The Flight Sim Thread

[Moose]

As i now have a computer that runs FSX nicely I'm doing a lot of flying these days, and as Zoltans into flight simming as well i thought we should have a thread for the subject

Collecting good flight sim planes and scenery can make iRacing look like a cheap hobby

This is where i get to bore you all to tears with tales of my virtual adventures and post all the lovely screenshots I've started taking.

My current Flight sim locker comprises of:-

FSX sp2
ORBX FTX Australia terrain regions (Gold,Blue,Green and Red) + Most of the ORBX payware Airports http://fullterrain.com/index.html

All of the ORBX freeware Airports http://fullterrain.com/freeware.html

OZx 3.0 (340+ smaller Australian airstrips that integrate seamlessly into the ORBX FTX terrain) Freeware

Real Environment Extreme http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/features.html I use it mostly for the sky and water textures as i don't find its weather engine to work as well as...

...Active Sky X http://www2.hifisim.com/node/4

I have other scenery addons but for the time being I've just got the stuff I've listed installed as I only fly in Australia at the moment. Once you've flown with the ORBX scenery everything else is a bit of a let down I cant wait for their next project to be completed though, the Pacific North West region of the US. One of the best regions for GA flying in the world.

As for planes i have to say I'm in love with the A2A Piper Cub at the moment. http://www.shockwaveproductions.com/ Such a basic (and slow ) aircraft that oozes atmosphere, and is the perfect way to enjoy the superb Australian scenery.

Also in the hangar are the...

SAAB 91 Safir http://www.sibwings.com/safirx.php
All the RealAir planes except the Beechcraft Duke http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_b...e=products
L-39C Albatros by Lotus Simulations http://www.lotussim.com/
DHC-6 Twin Otter http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/re/ibo...0040,10709
and several of the Carenado fleet http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscad...tegoria=19


Currently I'm almost exclusively flying the Piper Cub on a trip around the coast of Australia. I do all my flights in real time, which is nice at the moment as I'm on the NE coast of Aus and if i start my flight in the early evening here it's dawn in Aus which makes for some nice sunrises.
I always fly with real weather as well.

Hopefully i can take some nice screenshots to post here from the rest of my trip.



UPDATED LIST OF LATEST TOYS

ORBX PNW + Darrington and Starks Twin Oaks addons http://fullterrain.com/
Dodosim Bell 206 http://www.dodosim.com/fsx206.html
Beaver X http://secure.simmarket.com/aerosoft-onl...er-x.phtml Perfect plane for anything the PNW can throw at you.
Active Sky Evolution http://www2.hifisim.com/node/1044 The latest incarnation of the best weather program for FSX
FSPassengers X http://www.fspassengers.com/
Mytraffic 2010 http://secure.simmarket.com/aerosoft-myt...2010.phtml Good AI traffic programme. Nice compromise between model detail and FPS hit.

[Andy]

I'm wincing as I ask this, but... what kind of controller hardware is a reasonable starting point? Although I really might not do anything in this direction - but can't hurt to ask I guess.

[Moose]

Andy Wrote:I'm wincing as I ask this, but... what kind of controller hardware is a reasonable starting point? Although I really might not do anything in this direction - but can't hurt to ask I guess.

I'm still using my cheapo Saitek joystick with my DFGT petals for the rudder

A joystick can be got for as little as £30 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saitek-Cyborg-EV...B0000AW9P1 I've flown this way for years and get by quite happily, though of course a full yolk setup is what I'd like eventually... as soon as i stop buying scenery and planes

As the Piper Cub,Siai Marchetti SF260, L39 Albatros and of course helicopters are all joystick controlled in real life I'm quite happy with this setup for the time being.

After that it's all down to budget as usual. Force feedback joysticks, full yolk with throttle quadrant rudders and toe brakes etc are all there to suit whatever your wife will allow you to spend http://www.saitekusa.com/prod/proflight.htm

[Lucas]

Moose Wrote:As i now have ... payware ... Real Environment Extreme ... Active Sky ... ORBX scenery ... A2A Piper Cub ... Carenado fleet.

How much did you have to pay in total for all this? Or is it available on less expensive sources?

[Moose]

A few random screenshots. Unfortunately they loose a bit of quality in the resizing and compression.

Cessna 152. Approaching Cairns at Dusk



The view from the Cub on the way to Aeropelican airport ( with the rather talkative Heidi as my passenger )


Aeropelican at dusk in the Schweizer 300cbi


Cessnock Airport and golf resort


Microlite over the town Tamworth


..and another over Tamworth


One last one of the Schweizer 300cbi at Aeropelican at dusk

[Moose]

Lucas Wrote:How much did you have to pay in total for all this? Or is it available on less expensive sources?

I refuse to add it up.

[Andy]

Moose Wrote:A few random screenshots.

One last one of the Schweizer 300cbi at Aeropelican at dusk

Beautiful.

[Andy]

Lucas Wrote:Wow, that looks good

Can you do loopings and fire at buildings etc?

Warmonger!!!!!

[Andy]

Moose Wrote:After that it's all down to budget as usual.

This'll do to start

[Moose]

No,no Andy. If you're going to start, start properly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnx-m9RQ1...re=related