New version of MSFS?

[mattaxelrod]

I was just thinking that Microsoft seems to come out with a new version of FS every couple years (e.g. '98, '00, '02, and '04). Does anyone know if there are any plans for a Flight Simulator 2006? (It could come with a pop-up TFR setting )

Just wondering...

 

[SkyHog]

There are a lot of improvements I'd love to see in MSFS.

Ability to fly real approaches
Elimination of the phrase "with you"
Not having ATC vector me into mountains
Better realism in stalls
Carb heat and Carb Ice realism
TFRs and P Space

And a slew of others.

 

[BruceAir]

For more information, see the official Microsoft Flight Simulator Web site. Note that the Readback section includes the following note:

When is the next version of Flight Simulator going to be released? What are the new features?


If you've read the article Making Flight Simulator, you know that the Flight Simulator team is always working on a new version. We've published Flight Simulator for some 20 years, and we plan to keep building new releases far into the future. Flight Simulator has become a very complex product, and it takes a long time to create a new version. During the development phase, we don't talk about our plans, because plans change. Although we work from detailed specifications and schedules, as we create the product we often add, modify, or remove features. To avoid confusion, we keep quiet about the details of new features and release dates until the product stabilizes late in the development process. We don't want to promise what we won't eventually deliver.

When we do have news about new versions, you'll find it first on the Flight Simulator Web site, where it is posted for the entire community to read.

 

[BruceAir]

There are a lot of improvements I'd love to see in MSFS.

Ability to fly real approaches

I'm puzzled by this comment. What do you mean by "real approaches"? The current version of Flight Simulator includes some 23,000 airports around the world and all the navaids in the worldwide Jeppesen NavData database. You can fly "real approaches" supported by those navaids (NDB, VOR, ILS, LDA, etc.). And with the GNS 530, you can fly GPS approaches, too.

Now, it's certainly true that the data are not kept up-to-date, but I've flown hundreds of approaches in FS all over the world, and I rarely find major discrepancies that render the procedures unflyable.

For more information on this topic, see the Readback section, which notes:

One of my favorite airports has a new runway, and according to my charts, some frequencies and identifiers for navigation aids have also changed since the last release of Flight Simulator. Can I get an updated airport/navigation database for Flight Simulator?

Flight Simulator includes the authoritative, worldwide Jeppesen NavData database. It's the same collection of information about airports and navigation aids that is included in flight management systems, GPS receivers, and other avionics used in airliners and general aviation aircraft all over the world. As we build a new version of Flight Simulator, we receive a snapshot of the NavData database and we incorporate that information into the scenery and airport/facility directory. In the world of real aviation, the NavData is updated daily, and Jeppesen sends new databases to its subscribers on a regular schedule, usually every 28 or 56 days.

For several reasons, it's impractical to issue updates to the NavData in Flight Simulator. The most important hurdle is the complexity of the process by which we incorporate the NavData into the scenery system. We must match the NavData with other geographic information about rivers, roads, coastlines, etc., and then test it extensively in Flight Simulator.

Fortunately, most of the important information in the NavData database (runway data, VOR identifiers and frequencies, etc.) does not change appreciably between releases of Flight Simulator. Most of the updates are operational notes that are important for actual IFR operations but which have no direct effect on a simulation. And with each new release we get a complete update of the NavData to ensure that all the information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

I'm a pilot, and I want to use Flight Simulator to practice instrument flying procedures. First, can I fly approaches in Flight Simulator? Second, can I log the time and approaches to maintain my instrument currency?

The answer to the first question is definitely "yes." Flight Simulator can be a very useful training aid at any stage of pilot training, but it's probably most useful as an adjunct to instrument training and for maintaining IFR proficiency. Flight Simulator 2000 and Flight Simulator 2002 include the worldwide Jeppesen NavData database of airport and navaid information. You can fly to more than 21,000 airports around the world using low- and high-altitude airways defined by VORs, NDBs, and intersections, and shoot the ILS, localizer, VOR, and NDB approaches at any airport served by those approaches in the real world. The short answer to the second question is “no.” In the U.S., the FAA issued Advisory Circular AC61-126, "Qualification and Approval of Personal Computer-Based Aviation Training Devices" on May 12, 1997. With AC61-126, the FAA took a small, first step toward recognizing the value of PC-based simulations.

The AC lays out the requirements for an approved training device. Only a few systems have been approved, in part because the requirements include expensive consoles for switches and controls. More to the point, even if you're using an approved PCATD, you can log only up to 10 hours of the training required for an initial instrument rating, provided that the practice time is conducted under the direct supervision of an authorized flight instructor.

You cannot use a PCATD to log the approaches and other maneuvers required to maintain IFR currency, nor can you use an approved PCATD for instrument proficiency checks, to log solo time, or to meet any of the flight time requirements for a private pilot certificate.

You can find much more information about Flight Simulator on my Web site.

 

[AdamZ]

Not speaking for Nick but although I love MSFS I find the flight dynamics frustrating sometimes. Triming for a certain speed and altitude is VERY difficult. I very often get the purposing effect. I hear X-Plane has better flight dynamics but MSFS CANNOT be beat for graphics.

 

[Nav8tor]

Not speaking for Nick but although I love MSFS I find the flight dynamics frustrating sometimes. Triming for a certain speed and altitude is VERY difficult. I very often get the purposing effect. I hear X-Plane has better flight dynamics but MSFS CANNOT be beat for graphics.

I suspect that may be more a function of the control devise. What kind of yoke/joystick are you using?

 

[Nav8tor]

There are a lot of improvements I'd love to see in MSFS.

Ability to fly real approaches
Elimination of the phrase "with you"
Not having ATC vector me into mountains
Better realism in stalls
Carb heat and Carb Ice realism
TFRs and P Space

And a slew of others.

I fly real approaches all the time. All of the ones I have flown, most in the Philadelphia area, are fully functional and realistic.

My only complaint with the vectoring is that it gives multiple heading changes in a short period of time...turn left, turn right, turn left, turn right.

 

[poadeleted3]

I would like to see them improve the stall and landing characteristics. I really shouldn't be zooming back into the air when I'm trying to flare and the ASI says 35 knots. It's actually gotten me into some bad habits a time or two. In the simulator, you have to set an attitude and let the plane fly onto the runway, instead of a proper flare. When I was doing more computer flying than airplane flying, I picked that habit up. After a few firm landings, my instructor pointed out that I wasn't doing anything, just setting the nose, and nothing else after that.

 

[SkyHog]

I'm puzzled by this comment. What do you mean by "real approaches"? The current version of Flight Simulator includes some 23,000 airports around the world and all the navaids in the worldwide Jeppesen NavData database. You can fly "real approaches" supported by those navaids (NDB, VOR, ILS, LDA, etc.). And with the GNS 530, you can fly GPS approaches, too.

Now, it's certainly true that the data are not kept up-to-date, but I've flown hundreds of approaches in FS all over the world, and I rarely find major discrepancies that render the procedures unflyable.

For more information on this topic, see the Readback section, which notes:

One of my favorite airports has a new runway, and according to my charts, some frequencies and identifiers for navigation aids have also changed since the last release of Flight Simulator. Can I get an updated airport/navigation database for Flight Simulator?

Flight Simulator includes the authoritative, worldwide Jeppesen NavData database. It's the same collection of information about airports and navigation aids that is included in flight management systems, GPS receivers, and other avionics used in airliners and general aviation aircraft all over the world. As we build a new version of Flight Simulator, we receive a snapshot of the NavData database and we incorporate that information into the scenery and airport/facility directory. In the world of real aviation, the NavData is updated daily, and Jeppesen sends new databases to its subscribers on a regular schedule, usually every 28 or 56 days.

For several reasons, it's impractical to issue updates to the NavData in Flight Simulator. The most important hurdle is the complexity of the process by which we incorporate the NavData into the scenery system. We must match the NavData with other geographic information about rivers, roads, coastlines, etc., and then test it extensively in Flight Simulator.

Fortunately, most of the important information in the NavData database (runway data, VOR identifiers and frequencies, etc.) does not change appreciably between releases of Flight Simulator. Most of the updates are operational notes that are important for actual IFR operations but which have no direct effect on a simulation. And with each new release we get a complete update of the NavData to ensure that all the information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

I'm a pilot, and I want to use Flight Simulator to practice instrument flying procedures. First, can I fly approaches in Flight Simulator? Second, can I log the time and approaches to maintain my instrument currency?

The answer to the first question is definitely "yes." Flight Simulator can be a very useful training aid at any stage of pilot training, but it's probably most useful as an adjunct to instrument training and for maintaining IFR proficiency. Flight Simulator 2000 and Flight Simulator 2002 include the worldwide Jeppesen NavData database of airport and navaid information. You can fly to more than 21,000 airports around the world using low- and high-altitude airways defined by VORs, NDBs, and intersections, and shoot the ILS, localizer, VOR, and NDB approaches at any airport served by those approaches in the real world. The short answer to the second question is “no.” In the U.S., the FAA issued Advisory Circular AC61-126, "Qualification and Approval of Personal Computer-Based Aviation Training Devices" on May 12, 1997. With AC61-126, the FAA took a small, first step toward recognizing the value of PC-based simulations.

The AC lays out the requirements for an approved training device. Only a few systems have been approved, in part because the requirements include expensive consoles for switches and controls. More to the point, even if you're using an approved PCATD, you can log only up to 10 hours of the training required for an initial instrument rating, provided that the practice time is conducted under the direct supervision of an authorized flight instructor.

You cannot use a PCATD to log the approaches and other maneuvers required to maintain IFR currency, nor can you use an approved PCATD for instrument proficiency checks, to log solo time, or to meet any of the flight time requirements for a private pilot certificate.

You can find much more information about Flight Simulator on my Web site.

By real approaches, I meant that ATC will tell you to do the VOR RW 17 approach and stuff, rather than always vector you in. I fly real approaches all the time too, but I do it without ATC.

 

[EdFred]

By real approaches, I meant that ATC will tell you to do the VOR RW 17 approach and stuff, rather than always vector you in. I fly real approaches all the time too, but I do it without ATC.

Nick - you can request the full approach. Usually ask for a transition. I know at GRR, you can request the GRR transition, which starts you at the VOR for the ILS-es

 

[AdamZ]

I suspect that may be more a function of the control devise. What kind of yoke/joystick are you using?

Lee I used to use a MS Joystick. I have used a CH yoke for about a year now which clamps on to my desk top. It has throttle, mixure, props and the normal buttons on the yoke handle.

 

[Nav8tor]

Lee I used to use a MS Joystick. I have used a CH yoke for about a year now which clamps on to my desk top. It has throttle, mixure, props and the normal buttons on the yoke handle.

I recently bought the same one and I've noticed it's very sensitive in pitch making it hard hold altitude without porpusing. I assume a higher end yoke would be more realistic.

 

[Nav8tor]

By real approaches, I meant that ATC will tell you to do the VOR RW 17 approach and stuff, rather than always vector you in. I fly real approaches all the time too, but I do it without ATC.

It will give you vectors to intercept the final approach course and then clear you for the approach, which is what ATC will typically do.

 

[BruceAir]

Re: New version of MSFS?--Full Approaches

If you want to fly a full approach (i.e., with a procedure turn, transition from a specific IAF or en route fix), just don't use ATC. Set yourself up in a reasonable position, for example, along an airway, and then fly the procedure.

You can find many examples of such scenarios in the IFR Practice Flights section of my Web site. My article Flight Simulator as a Training Aid also points you to many features in the product that will help you make efficient use of FS as a practice tool.

Finally, if you want more information about the CH Products FlightSim Yoke and related hardware, see "Building your own virtual cockpit," which I wrote as part of longer article about using PC-based simulations as training aids.