Oi! Getting Started...

[Pantoffel]

Good day all,

Greetings from me for the first time - I just registered today.

I'm a 30-year old citizen of South-Africa.

I was a massive flight simulator fan many years ago and played countless hours on FS98. Well, I stopped for some reason and haven't played in about 12 years.

What I enjoyed most from that time was creating and then flying my own flight plans. I had no training or tools/software. My plans were only based on a basic world atlas, high school maths and the in-game VOR/ILS data. I actually enjoyed the planning and navigation more than the flying.

I'm sorry for starting out my membership with a question but I really want to continue flying the way I use to but I'm not sure where to start...

Which simulator would you recommend for my purpose and where does one start?

Many thanks in advance
Christoff

[OldAirmail]

Welcome, Christoff.

I'm with you on the navigation part.

I'm one of those idiots who likes lots of clouds when I fly. That way, when I come below the cloud cover and see the airport, I feel like I've really done something.


As to where to start.

FSX, is the "old standard". There's a ton of free planes & scenery. Depending on how deep your pockets are, there's also a lot of great hardware too.

Unfortunately, FSX isn't being worked on by Microsoft anymore, and probably never will be again.

Fortunately, other companies have made add-ons that bring FSX far past what was originally created.

MS had tried to create a game called Microsoft Flight. Gamers & flight simmers rejected it so badly that it was shut down after a few months. I can't see an MS executive wanting to bring up the flight sim subject ever again.



Microsoft licensed the commercial/professional/training rights to Lockheed Martin. What they've come up with is a program called Prepar3d.

The LM EULA makes it VERY clear that it is not to be used for entertainment purposes.

The EULA also makes very clear the Prepar3d can be used for educational purposes, without delineating exactly HOW those educational sessions must be set up.

It even states that Prepar3d CAN be used in the home, so long as it's being used for educational purposes. See Can Prepar3D be used at home?

Most of the FSX software and flight accessories work as well, or better, in Prepar3d.



I, for one, continue to learn something every time I use it.

I've already uninstalled X-Plane 10.

After transferring everything of interest this week end, I'll rarely use FSX.

Prepar3d on Simviation

Prepar3d at Lockheed Martin


Hope that helps.

[Bass]

Yes, welcome in here Christoff

I do not totally agree with OAM.
P3D is new and IMO, still needs some development before i'll join in!
Most of us use FSX (i think), but your question will end up with:
What system are you running?

[OldAirmail]

Yes, welcome in here Christoff

I do not totally agree with OAM.
P3D is new and IMO, still needs some development before i'll join in!
Most of us use FSX (i think), but your question will end up with:
What system are you running?

Yes, that is kinda important.

[Pantoffel]

Yes, of-course my system: i have a 2.4Ghz i5 with 8GB RAM and 1GB display device (ddr3 i think) running 64bit windows 7 sp1.

Look, i did some reading the last few days so I'm aware of fsx, x-plane 10 and the lesser alternatives.

I've put my question to you because of two reasons.

Firstly, i read that with FSX, microsoft has made the game simpler or more orientated towards free flight rather than structured flight or cross country. So I don't know how much it would still suit my own needs described in the original post.

Further to that, I expect that if I was to stick to this hobby, there would be quite a lot of customization such as add on cities, airports and scenery. In real life I often explore the southern parts of africa with my 4x4 vehicle in typical safari type trips. I like to visit many places in south-africa, botswana, namibia and zambia. It would be really cool for me to explore these same areas through my flightsim. I guess that would mean some scenery add-ons which appear to be expensive.

Considering all the above, it's probably important to make the right choice in simulator from the start before spending money on add-ons and devices (saitek etc).

Does that make sense?

[Sprocket]

Hello Pantoffel..nog n' boertjie aan hierdie kant..welkom

Firstly, i read that with FSX, microsoft has made the game simpler or more orientated towards free flight rather than structured flight or cross country

Pantoffel, I don't think that this is really true..Fsx (or P3D) is really very well suited for both "free flights" anywhere you like, as well as for the proper structured Airline flights.
(I think you may have it mixed-up with Microsoft "Flight" . Microsoft tried this new game but it turned out a total flop and is now discontinued. That was free flight only)

In real life I often explore the southern parts of africa with my 4x4 vehicle in typical safari type trips. I like to visit many places in south-africa, botswana, namibia and zambia

Sadly, Africa in general is not very well represented throughout the sim fraternity, so add-ons for Africa are few and far between, and mostly homebrewed.
The best scenery add-on by any mile is ORBX's FTX.
FTX is available for North America, Australia, England and Ireland. Once you have one of these, the rest of the world becomes a pale and bleak place.

I am a bit concerned with your system specs for FSX (or for P3D) - To run a smooth FSX you need a fast processor, 3.4Ghz or more.
(Unlike with all other "games", with FSX the CPU speed is the main factor---thereafter the graphics card etc)

Groete
PS, if you do decide on FSX, make sure to get the "Gold" edition, which includes the acceleration pack.

[OldAirmail]

Well, FS2004 still has a good many devotees, and will run on your system with ease.

FSX will have some problem due to the processor speed. NOT a big problem, but you may want to turn some of the settings down a little.

An alternative would be to replace the CPU. I'm not saying to get an i7, but to get a faster i5.

FSX will work better with more speed, than more cores. Then you can sell/trade your i5 to help cover the new CPU.

I have an i5 running at 3.3/3.4 GHz and I think that it runs both FSX & Prepar3d V2.2 very well with most of the settings on, or near, max.


I started with a cheap joystick. Depending on what type of aircraft you would like to fly, you may not even need a yoke.

As to the aircraft themselves, you can go crazy downloading A LOT of freeware right here from SimViation.

Click the top of the screen





A good number of the freeware, like Plan-G, are exceptional! You like to navigate? Get Plan-G.

Firstly, i read that with FSX, microsoft has made the game simpler or more orientated towards free flight rather than structured flight or cross country. So I don't know how much it would still suit my own needs described in the original post.

Anything from a 10 minute free flight, to cross country navigation is possible in FS2004, FSX, Prepar3d, and X-Plane 10.

This is what I use for many of the general aviation flights, and it works with ALL of the above.






Personally, I'd recommend FSX or Prepar3d V2.2 (but ONLY if you think that you can learn something from Prepar3d, of course).

Swapping planes & scenery from FSX to Prepar3d is VERY simple. Trying to swap from either of them to X-Plane isn't practical.

So if you want to switch from FSX to Prepar3d later, most of your investment in planes & scenery will still be intact.

[Pantoffel]

Wow! Gents thank you very much.

So let me go for FSX 10 Gold then.

I can upgrade the PC at some point - let's just see if I get back into the swing of things.

Thanks again

[OldAirmail]

Now that That's decided look through posts for ideas.

Best Freeware Add Ons For FSX


Need free essential mods for FSX


A good year for FSX (a recap of what I like in 2013)



There are two long running posts where I try to offer my thoughts on flight simming from my viewpoint.

I started out like you, and got carried away.

Just glance through those posts that interest you, and happy flying.

The poor mans sim pit

The poor mans sim pit - SOFTWARE

[papituwall]

With all my respect to previous comments, maybe I arrive late but for your PC my suggestion is FS2004.
You'll have for the PC a less demanding program than FSX and there are "thousands" of addons also. FSX requires some time to adjust in order to get a good prformance.
I keep a FS9 installation in my PC because some excellent addons made for this program.
I'm using also X-plane10 and P3DV2.
For X-plane I suggest try the available demo.

[Pantoffel]

Welcome, Christoff.

I'm with you on the navigation part.

I'm one of those idiots who likes lots of clouds when I fly. That way, when I come below the cloud cover and see the airport, I feel like I've really done something.


As to where to start.

FSX, is the "old standard". There's a ton of free planes & scenery. Depending on how deep your pockets are, there's also a lot of great hardware too.

Unfortunately, FSX isn't being worked on by Microsoft anymore, and probably never will be again.

Fortunately, other companies have made add-ons that bring FSX far past what was originally created.

MS had tried to create a game called Microsoft Flight. Gamers & flight simmers rejected it so badly that it was shut down after a few months. I can't see an MS executive wanting to bring up the flight sim subject ever again.



Microsoft licensed the commercial/professional/training rights to Lockheed Martin. What they've come up with is a program called Prepar3d.

The LM EULA makes it VERY clear that it is not to be used for entertainment purposes.

The EULA also makes very clear the Prepar3d can be used for educational purposes, without delineating exactly HOW those educational sessions must be set up.

It even states that Prepar3d CAN be used in the home, so long as it's being used for educational purposes. See Can Prepar3D be used at home?

Most of the FSX software and flight accessories work as well, or better, in Prepar3d.



I, for one, continue to learn something every time I use it.

I've already uninstalled X-Plane 10.

After transferring everything of interest this week end, I'll rarely use FSX.

Prepar3d on Simviation

Prepar3d at Lockheed Martin


Hope that helps.

Lots of info. Many thanks. P3D does look cool though.

[Pantoffel]

Hello Pantoffel..nog n' boertjie aan hierdie kant..welkom

Firstly, i read that with FSX, microsoft has made the game simpler or more orientated towards free flight rather than structured flight or cross country

Pantoffel, I don't think that this is really true..Fsx (or P3D) is really very well suited for both "free flights" anywhere you like, as well as for the proper structured Airline flights.
(I think you may have it mixed-up with Microsoft "Flight" . Microsoft tried this new game but it turned out a total flop and is now discontinued. That was free flight only)

In real life I often explore the southern parts of africa with my 4x4 vehicle in typical safari type trips. I like to visit many places in south-africa, botswana, namibia and zambia

Sadly, Africa in general is not very well represented throughout the sim fraternity, so add-ons for Africa are few and far between, and mostly homebrewed.
The best scenery add-on by any mile is ORBX's FTX.
FTX is available for North America, Australia, England and Ireland. Once you have one of these, the rest of the world becomes a pale and bleak place.

I am a bit concerned with your system specs for FSX (or for P3D) - To run a smooth FSX you need a fast processor, 3.4Ghz or more.
(Unlike with all other "games", with FSX the CPU speed is the main factor---thereafter the graphics card etc)

Groete
PS, if you do decide on FSX, make sure to get the "Gold" edition, which includes the acceleration pack.

Dankie man. Bly om te sien ek is nie alleen nie!

Thanks Sprocket. YEah I think my system will struggle a bit - if the hobby sticks again this time I'll upgrade the system.

I did some searches last night, I see there are a few packs available for Africa and including South-Africa. I was specifically looking for the air strips around Skukuza and Satara in the Kurger National Park. There are one or two packs that also include them specifically (at least the Skukuza one).

I don't know what to expect in terms of quality though. Anything less than authentic will be disappointing as the know the area quite well.

How does the quality differ between various scenery packs? Is there a measurement one can make to compare? I see some packs reference a specification that reads 30m or 20m etc - no idea what that means.

Dankie weer.
Cheers

[Sprocket]

Hi Pantoffel

I see some packs reference a specification that reads 30m or 20m etc - no idea what that means.

Scenery is basically built up in "layers".

First there is the "mesh" - this is the 3D representation of the contours of the land. The 30meter or 20meter refers to the resolution of the mesh--the lower the number the closer the contour is to real life.
20m mesh is OK, but you will find down to 10m or even less -

-Mesh -


The serious developers, professional or at home, normally use satellite imagery to get the mesh correct.

The next layer will be the "land class" - So you have desert where there should be desert, and woods where there should be woods etc.
Then you have textures -- correct type of trees, sand etc true to the specific land, or land class.
Next there are vectors -- rivers, roads etc, all where there should be.

But the whole subject is very involved and there are people here who can really explain things much better than I can -

OldAirMail earlier referred to a map, Plan G3--This is brilliant map and it is free.
This map works hand in hand with: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/topo/gltiles.html
Here you can download the real world land elevations, (tiles), and Plan-G will use these real world elevations when planning routes.

Lots of SA stuff on this SA website: http://triengtrieng.webs.com/

Getting you hooked now?
Jannie

[ViperPilot]

With all my respect to previous comments, maybe I arrive late but for your PC my suggestion is FS2004.
You'll have for the PC a less demanding program than FSX and there are "thousands" of addons also. FSX requires some time to adjust in order to get a good performance.
I keep a FS9 installation in my PC because some excellent addons made for this program. I'm using also X-plane10 and P3DV2. For X-plane I suggest try the available demo.

Personally, I agree with papi; depending on the type of airplanes you want to fly, FS2004 (AKA FS9) might be the better option if you're re-testing the water using FlightSim, or if your rig is more basic.

FSX and it's myriad of add-ons has the potential to bring your rig to its knees if the Settings are ramped up; the Software is very CPU and Graphics intensive... even more so when using the big, add on Scenery Packs.

FS9 lags a little in terms of Land Detail, but will run on higher Settings with less chance of slower frame rates. There's also many Payware and Freeware options for airplanes, Scenery, and so on.

Glad you're jumping back into FS, and we're happy you could join us again for good times and many hours of Happy Simming!

[Fozzer]

My previous computer had a Intel Pentium 4, 2.4GHZ dual-core processor and a nVidia G-force 9700 2MB Video card, and it ran trusty-old FS 2004 as sweet as a nut, nice and smoothly, with just about everything maxed.....

...but to get any sort of satisfaction out of my FSX required a complete new computer with a mega-fast Intel i7 3.9 GHz 8-core processor, and an AMD Radeon 7700 2GB video card!

FS 2004 will give you lots of enjoyment with a lowly computer with most settings on high, giving you excellent scenery..... ....!

FSX require a Lawrence Livermore Super-Computer to run all your scenery requirements smoothly.... ....!

But in both cases don't expect the scenery that you see on your computer monitor, to be the same scenery that you see out of your motor car window, as you drive along....

The computer Flight Simulator is not a Video Camera, playing back scenery!

I would recommend getting BOTH FS 2004 AND FSX, try them both out on the computer you already have, and then decide which one you want to retain for every-day flights!

Above all...select the Flight Sim which runs SMOOTHLY on your present computer, at the settings you prefer....

SMOOTHNESS is the name of the game, when it comes to Flight Simulators!....and that requires a fast Central Processor, especially with FSX!

Paul....FS 2004 with FS Navigator....and...FSX with Plan-G and FS Tramp.... ...!