From: mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (John P. Mechalas)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
Subject: Re: WHICH IS THE BEST FLIGHT SIMULATOR FOR THE PC ?
Date: 14 Sep 92 14:35:41 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network

In article <1992Sep14.110738.1277@nntp.hut.fi> jstjern@niksula.hut.fi (Jonas Stjernberg) writes:
>Hello everybody!
>
>I want YOUR opinion: Which is the BEST flight simulator written for the PC?
>
>Klass 1: The best OVERALL simulator ? (Flight Simulator 4.0 or ...)

I can answer your first question, though I dunno enough about military
simulators to take the second one.  So, here goes:

   Flight Simulator 4.0 (Microsoft) is probably the best *VFR* (visual
flight rule) simulator on the market.  The aircraft performance isn't
exactly the most accurate or realistic (ever *really* treid inverting
a Cessna 182?  It doesn't work), but the graphics are wonderful, and
there is enough realism to accurately reproduce (as far as home PC's
are concerned) a flying environment.  With the addition of subLOGIC
and Mallard Software scenery disks, the Aircraft and Scenery Designer,
and the Scenery Enhancement Editor, it is possible to create highly
detailed flying environments which include radio navigations, ATIS
centers, ILS approaches, and visual environments.  It is an excellent
package with great expandability.
   subLOGIC'S Flight Assignment: A.T.P. (Airline Transport Pilot)
offers you a chance to fly large, commercial airliners.  The package
comes with a Boeing 737-250, Boeing 767-250, Boeing 747-350, Airbus A320-150,
and a Shorts 360 turboprop.  ATP is definitely more IFR (Instrument Flight
Rule) oriented than VFR, and is the first program for PC's that features
realistic and *interactive* air traffic control.  In assignment flight modes,
ATC gives you flight vectors and ascnet/decent commands, and will guide
you from takeoff to landing.  It flies more realistically that FlightSim 4.0,
and is also scenery-disk compatible (like all subLOGIC simulators).
   Flight Deck (I think it's 3.0) is an excellent, low-cost flight simulator
that is aimed more at real pilots than people who just want to play with 
simulators.  (I can't remember the software company's name, btw).  Flight
Deck's display is mostly the instrument panel, and only a small section of
the screen is used for the 3-D window...but you won't need the outside 
display for most of the game, anyway.  It focuses on instrument flying, and
all radio and navigation beacons are placed precisely in accordance to the
NOAA Terminal Procedures.  It includes all ILS and nav/aids in scenery-disks
that you can purchase.  Actual Instrument-Rated pilots can use Flight Deck
as official simulator hours for the FAA, so many pilots use this program to
maintain their instrument ratings.  Scenery is sparse, and not much to look
at, but since it focuses on IFR and not VFR, scenery is not important.
   Elite is probably the most advanced flight simulator for your PC, and you
most certainly will pay for it.  It is the most accurate and most realistinc
flight simulator you can buy.  In fact, it requires the purchase of real
flight yokes, and optionally rudder pedals.  Each package comes with only one
plane, so rendition of that aircraft is highly accurate.  You can purchase
aircraft packages that simulate the MD-80, Cessna 172, and many more.  Like
Flight Deck, it is an IFR-based simulator, and most of the emphasis graphcs-
wise is on the instrument panel, which is beautifully rendered.  Whereas
the first three simulators will run about $50 or so, Elite is NOT A TOY,
and will cost you $700 at least.  It is a professional simulator.
   subLOGIC will also soon be releasing Flight Assignment: A.F.P.T. (or some-
thing like that...stands for Air Force Pilot Trainer).  It will be an accurate
trainer for US Air Force jets, and is supposed to take you step-by-step
through the training process, from formation-flying to terrain-following.  It's
release date is still unknown.

   Hope this helps.  :)
-- 
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
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games