How do you keep FSX interesting?

[Davecook]

One of the things I enjoy about FS is downloading a new aircraft and reading the history of that aircraft from the notes that the author has included - AF Scrubs does some great models with copious notes on the aircraft's development. I have been in this business for over 40 years but there is always something more to learn. Then, once I have downloaded the aircraft, I do a Screenshot storyboard. Not just a series of pretty pictures but build a story to recreate a moment in that aircraft's history, like the Canadian Beaufighters' 'Black Friday' raid or the B17's missions over Germany. It is a sad fact to remember that the greatest spur to the development of aerospace has been conflict and our industry is built on the shoulders of those from all sides who gave their lives during countless wars. We have a duty to remember them.

[ScatterbrainKid]

...I DO NOT have ANY 'payware'...

 

Right, default stand-alone FSX is so beautiful that the only addons I've bought is a vintage Junkers W33 and a strip of southern england photoscenery..:)

 

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I've got loads of freeware planes such as this Fieseler Storch (in Swiss colours), it's fun squeezing it into very short fields..:)

That soccer pitch just in front of the nose in Central Park looks interesting..

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-storchA_zpscab49c19.jpg~original

 

 

Looking good..

(The 3 readouts at top of screen are Altitude/Airspeed/Heading, it's a little thing I added with the help of forum hotshots because it's easier to read than the smaller default datastrip, I do nearly all my flying in external view like this because it's prettier eye candy than being cooped up in a cockpit)-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-storchB_zps96e572a4.jpg~original

 

 

Piece o' cake, the Storch can land on a sixpence anywhere..

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-storchC_zpsdbb164dd.jpg~original

 

 

A square sixpence, the flat roof of that skyscraper-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-storchD_zps4829d1a5.jpg~original

 

 

Phew, the Storch stops just short of the edge, helped by a 15-knot headwind, big barn door flaps and me standing on the brakes..

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-storchE_zpsddc50dbf.jpg~original

[ScatterbrainKid]

...our industry is built on the shoulders of those from all sides who gave their lives during countless wars. We have a duty to remember them.

 

Yes and thanks to flight sims we can "fly" their aircraft, like this freeware FSX B-25..:)

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub4/FSX-b25.gif~original

[alverthein]

Don't know where I rank in age but I am 73 and FSX keeps me interested not the other way around

[jerryhofac]

Yes and thanks to flight sims we can "fly" their aircraft, like this freeware FSX B-25..:)

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub4/FSX-b25.gif~original

 

Whose B-25 is this ??

[ScatterbrainKid]

And apart from the B-25, there are plenty more freeware and payware WW2 and WW1 planes for FSX..:)

Many FS9 planes will work in FSX, so it's just a matter of trying them, and if they don't work, just delete them and try another.

Some have slight graphics glitches but there are often fixes. And some are very short on cockpit detail and dials.

I fly in external view most of the time, so internal detail is not a high priority for me.

Here are some more of my freeware downloads-

 

Handley Page Halifax-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-hallybag_zps0f0660aa.jpg~original

 

 

 

Curtiss Helldiver-

Note the default FSX carrier anchored off the Golden Gate which you can do carrier takeoffs and landings on, check out the carrier operations posts earlier in this sensational thread-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helldiver_zps8efd72a7.jpg~original

 

 

 

Friedrichshafen R-plane

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-R-plane_zpsade9c502.jpg~original

 

(Note they don't drop bombs or fire their guns, so if you're seriously into warplanes a combat flight simulator like IL-2 Sturmovik is your best bet)

[jerryhofac]

http://www.roychaffin.com/packages.html

 

Thank You

[CrazyDaveIowa]

I love flying the DC-6. I have many of the CalClassics and Just Flights bird; there is a 'kit' here on FlightSim that has all of the Everts Air paints for the CalClassics. This past summer I have flown fuel and cargo all over Alaska. I downloaded just about all Alaska scenery here (many cool places!)

I also fly 'relief missions' to real world events; hurricanes, floods, blizzards, etc. This gets you to areas you might not choose yourself.

If you fly high and fast; go low and slow or vice versa.

I find myself in a FSX funk once and awhile and might not fire it up for a couple months; esp in summer.

One other thing; I have a home base in central Iowa. I always fly round trips. Outbound is usually all me; inbound GPS/autopilot.

I also have Super Traffic Board (payware) which is kind of fun to bounce around the world and trying to get to certain areas.

[rrich]

Personally I like exploring the world. There are places that I've covered in detail in FSX (and FS2004) that I'll probably never get to in real life.

 

I tend to fly low and slow.

 

But I also enjoy the challenge of recreating historic flights, using DR navigation, historic aircraft.

 

The first airplanes I got a chance to really get to know and examine were Lockheed Constellations in the US Navy. I love old radials.

 

So that helps.

Have you tried the "Spirit of St Louis" full fuel?

[jmuzzy]

Fly using realistic weather, and go to those places where the ceilings are low. Instrument approaches are the best way to avoid boredom. I use the active sky next weather add-on and am very pleased with it.

[blackwarrior]

I build new airports and update existing ones. If there's a planned airport or some new terminal or runway extension, I'll fire up Google Earth and SketchUp and see what buildings I can add or what new runway and approach I can build. Then I'll update the AI traffic files, sit at the airport, tune into the tower frequency, and enjoy.

[alexzar14]

I found there to be more addons than one can find the time for,

I've managed about 4/5s of EFIS-type airplanes and only few analogue types, then there is business and GA aviation...

The great trio of the famous 737, these alone can keep it interesting for some time...

[MalcolmB]

"How do you keep FSX Interesting?

 

That is a very good question, and looking through some of the replies will suggest that everybody has their own idea of what is interesting to them.

 

Let me make some suggestions that may appeal, and I will welcome comments and criticism.

 

(Suggestion 1) Fly "proper planned VFR flights"!

 

I live in the UK and have the UK photo scenery, and also the Dutch photo scenery. I also have the night lighting add-on for the UK.

 

I still use a half million flight map that I bought some years ago, which is "current" (almost) with FSX. I use the flight rule, protractor and flight computer (a rotary slide rule) to plan VFR flights across the UK and Europe. My flight plan will have all my Way-Points, the times on each Leg and the Headings to steer on each Leg taking into account the upper winds.

 

I use a check list and carry out all the proper Pre Flight checks, After Take Off checks, In the Cruise checks, Approach & Downwind checks and After Landing checks etc.

 

I have various visual check points along each leg timed, so that I can confirm that I am 'On Track & On Time'. I fly at an accurate altitude and at an accurate airspeed and aim to arrive at the planned time. I will usually fly something like the Cessna 172, 182 or a Cherokee.

 

To spice things up even more I will often time my trips to arrive at my destination after dark so that I'm having to navigate the last legs visually at night.

 

 

(Suggestion 2) I set the 'weather' to 8/8ths stratus from around 400 feet above the destination aerodrome level, up to around 10,000 feet. I will then plan an IFR route through the solid cloud, 'beacon hopping' from one VOR to another, ending with procedural ILS at the destination. I 'Hand Fly the route, since I feel using an auto pilot completely defeats the object of the exercise. I never use the GPS - again it defeats the whole object of radio "Navigation".

 

(Suggestion 3) Practise NDB approaches. Again, I set up 8/8th solid cloud from around 500 feet to 10,000 feet then fly to an airfield which has an NDB within its boundary (Southend is good - 362.5). Without actually giving a lesson here, fly directly over the NDB at 2,000 feet turn onto a pre-planned out bound heading for a pre-set time, then turn on to the runway heading and start descending at a controlled rate. This does take a lot of practise (particularly when carrying out pre-landing checks as well) but when executed accurately and correctly, finding you are lined up perfectly for the runway when you pop out of the clouds is extremely rewarding. Again, I will always use a light single or twin for this. You can't be messing with NDB let-downs in a 747!!! Hmm?? but you could try:confused:

 

There you go! three suggestions - and when you can complete them all easily, throw in some turbulence and try again. If you want any more, just ask!

 

Any questions or comments (positive or negative) are welcome.

 

Never Turn Back!

Malcolm

[pvarn]

As you can see...

 

Some find satisfaction in the visual details (scenery and/or aircraft fidelity.)

Some find it in the procedure details and discipline (planning, navigation, ATC and checklists.)

Some in the companionship (multiplayer- direct and/or virtual airlines.)

Some in the imagination (what will happen if I do this or that?)

Some in the adventures (tricky tasks, aircraft and destination combinations.)

Some in the challenges of storms, visibility and unique seasonal weather around the world.

Some in virtual vacations (see the world.)

Some in reliving history.

Some in flying skill (manual control, gliding, bad weather, difficult airports,etc.)

Some in accomplishment (certificates, flight hours and badges.)

Some in giving to the community (design and modeling.)

Some in helping people with problems get more satisfaction out of the simulator.

 

Some do combinations or ALL of the above as I do.

Lastly, some in starting forum threads which never end.

Something for everyone "a comedy tonight!"

 

Forgot one:

Military missions and formation flying.

 

-Pv-

[mabe5454]

Some in going A to B, anytime, anywhere, any weather with no crashes of their own fault.

 

Cheers,

[Ragtopjohnny]

why are we responding to threads from 2012?

[Jim Robinson]

Why did you respond to a thread from 2012?

[pvarn]

I believe this thread got re-activated as a response to the Christmas Blues posted here:

https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?285904-Interesting-problem

 

-Pv-

[mabe5454]

Cheers,

[silvergh0st]

Try practising your spin recovery in planes like the freeware Texan II from IRIS simulations - it certainly keeps you on your toes.

[ScatterbrainKid]

ROOFTOP HELIPADS

 

This one is on a Tokyo hotel, open the map and type in its Lat/Long coordinates-

n35 39.49

e139 45.52

I tried to land this stock EH101 on it but failed miserably after multiple attempts, usually by crashing into the edge of the pad or dumping lift too quickly to pancake on it, or running off the far edge-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-tokyo_zpsb0d383b3.jpg~original

 

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-tokyo2_zps2dc40f30.jpg~original

 

 

So I gave up on the EH101, went off to pout and sulk for a bit, then came back and tried this stock Jetranger instead, it's much easier to handle and it only took me a dozen attempts to land successfully-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-Tokyo3_zpsd9ba1619.jpg~original

 

 

 

 

Below- this other pad is on the Metlife building in Manhattan, I haven't tried it yet but it looks easier than the Tokyo one, these are youtube shots of somebody landing on it-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-NYC1_zps4bb22f75.jpg~original

 

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-NYC2_zps957256ba.jpg~original

[Rupert]

I often will look at the media news and also the A.O.P.A e-newsletter. If I find interesting articles on crashes or similar events, I try to recreate the situation as much as I possibly can (including the same plane if I have it) and try to survive the situation.

 

I also sometimes go to Wunderground and duplicate weird weather conditions reported in various places in the world and then "fly" in them.

[Rupert]

Why did you respond to a thread from 2012?

 

I think it's a timely thread. I've gotten some ideas from it. And I hope posted one or two that others haven't tried.

[Rupert]

Have you noticed how many strips have an awkward approach; that tree or run of trees at the end of a short runway; great practice for full flap and sideslipping approaches at minimum speed.

 

I'm good with the strips with trees at the end. It's ones with trees and hangers in the middle of the duty that I have problems with.

[ScatterbrainKid]

HELIPADS AT AIRPORTS

There are dozens all over the world, the full lists are here-

USA- http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2758894/FSX_Helipads_part_1_USA.html

Rest of world- http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2758896/FSX_Helipads_part_2_The_Rest_o.html

 

Some pads are just a simple 'H' like these three at 7V6 (Camp Guernsey, Wyoming)

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad1_zpsd18d40d6.jpg~original

 

 

HELIPADS on OIL PLATFORMS

There are about 30, some have NDB or DME - http://www.simtours.net/oilplatform.php

This one is said to have the best graphics, it's in the North Sea at-

LAT n52 12.02

LONG e3 29.21

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-oil1_zps234069c8.jpg~original

 

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub2/FSX-helipad-oil2_zps00b303bc.jpg~original