PC Flight Sims

[JonX2C]

Hey all.

So I bought a pretty top spec PC a few months ago, and Im currently running two, but can add an additional third screen.

Now I have always wanted to get to grips with a flight sim, after playing one many many moons ago, but didnt entertain it as I didnt have a decent PC.

I now do so im keen to pick something up.

Can anyone recommend to me what I will need, e.g can you play with just a keyboard, can i play acorss 2 - 3 screens etc.... and also what software should I use.

Thanks all.

[andycambo]

You can play with keyboard but I would suggest using a joystick. Doesn't have to be an expensive one, just one with a few buttons and throttle should do.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X is a great package with many add-ons available.

The other major flight sim is X-Plane.

With the above sims you should be able to run over several screens but I think FSX is a bit more of a resource hog.

[speedchick]

Other half is a sim nut, he has MS Flight Simulator, stuck at 9 though, didnt get FSX, as all the add ons at the time didnt support X (though for some reason he put X on my computer)

You will need a joystick, he recommends the Saitek X52 (though he has got rid of his now and is using pedals and other gizmos)

He has 3 screens on his, but then he does have 2 graphics cards in it, each with two ports, one has the panels, one is the cockpit and the other is usually for the online stuff (if you are going to get into that, with atc and stuff)

He is also a beta tester for one of the scenery developers. Unfortunately, he isn't here at the moment, so I can't pick his brains for you, and its been a while since I actually last 'flew', but its a lot of fun, and if you get into the virtual airline side of it, and fly online, you can have a real laugh sometimes.