From: jao@savanna.UUCP (J. A. Ollinger)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.simulators
Subject: Re: FTP site for flight sim reviews ?
Keywords: reviews FTP Flight Simulator FS Mallard
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 93 15:29:46 PST
Distribution: na
Organization: Savanna, Ltd.

mochang@aludra.usc.edu (Morrison J. Chang) writes:

> Well, I've heard that [FS] is a good sim for single engine type designs,
> but "loses realism" with multiple engines - true or false?

True.  You can't control engines seperately.  If you fly an FS4
multiengine airplane like the 747, the four engines work totally in
unison.  You can't shut down some of the engines or give each one
different thrust.  FS was originally designed as a Cessna simulator and
everything else has been added on.  I have no idea how true the Learjet
flight model is to the real thing, but it's still very Cessna-like in the
game.

> What's the difference between Microsoft's Aircraft and Scenery Designer,
> and Mallard's Aircraft and Adventure Factory?

Microsoft's Aircraft & Scenery Designer (ASD) does two things: first, it
creates the flight models for various airplanes--the aerodynamics.  You
can change the wing size, the drag coefficients, the length, weight,
center of gravity, center of lift, stability augmentation, and other
things.  But you can't change the visual aspects.  All you can do is
select color schemes.  ASD allows you to create the physical statistics
of a low-wing, six seater, twin engined Beechcraft, but it'll still look
like a high wing Cessna.  The scenery designer allows you to make
airports, roads, rivers, buildings, mountains, trees, etc.

Mallard's Aircraft & Adventure Factory (AAF) allows you to create the
visual look of the airplane.  Using a very limited CAD display, you draw
the panels and pieces that, assembled, become your airplane.  But you
cannot create the flight characteristics.  Thus ASD and AAF are both
needed to make a new airplane.  You use AAF to make your Beech Baron
*look* like a Beech Baron, and then you use ASD to make it fly like one.
ADVENTURE FACTORY allows you to write a script that turns FS into a sort
of game.  For instance, the game checks the airplane's location and then
sends ATC instructions accordingly.

> I'm interested in building my own airplane, for example could I build
> a 4 engine turboprop with either the add-on by Microsoft or with the
> Mallard products?

As above, you need both if you want it to LOOK and FLY like a 4 engine
turboprop, within the limits of their capabilities.  You can have 20
engines if you want, but FS will still handle exactly as if you had only
one.

> So how is the manual that comes with FS4 since real aeronautics is probably
> more complicated than what could fit in the box? 

I like it.  It gets you in the air quickly and logically teaches you how
to fly in various chapters.  It is clear and well written.  I wish more
manuals were written the same way.

The manuals that come with the ASD and AAF aren't as good.  The ASD
manual is concise but lacks a tutorial on how to use the designers.  The
entire 747 chapter looks like it was written as an afterthought.  The AAF
manual is pretty good, but I think they could have expanded it and done
a better job.  The information is there, but it can be easy to miss
important things.

> Tower commands/instructions available as a voice over the speaker as an
> add-on product?

Tower commands are pretty much nonexistant in FS4.  You can tune into
ATIS for a recorded message detailing active runways and wind, but that's
only through text.  Takeoff and landing clearance is purely a knee-jerk
response.  You can get takeoff and landing clearances *anywhere* because
the computer just parrots the instructions.

The Sound, Graphics, and Aircraft Upgrade (and add-on) lets you use
SBTALKER (for the Soundblaster card) to read the scrolling text, but I
found it irksome to listen to and immediately shut off that "feature."

AAF's Adventure Factory allows adventures to play .VOC files (again for
Soundblaster) to emulate radio chatter.  Mallard's adventures--Rescue Air
911, Flight Adventure 685 and Flight Adventure 701, all offer .VOC file
radio chatter.  It's pretty much one-way.  You listen to the tower and
you acknowledge by either following the instructions or hitting [enter]
as an acknowledgement.


If you want something more along the lines of two-way radio chatter, you
need to look at Sublogic's FLIGHT ASSIGNMENT: ATP.



=============================================================================
J. A. Ollinger of Sacramento, Calif.
This site is not yet registered on UUCP maps.  Route mail me to me at:
JAO@SACTOH0.SAC.CA.US