Play Flight Simulators?

[Kipper is King]

Hey, I just wanted to get an idea if any CPers were also flight simmers. I'm playing FS2004 at the moment and someone is repainting a custom Calgary Flames Edition 777 for me. I will post screenshots once it is done.

[MelBridgeman]

I do FSX + plus get paid to do the real thing as well...

IF you're comp isnt all that great i would stick to FS2004 - FSX for best results requires something really really good...
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Ford vx54 platform history

[InSutterWeTrust]

Ive always been interested in playing flight simulator, I tried it once at the store but that was it. It looks hard to play, it just not a game you can pick up and play. I remember looking into it once before does it really take the real full length to fly somewhere?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

Ive always been interested in playing flight simulator, I tried it once at the store but that was it. It looks hard to play, it just not a game you can pick up and play. I remember looking into it once before does it really take the real full length to fly somewhere?

Yes it does, although you can speed it up if you want...but thats another story
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Mercedes-Benz C112

[STeeLy]

I play FS2004... I got D/L a WestJet model and fly it quite often... and yes, it did take me an hour to fly from Calgary to Vancouver.

And Mel... u say u are an actual pilot too?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

I play FS2004... I got D/L a WestJet model and fly it quite often... and yes, it did take me an hour to fly from Calgary to Vancouver.

And Mel... u say u are an actual pilot too?

Do fly planes yes.
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Green crack

[STeeLy]

I don't want to derail this thread... but specifically, what types do u fly mel?

[Cowperson]

I have Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 . . . . . love flying at creek level in the Grand Canyon with the acrobatic plane or the long haul, all day flight from Calgary to Heathrow with a 747.

I also have Microsoft Flight Simulator 3, Battle For Europe with WWII aircraft.

All interesting diversions and, truth be known, pretty informative.

Cowperson

[STeeLy]

BTW... to all those who play? do u do ATC as well?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

I don't want to derail this thread... but specifically, what types do u fly mel?

i fly for a charter company - usually a BAE Jetstream 31
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Research America

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

i fly for a charter company - usually a BAE Jetstream 31

So how long did it take for u to get ur license? And where did u get ur license?

[BlackArcher101]

I fly with FSX, have owned every version since '98.
Used an el cheapo gravis joystick back then. I actually could land with the keyboard and still can. Can only do it with the heavies though. Currently have a CH yoke and rudder pedals. Would like to add a 3rd monitor so I can get a front/left/right viewpoint going.

It quenches my thirst of flying since I gave up on the hope of a career as a pilot.

[La Flames Fan]

How can I make FSX be less choppy....

Any settings you can recommend?

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

It quenches my thirst of flying since I gave up on the hope of a career as a pilot.

Awww... Why?

(BTW, I am trying to become a pilot myself)

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

So how long did it take for u to get ur license? And where did u get ur license?

Well first off i got a BS in Aeronautics majoring in Air Transport from UND in the US - Big airlines prefer pilots with post secondary in a aviation field.

But how long it takes is up to you and i guess your financial situation

get your private license, then night rating, then your commercial pilot license (so you can get paid) - After that continue racking up hours there are several things you can do, Floatplan Endorsement, Flight Instructor, Multi-Engine rating...MEC instrumental rating, a few exams..by this time you have already spent 30 grand....good luck!
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THINKMILL

[STeeLy]

Thanks Mel, Much appreciated.

[BlAcKNoVa]

I could never get into the hardcore flight sims out there, like FS. But I love them space shooters.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Awww... Why?

(BTW, I am trying to become a pilot myself)

After job shadowing for a bit, I decided it wasn't for me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love flying, and will keep it as a hobby for a long time, including getting my PPL w/ IFR. However, I wasn't prepared to devote that much cash into going the commercial route and then making diddly squat for years after I finish. At the time, it was highly competitive, students loans weren't available, and I didn't want to spend most of my time away from home.

So instead of being a commercial pilot, I went the engineering route and took Aeronautical Engineering Tech at SAIT. Then 9/11 hit and there were no jobs. So now I'm in Oil&Gas, with the intent of restarting my PPL within the next year or two.

Looks like the majority play MS Flight Simulator. How many have used X-Plane?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Looks like the majority play MS Flight Simulator. How many have used X-Plane?

I use X-Plane on my Mac, mostly to practice flying model aircraft when I'm not out at the field, and I like it. It's not as "polished" as the FS series, from a presentation perspective, but the flight modeling is supposed to more accurate. Another neat thing is you can buy the world scenery DVD's, which gives you 60 GIGS(!) of accurate terrain data for the world.

Actually, there are lots of neat little things about X-Plane, like being able to skid and lock up the landing gear wheels, flocks of birds you can see and hit (not good for the engines!), stuff like that.

-Scott