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#1
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MS FS 2004 ---minimum equipment for IFR
I just got my PPL and heard from some ATP rated friends that using MS FS 2004 could help a bit for getting down some of the navigation techniques for IFR. I figure for $50 that is about 25 minutes in a IFR GPS equipped plane. What is the minimum equipment *really* required to use MS FS 2004? Right now I have a new Dell Latitude laptop. I have a mouse and that is about it. Joysticks? Foot pedals (cost?)? I don't want it to replace flight since I can just get in a real plane but I have heard from many people that it is quite good. I want it more for the instrument training. I have no idea about this since the last MS FS I had was back when I had an IBM PC jr. (no joke). replies will be directed to: rec.aviation.simulators. Gerald Sylvester |
#2
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Minimum? I'll let some one else answer that.
But make this mental note: Somehow Microsoft released FS2004 to match the state of the art in personal computing on the very month it was released. In other words, to be able to "max all the slider to the right" and have it run well, would require the purchase of everything that was new at that minute. i.e. 3 Ghz processor, PC3200 ram, and a $199.00 to $499.00 graphics card. Many of us spent upwards of $700 to upgrade our computers for this $50 program. As you start to slide the settings to the left you can make it run on older equipment. The trade off is a loss of realism in weather and out the window detail. That said, I'll let everyone else fill in the details. Dallas Oh, personal opinion: Using FS2004 as a PCATD would seem to require rudder pedals. "Gerald Sylvester" wrote in message link.net... I just got my PPL and heard from some ATP rated friends that using MS FS 2004 could help a bit for getting down some of the navigation techniques for IFR. I figure for $50 that is about 25 minutes in a IFR GPS equipped plane. What is the minimum equipment *really* required to use MS FS 2004? Right now I have a new Dell Latitude laptop. I have a mouse and that is about it. Joysticks? Foot pedals (cost?)? I don't want it to replace flight since I can just get in a real plane but I have heard from many people that it is quite good. I want it more for the instrument training. I have no idea about this since the last MS FS I had was back when I had an IBM PC jr. (no joke). replies will be directed to: rec.aviation.simulators. Gerald Sylvester |
#3
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"Dallas" wrote in message nk.net... Minimum? I'll let some one else answer that. You'll need at least six inches but the way Nomen is talking about you, I doubt that you have an inch. Christ, even Dallas is probably better qualified than you. *PLONK Dashi |
#4
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On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 05:11:55 GMT, Gerald Sylvester
wrote: I just got my PPL and heard from some ATP rated friends that using MS FS 2004 could help a bit for getting down some of the navigation techniques for IFR. I figure for $50 that is about 25 minutes in a IFR GPS equipped plane. What is the minimum equipment *really* required to use MS FS 2004? Right now I have a new Dell Latitude laptop. I have a mouse and that is about it. Joysticks? Foot pedals (cost?)? I don't want it to replace flight since I can just get in a real plane but I have heard from many people that it is quite good. I want it more for the instrument training. I have no idea about this since the last MS FS I had was back when I had an IBM PC jr. (no joke). replies will be directed to: rec.aviation.simulators. Gerald Sylvester Try Microsoft.public.simulators or rec.aviation.simulators as you'll get more technical replies but include your laptop spec. My 1.5GHz Homebuilt PC is good for FS2004 (frame rates near 20's) but the 1.3GHz Compaq N115 does not have a fast enough video card (frame rate around 5) and is useless. Can only run FS98 with any realism! Either are progs useful for IFR practice. David David Piper Warrior G-BHJO Scotland, UK E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot |
#5
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Good advice but it's wasted on a moron like Sylvester and his crony Dallas!
With an idiot like that flying an aircraft it would be a good idea to take up sailing. Dashi wrote in message ... On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 05:11:55 GMT, Gerald Sylvester wrote: Try Microsoft.public.simulators or rec.aviation.simulators as you'll get more technical replies but include your laptop spec. My 1.5GHz Homebuilt PC is good for FS2004 (frame rates near 20's) but the 1.3GHz Compaq N115 does not have a fast enough video card (frame rate around 5) and is useless. Can only run FS98 with any realism! Either are progs useful for IFR practice. David David Piper Warrior G-BHJO Scotland, UK E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot |
#6
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Dashi,
Do you have me confused with someone else? If not, I would be interested to find out why you are saying things like this about me. Dallas "Dashi" wrote in message ... Good advice but it's wasted on a moron like Sylvester and his crony Dallas! |
#7
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My mistake, sorry Dallas.
Dashi "Dallas" wrote in message nk.net... Dashi, Do you have me confused with someone else? If not, I would be interested to find out why you are saying things like this about me. Dallas "Dashi" wrote in message ... Good advice but it's wasted on a moron like Sylvester and his crony Dallas! |
#8
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Accepted.
Thanks for responding. Dallas "Dashi" wrote in message ... My mistake, sorry Dallas. Dashi "Dallas" wrote in message nk.net... Dashi, Do you have me confused with someone else? If not, I would be interested to find out why you are saying things like this about me. Dallas "Dashi" wrote in message ... Good advice but it's wasted on a moron like Sylvester and his crony Dallas! |
#9
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"Gerald Sylvester" wrote in message
link.net I just got my PPL and heard from some ATP rated friends that using MS FS 2004 could help a bit for getting down some of the navigation techniques for IFR. In my experience, MSFS is good for that and instrument scan (once you understand proper scanning techniques). The feel isn't quite right for a good substitute for actual flight even with a yoke and pedals, so you're right not to expect it to replace flight time. I use it with nothing more than a force feedback joystick (mine's a MS Sidewinder 2). Assuming your laptop can handle the graphics and has a USB port for a USB-based joystick, you should be OK. Spend some time with an instructor in a FRASCA or other training simulator to learn the basics of instrument scan and basic instrument techniques before dedicating a lot of time to MSFS. Otherwise, you may learn a lot of bad habits from MSFS that you'll have to spend money unlearning in the plane. -- John T http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer ____________________ |
#10
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Gerald:
The benefit of MSFS for IFR training is not so much the aircraft and controls but learning the scan of instruments, working the avionics (vor for victor airways and ILS, adf & dme, gps, etc) and getting familiar with the process. Start doing the IFR stuff with VMC mode (see where you're going) then go to IMC mode when you want more challenge. I'm using a joystick, no big deal. If I want to practice with an airplane, I go out to the airport. When practicing IFR I really don't care that much about the handling characteristics of the aircraft (other than making sure I meet the correct speeds without crashing). Remember, for IFR practice, the goal is scan and avionics. Then when you get into the aircraft, you're comfy with that. But make sure you have a correct/good scan! |
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