Next month I am going to upgrade from my bespoke, original Pentium 4, 3GB Ram with a half decent graphics card to a more dedicated 'Games Machine' computer. Ironically the only game I want to play on it is Microsoft Flight Simulator! At first, thinking about, the idea of buying a decent, beefed up computer for the sole purpose of playing ONE game doesn't sound like the best of investments does it? Exactly, I agree. Looking slightly below the surface the true value of having the ability to play, or 'operate' possibly the best value for money and easily accessible flight simulation software in your own home comes to light.
Before my current computer stopped 'shining' in the performance stakes, I used Microsoft Flight Simulator as a key part of my pre flight planning ritual. As a student pilot one of the things my CFI told me was, "when planning a flight, make sure you have flown it [the flight] in your head prior to actually getting airborne". This made complete sense to me. Still true today, before each flight, whether I am in the car or sitting on the sofa I fly each flight in my head! Radio calls, checklists, departure, zone transits, arrival all the way to landing gets acted out with an Oscar winning performance. Qualified pilots don't always continue certain practices that are drummed into them during initial training into their post-qualifying flying, but this 'Mind Flying' works for me. Taking this further, before flying to a new destination I used Microsoft Flight Simulator to fly the route, approach and landing at the new field. This helped tremendously with seeing the runway orientation on approach to the new airfield. When flown for real there would be no surprises, or at least reduce the level of potential surprises!!
I know that there are other simulator software titles out there, X Plane being one of them, but I tend to stick to what I have tried and tested. Also the amount of expansion packs available for Microsoft Flight Simulator is second to none.
I am looking forward to upgrading and getting back up into a virtual sky near you!
Have Fun!!
Flight Acceleration X-pack enables gamers to play head to head against their friends or others in exciting racing missions, in addition to 20 new missions and new content. Looks better than ever with enhanced DX10 graphics!Price: $39.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
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