MS flight Simulator and the future of map building

[Caliga]

Someone on Reddit came across the NOAA P-3 while doing it with Live Traffic on.

Awesome.

[Valmy]

Anyone here tried storm chasing?
Apparently quite a fad with the incoming hurricane.

Can you go see Laura or are these computer generated random storms?

[MadBurgerMaker]

Can you go see Laura or are these computer generated random storms?

They're the actual thing, as long as Live Weather is on and working.

[FunkMonk]

For those of us with absolute scrubcore pity machines, this guy goes over some Windows and graphics tweaks that seem pretty useful to increase your FPS in this FPS-destroying game.

https://youtu.be/CKVhyOZaUcU

[Syt]

Took a flight from Veracruz to Villa Hermosa. I gladly admit I'm into this game mostly for the sightseeing and visuals.

[Berkut]

How are the actual flight mechanics and such as a simulation along with the aircraft controls?

Could this be used a poor mans trainer for actually learning how to get a private pilots license?

[HisMajestyBOB]

How are the actual flight mechanics and such as a simulation along with the aircraft controls?

Could this be used a poor mans trainer for actually learning how to get a private pilots license?

The previous version of MS Flight Simulator (FSX) is apparently really good and is used by actual pilots for practice (though with some of the many add-ons, I think), though I doubt its sufficient for getting a license. I've been going through it the past few days following this guys videos (first part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w13N40mAsPg) and it helps with teaching the basic concepts.

[Tamas]

I think I am supposed to fly under 100% realism but with some aids. What is suspect is that I do not have any aids for landing (apart from the virtual approach line displayed) and my planes suspiciously survive my terrible landings

[MadBurgerMaker]

It's good for giving you an idea of procedures and stuff, and you could probably use it for generally learning the area before actually going there, but it's not like really doing it.  Not *really.*  There's a lack of feedback that makes some things more difficult IMO too, like trimming it (this is very irritating for me in game) and actual flying parts like the time to rotate or that last...100ish feet before you touch down.  Then again, you CAN navigate from another city to fly a 747 into your house like a meteor and still be a-okay, so the trim thing is easy to get over.

E:  To be clear, I've only flown the 152 and 172 IRL, so that's what I'm going by.

I finally went back to DKR to land on it and discovered a....rather distracting graphical bug:



The turf is hovering over the field.  I also forgot to pull back on the stick while mashing the brakes, so the grounds crew has a little extra work to do. 

[HisMajestyBOB]

The tall grass adds a a new element of strategy to the game: stealth and ambush. And it also camouflages you from kamikaze aircraft 

[Syt]

Flew from Villa Hermosa to Campeche today. I think I might slowly make my way along the cities of Sid Meier's Pirates.

[MadBurgerMaker]

The tall grass adds a a new element of strategy to the game: stealth and ambush. And it also camouflages you from kamikaze aircraft 

  Might slow the game down a little too much though.  Linebackers trying to cut through the grass with machetes before the opposing RB expedition navigates their way to the correct endzone while making sure they don't run out of supplies along the way.

[MadBurgerMaker]

You guys fly in the Andes yet?  ATC gets a little weird with all the altitude changes, but it looks cool at least:



There's a mountain under there..

[katmai]

Anyone tries flying up here?

[celedhring]

The tall grass adds a a new element of strategy to the game: stealth and ambush. And it also camouflages you from kamikaze aircraft 

  Might slow the game down a little too much though.  Linebackers trying to cut through the grass with machetes before the opposing RB expedition navigates their way to the correct endzone while making sure they don't run out of supplies along the way.

Add the rushers ambushing the pocket with blowguns and jungle football already sounds better than the real thing.