Flight Simulator X – Should You Buy It?Posted by on July 27th, 2010

If you are new to the flight simulator world then you might be wondering what the best flight simulator for you is. There are many options including free flight simulators and simulators you have to pay for. One of the oldest software companies that has been making flight simulator software is Microsoft. In fact they have made 10 editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Flight simulator X is the 10th edition of its flight simulator software.

In the standard edition you will find 18 different types of planes, 28 highly detailed cities and 40 detailed airports. You can also upgrade to the deluxe version which adds more planes to a total of 24 types and more cities to a total of 38 cities. To make sure that the software will run on your computer, it must have at least a 1.0 GHz processor, 256 MB ram, 14GB hard drive space and a 32MB direct X video card. Microsoft even offer a demo version of the software so that you can test how it runs on your computer and you can try before you buy. the demo version doesn’t include all of the feature and also restricts the flying time, but it will allow you to get a good feeling for the software.

All of the aircraft you would expect in a simulator package are available, including the passenger jets from Boeing and Airbus and the smaller propeller Cessna and Pipers. It is possible to download additional aircraft and expand the range of aircraft you can fly. There are many websites that offer aircraft and other resources to expand flight simulator X. These include free aircraft, high resolution scenery and even options to change the paint job of your existing aircraft.

The number of aircraft available for flight simulator X is large. Every type of aircraft you could imagine is available from gliders, helicopters, vintage and military aircraft. If you have ever dreamed of designing your own aircraft, it is possible with flight simulator X, you can design and fly it in the simulator, and you may find a number of prototype aircraft available for download.

For more information on flight simulator controls, including the flight simulator yoke go to www.flightsimulatoryoke.org.

Flight Sim Yoke – 3 Essential Factors To Consider Before You BuyPosted by on June 27th, 2010

For anyone who is serious about your computer flying then you will sooner or later find yourself wanting a flight simulator yoke. It doesn’t take long to move on from using the keyboard and mouse to the joystick to wanting a more realistic control. The most realistic flying experience that it is possible to get is with  controls that are similar to the real controls found in an aircraft, and that is what a yoke will give you.

When it’s time to upgrade to a flight simulator yoke, you might be wondering what to look out for. The different models available have different features and it is worth the time to understand them. The last thing you want is to purchase a yoke that you are not happy with and end up dissapointed.

A basic yoke will allow to push and pull, controlling the pitch or elevators of the aircraft. It will allow you to turn the control column from left to right to control the roll or ailerons. Look out for a yoke that has a good self centering mechanism. When you take your hands off the control, you want it to return to the center, every time. Why is this important? Well imagine that after you have used your yoke for some time, the mechanisms and springs are worn, so that when you make a turn and return the yoke to its central position, it is actually a little off center and it won’t fly straight without your corrections.

Many people buy the yoke and then start to think about where they will put it. You need to attach the yoke to your desk or table and it must be attached well. You certainly don’t want the yoke coming off the table when you are pulling back or pushing forward or even executing a turn. Out of the box, yokes will typically come with clips, but with some decent flying action, they won’t be sturdy enough to keep it in place. When you buy your yoke, think about where it will sit, and how you could make sure you can attach it firmly, perhaps with clamps or even screwing it down.

Last but not least, you need to make sure what you are going to buy is compatible with your system. Check the operating systems it supports, how it will plug in and most importantly that it works with your flight simulator software. Most yokes with work will plug into a USB port, so make sure you have one available.

Most people find flying with a flight sim yoke totally transforms their flying experience and never look back. As long as you spend some time to find the best one for you, you will find your flying entering a new level of realism and excitement.

5 Steps To Build An Ultimate Flight Simulator CockpitPosted by on June 23rd, 2010

Do you want to build a home cockpit to do your flight simulator flying but do not know where to begin? You may find it confusing if you are new to using flight simulators. Flight simulator realism has improved dramatically in the last years. Flying on your own P.C is great fun and with the proper controls can give you the most realistic flight experience possible without leaving the ground. The following 5 steps will guide you to building your own home cockpit.

1. Check and Upgrade Your Computer

As the flight simulator software has become more realistic, it requires more processing power from the P.C. You’ll need a reasonably powerful computer, especially if you are going to use one of the latest packages, such as Microsoft flight simulator X. You will also need to upgrade your graphics card, to make sure your scenery is going to be displayed clearly and smoothly.

2. Pick the Right Control

Before you buy gear for your cockpit, you should think about what class of planes you will be flying. You can fly lots of different aircraft, from single engined small planes to the large jet Boeing 737 or 747 to aerobatic and fighter jets. As the different aircraft are controlled differently, you will want either a joystick for those planes that are controlled with a stick or a flight simulator yoke for those that are flown with a conventional control column or yoke. It is not until you connect a yoke to your flight simulator that you will realise that it is a totally different experience to flying with a keyboard and mouse.

3. Add a Foot Control

Rudder pedals are essential in flying in a number of usual situations. Of course the most basic use of rudder pedals is for properly executing coordinated turns. As you learn to fly you will find out that the yoke will control the ailerons to bank the aircraft, but to turn, the rudder also needs to be applied at the same time to swing the tail. Rudder pedals are also useful for landing in crosswind, to help keep your nose lined up with the runway. The rudder pedals are also used on the ground, to steer and to stop the aircraft with brakes.

4. Add More Control

These days you can almost replicate the entire set of controls of a real cockpit. Nearly any control such as flaps, gear, prop, mix, radio panels, throttle controls can be added. It is even possible to add realistic sized instrument panels including altimeter, airspeed indicator, compass or vertical speed.

5. Close it In

To really feel like you have a home cockpit, you should have an area to set it up away from the table or desk that you usually use for your computer. The ultimate home cockpit would be enclosed, as the more enclosed the cockpit, the more realistic the flying experience. The cockpit structure can be built from anything from wood  to metal to even real aircraft parts.

For help and information on finding the best flight simulator yoke for you, visit www.flightsimulatoryoke.org