IFR Simulators - non-PCATD

I'm getting ready to buy a new PC and want to set it up for a little IFR simulation work. Not looking for a PCATD or anything. I'm thinking the latest version of MS Flt Sim and the appropriate control peripherals. I'm not a gamer - really just looking for a little procedure training.

Looking for HW & SW suggestions.

Anyone remember when MS FS came on one 360k bootable diskette? Jeez!

Heck, I remember when there was a program for the Commodore 64! GRIN

Anyway, I am using OnTop with a CH Products Fllight Sim Yoke with 3
assignable levers (thorttle, prop pitch, mixture... or whatever) with a
plethora of hat, toggle, buttons,,, etc. I like it just fine. I also have
the CH products rudder pedals,but I don't find them that useful practicing
my IFR stuff. My two cents....

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Good Flights!

Cecil E. Chapman, Jr.
PP-ASEL

"We who fly do so for the love of flying.
We are alive in the air with this miracle
that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"

- Cecil Day Lewis-

My personal adventures as a student pilot
and after my PPL: www.bayareapilot.com
"Maule Driver" wrote in message
.com...
I'm getting ready to buy a new PC and want to set it up for a little IFR
simulation work. Not looking for a PCATD or anything. I'm thinking the
latest version of MS Flt Sim and the appropriate control peripherals. I'm
not a gamer - really just looking for a little procedure training.

Looking for HW & SW suggestions.

Anyone remember when MS FS came on one 360k bootable diskette? Jeez!

Cecil E. Chapman wrote:

Anyway, I am using OnTop


Hi Cecil,

What planes does OnTop have, and if you don't mind where
did you buy it and ~cost?

Any comments on the realism of the flight model and what
you feel it does for you vs. "game" sims such as MSFS?

Thanks!
Sydney

I bought it on Ebay and paid $70 bucks for it. It isn't the 'latest'
version it is 7.0 NOT 8.0.

Can't really comment of MSFS comparison, because I don't think that I've
used it enough to give it a fair analysis. Rumour is that MSFS 2004 pro
version will have IFR training features... don't know if this is true,,,,,
just what I've heard.

The choice of the planes is limited, but certainly useful:

My version has; Cessna 172P Skyhawk, C-182R Skylane, C-182R Skylane RG,
Piper PA-28-16/Warrior II, Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow IV, Lancair Columbia 300,
Mooney MSE, Beech Bonanza V35B, Beech Baron 58, Beech 1900.

Hope this helps!

--
--
Good Flights!

Cecil E. Chapman, Jr.
PP-ASEL

"We who fly do so for the love of flying.
We are alive in the air with this miracle
that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"

- Cecil Day Lewis-

My personal adventures as a student pilot
and after my PPL: www.bayareapilot.com
"Sydney Hoeltzli" wrote in message
...
Cecil E. Chapman wrote:

Anyway, I am using OnTop


Hi Cecil,

What planes does OnTop have, and if you don't mind where
did you buy it and ~cost?

Any comments on the realism of the flight model and what
you feel it does for you vs. "game" sims such as MSFS?

Thanks!
Sydney

You might consider X-Plane (www.x-plane.com); though it lacks a fair amount
of the polish that MSFS has, it has an incredibly good flight model and for
IFR work, the smoothest flight instrument movements of any PC sim out there,
even on my paltry 600 MHz PIII! No needle stutter whatsoever, and to watch
the CDI needle come off the peg and center in such fluidity is quite
impressive!. X-plane 7 is available now, its C-172 is better than
Microsofts, IMHO.

"Maule Driver" wrote in message
.com...
I'm getting ready to buy a new PC and want to set it up for a little IFR
simulation work. Not looking for a PCATD or anything. I'm thinking the
latest version of MS Flt Sim and the appropriate control peripherals. I'm
not a gamer - really just looking for a little procedure training.

Looking for HW & SW suggestions.

Anyone remember when MS FS came on one 360k bootable diskette? Jeez!

Aloft ) wrote:

the smoothest flight instrument movements of any PC sim out there,
even on my paltry 600 MHz PIII! No needle stutter whatsoever, and to watch
the CDI needle come off the peg and center in such fluidity is quite
impressive!.

Really! Now if only my C172's gauges could be that smooth when flying in
turbulent or very wet air.

--
Peter