Technology Metro

It all began with Microsoft Flight Simulator in 1983, software that allowed people to actually feel as if they were in the cockpit of an airplane, piloting it across hills and valleys, through clouds and blue skies. Now, with Flight Simulator X, Microsoft has once again topped itself. Sim X has busier, more challenging airports and new aircraft that you can fly all over a very, very realistic world.

Microsoft has outdone itself in giving the gamer an experience that feels like real life. While flying anything from jet liners to sailplanes, the user flies over a world of livestock, roads, schools, traffic, tundras and deserts. Where the first MS Flight Simulator was rather stark, this latest version has the user admiring whale pods and herds of gazelles, penguins and traffic jams as they maneuver in a very realistic and detailed pilot’s seat.

The new software lets several gamers fly together or separately from airports all over the globe. You can be an air traffic controller or talk to one as a pilot. Flight Simulator includes several different missions you can undertake such as a role in an air show or a drag race with other fliers. It has search and rescue missions as well as other favorite features from older editions, but updated and much more realistic.

Previous editions of Flight Sim required a joystick but it is now optional. You can use your keyboard, mouse or an Xbox controller to fly your aircraft. Many people like the game controller, as it feels a little more natural to them and provides better control of the aircraft.

Microsoft Flight Simulator has aircraft, cities, very detailed airports and nearly forty missions. The deluxe edition includes those features, too, but has a tower controller and a glass canopied cockpit if you want it. People interested can download a Flight Simulator trial version at no charge.
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As the name implies, FlightGear is a simulation application that can be run on Windows, Linux, UNIX, or Mac easily. This 172MB open source flight simulator is quite versatile in the fact that it has got a lot of features not found in other similar software. As it is a open source software, FlightGear Flight Simulator is free to download. FlightGear works on all the popular operating systems.

FlightGear is a downloadable flight simulator application which can take you to a whole new world of flying. Aircrafts from the first airplane by the Wright Brothers to the latest in the aviation sector is made available in this software and it boasts of excellent graphics by which you can even create airports, aircrafts etc. Navigation is very easy and can be done with a joystick or mouse. The sky is the limit and the FlightGear definitely takes your imagination to higher flights of fantasy.

There is really no need to sweat over the learning part because ample tutorials and links are available in the website which will cater to all your requirements and will clarify your doubts. In fact, all options are available on the screen itself so that the problem of searching through menus is eliminated. This application lets the pilot control various aspects of the flight like weather, and other simulated effects like dodging traffic, shadowing another plane, chase, etc.

In comparison to other similar softwares, FlightGear seems to be at par especially considering its superior graphics and general performance which is really excellent. The audio part is a bit lacking and so are the ground handling features. Another point where it scores less than its competitors is its lack of collision detection mechanism which is quite of a disadvantage.

But on the whole FlightGear is a very thrilling application which provides a whole lot of features not found in other similar products and gives a thrilling experience to its users for FREE.