The Best Online Flight Simulator Game

Posted on March 3, 2011 by FlyingAce

Hey, it’s Joe here and you’re reading my uncensored review of what I really thought about Pro Flight Simulator. But to be clear this is a review and if you’re looking for Pro Flight Simulator’s website click here

Why am I writing this? When I was looking for airplane simulator games online, there were not many really “helpful” reviews available. So I thought I’d write one quickly to help any of you who are in the same position I was in.

But be warned, I’ll be going into both the good and bad points about Pro Flight Simulator, so if that’s something you don’t want to hear, then this review probably isn’t for you and you may as well leave now.

First, what is Pro Flight Simulator?
It’s a complete aircraft simulation computer game that provides extremely detailed and realistic scenery (provided by Google) as well as an accurately modeled world, including rivers, railroads, cities and key landmarks. It has nearly 120 different aircraft’s available to fly and their team of developers are continually adding more.

This flight sim features real life weather patterns based on where you’re located in the world and all in real time. But at the end of the day is it really worth the money? I’ve put together some of the PRO’s and CON’s for you so you can make an educated decision for yourself.

PRO’s & CON’s of Pro Flight SImulator

THE PROS

Large Selection of Aircraft’s and Maps
Again with 120 detailed aircraft’s to choose from including Concords, F16′s, airliners, helicopters, Migs, Boeing 747 and many more, it would be hard not finding something cool to fly. It has an impressive 20,000 fully mapped airports from around the world to fly in and out of. It also provides comprehensive scenery packs that deliver tons of detailed terrains.

Accurate World Mapping
Besides the accurate mapping of the solar system (the sun, stars and moon) this sim interacts with live data and real time weather patterns. For example if it’s currently raining on the east coast in real life, it would be raining in the game simulation as well.

Realistic Flying Feedback
The software is the most realistic simulation software I’ve ever come across. It’s been designed to mimic real world aircraft reactions to planetary alignments and movements. It’s fully 3D animated, click-able and the interactive cockpit is life like. The biggest thing I think Pro Flight Simulator has done right, was their attention to details.

I was also impressed with the added bonuses Pro Flight Simulator included. This added value for me put them ahead of their competition. They also included:

  1. Interactive Scenery Designer – where you can create basically any element in the sim. Create new buildings, airports, rivers, runways, entire continents or any custom sceneries you can imagine.
  2. Kelpie Fighter Planner - where you can plan your own flights using real time data from any airport you choose.
  3. Aeron Combat Flight Simulator – allows you to become your very own Top Gun fighter pilot
  4. Professional Airplane Flying Handbook – which is a manual that will teach you how to maneuver aircraft’s.

I should also point out that it does have multi-player options. It’s online mode supports formation flying and chatting with other pilots.It comes with multiple licenses so you can put it on as many computers you want, free updates and it supports controllers like joysticks, yoke, foot pedals, throttle controller, etc.

It has a members area where you can interact with other owners, get tips and download new mapping information It comes with a “60 Money Back Guarantee” so if you aren’t happy with the product you can get your money back. This is BIG!

Click here to visit Pro Flight Simulator

THE CONS

Can be Overwhelming
Pro Flight Simulator is a pretty extensive simulation software package. It gives you so many choices from types of aircraft’s to maps to weather patterns etc.  It can be a bit overwhelming when you first load the sim and get stared in the members area. However them members area is well organized and easy to figure out.

Can Take A While To Download
This is not a small download. If you have a high speed connection it won’t be too bad but if you have a slower internet connection it could take up to a couple of hours so be prepared to wait. Or you do have the option to upgrade to the DVD edition and have it mailed to you.

It’s NOT An Arcade Game
I don’t know if this is necessarily a con but for the people that are expecting that quick pick it up and start flying “arcade style’ flying game then this isn’t for you. It’s designed to be realistic and the “real” thing is more complicated then a video game. So if you have the patience to learn how to really fly then you would enjoy this sim.

To Sum It Up

There’s no doubt Pro Flight Simulator is professional grade simulation software and if you’re serious about realistic flying then I personally don’t think you can go wrong. To be honest I first started out very skeptical of what this software claimed it could really do.

But after I fully experienced all that it had to offer, I was quickly converted. It definitely keeps me entertained for hours at a time exploring the world.

Click here if you want to learn more about Pro Flight Simulator

 

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Flight Simulator Computer Games

Posted on February 25, 2011 by FlyingAce

Flight simulator computer games have come a long way in the last 20 years. Do you remember when they first started out? They had the cheesy flat 2D graphics, solid colors with simple cross hairs that told you if you were level or not. A few spinning numbers off to the side for effect and a keyboard maybe a joystick to control the game. But that was pretty much it.

Over the years, flight simulators have made huge improvements. Real pilots actually use flight simulators for real-life training exercises. Because of this advanced technology, now pilots can learn cheaper, in a less time and in a much safer environment then before.

That’s great for pilots but what about you and me? Thankfully the gaming industry is constantly striving to improve simulations and have developed numerous flight simulators for the pc and mac.

Microsoft flight simulator was one of the first simulation games that started to change the industry. For years they provided a simulator that took computer graphics and the realism of the game to the next level.

But with technology constantly developing, so does the authenticity of the game. Competitors like Google with Google earth flight simulator, added exciting new mapping features that made flight simulation even more realistic then before. Using their Google maps technology to texturize and map terrain in their version of the game caught fire in the gaming world.

But people will always want more realistic flight simulations. As more and more online 3d flight simulator games are created the good news is they are only going to get better. And they are. Professional flight simulation games now allow you to design and create your own flight plans, airports, terrains and even cities. Fly over military mapped terrain using optional flight simulator controls including yoke, foot pedals, throttle and more.

See today’s flight simulation enthusiasts, like me, want the real thing. And if we can’t have the real thing (most of us can’t), then we want the closest thing to it. We want selection, real-time data the ability to create a world the way we want it. Is that asking too much? If you ask me, I don’t think so.

I have stumbled across a flight simulator game that meets all of these expectations and more. It has many great features and a couple disappointments too. But what doesn’t now a days? Be sure to stay tuned friend, as I’m going to post a review of that product in a couple days that you won’t want to miss.

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Online flight simulation games – Easy choice?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by FlyingAce

Now a days I find with the advancements in technology, you’re seeing more and more online flight simulation games popping up all over the internet. And I’m sure you’ve heard their claims…”we’re the best flight simulator to date”.

So I asked myself, for me, what makes a flight simulation game great? Is it the planes, airports or terrain? Is it the realism of how the plane reacts to environmental changes or weather? I think the answer to all of these questions is yes!

Technology has come a long way and I want my flight experience to be as realistic as possible. See almost all plane simulation games allow you to pick if it’s day or night when you fly.

But when I was looking for the best flight simulator game, I wanted the time of day and where I’m physically located in the world to be reflected in my flight simulation. Picture flying out of Australia while living in North America and your simulation determines if it’s night or day based on actual world time.

How cool is that? To me it’s just another level of realism to the authenticity of my flight experience.

Bottom line is all flight simulation software all the same? Obviously the answer is no. And depending on the how “real” you want your flight simulation experience will determine which flight simulator you’ll choose.

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