Online Flight Simulator - WARNING!
But still... There is a fair amount of homework you should be getting done first, rather than just rushing in and buying the first sim you find. You'll most certainly need to do your best to avoid investing in a crappy product. Let's see what it takes to choose a good flight simulator.
What to Look for In a Good Online Flight Simulator:
Image realism and clarity is most likely the most important thing you'll want to research between all the flight simulators out there. You should actually watch your flight simulation package in action, and not just rely on photographs. Many simulators will be covered in online video demonstration. Check sites like YouTube to see which, if any, software package demo videos are being featured. You'd be wise not to fail to recognize the value of getting an actual visual overview of the flight simulators you're considering!Selection is what we're striving for here, and you should buy a flight sim that has plenty of variety to spare. A lack of choices produces a lack of interest in no time flat. Yes, variety is a good thing, indeed! The essential functions of every flight simulation program you consider will reveal how much variety you'll get out of the system. Visit the systems' official sites, or just take a peek at the actual product boxes to find these main product features.
Realism is a vital attribute to insist upon. This goes well past fabulous audio-visual. You want both the equipment and the scenery to be as real as they can be. Of equal importance, you'll want your aircraft to behave as it would in actuality. This is even truer when adverse weather conditions enter the equation!
A very important requirement for your software package is that it can be customized to meet your exact specifications. Training (and playing) immediately gets far more life-like and exhilarating when you're the one calling all the shots. Say you find yourself in the mood to fly a military fighter jet from Nellis Air Force Base over the Las Vegas Strip in the middle of a crazy electrical storm... just because! As you can imagine, this is going to better your flight simulation experience in a big way.
Please take a look at the system requirements prior to investing in a flight simulator. Go ahead and forget this important , but it may just ground you before you ever experience your first takeoff. This is a costly error, but it can also be kinda humbling. Without checking this somewhat obvious bit of research, you're taking a real chance!
Does your package come with a money-back guarantee? A no-questions-asked money-back guarantee is an important thing to consider. Are you certain that you can get your money back if the software package you choose doesn't meet your standards? If the answer is no, you may want to keep shopping around.
Can you upgrade your sim over time? Staying on top of technology is essential, especially if you're an actual pilot in training. No simulator is safe from going out-of-date in a hurry. Both the video game and aviation industries will continue to expand, and your software package should, too.
Make sure your flight simulator will allow you to use your favorite USB hardware when flying. Why let all those great controllers out there go to waste? This is absolutely key. Using a true-to-life USB flight controller, as opposed to just your computer's keyboard, will give your experience a much-needed boost. This is especially important if you're an actual pilot in training.
When shopping for your new program, be sure to check for the criteria listed above. It is important that you don't just buy the first flight simulation system you come across. Instead, shop around a bit. The payoff for doing this will be a system that you absolutely love; that never gets old; that never disappoints!
It's also a good idea to seek out some unbiased customer reviews. What are people saying about your desired sim? Try to find these reviews on independent sites, too, just to get a balanced view. May this help you make a choice that you're thrilled with for years to come!
