Using simulation to scratch the flying itch…
Ideally, I try to get out to the airport every weekend to fly. I admit. I’m addicted. It’s a terribly expensive addiction, as many of you are well aware.
There are times when weather, finances or other circumstances make flying an impossibility. One way I scratch the “flying itch” is turning to Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2004. It’s no substitute for the real thing but it sure helps appease that flying urge. It also can be a beneficial tool for pilots of all experience levels.
I found a repaint for the Cessna Skyhawk on avsim.com and installed it. It resembles two Skyhawk SP’s I’ve flown in the past (2000 models). I created a flight plan from San Antonio to Sonora, Texas. I’ll be flying this route in the real world soon and wanted to fly the Sonora instrument approach (pdf) in the simulator.
A few months ago I purchased ActiveSky 2004.5, a software program that enhances the weather depiction capabilities in FS2004. It pulled “real world” weather and my IFR flight to Sonora had me in and out of clouds at a cruise altitude of 6,000 feet.
The flight was a lot of fun, scratched that flying itch and gave me a greater understanding of the Sonora instrument approach. All in all, a worthwhile investment in time and a fun one at that!
Shannon said,
July 11, 2005 @ 3:49 pm
Time for some updates, babe. You’re making folks think you haven’t flown recently!
Tim @ GA News Blog said,
August 15, 2005 @ 6:04 am
Have you tried X-Plane? After spending many years using MSFS I switched to X-Plane and the differences are stunning. I find X-Plane to be even more accurate at simulating flight and the overall system much more powerful.
Justin said,
August 20, 2005 @ 6:23 am
Everytime I’ve tried X-Plane I’ve had problems. This is probably due to the fact that I’ve just tried using the demo and wasn’t familiar with the user interface in X-Plane.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. I also hate to admit it but the appearance of a simulator has some bearing on my overall enjoyment. FS2004 is gorgeous and with the right airplanes (like the RealAir Skyhawk which was designed exclusively for a flight school) it can be a very realistic simulator.