absolute beginer

[Cousin Jack Newquay]

Sorry folks - please bear with me.

I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
controls'.

Where do I start?

MS Flight Sim?

What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?

Your guidance will be very much appreciated.

Thanks group.

[Quilljar]

Hi Jack,
I recommend logging onto

alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim

for more detailed discussions and help on FS 2004. It is also a very amusing
and supportive group of people similar to this group.

[Dudley Henriques]

"Cousin Jack Newquay" > wrote in message
...
> Sorry folks - please bear with me.
>
> I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
> controls'.
>
> Where do I start?
>
> MS Flight Sim?
>
> What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?
>
> Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks group.

Just saw your post and had to smile. I'm sure others will give you ample
help with the specifics of your question, so I'll let them so that.
What made me smile was the thought of what I've spent so far on this
nice little past time since I retired. I believe I'm safe in saying that
at this point in time, over a span of 3 versions of MSFS, I have now
invested in hardware and peripherals about 10,000 dollars.
So be careful. If you're married, be VERY careful....or you could very
well end up just like me looking for the answer to the most oft asked
question by wives to husbands they thought were at least marginally
smart people when they decided to marry them.
My wife asks, "So tell me again once more will you......you spent HOW
much on the stuff to run this fifty dollar flight simulator????????"
:-)))
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
For personal email, please replace
the z's with e's.
dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt

[Richard Russell]

On Wed, 12 May 2004 21:35:42 +0000 (UTC), "Cousin Jack Newquay"
> wrote:

>Sorry folks - please bear with me.
>
>I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
>controls'.
>
>Where do I start?
>
>MS Flight Sim?
>
>What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?
>
>Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
>
>Thanks group.
>


Cousin Jack,

I fly real planes and the simulator. I'm a relatively new, low time
pilot in the real stuff but I started flying Flight Simulator when it
was Sub-Logic (before MS bought it). I though that Atari 800 was
pretty slick stuff back then.

Here's the bottom line. Flight Simulator is an incredible program
and, in my opinion, is a fabulous training aid....for some things.
Here's what I recommend. If you're serious about flying, get a yoke
and rudder pedals. I use CH controls and I like them. I'd like to
move up but the next move costs many times more and the CH stuff is
more than serviceable. Next, go for an introductory flight and get a
feel for what it is like to fly a real plane. The sensory inputs will
stick in your mind and be of some value to you when you fly a computer
that doesn't give you any such sensations. If you ever intend to
learn how to fly for real, be concious of the bad habits that can be
developed on a simulator. Most important of these is the tendency for
a sim pilot to focus on the instrument panel and spend far too little
time looking out the window. Enjoy the scenery.

When I have a flight that is going outside of my local little flying
area, I fly it on the sim first and the similarities are astounding.
If you can navigate on the sim, you can navigate in the real thing.

Finally, don't get discouraged. It can be difficult, depending on how
realistic you want to be. Have fun with it.

Rich Russell

[Dudley Henriques]

Hi M;

It sounds like you have the real/virtual world pretty much under control
:-)
If and when you get to that "gaming computer" stage, give Hypersonic
Computers a call and ask for Alex. . Tell him
I sent you along.
I checked out every gaming system out there before I chose Hypersonic.
I've never had a moment's regret. The machine is perfect; the advice is
superb; and the people there are collectively the best qualified and
most friendly people I've ever dealt with in the industry. I couldn't
recommend a company or it's people any higher. Totally first rate.
About that Real World Decathlon. I used a Decathlon on our line for
basic aerobatic and spin training, so I bought the RW Decathlon to try
it out in the sim. It's absolutely beautiful. Flies like the real thing.
Realworld has somehow managed to program very good slip capability into
the flight model, and because rudder has been so isolated, spins are not
only possible, but very realistic, and even Hammerheads are doable. Get
it M, you'll love it!!
When you're ready to begin aerobatics, let me know; I'll give you a
hand.
Dudley

"Melissa" > wrote in message
...
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> On Thu, 13 May 2004 12:16:29 GMT, Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
> > "...you spent HOW much on the stuff to run this fifty dollar flight
> > simulator????????"
>
> Hee hee! A very interesting and often important thing to think about
> with regards to this hobby! I'll add a few thoughts of my own on
> this; in particular, the quest for balance between the virtual world
> of the simulator versus the "real world"...
>
> When I bought fs2004 about six months ago, it was on a lark. About a
> month before that, a friend mentioned it in passing during a
> conversation. I've always been interested in aviation, with a
> particular interest in learning to fly someday, so when I happened to
> see a copy of this simulator program in a software store, I decided
> to pick it up. I bought a joystick at the same time. I thought
> "hmmm...this is interesting, and a bit over $100 USD isn't bad for
> what is supposed to be a pretty amazing little program."
>
> Well, I was "hooked" almost immediately, and ever since then - and
> for the first time in my life - I realized that I had to find a way
> to balance both the time and money spent between this new and very
> fascinating "virtual world" and the "real world" I'm so fond of.
>
> Until I got this simulator program, I saw the computer just as a very
> useful tool for communications, research, and a convenient place to
> keep my daily journal. I never spent very many hours each day dealing
> with it, because my life away from the computer has always been - and
> still is - much more interesting to me. I'm a very active "outdoor
> person" as well, so I spend as much time as possible "out there",
> enjoying this amazing planet (great FPS out there, by the way...and
> the 3D rendering isn't so bad either!). Since I still prefer to spend
> as many daylight hours as possible outside...paddling my kayak,
> riding my bike, walking on the beach, etc., sleep has been the
> primary victim of my new hobby...as I can now often find myself
> happily flying over some nicely enhanced virtual scenery into the
> very late night or even the wee hours of the morning. I still want to
> wake up early in the mornings, so that I can get outside for my
> morning paddle/ride/walk (my daily "triathlon"). I even still enjoy
> reading books! (you know, those old fashioned things with pages you
> have to manually flip through?). So...hours to sleep have been
> sacrificed a bit too much lately.
>
> Then there's the money. Though I now have plans - which I never had
> before - to acquire a shiny new "gaming computer", with all the
> latest bits of hardware to adequately deal with my evermore urgent
> "quest for reality in a virtual world", I've still managed to
> surprise myself with the amount of money spent to enhance this or
> that aspect of my "fifty dollar game". After just the first two
> months, I realized that I had spent more than $400 USD in addition to
> the original $100+, and by now, that figure has grown yet more
> impressive...and I'm sure it will continue to grow. However, in spite
> of my willingness to spend yet more on this little hobby of mine, I
> must also keep reminding myself that every dollar spent so that I can
> stare at a computer monitor for hours on end might also be saved
> towards other things in the "real world"...including the real flight
> lessons I'm still interested in.
>
> Even with good and reasonable goals in the "real world" to be
> concerned with, it can still be difficult at times to resist "just
> one more little thing" to enhance my flight simming experience. Just
> the other day, I spent "just a little bit" on the "Orcas Island
> Georender" scenery (and I don't regret it!). Now, I've got my eye on
> the "Super Decathlon" from RealAir Simulations. And so it goes...the
> seemingly never ending "just one little bit more" syndrome. Though it
> might be so easy to just go right now to the RealAir Simulations site
> and offer up a few silly numbers to acquire that tempting little
> plane, I'm going to force myself to suffer without it for at least a
> week...just to try and simulate a bit of balance and restraint
> (hmmm...is there an add-on for balance and restraint? Will someone
> please give me a URL and a file name for this?) ;-)
>
> This deceptively "innocent" hobby of flight simulation is very
> dangerous indeed! Oh well...once I get my fancy liquid cooled
> "top-of-the-line-for-a-day" gaming computer, I'll be happy. Of
> course, then I'd have to get some of that nice "photoreal" scenery to
> take advantage of - and make worthwhile! - the investment. Oh yes,
> then there's that very cool... (well, you get the picture).
>
> It seems there's no end to the "quest for realism" in our virtual
> world. At the same time, as I sit here staring at this screen, typing
> these few words, I look out my open windows; smell the salt air
> carried by the inviting breeze, see and hear the lovely surf, and
> once again feel the even more irresistible call of my beckoning sea.
> It's time to step away from the computer, slip into some neoprene,
> and enjoy a bit of 3D wonder...
>
> Bye for now...and I'll see you in the wee hours! :-)
>
> - --
> Melissa
>
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>
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> =oD49
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

[Cousin Jack Newquay]

Thanks everyone for your most helpful posts. Really appreciated.
Like a lot of things in this computing age it comes down to balancing the
time (and money) spent in the virtual world with living in the real world.
I am still inclined to have a go. I will probably be back seeking your
advice again before long.
Regards to all

"Cousin Jack Newquay" > wrote in message
...
> Sorry folks - please bear with me.
>
> I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
> controls'.
>
> Where do I start?
>
> MS Flight Sim?
>
> What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?
>
> Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks group.
>
>

[MajorUrsa]

Dudley Henriques wrote:

> About that Real World Decathlon. I used a Decathlon on our line for

Just for the record I presume you mean Realair.

(just got the SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 yesterday. Superrrr!
http://www.realairsimulations.com/msfs-aircraft/sf260/index.html )


Ursa (Major)/ \ *-*-* *
___________/====================================\_______*-*______

[Dudley Henriques]

"MajorUrsa" > wrote in message
...
> Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
> > About that Real World Decathlon. I used a Decathlon on our line for
>
> Just for the record I presume you mean Realair.

Yes, that's right! Actually, it's the RealAir Decathlon with a capitol
A. , not the Realworld. Guess I'm too used to making the comparison
between the sim and real life flying. I have to do it all the time when
writing.
:-))
DH

[John Ward]

Hi Melissa,

That "balance and restraint" file still has a few bugs in it anyway, so
it'll never get through to your hard drive!

Seems that enthusiasm is infectious. :-))

Regards,
John
"Melissa" > wrote in message
...
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> On Thu, 13 May 2004 20:02:40 GMT, Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
> Regarding the RealAir Simulations "Super Decathlon":
>
> > ...Get it M, you'll love it!!
>
> Eek! In spite of my best intentions - and because nobody offered a
> download URL or file name for the "balance and restraint" file I
> requested! - I couldn't wait quite a week, and got this little beauty
> already! :-) Of course, I blame you too, for giving it your expert
> endorsement. :-Þ
>
> > When you're ready to begin aerobatics, let me know; I'll give you a
> > hand.
>
> Thanks Dudley! I know I'll be taking you up on this generous offer
> soon enough. At this point, I'm having lots of fun just flying around
> and practicing approaches and landings. This plane is absolutely
> wonderful! :-)
>
> Lately - for the past few months really - I've been flying yoke and
> pedal planes exclusively in the sim, so this plane has given me the
> opportunity to once again use my long neglected joystick. I am
> actually using a combination of controllers: Joystick for roll/pitch
> control, and also two of the "thumb buttons" on the joystick for
> up/down elevator trim control. Then, I'm using my CH pedals for
> rudder and differential brakes. And finally, the throttle/prop/fuel
> mixture levers on my CH yoke. :-)
>
> Without any flaps on this plane, I'm really having fun with the
> landings; using only throttle, pitch, and elevator trim to achieve a
> smooth approach and landing. It's a good thing that I've enjoyed
> practicing landing my other small planes without the use of flaps, as
> this practice is now really paying off.
>
> Though I have, just for the fun of it, tried a few rolls, loops, side
> slips, and stalls from a vertical climb, I know I'm not doing these
> things "properly", so any tips from you - when I'm ready - will be
> very much appreciated! At least I haven't crashed my shiny new plane
> yet! :-)
>
> I must say, this plane is fast becoming one of my favorites in the
> sim for short hops and low altitude sightseeing! Thanks again for
> contributing to the continuing depletion of my bank account! ;-)
>
> - --
> Melissa
>
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[boB]

Cousin Jack Newquay wrote:
> Thanks everyone for your most helpful posts. Really appreciated.
> Like a lot of things in this computing age it comes down to balancing the
> time (and money) spent in the virtual world with living in the real world.
> I am still inclined to have a go. I will probably be back seeking your
> advice again before long.
> Regards to all
>
> "Cousin Jack Newquay" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Sorry folks - please bear with me.
>>
>>I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
>>controls'.
>>
>>Where do I start?
>>
>>MS Flight Sim?
>>
>>What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?
>>
>>Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks group.

No one stated the most important thing. (Well, to me at least, I'm
freeware hungry)

Get a large Hard Drive. I started with a 200MB drive 6 months ago, (New
computer = new hard drive, and I have added no special programs to it)

There are SO MANY great free programs, scenery and aircraft out there
begging to be downloaded.

I now installed a second 200GB Drive.


--


boB

The Roaming Gnome
Don't Forget Your Hat

Flying FS2002/4 in Texas

P4
2.66G
512 Ram
Ti4200-128
__________________________________________________ _______________________
Bob, Gabriella, Kuma, Chica, Balto, Blitz, Gussie, Costa and Tiger
Kempner, Central Texas
__________________________________________________ _______________________

[Carl Frisk]

:) Yeah I never thought of it that way. How much to run this little $50.00 flight sim(s)? Very good timing as I'm
buying a new computer next week just to get those few extra FPS and better realism. Though I justified it with the
excuse that I need to start doing some client server work again I really only need a low end server for about 1/2 the
price since my current machine is more than adequate. And did I really need to spec 500GB of hard disk space? Well
maybe the dual proc will be useful running SQL server but I can't imagine I really need it for dev work. Hum better buy
the machine quick before I realize I don't really need it.

--
....Carl Frisk
Anger is a brief madness.
- Horace, 20 B.C.
http://www.carlfrisk.com


"Dudley Henriques" > wrote in message k.net...
>
> "Cousin Jack Newquay" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Sorry folks - please bear with me.
> >
> > I love to fly (as a passenger) but am keen to 'get my hands on the
> > controls'.
> >
> > Where do I start?
> >
> > MS Flight Sim?
> >
> > What 'joystick' and 'foot pedals'?
> >
> > Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks group.
>
> Just saw your post and had to smile. I'm sure others will give you ample
> help with the specifics of your question, so I'll let them so that.
> What made me smile was the thought of what I've spent so far on this
> nice little past time since I retired. I believe I'm safe in saying that
> at this point in time, over a span of 3 versions of MSFS, I have now
> invested in hardware and peripherals about 10,000 dollars.
> So be careful. If you're married, be VERY careful....or you could very
> well end up just like me looking for the answer to the most oft asked
> question by wives to husbands they thought were at least marginally
> smart people when they decided to marry them.
> My wife asks, "So tell me again once more will you......you spent HOW
> much on the stuff to run this fifty dollar flight simulator????????"
> :-)))
> Dudley Henriques
> International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
> Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
> For personal email, please replace
> the z's with e's.
> dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt
>
>

[boB]

Carl Frisk wrote:

> :) Yeah I never thought of it that way. How much to run this little $50.00 flight sim(s)? Very good timing as I'm
> buying a new computer next week just to get those few extra FPS and better realism. Though I justified it with the
> excuse that I need to start doing some client server work again I really only need a low end server for about 1/2 the
> price since my current machine is more than adequate. And did I really need to spec 500GB of hard disk space? Well
> maybe the dual proc will be useful running SQL server but I can't imagine I really need it for dev work. Hum better buy
> the machine quick before I realize I don't really need it.
>
LOL :)

--


boB

The Roaming Gnome
Don't Forget Your Hat

Flying FS2002/4 in Texas

P4
2.66G
512 Ram
Ti4200-128
__________________________________________________ _______________________
Bob, Gabriella, Kuma, Chica, Balto, Blitz, Gussie, Costa and Tiger
Kempner, Central Texas
__________________________________________________ _______________________