Flight Simulator for Real Pilots

Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?

I have used MS Flight Sim and IFR OnTop programs.. not so much for the
"stick and rudder" IFR cross checks.. but I use them to study / practice
difficult IFR approaches, radio set up, turns and headings... etc.. I set it
up and let the autopilot fly the approach, or I command heading changes..
while working the radio stack and HSI/VOR intercept problems..

my set up does not allow me to "log the time" for currency.. but it does
prepare me for the sessions in the local flight school FRASCA 142 IFR
simulator. That way I get more out of the SIM.

BT

"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
om...
Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?

I use it quite a bit to practice emergency stuff. I have flights saved in
my local practice area, and on final to my airport to practice things like
spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.


"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
om...
Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?

"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
. com...
Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?


I frequently practice using FS2004 and a few days ago renewed my IMC
rating (UK basic IFR). After it was all over I said I had not flown at
al for 2 months so was out of practice. The CFI said 'whatever I was
doing just keep doing it'.

I use it for some VFR practice too but best for IFR procedures.




E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot

How do you do "spin recoveries"? i.e., how do you get it to spin?

rod
"Yossarian" wrote in message
t...
I use it quite a bit to practice emergency stuff. I have flights saved in
my local practice area, and on final to my airport to practice things like
spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice
heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.


"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
om...
Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?

I can get the 172 to do pretty good spins by stalling and holding full
rudder.

"Rod Madsen" wrote in message
. ..
How do you do "spin recoveries"? i.e., how do you get it to spin?

rod
"Yossarian" wrote in message
t...
I use it quite a bit to practice emergency stuff. I have flights saved
in
my local practice area, and on final to my airport to practice things
like
spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice
heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.


"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
om...
Does anyone here use Microsoft Flight Simulator to help them become a
better pilot? I already know it can be used for fun, but does anyone
use it to help them on their IFR landings, or to become familiar with
their Garmin 430, or what not?

Basically, anyone have any Microfost Flight Simulator tips for actual
pilots?

How do you do "spin recoveries"? i.e., how do you get it to spin?

I've spun a Cub and a Great Lakes Trainer. In both, you stall the
aircraft nose-high, then with the first shudder you stomp on the left
rudder pedal.

In the Lakes, you can also stomp on the right pedal. I assume the same
is true of the Cub, but we aren't allowed to spin them. (That first
spin was with a CFI who taught out of his own rule-book.)


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 08:58:14 +0000, Yossarian wrote:

spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.

What are you using for controllers? I've got the CH Products Yoke and
rudder and this setup with FS9 is the most unrealistic thing I've ever
seen for crosswind practice.

If you're using the same, what are your settings? I've looked for months
to find something usable and finally gave up on anything approaching
reality, and I'd like to. In other words, what did you do to make the 172
fly like a 172?

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:18:52 -0600, "Matthew P. Cummings"
wrote:

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 08:58:14 +0000, Yossarian wrote:

spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.

What are you using for controllers? I've got the CH Products Yoke and
rudder and this setup with FS9 is the most unrealistic thing I've ever
seen for crosswind practice.

If you're using the same, what are your settings? I've looked for months
to find something usable and finally gave up on anything approaching
reality, and I'd like to. In other words, what did you do to make the 172
fly like a 172?

I don't normally fly the default planes. The best that I've found for
spins and slips is the 172 that is available for download and
www.realairsimulations.com. The download is free.
Rich Russell

That is a pretty good 172, thanks. Much less twitchy than the default one.

"Richard Russell" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:18:52 -0600, "Matthew P. Cummings"
wrote:

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 08:58:14 +0000, Yossarian wrote:

spin recovery, engine failures, and go-arounds. I use it to practice
heavy
crosswind takeoffs and landings too.

What are you using for controllers? I've got the CH Products Yoke and
rudder and this setup with FS9 is the most unrealistic thing I've ever
seen for crosswind practice.

If you're using the same, what are your settings? I've looked for months
to find something usable and finally gave up on anything approaching
reality, and I'd like to. In other words, what did you do to make the
172
fly like a 172?

I don't normally fly the default planes. The best that I've found for
spins and slips is the 172 that is available for download and
www.realairsimulations.com. The download is free.
Rich Russell