Anyone used FSX for IFR training at home?

I was pretty heavy into it back in high school also, but once I got to college and started my flight training I got away from it aside from the occasional flight with friends on VATSIM here and there. When I was getting ready for my instrument ride though I practiced all the approaches I knew I might get asked to do. I actually found a DA40 addon that had an identical panel setup to the plane I was going to be flying so that was cool. Was it the difference in me passing or busting my ride, probably not, but I think it gave me a little more confidence knowing that I had at least seen all the approaches before the day of (the checkride was about 100mi away from my airport so I hadn't actually done any of the approaches before the practical portion.)
 
I used the FSX C172 when I was doing my heli IR several years ago. I never could get any of my students into it though. I never really got into VATSIM but I have used PilotEdge somewhat recently and it's pretty solid. I don't really find the limited area to be an issue because there is guaranteed ATC coverage for all airports in their coverage area from 8am-11pm. The controllers seem to be professional and they will let you know if you screw up, not in a bad way but informative.
 
Used flight simulator through out my training, even once I got to the airlines. It's good for IFR training as well as procedures. When I was studying for upgrade I used it primarily for IFR and procedures, making sure I was remembering to do everything. If you have a good model, it's ok for FCP training too. The Dash-8 and the ERJ-135 models that I purchased were pretty good, with most of the aircraft switches functioning and pretty good FMS'. The CRJ model is a POS, although I hear that a new CRJ-200 model us coming out which I am curious to see since that's the platform I'm instructing on.
 
Heck, I'm still into FS. My computer can't handle FSX so I'm still on FS2000 and FS2002. They work like charm on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with compatibility mode checked for XP Service Pack 3 and run as administrator. Unfortunately, Windows 7 won't play FS98.

I use the A320 Professional from JustFlight as an add on to FS2002. Good practice for sim events.
 
rockman2343@aol.com said:
Used flight simulator through out my training, even once I got to the airlines. It's good for IFR training as well as procedures. When I was studying for upgrade I used it primarily for IFR and procedures, making sure I was remembering to do everything. If you have a good model, it's ok for FCP training too. The Dash-8 and the ERJ-135 models that I purchased were pretty good, with most of the aircraft switches functioning and pretty good FMS'. The CRJ model is a POS, although I hear that a new CRJ-200 model us coming out which I am curious to see since that's the platform I'm instructing on.
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You know, I've been waiting for a good CRJ model for awhile...granted I'm not super old but in my 8 years on sim that same CRJ model is still "close" to being finished. Hope it really is. I'd love it. Don't have any ERJ's.

By far some of the best payware planes are ANY PMDG models (absolutely stunning), Level-D 767, iFly 737, QualityWings 757 and the JustFlight Airbus was pretty much crap but I made it work. I flew those birds for about over 2000 hours in my 4 years of high school lol. Learned a lot about systems and FMS and loved every minute of it.
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Heck, I'm still into FS. My computer can't handle FSX so I'm still on FS2000 and FS2002. They work like charm on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with compatibility mode checked for XP Service Pack 3 and run as administrator. Unfortunately, Windows 7 won't play FS98.

I use the A320 Professional from JustFlight as an add on to FS2002. Good practice for sim events.
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Dude, you're missing out! Even FS9 isn't too bad but the models out there would blow your mind away. Also FS9 is still very popular in the sim world for compatibility with newer models and doesn't require anything high tech like FSX does.

I did fly that same Airbus a lot. It was fun but just not as much functionality like other models. I didn't feel it was very realistic as some of the other planes. Still fun. I think Aerosoft has their Airbus model out now that was supposed to be really good and realistic that they've worked on for years. Never heard anything from it though and unfortunately don't use the sim enough to invest any money into a new program lol or the time to learn how to fly it properly....

I like the interest in sims! It's always gonna be a hobby to me, even though I'm not an arm chair pilot anymore....

One of my bucket list items is to create a home cockpit.
 
I used the hell out of it and vatsim years ago. It's a great tool to figure things out that aren't making sense in the real airplane because you can pause it.
 
VATSIM is fantastic. Download vroute so you can easily see who is online(ATC and pilots) and plan a flight. If you get the paid version, you can receive actual IFR routes for different altitudes with SIDs and STARs between airports and download them straight into your sim as well as look up freeware and payware scenery for any airport you find. There is ALWAYS ATC online somewhere in the world. I find it very fun to log on in the middle of the night and plan a flight with ATC coverage somewhere random in the world. That way you never get comfortable and fly different procedures. Just the other night I found ATC online in Croatia with approach control for one airport online and tower online for the other. So, I downloaded scenery for both airports, planned my own VOR routes as that's what I wanted to practice, downloaded a Croatian Let 410 with a realistic panel and virtual cockpit, and went online. Halfway to Split(my desitnation), ATC signed off at my destination so I decided to arm an engine to fail in the next few minutes. Once it failed, I used navaids to nurse the aircraft towards an uncontrolled field in IMC, found it, landed, and signed off. Very good practice, and since it's just a game, you can do whatever you want and change things up on a whim. The instruments visually appear just like they do in the real aircraft, so they totally help you build a situational awareness even if the physics aren't the best.

I'll add I'm a total nerd and I've been modding flightsim since the late 90s, so all this is very simple for me. It will take some time to set everything up if you wish to use Vatsim especially if you want to get into more realistic 3rd party aircraft, sceneries, weather, ect that usually require manual installation. If you plan on using it for real training and you have a gaming computer that can run good graphics, I suggest you indulge in this as it will greatly help your immersion into the sim.
 
I have been an active member of VATSIM for going on 10 years, before I began my flight training, and I can definitely say it helped me during my private and instrument ratings. From radio communications to practicing instrument procedures, it may not be perfect, but it's the closest you are going to get. VATSIM also holds many events, which makes flying a little more realistic with heavy amounts of traffic and fully staffed airports. Depending on if you want a Cessna or a Boeing, there are plenty of good payware that are pretty realistic.

tcco94, I can assure you that the CRJ is close :)
 
Here I am thinking that as I move along into my professional flying career I should stop flying the majestic dash 8 in fsx because is just a "game" according to my wife. lol
 
tcco94 said:
You know, I've been waiting for a good CRJ model for awhile...granted I'm not super old but in my 8 years on sim that same CRJ model is still "close" to being finished. Hope it really is. I'd love it. Don't have any ERJ's.

By far some of the best payware planes are ANY PMDG models (absolutely stunning), Level-D 767, iFly 737, QualityWings 757 and the JustFlight Airbus was pretty much crap but I made it work. I flew those birds for about over 2000 hours in my 4 years of high school lol. Learned a lot about systems and FMS and loved every minute of it.
Dude, you're missing out! Even FS9 isn't too bad but the models out there would blow your mind away. Also FS9 is still very popular in the sim world for compatibility with newer models and doesn't require anything high tech like FSX does.

I did fly that same Airbus a lot. It was fun but just not as much functionality like other models. I didn't feel it was very realistic as some of the other planes. Still fun. I think Aerosoft has their Airbus model out now that was supposed to be really good and realistic that they've worked on for years. Never heard anything from it though and unfortunately don't use the sim enough to invest any money into a new program lol or the time to learn how to fly it properly....

I like the interest in sims! It's always gonna be a hobby to me, even though I'm not an arm chair pilot anymore....

One of my bucket list items is to create a home cockpit.
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Whatever happened to flight summing? Did public interest die?

I remember the 90s. At one time, you had Microsoft Flight Simulators, Sierra Dynamix Pro Pilot and '99, Terminal Reality Fly! Series, Flight Unlimited series, and probably a couple more I can't remember. Bottom line, going into a game store I could see several boxes of flight sims.

Today, zero! :(



FS9 is 2004 right? That didn't come with a default Airbus. What good addon A320 do you recommend?

I'm thinking of buying a Windows 7 64 bit, Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz, 8 GB RAM, and maybe a graphics card. That would be kickass for FS2002 but I wonder if it would be good for FS2004.

It kinda sucks you have to stick with classic machines, Windows 8 doesn't play the Microsoft flight sims.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Whatever happened to flight summing? Did public interest die? :(


I'm thinking of buying a Windows 7 64 bit, Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz, 8 GB RAM, and maybe a graphics card. That would be kickass for FS2002 but I wonder if it would be good for FS2004.
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Lockheed Martin bought the commercial version of FSX (ESP) and has really blown it out into Prepar3D.

Steam has taken up development of FSX recently. It is called FSX SE and is sometimes on sale for $5.

X-plane is still kicking and continues to be improved.

For 2002 and 2004 I would suggest an overclocked G3258 as best bang for the buck.
I use P3D V2.5 on a Core2duo @ 3.3ghz 2GB ram with a radeon 7750 and it does ok. 2002 runs at over 100FPS at max settings.

www.avsim.com
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Whatever happened to flight summing? Did public interest die?

I remember the 90s. At one time, you had Microsoft Flight Simulators, Sierra Dynamix Pro Pilot and '99, Terminal Reality Fly! Series, Flight Unlimited series, and probably a couple more I can't remember. Bottom line, going into a game store I could see several boxes of flight sims.

Today, zero! :(



FS9 is 2004 right? That didn't come with a default Airbus. What good addon A320 do you recommend?

I'm thinking of buying a Windows 7 64 bit, Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz, 8 GB RAM, and maybe a graphics card. That would be kickass for FS2002 but I wonder if it would be good for FS2004.

It kinda sucks you have to stick with classic machines, Windows 8 doesn't play the Microsoft flight sims.
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I know that flight sim for payware devices turned heavily into digital downloads. I also think maybe the upgraded computer systems? I started simming when I was about 13 and learned in the payware models of airplanes. Flew LNAV only tho...didn't learn what VNAV was until college when I took a CRJ systems class. Needless to say everyone looked at me weird in class when I already knew how to function the FMC lol. FS2004 is FS9, yes...doesn't require a lot of computer high tech either like FSX does.

For an Airbus add on...I settled for the crappy Wilco model. I'd say Aerosoft is your best A320 model out there and for price. Read lots of good reviews. So many good Boeing's, not a lot of good Airbuses unfortunately...which is sad.

@crticalaoa I could never get into the majestic Q....did it have a 2D panel? I'm not all about the VC for some reason. I tried it out, didn't like it at all though....but maybe because I'm not a huge fan of the Q.

@Colin Levy I sure hope so! The regional aircraft market for simmers is SO small. Is the model you're saying is close the CRJ200X? Or Aerosoft model? I read Aerosoft is close?! (Just googled it). That CRJ200X doesn't sound very close lol.
 
The majestic is such a beauty man. They are coming out with an upgraded version which will have a hud and 2d panel. But have you guys looked at the a320 from fslabs?

 
crticalaoa said:
The majestic is such a beauty man. They are coming out with an upgraded version which will have a hud and 2d panel. But have you guys looked at the a320 from fslabs?

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How far out is that from being released?

I don't think I ever gave it a fair chance. I guess if I can get a 2D panel and a manual I'll give it a shot.

I'm not a huge fan of widebodies but has anyone tried that new (relatively new) PMDG 777?! Looks awesome...wondered if it is worth the money? Also is Aerosoft making an A330? There's like no good widebodies for Airbus if I remember correctly..
 
I own the 777. I have minimal knowledge of the aircraft but it is good. What I mean by good is that the depth of the systems are modeled pretty well for what I can tell. But yet I wish a true 777 pilot can review the PMDG version and post what he thinks of it. As for the FSLAB A320 it has been in production for a long time now and released should be this year. I want the CRJ from aerosoft to be released already. If its like their a320 it will be a good model. I don't know how much we will be able to use it in the professional field tho. I really wish PMDG did a E170.
 
Dang! I almost forgot Condor. It is a good multi-player sailplane sim. You can fly competitions with others around the world. I suck at it but it is fun.
 
crticalaoa said:
Here I am thinking that as I move along into my professional flying career I should stop flying the majestic dash 8 in fsx because is just a "game" according to my wife. lol
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haha no joke though the majestic dash 8 is literally crack. Honestly my second favorite addon ever next to pmdg 737 ngx
 
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