restarting instrument flying

"Matthew S. Whiting" wrote in message ...

Flight sim is probably a great idea for scan and procedures development.
I've never used it before. Any recommendations as to what hardware to
use for joystick, etc.? Christmas is just around the corner after all
... :-)

Matthew, I'm not really the right person to ask since I'm not
"Simmer Gurl", but FWIW we have a CH Products Flightsim yoke and
rudder pedals. They seem to be OK. I keep the yoke well lubed
up with silicon. I have a file of suggestions for settings someone
shared w/ me which made a significant difference. I can email
them if you like.

Another significant difference was a plane with a more realistic
flight model than the MSFS defaults. There are several available
for free and perhaps if you speak your pref (high or low wing) someone
will speak up. Perhaps FS2004 is better in this regard, I don't know.
Haven't gone there yet.

Another way we've gone is playing with X-Plane. Haven't played
enough but to say that it seems as advertised: less eye-candy and
better flight model, but more computer expertise needed to set it
up and get it working.

Anyway, I make a point of flying the full approach or from a
published transition but with the same checklists or procedures
I use in the plane. It helps.

FWIW,
Sydney

Guys

you may wish to check this out
http://www.projectmagenta.com/products/ifrpanel.html

Its SUPERB as an addon to FS2004 ..the gauges are as smooth as the real
thing..its an IFR panel only , and the gauges are also pretty much life
size..HIGHLY recommended for IFR currency ....currently in Piper and Cessna
format
Its particularly good running on a second pc or monitor with FS on the first

Cheers

Bill Padley
London