Fun and Double Fun

There is something different in FSX compared to FS9: "terrain following", where in slew mode and on the ground you can stick to the ground, more or less. In FS9 slewing on the ground will go uphill but not down. In FSX you can go up and down. The point is that you can find a highway, drop to ground level, get on it and drive along with the traffic. Move along with the traffic or race past at fantastic speeds.

I set my autogen to sparce and 15% traffic and maintain about 17fps. Use your joystick to move forward or back to stop and reverse by pushing the stick forward or back and turn by twisting (I have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro). You don't need to worry about colliding with anythng since you are in slew mode. But it is tricky staying on the road if it twists and turns. Pick a plane, use a 2D panel and use the W key so you have a clear unobstucted view of the road, ie no gauges.

The gray roads in FSX seem to be real routes and going from one place to another is instructive, especially through some of the National park areas where there are mountains. One scary road trip I took once was out of Yellowstone going east on highway 14 from Yellowstone Lake through the trecherous Sylvan Pass. It was snowing and the roadway was narrow and winding. Going off the road meant a deep plunge to ones death.

In FSX you could start at Yellowstone Lake, N14 30 33, W110 16 43, and proceed Heading 154. Don't try to go to fast since it gets pretty bumpy and it may be hard to stay on the roadway. There is no traffic on this road, but the going is tough anyway.

The double fun is to do this with 3D glasses.

MS has provided us with a crude way to simulate driving in a car, and the whole world to drive in. The trees, mountains and lakes are a joy to see at ground level. Try this. It can be a different and exciting adventure.

Jim Jones