BillD22

Comparing a vintage Connie cockpit shot with an FS2020 version.

In this short clip, we travel along in the cockpit jumpseat and passenger cabin as Delta 216 from Orlando International (KMCO) up to Atlanta (KATL) taxis and takes off in a Florida tropical downpour. The wing views as the airplane climbs between cloud layers after take-off are a good demo of the realistic FS2020 graphics.

Couldn't be any cooler! I especially like the nose art. A spectacular series of shots.

I hear you Phrog. That said, you can get the basic versions of both sims for $120 total. There are more than enough freeware airplanes, liveries, and scenery for both to keep you going for quite some time without any additional cost. Compared to the cost of everything else these days I think that's a pretty good deal for essentially unlimited entertainment!!

I agree with all of the above. If you can only have one, though, I think MSFS2020 is the future even with its various bugs. Once you've flown the graphics it's hard to go back - even when the autopilot does weird stuff. Sort of reminds me of the old song about U.S. soldiers returning home from France after WWI. "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree?" The main current downside in MSFS2020 in my view is the lack of legacy jet airliners like the early Boeing and Douglas 707s, 727s DC8s, and 9s, etc., and no apparent interest by current devs in bringing them in. There are multiple and redundant versions of the same glass Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, CRJs, etc. Captain Sim - where are you?? If you've got the computing horsepower, disk space, and internet speed and can afford multiple sims I'd go with MSFS2020 and the current version of P3D. That way you've got pretty complete coverage of the modern glass and the FSX/P3D carryover of many different legacy steam gauge aircraft.

A superb collection of shots

Agree - the sim world is at least 3 or 4 years behind console video game depiction of people and actions. In addition to more realistic people, the coming revolution will be the integration of AI with human figures. As you point out, some will like it and some won't, but I think it's pretty much inevitable although probably won't be realized until the next generation of sims - another 3+ years in the future.

Well, as Nels said, "There's no doubt this will appeal greatly to some, and not to others." To each their own. What I personally find creepy in sims is looking around and seeing beautifully modelled but 100% empty cockpit seats in a multi-crew airplane!

Probably the greatest advantage of simming is not running the risk of killing yourself if you don't do the often tedious - but absolutely necessary - planning, preflight, systems setup, and adherence to checklists and procedures involved in RW flying!!!

I agree with Phrog - many interested in real-world procedures will jump on this. Over time, I expect the voice and motion characteristics will be improved to the level you see on current video game consoles. It would be interesting to know the split for most simmers between procedural flying and "hop in and go." In my own case, it's about 75% hop-in-and-go and 25% procedure depending on the available time - a factor which is often determined by the interval between "Honey do's" All that said, I expect I'll be a user when this comes out.

They sold for $300K. What a bargain!

Recreating this 1973 Eastern Airlines ad in FS2020. Eastern sold off their fleet of Electras being used on the DC-New York City shuttle and replaced them with 727-100s. Kick the tires and light the fires!

Well, with AI apps rapidly becoming mainstream it was only a matter of time. Building on earlier less capable versions that first appeared in X-Plane in the past few years here's a fully articulated and conversant Copilot under development for MSFS.

In this short clip, the aircraft's shadow catches up with a Delta A320 landing on Runway 18R at Orlando International (KMCO). A good demo of the realistic visual effects in FS2020.

Great shots Phrog - especially like the 124.

An awesome video and historical narrative. Thoroughly enjoyed.

+1

Link to the VR version: B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th VR | MicroProse

Another thing to keep an eye on is that Microprose is working on a new B17 simulation that will be available on Steam. It's been in development "coming soon" status for quite some time and may or may not be released anytime soon (or ever!) but if/when it is it looks to be the most immersive B17 experience ever with killer graphics. They're also doing a parallel VR version. See this link: B-17 The Flying Fortress: The Bloody 100th | MicroProse

What a great project! My experience is that the A2A is the most accurate currently available sim for the B17. I believe it only works in FSX. You might also want to download a copy of the original WWII B17G flight manual. Here's a link: https://www.batguano.com/ejreppa/B-17FlightManual.pdf You can certainly use a HOTAS but a yoke controller with a throttle quadrant would be more realistic for the B17.

A great series - may have to resurrect FSX!!

These are awesome Phrog. CalClassics style vintage scenery and traffic is something that FS2020 could really use. (Devs - are you listening???)

x1 to JK painting some great liveries for these!

Thanks, Peter. One of mine too. I keep hoping one of the payware developers will realize we have more than enough FS Airbus and Boeing/other glass cockpit planes and come up with an FS2020 L188 Electra version. There's a big market out there if somebody wants to fill it. The KBT FSX model is good but only partially converts.

Well, I think the idea here was more "me too" rather than "false advertising." The ad does say it's a turbo-prop engine thereby distinguishing it from a 100% "pure" jet. The message was to convey speed. In other words, "Just because you're flying on an old-fashioned-looking prop airplane instead of a hot new technology 707 jet doesn't mean you aren't going fast." In this timeframe many other Electra operators used similar "me too" and prominent "JET" language in their ads and on their liveries to keep up with competitors who were dumping their Connies and DC-6s and going all jet. See these examples: