+pcpilot 181 Posted January 6, 2016 I bought FSX on steam when they had a $5 sale awhile back. Been really getting into it and all the lessons. Wasn't long before I soloed, hehe. Decided to try out Prepar3d so picked it up back in Sept. They they come out with version 3 so got a refund on 2.5 and got 3. Since that time, I really got enamered of Orbx terrains and REX. So picked up REX texture direct with soft clouds. Then got 3 different regions from orbx. Loved 'em! Missoula actually started to LOOK like Missoula. December rolls along and Carenado had a sale so picked up The V tail Beech for $8 (!) when its normally $30. Then Orbx had a sale so picked up Global, Vector, and central Rockies region for a third off. Then A2A actually had a sale, the first Ive seen since getting into FSX, and I picked up the Cessna 172 trainer! Everything works in both FSX and Prepar3d. Then the wife, bless her heart, gets me the Saitek Cessna yoke and throttle combo! With my CH rudder pedals, I'm in business! Love the A2A Cessna trainer. Now I'm learning the avionics. Did my first ILS landings the other day and took a trip from Missoula to West Yellowstone following the VORs. I even managed to recover from what I think was a flat spin in the Cessna when I set the auto pilot to climb too fast and we stalled. Thought I was gonna crash for sure but got the auto pilot turned off, pushed the nose down and recovered. I tell ya, to fly has always been a dream. I think this is as close as I'll ever get, but its sure a blast. Was actually thinking about taking ground school if nothing else just to learn more. To get a license now a days is around $10,000 and we cant spare that. But maybe I could at least learn something more about it all. Tell, me...a lot of people seem to use FSX and Prepar3d as trainers and simulators. Is the flight models and physics really that good? Seem pretty good to me but hey, like I said, I'm not a pilot. Was even considering building a sim pit. Both Saitek and VRinsight seem to have some really nice panels, etc. A bit pricey in the long run but I think Ive found my new hobby! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+streakeagle 871 Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) Even the best professional/military grade simulators can't 100% capture the physics, sight, and feel of real flight... even on an aircraft as simple and predictable as a low subsonic straight-winged Cessna. But, for years, they have already been close enough to develop the basic habits and procedures needed to operate aircraft safely. There are a number of professional simulators based on FSX and/or X-Plane that are certified by the FAA to count for a number of hours toward a pilot's license (10 if I recall correctly). The key differences between a home based cockpit and a professional FSX/X-Plane sim are the FAA certification and the supervision of a licensed instructor pilot. With all his years of being a career civil pilot AND an avid FSX/X-Plane flight simmer, BeachAV8tor would be one of the best persons to convey the usefulness/limitations PC civil flight sims versus reality. But in my own experience, if you can follow real-world procedures in a home cockpit, you will have no trouble flying a real plane other than having to get used to the response/stability/inertia of the real world versus the mostly sterile and slightly bad physics of PC sims. Modern Cessnas/Pipers have glass cockpits that look like modern combat aircraft/PC flight sims anyway. So other than learning the feel of the controls, getting used to the seat-of-the-pants forces, and realizing that there is no reset button if anything goes wrong, the flight models and physics really are that good. I suggest you buy an orientation flight from a flight school. 30 minutes in a Cessna or other light plane doesn't cost too much (they are hoping to rope you into paying for a license). It will open your eyes to the feeling of real flight and at the same time reinforce how much you already know and how valuable PC sims really are despite their limitations. I always planned to get my license. But PC flight sims are so much more cost effective and allow you to do things you never could/would in reality. I can afford to fly every night on a PC. I would want/need to fly around once a month to maintain real world flying proficiency and also have to take a physical every year = a lot more money than building a new PC every 3 to 5 years, not to mention the cost of the initial training to get the license, though the sport license is a little cheaper and has lower physical standards as well. Edited January 6, 2016 by streakeagle 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silberpfeil 363 Posted January 6, 2016 Been a pilot since the late 1970's, and as Streakeagle writes, the modern PC simulators are a very cost-effective substitute for learning procedures (not really sure about habits as there are both good ones and bad ones!). I've always been curious to use one of the "shaker sticks" to try and compare how it translates flight physics into the palm of your hand, but haven't done that yet so can't comment. I've always thought the old nautical saying about "hours and hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror" was also appropriate for flight, and the PC can't really simulate the onset of airframe shudder and vibration when you enter into a stall, the weightlessness you momentarily feel when the nose drops off, and the rush of adrenaline when you realize you'd better get the power off and kick in some opposite rudder to stop the rotation! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+pcpilot 181 Posted January 6, 2016 Thank you VERY much for the replies fellas, much appreciated. I have to go to work now so cant comment further but I'll get on tonight. A few things I wanted to ask and discuss if I may. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+pcpilot 181 Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Sorry I didnt get back sooner, didn't have much free time last night. What kind of home cockpit or setup do you fellas have? I know some on CA are pretty elaborate. I have always loved flying the military sims and I have my trusty CH combatstick. But if I build a pit, I think it will be patterned after the cessna and general aviation. I have actually flown in a Cessna a couple times, once with my stepdad a million years ago. Ive also flown in the CH-47 and SH-2, as well as various airliners over the years. I once crossed the Atlantic in a constellation flying out of Rota to Philly. Edited January 8, 2016 by pcpilot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+streakeagle 871 Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) I am an F-4 Phanatic. I bought a real F-4 stick and put a Warthog throttle in a wooden console patterned after the F-4's console. I also built a 1:1 "sport scale" model of an F-4 ejection seat including some actual parts. After quite some time of using this setup, I recently removed the F-4 stick and bolted in the Warthog stick with an extension that makes it almost perfectly match the motion range of the real F-4 stick. I also have the Thrustmaster F-16 MFDs, which are already very useful for flying the A-10C and will become even more useful as other glass cockpit aircraft become available. While my controls are slowly migrating to a generic modern fighter, I can still easily bolt the F-4 stick back in. The B-8 stick grip of the F-4 was used on many fighters from the P-80 to the F-15A. Two DCS World aircraft modules already use it: F-86F and UH-1H. But the Warthog stick has more precision and the extra buttons/hats to support more modern aircraft, so for now the Warthog has taken over. Post about latest Warthog adaptation: http://combatace.com/topic/87847-replaced-f-4-b-8-with-warthog-stick/?p=708585 Old pick with F-4/B-8 stick: Edited January 8, 2016 by streakeagle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silberpfeil 363 Posted January 8, 2016 Streakeagle, I saw your post from last month - your installation is fantastic! Nothing anywhere near that dedicated for me as my desktop PC (i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10 GHz) is used for a variety of tasks. My flight hardware is pretty basic with an old CH Products 568 CombatStick (since FE2 is mostly "blip switch" oriented, that's about all I need), and an even older set of CH ProPedals. I occasionally visit some of the online purchase sights for a deal on a ProThrottle, but not sure I really want one. PCPilot, If you're primarily interested in simulating GA aircraft (although I guess you could also use it for a P-38 Lightning), wouldn't you also want a yoke in addition to your stick? The CombatStick grip and buttons arrangement is similar to that found in both the CH-47 and SH-2, but not a Cessna (unless it's a Model 318!). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+streakeagle 871 Posted January 9, 2016 Read PCPilot's first post more closely. His wife already got him the Cessna yoke and throttle combo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+pcpilot 181 Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) Yep, my wife, bless her little pee pickin heart bought me a Saitek Cessna yoke and throttle for Christmas this year! That's what helped to get me all fired up to go the next step and start thinking about some kind of pit setup. And your right, the yoke would work pretty good with the P-38, I hadn't thought of that. The lightning is one of my favorite WW2 aircraft. Here's a youtube video of what I was thinking I'd like to get. The only problem is its around $2500 so if I do, it'll be a piece at a time. Edited January 9, 2016 by pcpilot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silberpfeil 363 Posted January 9, 2016 Reads like you're already well along and on your way - good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
