Which Flight Simulator to buy?

[AlpineYoda]

I'm flying DCS - Digital Combat Simulator. Hoping that all my A-10 practice gets me ready for the RV-10. After all, a -10 is a -10, right?

https://eaabuilderslog.org/showmy.ph...MG_0399.JP.jpg

[CoolDanLuke]

I use Prepar3D. Like you, I use it to pre-fly my cross country trips to become familiar with the area. You need to to get photo realistic scenery and accurate terrain mesh to get the full experience.

Like others mentioned, if you can wait for MSFS2020 you would have all this built in, but that's 3 to 6 months away.

[Dugaru]

...but it's beyond my nerd-level. X-Plane 11, which I got recently while waiting for MSFS2020, does come with a 172 that has an "X-Plane 530" which seems to mimic a Garmin 530 fairly well. Still investigating that.

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Can you customize panels in any of these sims to add your equipment?

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by AlpineYoda

I'm flying DCS - Digital Combat Simulator. Hoping that all my A-10 practice gets me ready for the RV-10. After all, a -10 is a -10, right?

https://eaabuilderslog.org/showmy.ph...MG_0399.JP.jpg

Nice rig! I recommend giving VR goggles a try. I'm using DCS World with Oculus Rift and it's impressive. You need a really powerful everything, but with the right equipment it's so close to real flying I sometimes forget I'm in a sim.

I mainly fly taildraggers in the sim since my goal is to stay fresh on the rudder skills. There is a lot of variance! I find the Spitfire is the hardest, P51 pretty easy, same with the Christen Eagle II.

Also, engine failure at X00 feet to see if you can get back to the runway is interesting.

[mbauer]

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Can you customize panels in any of these sims to add your equipment?

X-Plane = Yes.

Have changed my panel on several of the free down loadable models. Usually you have to use what is available, unless you know how to create your own.

With X-Plane you can design and create your own aircraft, using the included "planemaker", and plot your own airfoils etc..

Mike

[Pilot135pd]

Wow, my internet is slow. I just started downloading the demo of X-Plane 11 and it said it was going to take 7 hours then a minute later now says 4 hours

[RV8JD]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

Wow, my internet is slow. I just started downloading the demo of X-Plane 11 and it said it was going to take 7 hours then a minute later now says 4 hours

Since you have an RV-8, try this RV-8 Sim for X-Plane 11 by AOA Simulations:

https://store.x-plane.org/search_adv...%20Simulations



And you can spin it:

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by RV8JD

Since you have an RV-8, try this RV-8 Sim for X-Plane 11 by AoA Simulations:

https://store.x-plane.org/search_adv...%20Simulations



And you can spin it:

I remember when it came out and you told me about them. I'm going to buy a computer just for the SIM because I used to have one running my entire ELITE SYSTEMS from Orlando, Florida https://flyelite.com/basic-atd/ but the computer got stolen. Now I just have the pedals, avionics panel, yoke, throttle quadrant, but no computer. I'm going to see if it's all compatible with current X-Plane or MS software, if not I'll have to talk with them to see how much it'll cost to get a copy of theirs again to set this all up.

The Eilte software is more expensive than X-Plane or MS and it's not as pretty or realistic looking or graphics intensive, but it's FAA certified as a Basic ATD so I can train people and the hours count so it's probably worth it.

Right now I'm just downloading the X-Plane demo to see how it runs on my Mac Pro and see what I'll need to upgrade later on the stand alone SIM computer if I go that route.

[Dugaru]

I'd love to more-or-less replicate my RV-9A on X-Plane so that I could use it for practicing instrument procedures--obviously without being able to log the time.

The realism of the aircraft's handling doesn't really concern me, because I don't think I'll ever get that right.

I'm more concerned about simulating an aircraft doing RV-9ish speeds with avionics as close to my GRT Horizon EX and a Garmin 430W as possible.

Any recommendations? Right now I've been flying the 172 that comes with X-Plane 11 and it's not bad, but I'm guessing there is something closer out there.

[SeanB]

Flew the mentioned RV8 last night on X-Plane 11. Super detailed. I'm in the process of building a 7, so this at least gets me the emp and wings of my plane....

I really enjoyed flying this at OSH and Lake Powell. Have three screens and some peripherals with a seat and 5.1 surround. Turn the bass way up to get the engine rumble feeling in the seat. The avionics very much follow Garmin of different types. Provides some learning opportunities for sure.