Hacker News Reader

Comment by EMM_386 | Hacker News Reader

I have been using Microsoft Flight Simulator from the earliest versions (maybe 2.0 or something) through all the versions afterwards.

I got to a juncture in my life where I was wondering what I should do. I thought "well, I love flight simulators, let's take a introductory flight".

Drove to my local airport, flew it. I was already familiar with all the controls thanks to the MSFS.

That flight had me convinced. Got my PPL, went to college and got my commercial and all the other ratings, and that was all due to one thing ...

Microsoft Flight Simulator

This new version is far beyond anything I would have imagined it would get to. I thought once it died, it was gone.

Oh no, they brought it back ... and they were serious.

View on HN

I do wonder who the game appeals to though, since it's sold on PC and Xbox. I played it as a child on my PC and the experience was quite immersive, even if the graphics were bad.

I recently played the new one on the console, and it just felt... off. I didn't feel immersed, though the plane handling seemed realistic. I think my brain was primed console-wise for something similar to a GTAV flying experience, and I can definitely say that I had far more fun zipping between contoured hills in GTA than I did on MFS2024. Maybe had I played it on PC, my reaction would be different.

For what it’s worth, I really really enjoy flying over places I did/will travel to. Last year, I had a backpacking trip of Yosemite valley planned I was very nervous about. I flew the route a few times (in an F-22) and it calmed me down, knowing when I’ll be climbing, when I’ll have the best views, etc. Probably not a standard use, just my $0.02

Ha. I thought I was the only person that did this. I have a very spatial memory and before a vacation I love to fly around the area at low speed and build up my model of the terrain.

This is actually the use that a number of private pilots I know personally - they fly an unfamiliar route in the simulator.

Yes it’s not a professional flying simulator but it’s good enough to get an idea of where you’re going, what you’re doin, what you’ll see and it helps tremendously especially when you’re flying VFR if you don’t have GPS.

What is a GTAV flying experience?

Static chassis with no flex that explodes realistically on rough landings and does a pretty good job hugging the surface without much input.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com