Flight simulator software

ladymarmalade222

My son is nearly 12 years old but is quite sensible for his age. He has had a quite intense interest in aviation since he was about 3.

He spent quite a few years in hospital when he was young and I can remember sneaking him out the hospital to take him to the airport for a couple of hours then.

He knows every model of plane and has apps on his ipod tracking which flights are coming in etc.

Lately he has mentioned flight simulator software and equipment to go with it. I have had a quick look but there is so much out there and I do not want to make a costly mistake as it is quite expensive.

I would be grateful for some advice of flight simulator software and joysticks/paddles etc which would be of use for somebody his age. Also ideas of how much I should be spending initially to start him off, obviously it will be birthday/xmas presents.

Looks like I better start saving for his flying lessons:rotfl:

Many Thanks in advance

Stooby2

Microsoft Flight Simulator is not a bad option and has a shed load of options, bolt-ons etc so you can endlessly change it.

It's £8.49 on Play.com at the moment

http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/1124932/817311925/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-X/ListingDetails.html?_$ja=tsid:13315|cat:1124932|prd:1124932

ladymarmalade222

I will have a look at that. Do you think a 12 yr old would be able to use it or is it extremely technical. He is really bright for his age.

What about the bits that you need for working the software? Joystick? Paddles etc. Does anybody have experience of those?

Many thanks for answering my questions:)

xxx

JJ_Egan

Google for MS flight simulator forums . Might be a bit more info on them .A 12 year old will have no problems using the software .

jje

Jamie_Carter

ladymarmalade222 wrote: »

I will have a look at that. Do you think a 12 yr old would be able to use it or is it extremely technical. He is really bright for his age.

You will probably find that at 12 years old he will be far more able to cope with the technical side than adults will. After all many parents have had to ask their children for help over the years when setting up video recorders, computers, microwaves, etc...

interstellaflyer

A good start if he just wants to have some fun and perhaps start his journey in to aviation by trying RC would be Phoenix 4, not cheap but comes with a decent controller, I fly RC planes and the Phoenix flight sim is highly recommended by club instructors. Get your son out to a big RC show or to a local club, far better than sitting in front of a computer screen and if your son wants a career in aviation then building and flying RC models will make a good start, I know a few young lads that have gone on to careers in aviation through their interest in RC models and the skills they developed.

closed

https://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/

https://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulatorx/

ladymarmalade222

Thank you all so much, I have just joined the forum mentioned above and they were all so helpful. I have come to believe that MS Flight Simulator X is the ideal software for him and they have recommended a reasonable priced joystick. (Logitech Attack 3).

It is also the software you all suggested too.

I believe that the tutorials on the software is quite good so should be ok for him.

I have decided to treat him to the software and joystick to start him off as a reward. He has just received level 6 results in his SAT's which is amazing due to the amount of school he missed when he was poorly. He has only had 60% of schooling compared to his classmates so I am so proud.

I am happy to support his aviation interests all the way but am dreading him asking for flying lessons in a few years:rotfl:

Thank you once again

xxx

Tiexen

for a little more "fun" you could try this for £2.50

http://store.steampowered.com/app/95900/?snr=1_7_15__13

sickparrot

I was well into flight sims a few years ago, never saw the need for expensive hardware add-ons, a decent joystick with a few programmable buttons suited me fine.

There are a few software add-ons which I consider essential however.
1. A traffic pack, basically fills the skies with scheduled flights by proper airline companies.
2. A proper fully simulated airliner, with a proper flight management system to get your head around, I used to love the 737 pilot-in-command from Just Flight but there are even better one available.
3. Elevation data, it's built into the sim already but there are add-ons to make it more accurate which improves the visuals even if you don't replace the ground textures (which is another optional add-on I would consider).
4. Radar Contact or a similar Air Traffic Control program, works much better than the default.

Oh, and time, lots of it. If he's 3/4 the way through a flight to New York, don't start hassling him to go to bed or something.

ladymarmalade222

sickparrot wrote: »

I was well into flight sims a few years ago, never saw the need for expensive hardware add-ons, a decent joystick with a few programmable buttons suited me fine.

There are a few software add-ons which I consider essential however.
1. A traffic pack, basically fills the skies with scheduled flights by proper airline companies.
2. A proper fully simulated airliner, with a proper flight management system to get your head around, I used to love the 737 pilot-in-command from Just Flight but there are even better one available.
3. Elevation data, it's built into the sim already but there are add-ons to make it more accurate which improves the visuals even if you don't replace the ground textures (which is another optional add-on I would consider).
4. Radar Contact or a similar Air Traffic Control program, works much better than the default.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

So can all these add on's be purchased at a later date once I get the Microsoft Flight Simulator X disc. I have been advised to get Gold Edition. Are all add on's compatible with this program?

As you can tell, this is all very new to me. I am hoping if I get him a decent joystick (I have been looking at Saitek X52) and the software it will feed his enthusiasm for quite a while.

Thanks again.

xxx