MS FS 2004 for Christmas...but the Kings are like some cruel lump of coal in the stocking :-)

Got a copy of MS flight simulator 2004 for Christmas. Thought it was very
cool, especially when I discovered Rod Machado is part of the
package...but...why, why Bill Gates do you torment people with the likes of
John and Martha King? Why? What did anyone do to deserve such punishment?
In an obvious (and commendable) effort to provide a ton of great flying
lesson type stuff and promote GA, why force the Kings upon innocent people
(and pilots who like the SW). Ahhhhhh!

Ok, I feel better. Sorry for the rant...well, not really :-) Obviously, I
can't stand the two of them. If you can strip away the corny not funny lame
forced "humor", what they have to say is great. Ah, but at least I can skip
any Video segments where the two of them are involved.

Ok, some serious questions for folks who use the softwa

What brand/model joystick have you used and how do you rate it? I have a
cheap one that somebody gave me and I want to upgrade to a nicer one, just
looking for any suggestions as to what has/hasn't worked for folks.

Any instrument students/pilots gone through the instrument lessons? I'm
planning to...as soon as I tire of flying the 747 out of my 6000 ft. local
airport, flying under bridges, etc. :-)

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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