Very few software titles these days can claim more than 20 years of development but the popular Flight Simulator series from Microsoft does just that. Microsoft Flight Simluator X is in fact the culmination of more than 25 years of product development and the intensity of the Flight Simulator series continues to expand with each new revision.

In the Deluxe Edition of Flight Simulator X, you get 24 aircraft, more than 50 exciting missions with more realism than ever before and the all-new opportunity to test your skills as an air traffic controller in multiplayer mode.

This simulator is big compared to previous versions. It ships on two DVDs and took almost 40 minutes to install. It is a sucker on PC performance and an upgrade is almost certainly on the cards, at least if you plan to take advantage of the graphics on offer. The addition of moving cars on highways is interesting but adds little improvement to the simulator. The developers could have spared some effort to focus more on maintaining performance and frame rates. Many in the flight simulator community are disappointed with the performance delivered on FSX and suggest that it is has been designed almost solely for Windows Vista and Direct X 10, so until this is released you may not get full enjoyment of the package.

I have used the Flight Simulator series since FS95 and I have flown every version since. I also have around 150 hours of real flying experience in light aircraft and Microsoft Flight Simulator helps to improve certain flying skills such as instrument flying and the use of navigation aids.

I think it will be some time before you see Flight Simulator approved in Australia as a real world instruction tool but it is on the cards. Rumours are circulating to suggest that Microsoft will eventually gain Australian CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) approval however I believe that this will only ever work for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training. The developers of critically acclaimed PC flight simulation game X Plane, (www.x-plane.com) have achieved FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approval in the states for the program’s use with a full-cockpit simulation system called Motus. We have it on good authority that Microsoft won’t be too far behind.

However with the included aircraft, their functions are limited, as always. Skilled aviators and real life pilots who want to push more buttons and turn more dials (which are absent from the simulator’s HUD) will continue to use third party aircraft mods and add-ons to get a more realistic experience.

Microsoft have spent time developing more missions for those who like to add a bit more fun and interest to their flying experience. Drop water bombs on targets from the new microlight, or take to the skies at an altitude of 50 feet in your Extra 300S whilst performing daring manoeuvers in the adrenalin pumping Red Bull Air Race.


For:
Huge improvement in graphics, more realistic missions and introduction of Garmin glass cockpits

Against:
You will need to upgrade your PC to take full advantage of the graphics on offer.