FS2000 is a dream to any true flight sim enthusiasts.

I am a young bush pilot from Anchorage Alaska - 18 years of age. I have flown all my life with my father who has been a bush and commercial pilot for many years. I have a great idea of what Alaska has to offer in terms of weather, land and terrain. I have recently acquired the new FS and was absolutely amazed with the whole program. I of course went right to Alaska to the Anchorage International Airport - RWY 6R. From the moment of getting in the cockpit of the King air and looking out to the horizon I was in shock with the realness of the experience thus far. The terrain of the Anchorage hillside to the east was breathtaking. The mountains were about as close to the real thing as a person could design. Wow, "this cannot really be happening" was the sense about me for the first flight. I took off of 6R and proceeded east towards the outstanding scenery. I was very curious to look around and see the outlying terrain. The water around Anchorage in terms of the Cook inlet and off to the west was amazing. I could not believe my eyes the first look. Fire Island straight west off the end of 24L and R was in the exact spot along with the Alaska Range and sleeping beauty in the background.

After flying in the Anchorage area for a while I decided to look to the northeast towards Palmer and Wasilla. I found on the way that the roads and terrain were close to perfect in terms of placement. All the little airports on the way were in there respective spots along Cook Inlet. Birchwood, Goose Bay, Palmer, etc., they were all there as well. I have not yet been able to venture too far north to Denali due to a time shortage. I am a ski jumper with the US Ski Team and am currently in Kuopio, Finland starting the season. My dream flightsim is at home 11 hours time difference away. So as far as the FS2000, I am very excited and looking forward to venture all throughout Alaska and the States to enjoy the breath taking scenery and features that the new FS2000 has to offer.

I would like to comment on one more thing that I think made FS2000 what it is. The new weather and precipitation options are a flightsim dream. The realness of the clouds and the precipitation is breathtaking to experience on a computer. The next thing that Microsoft should do is add some smaller bush planes such as Cessna, DeHavilland, and Piper outfitted with the option of floats or skis rather than the standard wheels for those light plane enthusiasts. The heavy jets are great, don't get me wrong, but I feel that there needs to be a little more variety. As for one last comment, the snow is absolutely outstanding for what it does. They should show the snow building up on the surface, on the ground and airplanes if not even in motion. So with that said, thanks to Peter at FlightSim.Com, I have had the pleasure of talking with him about this outstanding product, and bring this review to the curious new owner and or soon-to-be-owner of Flight Simulator 2000.

Alan Alborn