Flight sims:
I've been into flight sims since about 1985 where I flew my first flight
sim Falcon on the AMIGA 500! Oh nothing like 5 fps with the resolution
so low you loose sight of the bandit behind the cross hairs! =) As
a matter of fact the only reason why I even own a computer has always been
to fly Falcon nothing more. I was in my dream world when I picked
up Falcon 3.0 in 91 and flew it religiously for about 4 years. I
always use to joke with my friends saying I would love to be a beta tester
for Falcon 4.0. In 1997 with the anticipation of Falcon 4.0 release
I started a online virtual squadron called the 469th " Madhatters " during
this time, we somehow found ourselves as beta testers for Microprose testing
Falcon 4.0! Al though it is not much, it is still ironic how being
way up here in Canada, I got to be a very small part of the team that produced
the best flight sim we will ever see! To date, I still fly Falcon 4.0 with
all these outstanding add-ons and patches and fixes the strong Falcon community
is working together to better enhance Falcon.
Favorite sims:
Of course the ultimate sim to bring the experience of flying combat planes
is Falcon 4.0. But I can't forget the world of 486s great sims like
Falcon 3.0, Tornado, EF2000 and SU-27. Another fun sim was Back to
Baghdad for bringing us one step closer to realistic avionics, although
that's about all that sim was good for. =)
Cockpits:
My current sim is Marvin's Viper Sim. This is my third cockpit now,
although this was far exceeds the rest which I have built. The first
one was a simple plywood seat with railings to mount my controls flying.
The next one a few years later was a Camero bucket seat build in hard oak
frame and rails. Pretty much the same thing, but was a little nicer
to look at. In 1998 I started on my current project. It started with
plans from Jeff Heezsle which I modified for a more realistic look.
All the panels are by AGT ( Advanced Graphic Technologies ) and the controls
are all by Thrustmaster ( F22, TQS, RCS ) and of course it is all controlled
by EPIC.
The approach I took on my sim, was partly authentic and partly a gaming
platform. Although it appears to be right on, there are many changes
I altered to make it a dedicated Falcon sim. For example, the front
instrument panel was done to house the monitor placing it in front of the
pilot rather than sitting on top of the glare shield. This way the
computer cockpit is the front with the ICP, MFDs underneath the monitor.
Some F-16 panels were replaced for a more custom design, example, the realistic
audio comm panel was replaces by a audio panel which controls 2 headphone
jacks, external speakers and a 2 sub woofers in the cockpit.
Probably my next approach will be for a more realistic cockpit with working
MFDs, HUD, and projection screen. For now it is one big Falcon 4.0
experience.
Sorry guys, I just can't find anything good to say about Janes combat sims.
I have F-15, F/A-18 and USAF, and they have not been in my hard drive for
longer than a week! =)
Canada
