What is the most realistic flight Sim available?

[JoLLyRoGer]

I'm looking for a good flight SIM program for either PC or PS3. I've recently begun taking my ground and will soon be taking actual flight instruction at my local airport. (In fact I've already been up once).

I'm going for a simple private pilot license but I figured when I can't get seat time in a real plane, a good realistic flight Sim would help me stay sharp .

Hopefully something that does it all..

Like:.. Allows me to plot a course using realistic sectional charts, file a flight plan, throws weather at me so Ill have to calibrate my instruments, Heck even gives me FSS briefings, METAR coded weather reports, PIREPs and NOTAMs, etc. does magnetic deviation, will throw you off course in a cross wind. Engine detonation if EGTs get to hot, Carb icing if it's too cold or too humid, Basically something that will challenge me to think about nearly everything I would need to be thinking off flying a real plane.

Something that would make a worthwhile learning aid.
Suggestions?

Thanks,
-JR

 

[Arkaign]

I think other than professional sims that run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars to the multimillion range (that are shockingly poor in some respects), FSX is basically the only game in town. There are tons and tons and tons of mods/expansion/customization for it.

You'll probably want an i7 SB or IB, 8-16GB of Ram, and a GTX 670 / 7970 or better for a good experience.

For the more specific questions relating to the pro aspects of the flight simulation specifics you're interested in, such as METAR/PIREP/NOTAM/etc, you will be more likely to get the relevant information on an FSX-dedicated forum such as this :

http://www.flightsimworld.com/forums/forum/103-flight-simulator-x/

^^ Just an example. I'm not a member of that site or endorsing it, but you should be able to find plenty of others using the magic google box

Good luck!

 

[Rifter]

dcs a-10c warthog

Nothing else comes close AT ALL to the level of realism in this game.

 

[Dominato3r]

Another vote for FSX.

Its kinda unfortunate what they did with the series but what can you do.

 

[chimaxi83]

For civilian flying, FSX with its plethora of add-ons. If you're looking for a military type sim, like it's been mentioned, nothing (outside of real military simulators) beats the DCS series.

 

[mizzou]

It's a difficult genre. Without a gigantic market base, it's hard to put the $$$ into a program that requires an extreme amount of work.

It will make it's comeback at some point, what it will take I don't know.

 

[manlymatt83]

how come no one has mentioned xplane?

 

[SKORPI0]

how come no one has mentioned xplane?

Xplane 10
rocks!!!
I've been trying to take off on a 747 for the last 6 months.maybe it needs a treadmill.

 

[Charlie98]

For basic functionality FSX is probably your best bet (given a reasonable budget.) I'm still on FS2004 and have been through most of the previous incarnations; they've gotten better each time even though they have junked them up some. They are very functional as far as flight planning, weather and air traffic, etc.

Get yourself a good joystick or, if you have the room and budget, a set of rudder pedals, although the Sidewinder is a good option if you don't want the bother of pedals.

When I was a younger man I racked up a whole 6.5hrs in a 172... but I probably have 1000hrs + in the FS flying realistic flights (not just screwing around.)

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Cool, Thanks guys!

I will look into FSX then. I just want something to keep my mind energized about aviation in between times I get to go up.

 

[mmntech]

There's Prepar3D, which is a professional derivative of FSX still in development. Whether they've tightened the code or not, I'm not sure. Costs $200.

 

[JoeyP]

Whatever you get, work on the mechanics of coordinated turns and crosswind landings. For some reason, the latter was very difficult for me to master in a 152, and I spent a lot of time and money doing touch and goes on that.

It is an expensive hobby, but I'm sure you know that already!

 

[Printer Bandit]

any flight sims for mac?

 

[SKORPI0]

any flight sims for mac?

X-Plane 10 - my favorite, next to MS Flight Simulator runs in Windows and OS X

Here's a nice one and an it's free. - FlightGear

Here's a Forum for Flight Simulators - AVSIM

 

[7window]

I read somewhere that the 911 terrorist learned how to fly using Ms flight sim

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Xplane 10
rocks!!!
I've been trying to take off on a 747 for the last 6 months.maybe it needs a treadmill.

If you put it on a treadmill then it would never take off.

 

[fourty03]

DCS A-10 Warthog

DCS http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

DCS World

DCS P-51 Mustang

Very high fidelity sim.. You do not necessarily have to want to fire weapons and what not, but it does a better job than MS Flight Sim X, imho...

Every switch and every system (except for classified radio systems) are modeled and must follow checklist and procedures to get the engines fired up and the aircraft's systems (A-10)

 

[AmdEmAll]

Downloading xplane demo right now. Looks sweet!

Put into a 747 in the demo.. have no clue how to fly this beast lol

 

[akahoovy]

marked to read later

 

[chihlidog]

Another vote for DCS A-10. I can fly any plane easily enough in FSX, but put on the realistic (not game) setting, DCS A-10 is still extremely challenging for me, and that's not even talking about weapons deployment. Just flying the damn thing.

I've never seen anything so realistic, though being a combat sim it might not be what you're looking for.

 

[xSauronx]

I read somewhere that the 911 terrorist learned how to fly using Ms flight sim

so landings are hard to stick, is that what youre saying?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Are you a terrorist?