FSX vs 9

Well, I do seem to have stirred some passions!

I’m still using both programs on my one computer and they seem happy to work alongside one another.

The other point is. Vista may be better for FSX. I don’t know, and probably never will as I’m perfectly happy with XP with FSX on it.

However, there is something else about FSX that I don’t like and that is it seems to be a somewhat wobbly program. In that I mean if you do the slightest thing (like turning off your printer – that was the last thing I had) while it’s trying to change from say ‘settings’ to ‘free flight’ it’s prone to crash the computer. The result is I’ve just reloaded it for the third time! It’s my fault because I’m impatient but it’s annoying just the same, expecially so because each time you have to reload the program you lose your pilot records, logbook etc.

John Y

And another thing about FSX

Why on earth is it that the 2D cockpit has to be built up before you can use it? For instance; to get the light switches, the trim and wheels panel, the auto pilot and the GPS, even in the Garmin 1000 version aircraft it’s necessary to press shift and the numbers to get them, then position and resize them to your liking. It’s ridiculous taking that much time before you can even get ready to fly; you’re practically building the cockpit yourself!

One more consideration is that even with 2GB of RAM and a new Nvidia graphics card, the settings on X have to be made at the left side rather than the right to get any kind of evennness which rather defeats the object of the better scenery because you can’t get it!

On the other hand, since raising this little discussion, I must admit that having the airport and ground traffic running around makes the 9 airports seem very bare. And the turbulance built into the X program certainly adds interest to the landings, expecially coming into Bristol over the Severn Estuary in a light aircraft like the Cessna. In fact, it sometimes seems to me to be positively dangerous!

All in all I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I like X better but would advise anyone just starting to train on 9 first. It’s more stable and does contain the lessons.

John Y

FSX Pilot Records-logbook

Hi Dean

You wouldn’t believe this. I’m not sure I do but after some sixty odd flights FSX has kindly decided to start filling in the log-book for me!!

The weird and wonderful world of Microsoft programming!

Hope you get on well with your IR test and thanks for your help.

Best wishes

John Y

Garmin 1000 on FSX

Hi Dean

I’m not sure you’ll get this. However I flew the Cessna IFR from Southampton the other day and for the first time ever ATC directed me into R27 – for me it’s usually 9. Yours is a much prettier apron and runway than 9 I must say!

Anyway, today I flew from Cardiff and ATC directed me to R9 but using the system and frequencies you gave me I got on to the localiser. Coming in to land on ‘Approach’, because the turbulance was horrific and the autopilot was having a really difficult time, I was concentrating on the runway. I clicked off the autopilot but missed! Before I could rectify it, the autopilot had landed nicely dead centre on the runway! It had even handled the glide slope for me all the way down. I didn’t think they could do that.

The question is. You will have realised by now there’s always a question. They’re not shown on the ‘Flight Plan’ so how or where do I get the frequencies from when I’m flying into a different airport and do I have to do this while I’m in the air?

Best wishes

John Y

Localizer on Garmin 1000

Thanks Dean, That’s really helpful. I’ve been looking for the arrow you get on the 5000.