Question on 2002 Pro

[John Elrod 13]

Good morning.  I am hedging on purchasing 2002 Pro from a local software store for 30.00.  I had several of the earlier versions but was always disappointed in 2 things.  

1) No or very limited ATC.  How good is it in 2002?

2) No way to have a "career."  What I mean by that is to have the ability to fly for an airline or group or some-such organization and work your way up through the ranks earning money or something.  I have always enjoyed sims where I can feel there is an ultimate goal I am working towards.  Does 2002 have anything along those lines?

BTW what's your favorite and least favorite aspect of 2002?

Thanks: John

[FSTipster]

Hi John,

First, FS2004 is due out at the end of July for $54.95 if you want to hang on for that. It comes with advanced ATC.

Otherwise, FS2002 does a pretty good job of ATC but within certain limits.

The career aspect is absent from both.

My favourite feature of FS2002 is probably the scenery. It's a vast improvement on all previous versions.

Least favourite....honestly, I can't really think of anything I dislike. Some things could be better of course but that's always the case.

[BFMF]

If you want a 'career', join a Virtual Airline

[John Elrod 13]

A virtual airline?  Would you be so kind as to point to where I could fine information and where to get started?

Sorry for the stupid questions.

Thanks: John

[Jake Derrick]

I must say as an RAF ATC trainee i was very impressed with the ATC ability's!  BUT i am looking forward to FS2004 for it's ATC as it should be alot better.  I would also like some sort of career game, like the option you get in combat cames such as 'campaign' this would be interesting

[Kevin@ProjectAI]

The reason that the FS series has no 'career' option is that these are simulations, not arcade type games.

For those, you'll need to buy CFS, CFS2, CFS3, IL2 and games such as that.

The closest that FS gets to having a career is with a virtual airline.  

KJ

[FSTipster]

[quote]A virtual airline?

[John Elrod 13]

Kevin,

So you consider F4 and IL2 "arcade type games" instead of simulations?  ...and I konw I am new and feel free to color me stupid but why would workgin your way up through the ranks of an airline or cargo organization lessen a simulation?

I'm not talking about Strike Commander type mercenary but let me get my ratings and then aply for a job at a freighter outfit.  I get assigned to a run and after completing it several times I can earn respect and bid on other runs within the system.  I am faced with simulation flying coupled with real wether and mechanical issues while still having to meet my time schedules and FAA safety rules.  Eventually after X number of completed flights I can move into jets and then work my way up through that part of the organization as well.  Instead of making it an "arcade" game I think it would add a reason for getting your ratings and focusing on the best flight plan and ATC interaction to be able to better your reputation and move up.  It also works in reverse, if I don't take the time to learn the ground layouts of the airports and such and I make stupid taxing or runway errors it prohibits by rep from improving and future options are very limited.

Anyway it's just my thoughts.

John  

[MattNW]

[quote]Kevin,

So you consider F4 and IL2 "arcade type games" instead of simulations?

[FSTipster]

Just my own opinion here but personally, I'd like to see some kind of career system in FS.

If it was included as a separate feature, i.e. select whether or not you want it on or off when you load up a flight and with an option to disable it altogether, it would serve as something that wouldn't interfere with the way FS currently works for the purists, and offer an objective based diversion for the rest.

I've seen the suggestion for a career opportunity in many of the FS2004 wish lists and there's clearly a demand there for it. Personally, I think it would be fun but that's just me.

[JerryKGSP]

Perhaps a developer could come up with an add on like an adventure that would accomplish the same thing by flying progressivley harder adventures or even having to be a co-pilot for a certain number of hours to move up to the pilot job.   Even moving through different type of aircraft to work up to 747 etc.  I downloaded one adventure that has 1000 different flights, some much harder/longerthan others.  I am sure that someone could come up with a suitable adventure that would incorporate the idea that John is talking about and maybe even include the aircraft also!!  ;)

[BFMF]

There is somewhat of what you're looking for. FS2002 includes 'series' of flights which let you fly for an author back east in a little prop, be a European Airline Pilot, Be a Cargo pilot, and be an Alaskan bush pilot. I've never personally flown any of these, but they're there

[ysteinbuch]

There are seemingly hundreds of virtual airlines to choose from. Check out vatsim.net (virtual air traffic simulation network) and there's a link to the airlines. A web search can also yield plenty of them. I "fly" for Pacific West Airways, which, like most others, require you to gain experience and hours before moving to bigger aircraft. You also move up in ranks. There's a lot of other things to do, so it's best if you simply check out the various airlines.