What Is the Best Flight Simulator?

Flying Magazine ^ | Dec 11, 2024 | Kasia Szwed-Carlson

[fireman15]

Aviation saw rapid innovation and growth after the first flight in 1903, leading to the moon landing in 1969. Similarly, advancements in digital technology allow pilots of all skill levels to experience flight from home through realistic flight simulators.

These programs and equipment educate pilots and provide true piloting experience without ever leaving the ground. Let us explore top flight simulator software and accessories for the best at-home simulation. You can also check out the FLYING Edition Rig to get started in the right direction.

Best of all-round flight sim software: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Best of realistic flight sim software: X-Plane 12 Best of versatile flight sim software: Aerofly FS 2 Best of mobile flight sim software: Infinite Flight Best of virtual reality flight sim software: FlyInside

[logi_cal869]

Got it now. Thanks!

Couldn’t find a single card to run it years back. I’m just glad that I hung unto the game!

[logi_cal869]

I’ll have to fill my PC case first (and probably replace the power supply I bought for it 15 years ago).

Nice enough case that I’ve hung onto it that long, but lacked interest in investing in the hardware while lacking a decent game to play.

[ComputerGuy]

My great grandson got his a$$ kicked playing the original X-COM. I enjoyed watching that. I also neglected to mention the fact that he wasn’t any worse than me.

[rx]

Wiki

Sirhan Bishara Sirhan => Charles J. Bishop

BTW, I think the former CEO of the company that made Flight Simulator for Microsoft is a Freeper. It was sold to Microsoft in November of 1995, IIRC.

[JeemBeau]

It was Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (the son of Richard J. Daley) who had X’s chiseled into the airfield, without a Notice To Airmen, and without notifying the owners of airplane who were based there.

[fireman15]

There may have been an edition or two of MSFS that I missed. at some point. I feel like there were more freeware addons for FSX than in MSFS2020 but it might be that I spent more time searching for it at that time. My strong preference was purchasing 3rd party planes directly from the developers because I have MSFS 2020 and FSX from Steam and the Microsoft store. When aircraft or other content was purchased from Steam or the Microsoft Store it would only work in that version.

I ended up with versions from both distribution sources because each had sales at different times. With the amount of 3rd party content that I purchased over the years this actually was more cost effective.

I purchased the Aviator Edition of MSFS 2024 from the Microsoft store and I was pleased that this added many airplanes to my MSFS 2020 account. I thought that it would work only in the other direction.

Here are the versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator starting with versions from Bruce Artwick’s Sublogic...

Sublogic flight simulators:
First generation (Apple II, TRS-80)
Second generation (Color Computer 3, Apple II, C64, Atari 8-bit)
Third generation (Amiga, Atari ST, Mac)
Microsoft versions:
Flight Simulator
Flight Simulator 2.0
Flight Simulator 3.0
Flight Simulator 4.0
Flight Simulator 5.0
Flight Simulator 5.1
Flight Simulator for Windows 95
Flight Simulator 98
Flight Simulator 2000
Flight Simulator 2002
Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight
Flight Simulator X
Flight Simulator (2020)
Flight Simulator 2024

I purchased the majority of these along with other flight simulators from other vendors over the last 45 years.

[fireman15]

Even bought an HP VR set...that was cool, but made me dizzy.

My first experience with a VR headset was negative in the same way. But I found directions about which software and tweaks actually worked, and I have not had difficulties since.

[fireman15]

Richard J. Daley) who had X's chiseled into the airfield

Actually, the X's were bulldozed into the runway making it unusable. This has a different connotation than “chiseled”.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/3/31/23662485/miegs-field-airport-mayor-richard-daley-bulldozed-notherly-island-plane-march-2003

Although I assume that the aircraft still based there were able to takeoff using the taxiway.

[RckyRaCoCo]

That looks like a scene from The Langoliers

[RckyRaCoCo]

My first experience with a VR headset was negative in the same way.

I understand that if I switch my FS2020 PC to windows 11 and install a particular update...it basically bricks my HP VR headset...

"Yes, upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 will render many Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets, including HP's Reverb G2, essentially unusable. This is because Microsoft is discontinuing WMR support in this update, causing the headsets to stop functioning"

I would have to pretty massively update my PC to get good functionality using the latest flight sims...just not something I have the funds or the time to spend right now.

BTW, remember Sublogic and the 3d glasses?

Truly amazing how far flight sim has come.

If I hit the lotto...I'd build one of those full-737 cockpits I've seen on YouTube...or a motion rig with VR(bring on the Dramamine)

[fireman15]

windows 11 and install a particular update...it basically bricks my HP VR headset...

Yes, Microsoft has screwed the pooch with Windows 11 in many ways. I doubt that 24H2 actually “bricks” the headset it just will not work with Windows 11 24H2.. regardless I personally would not risk using your fine VR Headset with a machine using Windows 11 24H2. The solution at this point is to keep using Windows 10 or keep the Windows 11 from updating to 24H2 using group policies. There are supposedly Linux projects that you can use them with as well.

I have 4 computers which do not play nice with Windows 11. I have installed and licensed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC on two of them so far. They will receive security updates until January 13, 2032 with no charges. The type of license that I purchased requires a clean install unless you are willing to jump through a bunch of hoops. It is intended for devices such as cash registers, etc... but you can install additional packages easily. The organization that I purchased the license from has been dependable in other transactions in the past, but this is not without some risk that the license may stop working at some point.

[fireman15]

Oh, and I do have a set of Simuleyes 3D glasses, I loved to play Descent I an II with them. I think that they only work with CRT monitors and older versions of Windows.

http://www.mindflux.com.au/products/stereographics/simuleyes.html

[LS]

For what it’s worth, I crashed the X-30 flight simulator three times at 10,000 mph. Then they threw me out.

[fireman15]

Before my brother started flying for Southwest about 30 years ago, he was a “check airman” for the regional airline that he flew for. He gave other pilots their check rides on the simulator that they leased at SeaTac. It cost more than the Metroliners that they flew at the time. He let my dad and I experience the simulator on a couple of occasions. It was quite an experience compared to PC simulators of the time... The entire cockpit was identical to the real thing, and it had hydraulics to move things around and ads to the realism. My dad got sick the first time and would not sit in it after that.

[LS]

I had to fly through boxes spaced “100 miles” apart . . . at 10,000 mph they flew by like picket fences.

[Mat_Helm]

Hughes Aircraft F/A-18 WTT-2E7 Weapons Tactics Trainer and flight simulator.

[fireman15]

How about the best flight simulator that costs less than $3,000,000?

[fireman15]

Excellent quality.. and VR will blow your mind (if you have it).

I agree completely.

I typically let MSFS 2024 simulate the actual weather outside. We had a sort of crappy winter and early Spring. In the last few months, I typically ended up flying at night with low visibility through heavy rain and sometimes wind and using my instruments and navigation equipment to keep the planes straight and level and on course to which ever airport I was flying to.

Of course, sometimes it is nice to fly in more pleasant conditions in other parts of the world and look over some of the amazing sights.

I do enjoy using my VR headset for a more intense experience. I usually just use a fairly deluxe Flight Simulator Joystick and rudder pedals. I have a yoke, but it is old and pretty poor quality.

[Bikkuri]

I have replacement pedals coming in tomorrow.
Closest to the real thing that is barely in my price range :^P











and the HOTAS (both very heavy):
















All that is missing is the motion/G-Force :^P

[Bikkuri]

Lol.. I remember the stick graphic flight sims!
I had one for the Apple IIe and one for the TRaSh80!
(And the joystick with 1 button)