Other Features

Aircraft:

The 7 aircraft of Pro Pilot 99 have been totally reworked and refined. These include:

The aircraft have movable surfaces and are equipped for IFR and VFR flight. They have external strobe, taxi and landing lights. Sound effects are from the actual aircraft.

Flight Planning & Grading

If you remember subLOGIC's ATP, you have an idea about the thinking behind the design of flight planning. Flight planning can be automatic via a wizard, which can then be customized. Experienced aviators can select instrument approach procedures. Flight planning analyzes about 25 parameters, including airmanship, efficiency, and safety.

As the pilot 'departs' from the plan, he will be prompted concerning the nature of his transgression (example: "Remain in airspace"), which will have a detrimental effect to his overall score. The same flight plan can be reflown with the intent of achieving a better score (and a becoming a better pilot). A co-pilot can be of assistance, or you can solo cross country, which seems to give additional challenge for the solo pilot.

Tutorial AVIs >(Multimedia Instruction)>

>Those totally unfamiliar with flying are encouraged to spend their first hour exploring the six introductory tutorials. Upon completion, one will be flying a Skyhawk 172R without opening a handbook or manual. A total of 30 tutorial AVIs cover flight concepts, cockpit panels, flight maneuvers, radio communications, emergency procedures, and more. The AVIs (as well as the operator's handbook and checklists) are also accessible while you are in sim mode.>

>FAA test preparation software is also included.>

>Post Mortem>

>>Give the same problem to any number of companies to solve, and you will always discover that each company will solve those problems with individualism unique to the team. It is always better when each company adopts the best practices (open architecture, for example) of each, but works not to copy the other.>>

>The result for the end user is a richer variety of flight experience. Pro Pilot should go into beta test by September. An upgrade for previous Pro Pilot users is planned in the $20.00 range. Specific pricing and availability can be found at Sierra's website. I hope most readers will be sufficiently curious about Pro Pilot 2000 to give it a serious evaluation, and support the ongoing work of these people.
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