'm currently working on a huge review of, for avsim (look out for that soon), but it really comes into its own with some decent bits tacked on.

Depending on which aircraft you are flying, the display to read the VOR will work differently, so it's kind of hard to take you through it in a quick explanation, as there are lots of instruments and displays that can read and show VOR signals. However, all is not lost, because here are some good recommendations...

FS contains a lot of lessons and missions which can teach you a lot, and it has a good knowledge base in the help files, but some of this can be a little dry and the lessons are not always free of mistakes. So, it's an option, but maybe not the best.

I would certainly recommend this little program: http://www.rcsimulations.com/precision.htm for learning about instrument navigation and procedures. It is a slightly chopped down version of the real-world navigation trainer, R.A.N.T. (Radio Aid Navigation Trainer): http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.a...roduct_ID=1211 but less than half the price you will notice. RANT is what the R.A.F. uses to train its navigators and pilots, and the chopped down version is only lacking the ability to to link to a GPS, which is not a great loss if you are using it for FS, so in effect, the cheap version is just as good. This program will set you back about 30 quid, but there is nothing better to give you a good understanding of IFR procedures, and it will be money well spent if you want to enjoy Flight Simulator, as there will be nothing in FS that you do not fully understand and feel confident in using with a few hours spent learning via this great little program. ILS approaches, holding patterns, NDB approaches, VOR tracking, ADFs, it's all in there and dead easy to follow and understand with this absolutely bloody brilliant little bit of software. The best thirty quid you'll ever spend if you like realistic flight sims.

A cheaper and more entertaining option to learn a lot of stuff, would be the series of books by ex United airlines Captain, Mike Ray. The books are bloody brilliant for people who want to learn more about flight simulator. Do a search on amazon and you will come across these, and they are all great. Here is an example of one of them: http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Boeing-...6932556&sr=1-1

Also on your shopping list should be some decent add-on aircraft for FSX, and I can certainly recommend these guys for all that stuff: www.flight1.com
The good thing being that most of their stuff will work in FSX and FS9 too. They are certainly not the only ones available, but Flight 1 seem to be ahead of the competition in making stuff work in FSX at the moment. Also check out these people: www.fsd-international.com and of course, these: www.precisionmanuals.com

Also recommended are these guys: www.fs2crew.com If you want to do all the proper 'pilot stuff' with correct checklists and the like, FS2Crew's stuff will be right up your street. Also note that they do some of their add-ons for the default FSX stuff too, and the one for the Default Boeing 747 is very cheap (about a tenner I think), so you could try that one first to see if it appeals to you before splashing out on one for an FSX add-on aircraft.

Another add-on which makes things vastly more realistic in FS is this: www.voxatc.com Good fun and very immersive, it will also teach you correct air traffic control procedures. Note that if you buy this from here: www.avsim.com you'll get quite a big discount, as they currently have an offer on it. Using this will also set you up well for stuff like VATSIM if you want to fly online using real-life ATC people.

The VFR series of photo-realistic terrains available for FSX are well worth checking out, they improve the look of things a lot for no change in frame-rates and make VFR navigation and sightseeing flights a real possibility, FSX has a much higher terrain elevation capability than its predecessors, too, so these complement that FSX feature well.

Here's another great add-on for FSX and FS9 (works with both): www.weather-maker.com This little utility makes flight planning with downloaded real-world weather much simpler, and it enhances the look of the clouds in FS9 and FSX, a real bargain considering what it does, and much more useful than the 'eye-candy' cloud enhancement programs for FS which mainly concentrate on getting things to look pretty, rather than adding functionality as WMRX does.

I would also recommend joining some sort of virtual flying organisation, as there is a wealth of information available from these kind of groups. I have been involved with one of the oldest of these for about ten years (WestWind Airlines - www.flywestwind.com ) There are many people in these organisations who fly for real (me included) As an example, WestWind numbers among it many members, current airline pilots, current military pilots and a huge swathe of sport flyers, from all around the world, you can talk to them on TS and they are a friendly bunch who are willing to answer any questions you have on the WW forums too. If flying airliners is not your thing however, there are many virtual air forces and display teams too, these vary in scope and quality, but most of them are very friendly and not as intimidating as you might suppose.

also check out these sites for lots of add-ons (both free and payware):

www.avsim.com

www.alphasim.co.uk

www.secure.simmarket.com

www.shockwaveproductions.net

Chock

08-12-07, 10:19 AM	#3
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Flight Simulator is one of those things where you get more out of it, when you put more in, both in terms of what you know as well as add-on software. FSX is a good base package, and one which I'm currently working on a huge review of, for avsim (look out for that soon), but it really comes into its own with some decent bits tacked on. Depending on which aircraft you are flying, the display to read the VOR will work differently, so it's kind of hard to take you through it in a quick explanation, as there are lots of instruments and displays that can read and show VOR signals. However, all is not lost, because here are some good recommendations... FS contains a lot of lessons and missions which can teach you a lot, and it has a good knowledge base in the help files, but some of this can be a little dry and the lessons are not always free of mistakes. So, it's an option, but maybe not the best. I would certainly recommend this little program: http://www.rcsimulations.com/precision.htm for learning about instrument navigation and procedures. It is a slightly chopped down version of the real-world navigation trainer, R.A.N.T. (Radio Aid Navigation Trainer): http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.a...roduct_ID=1211 but less than half the price you will notice. RANT is what the R.A.F. uses to train its navigators and pilots, and the chopped down version is only lacking the ability to to link to a GPS, which is not a great loss if you are using it for FS, so in effect, the cheap version is just as good. This program will set you back about 30 quid, but there is nothing better to give you a good understanding of IFR procedures, and it will be money well spent if you want to enjoy Flight Simulator, as there will be nothing in FS that you do not fully understand and feel confident in using with a few hours spent learning via this great little program. ILS approaches, holding patterns, NDB approaches, VOR tracking, ADFs, it's all in there and dead easy to follow and understand with this absolutely bloody brilliant little bit of software. The best thirty quid you'll ever spend if you like realistic flight sims. A cheaper and more entertaining option to learn a lot of stuff, would be the series of books by ex United airlines Captain, Mike Ray. The books are bloody brilliant for people who want to learn more about flight simulator. Do a search on amazon and you will come across these, and they are all great. Here is an example of one of them: http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Boeing-...6932556&sr=1-1 Also on your shopping list should be some decent add-on aircraft for FSX, and I can certainly recommend these guys for all that stuff: www.flight1.com The good thing being that most of their stuff will work in FSX and FS9 too. They are certainly not the only ones available, but Flight 1 seem to be ahead of the competition in making stuff work in FSX at the moment. Also check out these people: www.fsd-international.com and of course, these: www.precisionmanuals.com Also recommended are these guys: www.fs2crew.com If you want to do all the proper 'pilot stuff' with correct checklists and the like, FS2Crew's stuff will be right up your street. Also note that they do some of their add-ons for the default FSX stuff too, and the one for the Default Boeing 747 is very cheap (about a tenner I think), so you could try that one first to see if it appeals to you before splashing out on one for an FSX add-on aircraft. Another add-on which makes things vastly more realistic in FS is this: www.voxatc.com Good fun and very immersive, it will also teach you correct air traffic control procedures. Note that if you buy this from here: www.avsim.com you'll get quite a big discount, as they currently have an offer on it. Using this will also set you up well for stuff like VATSIM if you want to fly online using real-life ATC people. The VFR series of photo-realistic terrains available for FSX are well worth checking out, they improve the look of things a lot for no change in frame-rates and make VFR navigation and sightseeing flights a real possibility, FSX has a much higher terrain elevation capability than its predecessors, too, so these complement that FSX feature well. Here's another great add-on for FSX and FS9 (works with both): www.weather-maker.com This little utility makes flight planning with downloaded real-world weather much simpler, and it enhances the look of the clouds in FS9 and FSX, a real bargain considering what it does, and much more useful than the 'eye-candy' cloud enhancement programs for FS which mainly concentrate on getting things to look pretty, rather than adding functionality as WMRX does. I would also recommend joining some sort of virtual flying organisation, as there is a wealth of information available from these kind of groups. I have been involved with one of the oldest of these for about ten years (WestWind Airlines - www.flywestwind.com ) There are many people in these organisations who fly for real (me included) As an example, WestWind numbers among it many members, current airline pilots, current military pilots and a huge swathe of sport flyers, from all around the world, you can talk to them on TS and they are a friendly bunch who are willing to answer any questions you have on the WW forums too. If flying airliners is not your thing however, there are many virtual air forces and display teams too, these vary in scope and quality, but most of them are very friendly and not as intimidating as you might suppose. also check out these sites for lots of add-ons (both free and payware): www.avsim.com www.alphasim.co.uk www.secure.simmarket.com www.shockwaveproductions.net Chock __________________ Last edited by Chock; 08-12-07 at 10:39 AM.