Microsoft Flight Simulator X

I’m addicted to it. A word of advise before I start though, get a joystick for this game. I haven’t got one yet, but I might soon. Controlling it with your keyboard’s D-Pad is very tough. The plane keeps on tilting to either direction even if you take your finger off the keys. It’s annoying to the point I use autopilot very often and it’s extremely difficult to align for landing. You’ve got no feel of the aircraft unless you use a joystick.

Ok then. It’s very realistic in other ways. Controls, landscaping, Sim Objects, Air Traffic Control, everything. There are so many things to explore on a single aircraft. The game comes with 24 aircraft by default but there’s limitless downloads on the internet. You can fly the classic but ever-popular even now Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. Not only that, you can fly them under so many airline companies. The standard game without downloads has the Boeing house colours and some virtual airline liveries. Again, you can download more, like Singapore Airlines, UPS and many, many more. And it gets more diverse because each company doesn’t have just one type of livery. They have tons! Well, here are some screenshots from the game. I’ll add in captions and stuff here and there.

Singapore Airlines Flight 2372 heavy on approach to Changi from KLIA. Descending slowly on autopilot.

You don’t just get to be at the command of passenger airliners but also cargo freighters like this UPS Beoing 747.

Or you can opt for your national airline. In this case, Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 in Hibiscus livery heading for Kingsford Smith International, Sydney.

Of course, there aren’t just the common but large Boeing 747s. There’s also this even larger and technologically advanced Airbus A380-800.

Qantas’ Airbus A380 awaiting confirmation from Kingsford Smith International’s tower for pattern entry and approach instructions while circling and descending on a busy day.

There’s also a British Airways A380 available for download from avsim online. For free of course. Only the super-precise virtual aircrafts will cost you some money.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that neither British Airways nor Qantas have an A380 in their fleet. It’s virtual. Only Singapore Airlines has the A380 in their fleet.

Or you can have a smaller, more nimble commercial airliner.

Like this KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 737-400 Classic.

Boeing 777. Very long range.

The aircrafts are not just detailed outside, but also inside. That’s your workspace, hey.

Flight Simulator X gets so realistic to the point you have to communicate with the control tower, or air traffic controllers before taking off/landing. Of course, in free flight you don’t have to. But it adds to the realism. Also, you don’t just take off and land. You also do ground operations.

“What’s up?”. At KLIA. Grounded from taking-off because of heavy downpours. Yes, you can customize weather, or get updated ones every 15 minutes to make it even more real. Yes, that jetway can be extended to your aircraft. As a bonus to players, the view from above is a spectacle to behold. And it’s very realistic.

Shortly after taking off from Vancouver.

Above clouds at 43,000 feet.

Heading for reporting base.

I’d say get it if you’re a flying fanatic. Oh and throw in a joystick. I know this post isn’t really my typical one. I need a break. I’m stressed. Shit.