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Can I learn to fly in a computer simulation?
What can I do? ... said Chino. With this set up I can now fly visually around the Worcester/Boston area, using large features for visual navigation. I've found from past flights that it is usually things like "a town that is north of a circular lake with a large highway to the east" that are the most useful landmarks -- buildings and such don't figure much even if you are only at 3000 feet -- and only the larger features are on the sectional charts anyway. I can practice the landing pattern entry and procedures, though without better rudder control, I can't deal with crosswinds right now. I haven't done it yet, but I know I can plan and test-fly short and long cross-country flights, using landmarks in the immediate area, plus navigation aids like VOR (Fly! also has GPS, but we don't use that in the C152). Outside my "user scenery" area and the five included detailed city areas, Fly! uses "generic" scenery, though airports are correct and are great landmarks in reality and in the sim. |
I haven't done all that much yet, but it already seems useful. I notice that I tend to flare high in the sim -- just like I do in the plane! Once I get better controls, I expect that my "procedure" practice will be more effective. I expect to practice emergency procedures too -- kill the engine and make an emergency landing. I hope to NOT do that in real life (though you learn, discuss and rehearse the procedures, and learn to always look for likely places to land in case of emergency). |
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