Aviation Forum Forums
Flight Sims
[COMING SOON: FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2004 REVIEW AND INFO]
We all love flying, but sometimes we can't do the real thing. We have to settle for second best. Luckily, as time goes by, second best is getting better and better.
With the latest Flight Simulators on the market, one can get an experience very similar to real-life flying. It can never replace the real thing, and going for a $100 hamburger on your computer will never quite be the same as hopping in a Cessna, but it can get close.
The most popular and best commercial flight simulator on the market currently is Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2002. Released in late 2001, it is far and away the most advanced and realistic simulator yet.
Most real-life pilots will want to fork over the additional 10-15 dollars for the "Professional Edition". If you don't yet own it, it's a must buy.
Microsoft suggests the following computer to run it:
MICROSOFT'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Pentium II 300mhz
8MB 3D Video Acceleration or better
Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP (not NT)
64 MB RAM
750 MB Hard Drive Space
DirectX 8.0a or better
DirectX 8.0a or later 8MB 3D video card capable of 800x600 resolution in 16-bit color
SuperVGA Monitor capable of displaying 800x600 resolution in 16-bit color
Microsoft DirectX 8.0a API compatible sound card with speakers
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing deviceIt's our opinion, however, that these requirements aren't quite realistic if you really want to get a reasonable experience out of this game. Here are our recommendations:
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Pentium II 600mhz
16MB 3D Video Acceleration or better
Microsoft Windows 98, ME, or XP (not NT)
128 MB RAM
At least 850 MB Hard Drive Space
DirectX 8.0a or better
DirectX 8.0a or later 8MB 3D video card capable of 800x600 resolution in 16-bit color
SuperVGA Monitor capable of displaying 800x600 resolution in 16-bit color
Microsoft DirectX 8.0a API compatible sound card with speakers
A Mouse
A Joystick or Yoke (MUST HAVE)
Do you meet those standards? BUY IT NOW!
There are some other good flight simulators on the market, but the best (by far) commercial computer simulation software is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. It is also infinitely expandable, as great add-on planes, location scenery, and adventures are readily available for free download as well as some exceptional commercial software on the market.
For one of the best web sites from which to download add-ons for FS2002, visit FlightSim.com
