I’m getting back to flying instruments after a long long break. I used to use Microsoft flight sim back in the 90’s. What is a good sim to use with a laptop to practice approaches these days? What do you use?


Thanks for the advice in advance!

 

I like Microsoft flight sim 10.

 

FSX STEAM EDITION

 

I’m currently using X-Plane 11, and really enjoy it...plus they sell some great addons that really make the whole thing come alive. I believe you can even connect the sim to your Foreflight account...cool stuff.

 

X plane 11 all the way FSX very outdated. Nav data in X plane is pretty much up to date and uses hardware more efficiently. My 2 cents.

 

Xplane...if and only if you have 8GB memory or more and at least an i5 processor.

 

I appreciate the advice from everyone. I bought me a new computer that will handle X plane. I believe I’m going to get X plane 10 from all that I have read. My follow up question is what do you guys use as far as a yoke or joy stick? There are several options out there but the reviews are all over the place.

 

Having a yoke is nice. I have a the Saitek Cessna yoke and throttles. The yoke nice, but a cheaper option is a the joystick. It provides just about the same utility for at least half of the cost. Do not waste all of your flying money on flight sim addons; which can happen pretty quickly.

 

Hello Arthur27,

You might want to look into PilotEdge to go along with your flight sim: https://www.pilotedge.net/.



PilotEdge provides live ACT services through your sim which are mapped to actually FAA rules and procedure. So, you'll actually be talking through your headset to both Ground Controllers and Air Traffic Controllers who follow FAA procedures and rules for controlling airspace within the United States. They also have active CTAF for non-towered airports. You use real charts in a controlled airspace environment with actual IFR and VFR procedures, Navigation aids, Frequencies, etc.. This also gives you the ability to do actual Flight Planning using your charts. Very unlike Vatsim.

PilotEdge ATC Scope:



I would think that connecting PilotEdge to your flight sim makes the instrument procedures practice more meaningful because the ATC communications portion and all Nav aids (frequencies, etc.) themselves are real. Combining that with an aircraft sim that accurately models the avionics functionality should provide for better practice. Some of the avionics modeling includes GNS430W, GNS530W and Prodigy G1000, GTN750, etc.

I don't plan to use it for kinesthetic training, but it can't hurt for basic instrument procedures, basic aircraft cockpit functions and functional (live) practice with ATC using real charts.

 

I would recommend buying X-Plane 11 rather than 10, just because XP10 is end of life, and aircraft developers are no longer updating those aircraft, and new aircraft are being made for XP11.