In the last few years I have noticed the disappearance of flight simulator software for PCs. I know there is some available from ads in a magazine, but was sure disappointed that Microsoft dropped their flight simulator (I had bought it before the company- forget their name, sold it to Microsoft.)
I had heard that genre had all migrated to game consoles. But looking through the black Friday ads, I see so much game software available but no flight sims.
Don, flight sims are out there and they are very good, don’t dispair.
I believe MS dropped FlightSim several years back (I was a fan too and have the last version in a limited edition tin box at home).
I use X-Plane and like it quite a bit. I think the detail will amaze you. Fair warning, these new flight sims need a lot of computing power to work right.
There is also this site called Steam where you can buy just about anything Sim-related, including different aircraft, airports, scenery, all sorts of add-ons and extras for X-Plane. For example, two of my favorite airports used to be Chicago Miegs and Key West, so I bought them both for the added detail.
There are a couple other sims out there but I don’t recall them right now. I did do quite a bit of research before buying, and fwiw 2 years ago X-Plane was the leader. If memory serves, other Sims are also avail from Steam.
Hope this helps.
Microsoft has annnounced a new Flight Sim to be released on XBox and Windows 10 platforms in 2020.
SubLogic, I think. That would have been early-mid 80’s?
Thanks, Greg, I’ll look at those places.
Yeah, that’s the place. We even bought a copy at work (McDonnel Douglas) to see if it had any use there.
You’re welcome, Don.
That’s unexpected, and great information. Thanks, Phil.
I wonder what actual pilots think of the Flight Sims?
So that means we can expect a new Windows with which this flight sim will no longer be compatibal in 2021, just like what happened with all the other MS flight sims when Windows 10 came along.
I am one and I think they are pretty awesome.
The challenges to me have been touchy controls / over control, lack of visiblity (being able to look out side windows or zoom in on something on the panel without messing with something or setting up two more monitors…much easier in real life), and fiddling with stuff on the panel is so much easier in real life. (that’s why real sims, like at Flight Safety, have real radios and computers and stuff).
That said, they just keep getting better and better, and if I’d ever actually spend some time with a SIM and stick with it, dealing with all of the above would become second nature and I’d stop whining.
There are lots of pilots here, including Don. Looking forward to hear what others think. Interesting question.
Story- my deputy program manager was an old F-4 pilot, and when we got that program up and running on a PC, we let him fly it first. He was making an IFR approach, and somehow got the plane upside down! He continued to fly the approach upside down and turned up rightside up when he had the runway made. IFR approaches are hard enough, but upside down!
Perfect landing. I was so impressed with his flying! He loved that sim- thought it was great.
I think they are great. I just wish I could afford a setup with force feedback. I never got my IFR rating, so stick/wheel force is important to me.
IFR=instrument flight rules … VFR=visual flight rules,correct?
Yep
I used to play the Microsoft flight simulator and their online Fighter Ace game in the 1999-2001 time period. I loved it, but have not “flown” one of their games since around 2002 or 03.
Check out the videos released for the new ms flight sim, they look amazing. FSX and X plane works fine on win 10.
So Microsoft has a new flight simulator? I had not heard of it. What do they call it- is it available yet?
Hi Don!
Listen, don’t despair they are out there. My friend and LEGO train builder accomplice, Steve Jackson( The founder and CEO of Steve Jackson Games) Here in Austin, has spoken about some. Don’t know but he’s trying to find me one for my laptop. We’ll see what he comes up with.
I thought you had your I.F.R rating! Even at that, I prefer to fly a plane, Not let the computer do it. I am NOT comfortable in these modern " Front Offices". Gimme a B-25 I.C. any day! There’s nothing like a Good set of Analogues to make me happy.
Last actual flight sim I flew was a Stoof on the Hornet. The S-2-F is kinda fun, but my gosh it’s slow!
Nope, never got the IFR. Figured I’d never own a plane worthy of full gear. But I do like the new glass cockpits. I kind of worked on some of the technology. On the other hand, each box costs as much as what I sold my airplane for 
Sorry for the late response Don. It is called Microsoft Flight Simulator ! https://www.flightsimulator.com/ Check out the videos and screenshots. Join the site and you can see more videos by the development team talking about weather, scenery, panels, etc. It sounds amazing.
The new MS Flight Simulator looks beyond amazing, complete with scans of actual places, not just little places, but whole regions.
You can also go to Youtube and search for MS Flight Sim and a host of very informative videos comes up. Sit back and soak in all the fantastic graphics. Wear a bib to catch all your drool.
Note that the new software will require a robust computer to use it, or an Xbox. It is reported to be very graphics-intensive, as one would expect.