What is X-plane??

[alrot]

i seen it mentioned many times,yes i know its very dark here under this rock,i assume as they mentioned in october contest forum,its another simulator? really how good is it,how  can i get it? ill apreciate answers
   cheers

[Felix/FFDS]

It is another flight simulator, with the "advantage" that it can simulate flight in Mars (at least the old version that I have).

On the plus side, it's flight dynamics are calculated, based on the physical design of the model, so that your Cessna 172 cannot "fly" like a 747.  In that sense, the "flying" experience is more 'realistic'.

The tools to build scenery and aircraft, however, come with the program

As an overall simulator, it doesn't have the Microsoft level of eye candy, nor the built in level of ATC.

In general, both a are good simulators, Microsoft is the better overall in eye candy and variety, whereas X-plane has the more accurate flight model.  Both programs have their avid supporters.

X-plane is available in stores, but usually it's easier to buy it online.

[alrot]

Thanks a lot Felix,I hope i can find one of this,i would like to try another simulator

[ozzy72]

Like Felix says its another simulator. At the moment its on release 7.xx, shortly v8 will be out.
Graphically its not a patch on FS, but flight dynamics wise its approved by the FAA for advanced training
I've got v7 and only fly one plane on it, the Spitfire MkI, and I love every minute of that inspite of the graphics looking like I'm still using my MX2 card

Ozzy

[ATI_7500]

Well, stand in awe,gents:
http://www.x-plane.com/v8beta.html

New terrain rendering system (better than Microsofts!), real Virtual Cockpits (far better than Microsofts!) ,etc,etc...

Haven't been drooling because of a flightsim for a loooooooong time.

[alrot]

If anybody doen't mind, is it more exepensive than fs9?,does it requires more stuff than fs9?,and i been asking nobody even know the existance of another pc simulator,so im gonna have to wait untill a friend travel to us.and bring me one Jesus why did i ask, now im in about to get in another trouble can you imagine aprove by FAA,i cant wait,im begining to got fever

[Nexus]

X-plane was more expensive than FS9 - at least for me and I bought the 2 simulators almost at the same time.
Just a word of caution: X-plane is light years away from the  "user-friendlyness" that FS9 has - for better or worse.
BUT
What I do like about X-plane is that it creates any wingshape and aerofoil in a  realistic way. Long gone are the aircraft configs that tells the simulator how the aircraft behaves...the X-plane engine makes its own calculations of how the aircraft performs, so in theory you can do some basic aerodynamics testing with X-plane.  :)

Oh, did I forget to mention X-plane is harder aswell  

[Ben_M_K]

Hmmm cool. I might have to get this.

[Mozz]

I think I read on the forum somewhere that FS2004 could be FAA approved for advanced training, like x-plane, but they decided not to. Also, although it says that it has FAA approval for training, that doesn't make it allowed on your computer. They're talking about using a full simulator, with proper yoke controls and instrument dispalys etc, like a cockpit. On a computer, I don't think it can count because it's too basic. I think there are other requirements too, like it has to have smooth displays. An FAA official has to approve the rig for training as well.

[Mozz]

X-Plane received United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for use in flight training towards a professional Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, when conducted in an approved full-motion simulator.

thats from here: http://www.macgamer.com/features/?resul ... _key=title

[krylite]

Sort of makes me upset that MSFS should at least by now be capabable of FAA approval after all these years and 9 versions since they scavenged Bruce Artwicks' initial SubLOGIC Univ. of Champaign, Ill project, FS1 and 2, espeically with all the multi-billion dollar resources MS has and it's massive importance in the computer industry.

And that until FS2000 and/or FS2004, most of the "improvements" had just been cosmetic requiring buying("updating") new versions  every other year just like all of MS's other products.

"As realistic as it gets" indeed.