Screen shots by Simple Missions

Missions are flights programmed by others with specific goals and methods of reaching them. They are excellent ways to practice flight procedures or to just enjoy simulating specific flights.

Simple Missions has released a set of 10 "simple but fun" missions for FSX that include rescues, transports, sightseeing, approaches, and emergencies around the world. Ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, they provide rewards upon completion. These missions are:

• Atlanta Approach
• Air Taxi Flight
• Atlanta Transport
• Flight 985
• Hilton Head Transport
• LAX Approach
• Sightseeing in Rome
• Shark Attack
• Sinking Boat
• Take the CEO

Most of these missions are in the United States. A bonus mission, "Milan Malpesa Approach," is included. It will be among the next volume, "European Approaches," the developer promises.

To choose any of these missions, users go to the FSX Missions Menu, then to the Category pull-down list where they select "Simple FSX Missions Vol 1." A list of the 11 missions appears. All are identified as beginner skill level, even though some involve jet airliners and instrument procedures.

THE MISSIONS
Atlanta Approach: "Your job," the description says, is to do a ILS approach to the Atlanta International Airport (KATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., and land safely on Runway 27R. Using an Airbus A320, this mission begins in cockpit view at 3,500 feet altitude east of Atlanta, heading westward toward the airport.
Air Taxi Flight: Pilots pick up customers at their resort site and take them to the port where their cruise ship is docked. This mission uses a DeHaviland Beaver Float and begins off the coast of the Caribbean island of Saint Maarten, in exterior view.
Atlanta Transport: In this mission, pilots carry passengers from Peachtree Dekalb Airport (KPDK) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., to Whispering Pines Airport (GA80) in Conyers, Georgia, U.S.A. so they can take their two kids to summer camp. The Cessna 172 is on the apron, in 2D cockpit view, with passengers standing in front. This is the only mission that has a briefing.
Flight 985: This is a fictional flight that takes place in Brazil, South America. It begins with a Boeing 737 in cockpit view cruising at 10,000 feet enroute to the City of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Hilton Head Transport: Fly a family from Savannah/Hilton Head Airport (KSAV) in Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A., to Hilton Head (KHXD) on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.A. Using a Beechcraft Baron 55, this mission starts in exterior view on the apron with passengers standing near the aircraft.
LAX Approach: This mission is an approach landing at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. It begins with a Boeing 737 in cockpit view at 5,998 feet altitude, heading 360, at 246 KIAS.
Sightseeing in Rome: Pilots fly a passenger on a tour of the city of Rome. This mission starts with an exterior view of a Cessna 172 on the apron, and it has a person standing next to aircraft.
Shark Attack Victim: Fly a shark-attack victim from Cozumel, Mexico, Airport (MMCZ) to the Cancun, Mexico, airport (MMUN) so the victim can be transported to hospital for treatment. It begins with video of an ambulance driving on airport ramp, replete with sirens. After the video plays, the screen changes to an exterior view of a Learjet 45 from behind.
Sinking Boat: Rescue four people from a sinking boat near the Hawaiian Islands and bring them back to base. This mission begins with a DeHaviland Beaver Float in the water off the coast of Hawaii, ready to take off.
Take the Coca Cola CEO: Fly the chief executive officer of Coca Cola Company from Peachtree Dekalb Airport (KPDK) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., to Guinett County Airport (KLZU) in Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A. It begins with an exterior view of a Learjet 45 on the apron.
Bonus Mission: Milan Malpesa Approach: Do an ILS approach to the Milan Malpensa International Airport (LIMC) in Italy. Using an Airbus A320 of Orbit Airlines, this mission begins in cockpit view over northern Italy at 5,000 feet altitude, heading 040, and airspeed 238 KIAS.
Screen shots by Bill Stack

These missions use multiple objectives to reach their final goals. Typical waypoints include radio navaids and instrument-approach fixes. In missions that begin at airports, such as Savannah to Hilton Head, pilots are led from aprons to the runways, from runways to waypoints enroute, into the approach procedures, then to the destination airports.

All missions rely on three types of instructions: An audio voice describes the missions and provides some instructions. The compass rose in the upper left corner of the screen shows the direction of the next waypoint. The green target arrows towering above show the upcoming waypoints. No written instructions or descriptions are provided, however. Audio also simulates communications between pilots and air traffic control and between pilots and passengers.

Some missions that begin with exterior views switch automatically to cockpit views, but some don't. In the Savannah to Hilton Head mission, for example, which begins with an exterior view, I waited and waited for something to happen after the compass rose appeared, then I assumed that the next step was to switch from outside view to cockpit view and begin the flight.

Technical Features

Simple Missions is for FSX only. System requirements are not specified. All missions worked without burdening my system.

Responses to questions were quick and clear, which bodes well for buyers who have questions about the product.

Readers with technical questions not answered in this review should ask the developer, who is in the best position to answer such questions. Using the links below, go to the Pilot Shop page where the product is listed and described, then click on "Manufacturer Tech Support" in the right column.

The Developer

Simple Missions was created by Max Scarcia as a hobby because "I was tired of flying missions that were almost impossible and would take a very long time to finish." He started making short and simple missions that are fun to fly and that are easy to finish. "I believe that many of Simmers feel the same way about this," he said. Volume 1 is his first project.

Wrapup

These 11 missions are fun to do and different enough to make them interesting. The audio instructions are useful, but some written descriptions would have been helpful. I don't agree that they are all beginner level because some require higher simulation skills. Nonetheless, a lot of planning and work went into these missions, and they are indeed as "simple and fun" as the developer promises.

Bill Stack
billstack@flightsim.com

Learn more about Simple FSX Missions #1.

Bill Stack is author of several books about flight simulation, a regular author in flight-sim magazines, and a contributor to Flight Sim Com. His website is www.topskills.com/flitsim.htm