From: mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (John P. Mechalas)
Subject: rec.aviation.simulators FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 18:44:13 GMT

Archive name:  fltsim-faq
Last changed:  1/11/93

I am going to post this a week early because most of the people in the
academic community (meaning students :) are just now coming back from
break.  I figured this would be a good time to get the FAQ out so we
can catch any new arrivals to the newsgroup.

                          rec.aviation.simulators
                        FREQEUNTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


This FAQ is maintained by mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (John Mechalas) and
will be posted every two weeks or so.  Any comments, suggesstions, additions,
or corrections are welcome, so feel free to mail me with your ideas.
   Similar to the FAQ on rec.aviation, there are |'s (pipes) at the
beginning of each line that contains new information.  This way those of
you with 'grep'-like utilities can immediately search this file for the
new stuff.


Thanks to:  Glenn Wallace, Hayden Nanton, G. David Frye, Robert Dorsett,
            and Alan Epstein for their major contributions.
Also thanks to the countless others who are providing me with constant 
feedback and other helpful hints.



 Abbreviations you may see used on this newsgroup:

  AAF           Mallard's "Aircraft and Adventure Factory" for MS FS4
  ACM           "Air Combat Maneuvers", a flight simulator for Sun/Unix
                A seperate FAQ for ACM is posted periodically
  AOTP          "Aces Over the Pacific"
  ASD or A&SD   Microsoft's "Aircraft and Scenery Designer" for MS FS4
  ATP           subLOGIC's "Flight Assignment:  Airline Transport Pilot"
  BAO           The Bruce Artwick Organization
| F15III        "F-15 Strike Eagle III"
  F3            Spectrum Holobyte's "Falcon 3.0"
  FAQ           Frequently Asked Questions
  FS            "Flight Simulator", usually referring to Microsoft's 
  FTP           Unix "File Transfer Program"
  MS            Microsoft
  MS FS         Microsoft "Flight Simulator", usually referring to IBM
                version
  SB            Sound Blaster sound card for IBM computers
  SEE           Mallard's "Scneery Enhancement Editor" for MS FS4 w/ A&SD
  SGA or S&GA   Mallard's "Sound and Graphics Upgrade" for MS FS4



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index:
  1)  What is rec.aviation.simulators?  
  2)  Is it okay to discuss games?  
  3)  Which simulator is the "best"? 
  4)  Are there any space simulators? 
  5)  Is there a Scenery Designer for the Mac version of FS4.0?
  6)  Are there any FTP sites that have flight-related files, such as
      scenery or aircrft? 
  7)  Can I maintain my IFR currency with a simulator?
  8)  Are there any Air Traffic Control simulators?  
  9) What accessories are available for FS4.0?
| 10) What is the difference between A&SD and AAF? 
  11) Where can I buy flight-related software? 
  12) Are there any flight-sim mailing lists? 
| 13) Where can I get reviews of flight simulators?
  14) What happened between subLOGIC, Microsoft, and BAO?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



1) What is rec.aviation.simulators?

   rec.aviation.simulators is one of many sister groups that are under 
   the "parent" group rec.aviation.  This newsgroup is specifically for the
   discussion of air and spacecraft simulators, whether they be PC-based,
   Workstation-based, or "real".  Mostly, you will see talk about PC 
   sims, since most of us can't afford (and consequently don't have) the
   real things.  :)


2) Is it okay to discuss games like "Falcon" or "AOTP"?

   Since the software market doesn't really differentiate between games
   and flight simulators, we don't either.  However, you are more likely
   to find game-related simulators on the newsgroups comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
   and comp.sys.amiga.games and others, whereas discussion of "pure" 
   simulators like FS and ATP on here.  Basically, there is nothing wrong
   with posting game-related questions here: people do it all the time.
      If you need help with a game, you are probably going to have better
   luck (and more responses) by posting the the games newsgroups.  However,
   if your questions are about flight or combat technique, flight modeling,
   realism, or other related issues, then this is the best place to post to.


3) I see a lot of flight simulators out there.  Which one is the best?

   This is a question that is not easy to answer.  Most simulators on the
   home-computer market are game-oriented, such as Falcon.  If you are 
   looking for a combat game, then you would want to consider these products
   first.  The "pure" simulators are just as varied, ranging from Microsoft
   and subLOGIC's "Flight Simulator" to AzureSoft's "Elite".  Which one is
   best for you depends on what you plan on doing with it.   And how much
   you are willing to spend.


4) Are there any space simulators?

   Virgin produces a simulator simply entitled "Shuttle".  It is by far
   one of the most complex, detailed, and realistic simulators available
   for the PC, Amiga, and Atari ST. 
      Another, older, program, called "Orbiter", is available for Mac systems. 



5)  Is there a Scenery Designer available for the Mac version of Flight
    Simulator?

    At this time, there is no scenery designer available for the Mac, and
    the last anyone heard, Microsoft had no plans on releasing one.


6)  Are there any FTP sites that have flight-simulator related programs,
    such as scenery or aircraft of other utilities?

    There are several sites that you can check:

     ftp.ulowell.edu (129.63.17.1)             A&SD Scenery (US scenery)
         /msdos/Games/FltSim/Scenery

     wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)       A&SD Scenery (US scenery)
         /mirrors2/msdos-games/FltSim/Scenery  (ftp.ulowell.edu mirror)

     ftp.uwp.edu (131.210.1.4)                 (ftp.ulowell.edu mirror)

     tauon.ph.unimelb.edu.au (128.250.50.2)    A&SD Scenery (Australia Scenery)
         /pub/incoming/FS                      ATP Utilities

     acorn.grove.iup.edu (134.93.133.1)        A&SD Scenery (Mostly US)
         FLIGHT-SIM.CIS.FSFORUM                General FS info
         (This is a VAX/VMS machine)           "Mirror" of CompuServ forum

     ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (128.174.5.59)           FS Aircraft (IBM)
         /pc/pc-exec                           FS Demos (IBM)


     isy.liu.se  (130.236.1.3)                 Unix/Sun fltsim.Z
         /pub/sunview

     kth.se  (130.237.72.201)                  Unix/Sun fltsim.Z
         /kth/misc

     usc.edu  (128.125.253.136)                Unix/Sun fltsim.Z
         /pub

     walhalla.germany.eu.net (192.76.144.129)  Unix/Sun fltsim.Z
         /pub/windows/sunview


7)  Can I maintain currency for my IFR rating with any flight simulators?
    If so, which ones?

    There is no PC-based program that can, at the present time, be used
    to log IFR hours.  However, the following two products are recommended
    for serious IFR practice:

     "Elite" by Azuresoft(?) is an extremely expensive, but highly realistic
     IFR trainer that is available for the Mac and PC.  There are several
     different versions out, depending on what type of computer you have,
     and they all require a flight yoke of some kind or another.  Elite is
     not a toy, and is probably the most accurate and realistic PC-based
     simulator, both in terms of flying characteristics, and instrument 
     panel simulation.  Rumor has it the list price on this package has 
     substantially from it's previous list between $600 and $800.

     "Instrument Pilot" by Precision Training is a PC (386 or better) based
     integrated instrument rating instructional simulator.  It comes with
     speech generation hardware to simulate communications and includes
     all equipment necessary for instrument training ground school.  List
     is about $495, and it can be purchased directly from the company at
     (800) 452-0465. 

     "IFT-Pro" from Flight Deck is also a good choice.  Though not
     as complex as Elite, it still offers a high level of instrument and
     flight realism, and is an excellent package.  It's also a lot cheaper..
     list is somewhere around $350.  It is available for IBM systems.
     (Ed note:  Is there a Mac version?) 

     "Cross-Country Instrument Flight Trainer", from T-34 Microsystems, is
     an excellent IFR trainer available for the Mac.  It sells for about
     $150 and can be purchased from Microsystems directly, (800) 543-2259.


8) How about Air Traffic Control simulators?

    "TRACON II" by Wesson International is available for many platforms.
    It is an excellent simulation of ATC, and the PC version can even be
    linked to Microsoft Flight Simulators for multi-player interactive
    flying and ATC.  There are several variants available, including
    TRACON for Windows, and TRACON Pro (suitable for training real ATC
    personnel).
       TRACON is also available for the Macintosh systems.

9) What accessories are available for Microsoft FS4.0?

    If you have the IBM platform, the following accessories are available:

     o Aircraft and Scenery Designer - Design static and dynamic scenery.
                                       From Microsoft.

     o Scenery Enhancement Editor - Enhance your A&SD files by adding
                                    day/night effects and other features.
                                    From Mallard/BAO.

     o Sound and Graphics Upgrade - Use SVGA modes with supported cards.
                                    Sound support for SB, Adlib, and others.
                                    From Mallard/BAO.

     o Aircraft and Adventure Factory - Create visual models for your
                                        A&SD aircraft and build flying
                                        "adventures".  From Mallard/BAO.

     o Facilities Locator - Position your aircraft by airport, VOR radials,
                            and more.  Both subLOGIC and Mallard/BAO produce
                            a facilities locator.

    In addition to the products mentioned above, both subLOGIC and Mallard/
    BAO produce scenery disks.  BAO also produces scenery for the Mac
    version, listed as "Scenery Upgrades I - IV".  Only I, II, and III are
    necessary for complete coverage of the continental United States.


| 10)  What is the difference between the aircraft designers in the 
|      Aircraft and Scenery Designer and Mallard's Aircraft and Adventure
|      Factory?
|
|      A&SD is the program that actually allows you to design the flight 
|      characteristics of your aircraft (within certain limits).  The
|      Aircraft Factory in AAF, however, is merely a "paint shop" that lets
|      you draw the outward appearance of your design.  It does not allow
|      modification of your aircraft's flight parameters.
|         In short, if you wanted to design a 727, A&SD would make your
|      plane *fly* like a 727, while AAF would make your plane *look* like
|      a 727.


11)  Where can I purchase flight-related software and accessories for my
     computer?
 
     There are two good places to try.  I am sure there are more, but these
     two companies really stand out:
 
       Egghead Software  1-800-EGG-HEAD    Software of all types.
       Flight Computing  1-800-992-7737    Flight-related software and more.
                                           Very aviation-oriented.  Call them
                                           for a catalog.


12) Are there any flight-simulator mailing lists?

    Falcon 3 users can join the Falcon mailing list by sending a 
    message to "listserv@onion.rain.com" with the line "subscribe
    falcon3" in the BODY of the message.

    ATP users also have a mailing list.  You can join by sending mail
    to "atplist-request@isc.scarolina.edu" with "SUBSCRIBE ATP" in the
    SUBJECT of the message.


| 13) Where can I get reviews and other information about the various
|     flight simulators?
| 
|     Robert Dorsett is maintaining an archive that contains reviews,
|     bug fixes and notices, screen snapshots, and other related
|     information:
|
|       rascal.ics.utexas.edu  (128.83.138.20)
|       misc/av/simulator-folder


14) What happened between subLOGIC, Microsoft, and BAO?

    Glenn Wallace writes [Editor's note:  Trimmed for brevity]:


    Well, it turns out it was BOTH Microsoft and Bruce Artwick that filed
    against subLOGIC...

    Ancient history I know, but I just had to dig this stuff up...

    ------- reprinted without permission, of course -------

    Q65285 PR Court Enjoins Release of SubLOGIC's Flight Simulator: ATP
    Microsoft News Releases (NEWS)

    Court Enjoins Release of SubLOGIC
    Corporation's Flight Simulator: ATP

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- August 28, 1990 -- Finding that there is a strong
    likelihood of copyright infringement of Microsoft(R) Flight
    Simulator(R), Federal District Court Judge Richard Mills has ordered
    an injunction against the release of Flight Simulator: Airline
    Transport Pilot (Flight Simulator: ATP) by SubLOGIC Corporation. This
    preliminary injunction prohibits SubLOGIC Corporation from
    distributing Flight Simulator: ATP pending resolution of the copyright
    infringement suit filed by Microsoft on December 19, 1989 against
    SubLOGIC Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the District of
    Illinois.

    Microsoft filed its complaint alleging that Flight Simulator: ATP
    infringes Microsoft's copyright in Flight Simulator by its use of
    computer code taken from Microsoft Flight Simulator. Microsoft
    requested an injunction in papers filed July 18, 1989 after SubLOGIC
    announced its intention to release Flight Simulator: ATP on July 23,
    1990.

    ----------

    Q67946 PR MS & Bruce Artwick Reach Settlement with SubLOGIC
    Microsoft News Releases (NEWS)


    Microsoft and Bruce Artwick Reach Settlement with SubLOGIC

    CHAMPAIGN, Illinois -- December 21, 1990 -- Microsoft and Bruce
    Artwick reached a settlement today with SubLOGIC concerning various
    lawsuits which arose out of SubLOGIC's planned release of its ATP
    (Airline Transport Pilot) product. Artwick and Microsoft filed
    separate claims in U.S. District Court in Illinois earlier this year
    claiming that ATP would infringe copyrights in the Microsoft(R) Flight
    Simulator(R) product. The agreement settles all claims and
    counterclaims asserted in both federal cases as well as those asserted
    in a state case filed by Artwick.

    The settlement will lift a preliminary injunction which was entered by
    the federal court on July 24, 1990, barring the release of ATP. The
    settlement permits SubLOGIC to release one version of ATP containing
    certain computer code from older versions of Microsoft Flight
    Simulator.

    The settlement acknowledges Microsoft's ownership of Microsoft Flight
    Simulator software copyrights, it acknowledges Artwick's ownership of
    other Flight Simulator software copyrights, and it acknowledges
    SubLOGIC's ownership of the scenery disk software copyrights. As a
    result of the settlement, Artwick will own the "Flight Simulator"
    trademark, but SubLOGIC will continue to publish Artwick's Flight
    Simulator software products for computers like the Apple(R) II,
    Atari(R), and Commodore(R) under license from Artwick.

    "The agreement allows all parties to turn their attention full time to
    developing products. SubLOGIC plans to release ATP as soon as possible
    and to continue development of scenery disks. ATP will simulate the
    flight of five aircraft, the Boeing 737, 747, 767, the Airbus A320,
    and the Shorts 360, between 26 major cities throughout the United
    States. Scenery Disk 12, covering the northeastern United States, is
    now also available for release," said Stuart Moment of SubLOGIC.

    "Microsoft and Artwick will continue to work together to produce new
    versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as exciting new
    products such as the recently released Microsoft Flight Simulator
    Aircraft & Scenery Designer. This add-on product for Microsoft Flight
    Simulator version 4.0 allows users to customize their flight
    environment with a powerful scenery designer. The package also
    includes four new aircraft, including a Boeing 747-400 developed in
    conjunction with Boeing," said Charles Fitzgerald, Microsoft's product
    manager for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

    "The Bruce Artwick Organization will continue to be a significant
    player in the development of flight simulation software, not only
    through our work with Microsoft on Microsoft Flight Simulator, but
    also through new products we will be releasing in the future," said
    Bruce Artwick, chairman of The Bruce Artwick Organization, Ltd.
    

15) This FAQ is pretty "product-oriented", isn't it?

    Yep.


16) How do I make additions, corrections, or suggesstions for this FAQ?

    Send email to mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu and let me know what you
    suggest.  :)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 
John Mechalas                                          "I'm not an actor, but
mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu                                 I play one on TV."
Aero Engineering, Purdue University                     #include disclaimer.h