It this is a Game?

[alrot]

there are people that still consider fs2002,and FS9 a game and I always maintain a disscusion about it.
If it would be a game would be one of the most boreing game of all, considering that the 90% of the time you're navigating.In my opinion this is a domestic real simulator
I bet that there are few real pilots in this forum,doing what the getting started in fs said "for practicing"
maybe combat fs is

[Nexus]

I consider it a game, but try to do it as realistic as possible.

Just because you can control the 777 in FS does not mean you'll be able to do so in real life - far from it infact. Yes you might be able to recognize some dials and buttons, but the real is so complex that it makes the default aircrafts (and even payware) pale in comparison. We're talking about a 60 dollar desktop simulator, not a full scale multi-axis replica which costs millions of dollars.

So, it still a game.

Edit: Though FS is a great way to learn, but it only covers the basics.

[alrot]

well if it's just a game maybe fs2006 WILL take a look of this you'll see what I mean Nexus

[Nexus]

So you think everyone has the TIME and MONEY to do those kind of projects?

If you want to learn how to fly, use X-plane, it's even APPROVED by FAA as a learning tool for VFR/IFR training.
And I must admit, the actual flying is better depicted in X-plane, whereas scenery and graphics is much better in FS2004.

[VPA_KTPA]

Well you halft to look at this point aswell real world airline pilots train

[Billerator]

Well, I will anwser the question with another question....

....what is a game?

[alrot]

well I think tha game its YAAAAAAAAAAA well done billerator with this question you had said it all .pretty claver(spell?)smart.

[Billerator]

 8) Yeah I realised that when I was thinking about this a while ago.

[Bazza]

It's an interesting topic.

The only "hands-on" real time flying I have done was in a Cessna 172 and 150 (Aerobat.)

I found that my years of simming helped to the degree that left alone I could have flown the plane (which I did ) and probably made a survivable landing (which I was not allowed to do.)

As a result of that, I have never been interested in simming the airline type of planes, mainly using stuff that I felt there was a reasonable chance I could fly.   Many outfits appear to use FS9 for training - the recent download of the  RealAir Cessna 172 (see the read-me files) shows this.

I think it depends entirely on the attitude of the user whether it is a game or not ... personally I see it is a "low-key" simulator, especially useful for navigational skills and learning.

[Scottler]

Back when I was with CAL, I flew with a pilot (737-800) who spent significant amounts of time with MSFS as a training tool.

Back in the day, wasn't it also FAA certified as a trainer?

[alrot]

[quote]It's an interesting topic.

The only "hands-on" real time flying I have done was in a Cessna 172 and 150 (Aerobat.)

I found that my years of simming helped to the degree that left alone I could have flown the plane (which I did ) and probably made a survivable landing (which I was not allowed to do.)




As a result of that, I have never been interested in simming the airline type of planes, mainly using stuff that I felt there was a reasonable chance I could fly.

[Nexus]

The difference is that real pilots call this a game, and simmers persistently calls it a simulator.
For Navigation and IFR training it is a splendid aid, but learning how to master crosswind landings and engine out procedures etc it is not.
Heck, the Nascar games have more "real" feeling than Flight Sim, so why don't they call them racing simulator?

FS does not depict turbulence, wind /wind shear well at all, the ground handling is suspect, to say the least (feels like your tires are made of soap) aerofoils are not as advanced as in X-plane either

So maybe it looks weird when I am so critical to calling this a simulator, but FS2004 is a crossbreed between a game and a simulator. At some areas it shines, and at some it doesn't, I love this game anyway but there's plenty of room for improvement.  :)

[Billerator]

(feels like your tires are made of soap)

That is the first thing that gives the 'realism' away and thats why I think that MS has spent enough time on visuals, leaving the physics engine as it was some 6 years ago  :-/ .

[Nexus]

That's the neat thing with X-plane, the landing gear is really creating some friction (hey I even blew some tires last time I made a difficult landing  ::)).

So your assesment is dead on Billerator.

[Billerator]

If only programs could mate, the simming community would go crazy for an FS/X-plane cross breed  8) .