The first true Flight Simulator that I "flew" was on an Apple 2 computer at a friends house long ago. This program evolved and became available for other platforms. Microsoft eventually purchased it and began developing the program. Four years ago, Microsoft released the 2020 version which is quite amazing.
I have other flight simulators as well, most notably several versions of X-plane which are also very good and have their own advantages.
Why does someone who lives on an airport, owns two airplanes and four hang gliders and has had his private pilot's license for over 30 years even fart around with flight simulators? Even licensed pilots find these things fun and they are very good learning tools especially for IFR. Even radios both Nav and Com, GPS units, and other avionics are simulated, so you can learn how to use them before you even see the real thing.
Also definitely go through the included "flight schools". I even bought an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) course to work through and practice with.
A couple flight simulator tips from someone who has some experience... they go on sale at Steam.com and the Microsoft Store a couple times a year for around 40% off. If you buy a Flight Simulator on Steam most of them including Microsoft's can be used with Linux. X-plane 12 has a version already setup for Linux.
After spending $10 to $120 on the program you are still going to have to spend at least $30 to $80 for a decent joystick. I can recommend the Thrustmaster series which starts at around $40 not on sale. The joystick portion rotates so that you can control the rudder. The name brand joysticks that have been around for a long time are recognized by the programs and have profiles automatically set up. It is essential that the joystick has a "hat switch" so you can easily change your point of view to look out the side windows to help you see the airport you are flying a landing pattern at.
I of course have control yokes and rudder pedals, but I typically do not bother to use them. They are pretty expensive and you really do not need them.
Right now is one of the best times ever to get a young person interested in flying for a profession. A familiarity with a flight simulator or two will give them a big step up when it comes to learning to fly the real thing.
I still play EF-2000 in dosbox. At least once a week or so.
I love that flight sim is now available via Xbox Cloud gaming. It means Mac people like myself can play without a windows setup.
I bought X-plane 12 through Steam a couple of weeks ago because I wanted something I could play natively on a Mac. So far I like the airplane dynamics and weather but the scenery imo falls short of MSFS. I heard Ortho4XP is good. Will give that a try.
Grand Theft Aircraft 2024. Like Grand Theft Auto except you land at Davis for your drugs and hookers.
The “New Delta Hire” mode requires you to fly the aircraft blindfolded with your nose.
I have MSFS but rarely play it. DCS is my preferred Sim. It already has a purpose and that’s to BRRRRRRT the A-10C 30mm gun.
the videos for flight simulator are really cool- always wanted to try it- but not sure my tired brain can keep up with all the dials and knobs abd instructions-
Yep, my first computer game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvfJ60gIf0
What I need before trying to do more flying is an adapter for my old F-22 Pro beyond analog to USB that also includes old keyboard input to grab the other hats and buttons and turn them into either extra joystick buttons or, like the original, into mappable keyboard buttons/macros.
“If you buy a Flight Simulator on Steam most of them including Microsoft’s can be used with Linux.”
It seems to be dependent on the distro. Mint and Debian users seem to have the best experiences. I have not been able to get any of the MS flight simulators to work on SUSE even after trying various ProtonDB versions and different installation methods for Steam itself.
What distro do you use? And for the “joystick” I really like the Thrustmaster T.16000M HOTAS (mainly used for helicopters and gliders on Windows).
“...Set to Give it’s Players a Purpose...”
Not only is that an inaccurate quote, but “it’s” is NOT the possessive form of “it” - “its” is.
“It’s” means “it is”.
However, thanks for the link!
My first flight simulator was the Sublogic Flight Simulator.
I believe Microsoft later bought that.
Good luck with that
Zzzzzzzzzzz 😴