Best Soaring Flight Sim?

Thanks to everyone for the great info regarding plans-built gliders. I'm
still doing some research, hopefully will find something soon.

In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a good PC flight simulator
progam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of "Soaring Flight
Simulator" and it seems pretty impressive, but before I part with the $70
registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your opinions.

I also have Microsoft FS 2000. Would it be worth the upgrade to 2004? Is
there a way to make it a better, more realistic, soaring sim?

Questions, questions. Someday I'll have answers to share too.

Thanks!

Curt

[remove parentheses from (@) in address to reply directly]

I haven't tried SFS but people whose opinion I value, like it a lot.

I have tried X-Plane with several of the add-in gliders. I really like the
flight dynamics model of X-Plane and feel it is very close to the actual
handling of the gliders available.

A lot depends on the input hardware you use. A good stick and pedals are
required. A throttle adapted to serve as the spoiler handle helps a lot
too.

One neat thing about X-Plane is that it there is a lot of scalability in
that the sim can grow to a near professional simulator. It is FAA approved
for those Part 61 training tasks that can be done in a simulator.

I have been asking for a USB pneumatic signal generator that can turn the
sim's virtual pitot/static/TE pressures into real ones so that real glider
instruments can be used in a home sim cockpit. I have a dream of yanking
the panel out of the glider and fitting it to a home cockpit with the sim
generating the outside views - great for snowy winter evenings. I hear one
may be in the works.

Bill Daniels

"Eggs" wrote in message
t...
Thanks to everyone for the great info regarding plans-built gliders. I'm
still doing some research, hopefully will find something soon.

In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a good PC flight
simulator
progam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of "Soaring Flight
Simulator" and it seems pretty impressive, but before I part with the $70
registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your opinions.

I also have Microsoft FS 2000. Would it be worth the upgrade to 2004? Is
there a way to make it a better, more realistic, soaring sim?

Questions, questions. Someday I'll have answers to share too.

Thanks!

Curt

[remove parentheses from (@) in address to reply directly]

"Eggs" wrote in message
t...

In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a good PC flight
simulator
progam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of "Soaring Flight
Simulator" and it seems pretty impressive, but before I part with the $70
registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your opinions.

It all depends on what you want the flight simulator for. If you just
want to have fun and perhaps learn a little about flight management and
procedures, or even play with different virtual glider designs, then go for
it. If learning to fly is your goal, then go spend your time and money on
real flying and forget the sim.

I recognize that there are many here that vigorously disagree, but I
have to go with my own experience, both at being a student and an
instructor.

Vaughn

Try-
http://virtualsoaring.org/index.html


At 20:06 14 September 2003, Eggs wrote:
Thanks to everyone for the great info regarding plans-built
gliders. I'm
still doing some research, hopefully will find something
soon.

In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a
good PC flight simulator
progam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of
'Soaring Flight
Simulator' and it seems pretty impressive, but before
I part with the $70
registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your
opinions.

I also have Microsoft FS 2000. Would it be worth the
upgrade to 2004? Is
there a way to make it a better, more realistic, soaring
sim?

Questions, questions. Someday I'll have answers to
share too.

Thanks!

Curt

[remove parentheses from (@) in address to reply directly]

I highly recommend the SFS PC. It stand for Soaring Flight Simulator.
Before I was introduced to it by a well know soaring personality, I had
dismissed a PC based simulator.

This software provides the feel, visuals and technical input to be a real
adjunct to live training. In fact in Germany some clubs use this simulator
in parallel.

I have used it in contest mode many times , as well as for ridge flying.

It is a joy to fly this simulator and once or twice a week for 1 1/2 hours
each, I am able to take my mind off things and enjoy myself.

It is useful to keep sharp in the off season as well

SFS software is written by contest soaring pilots.

I have since used other soaring specific simulators and SFS is the best in
my opinion.

It is important to have the best joystick possible.
I use the MS Force Feedback 2. All the functions can be programmed on to the
stick and base.
Flap and trim 4 buttons on the base.
as well as spoilers ( throttle control)
Head switch and reset buttons,
water dump, cable release
landing gear all on the stick.

The Force feed back stick will allow you to feel when the landing gear comes
up or down.
or when the air frame start shaking ( over speeding) the sound adds an extra
dimension.
Regards
Udo

In article ,
says...
I highly recommend the SFS PC. It stand for Soaring Flight Simulator.
Before I was introduced to it by a well know soaring personality, I had
dismissed a PC based simulator.

This software provides the feel, visuals and technical input to be a real
adjunct to live training. In fact in Germany some clubs use this simulator
in parallel.

Does it simulate motorglider power operations in anyway? Self-
launchers can be complex to operate, and something like this might be
a good review before the season starts.
--
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

I have not explored the Motor Gliding side of the program.
I will try the DG 800 which is provided and let you know how it will work.
Udo


Does it simulate motorglider power operations in anyway? Self-
launchers can be complex to operate, and something like this might be
a good review before the season starts.
--
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

If you haven't tried Sailors of the Sky(www.sailorsofthesky.com)
yet, then you definatly should. Good flight dynamics
and glider handling. More included glider types (18)
than any other glider sim. Includes an editor to easily
create more. In fact, about 10 additional gliders
have already been built by people other than the program
designer. Comes with 4 soaring sites (Minden, Kufstein,
Ocana & Mafikeng) with the full version. Includes
a terrain editor to create new sceneries. In fact,
several have already been created by others. Finally,
it is currenlty the only Glider Sim that allows for
multiplayer flying across the internet. This includes
both pleasure and competitions. There is an active
multiplayer and competition community which has formed.
Check it out.Later!-MarkAt 20:06 14 September 2003, Eggs wrote:Thanks to everyone for the great info regarding plans-built
gliders. I'mstill doing some research, hopefully will find something
soon.In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a
good PC flight simulatorprogam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of
'Soaring FlightSimulator' and it seems pretty impressive, but before
I part with the $70registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your
opinions.I also have Microsoft FS 2000. Would it be worth the
upgrade to 2004? Isthere a way to make it a better, more realistic, soaring
sim?Questions, questions. Someday I'll have answers to
share too.Thanks!Curt[remove parentheses from (@) in address to reply directly]

Eric,
The DG800 M works as I would expect a motor glider to behave under power.
I took off under own power landed with power and did a few retract and
extent cycles.
All in all very impressive.
Udo
Does it simulate motorglider power operations in anyway? Self-
launchers can be complex to operate, and something like this might be
a good review before the season starts.
Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 20:42:32 GMT, "Vaughn"
wrote:


"Eggs" wrote in message
et...

In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a good PC flight
simulator
progam for soaring? I've loaded the trial version of "Soaring Flight
Simulator" and it seems pretty impressive, but before I part with the $70
registration fee, I thought I'd ask you gurus for your opinions.

It all depends on what you want the flight simulator for. If you just
want to have fun and perhaps learn a little about flight management and
procedures, or even play with different virtual glider designs, then go for
it. If learning to fly is your goal, then go spend your time and money on
real flying and forget the sim.

I recognize that there are many here that vigorously disagree, but I
have to go with my own experience, both at being a student and an
instructor.


I'll second that. I have SFS 3 (but then my PC is too slow for SFS 4
and has no OpenGL support). I thought SFS 3 was a fine sim and even
bought pedals for it. However, I haven't touched it since being about
half way to solo for two good reasons:

- no glider simulator can give realistic all round views and won't
until there's a good VR helmet available. Looking through the
'letterbox' and flipping it round with the coolie hat is no
substitute.

- no butt feel

That said, the BGA have a demo booth that's the front half of a two
seater (G 103?) with a projection screen for forward view and the
instruments projected onto a blank instrument panel. It uses SFS4,
connected to the original stick and pedals. That means that the trim
must work too. Dunno about the air brake. I saw it in decidedly
sub-optimal lighting conditions, but it seemed to work quite well.


--
martin@ : Martin Gregorie
gregorie : Harlow, UK
demon :
co : Zappa fan & glider pilot
uk :