Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

[tc020791]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

I just checked out the SimBrief and SkyVector site. So the advice is to make a flight plan on one of those sites and leave it open, start the flight in msfs, and switch over to the flight plan to check speed/altitudes/etc or can I "load" them into the sim. I ask that because I see some flight planners say compatible with MSFS. If I can "load" a flight plan into the sim, than that's one I would prefer.



I also checked out Navigraph. Is it the same as SimBrief and Skyvector, and you use whichever one you prefer? I see SimBrief is made by Navigraph. While searching flight planning I see a bunch of reddit users saying that they use a combination of softwares like Navigraph/Simbrief at the same time. So what do they do differently that would require using more then one flight planning software?



You have helped me tremendously. All I need is a point in the right direction and I get lost in the google/youtube rabbit hole. I guess I need to do the IFR tutorials ASAP so I can learn about ILS.

For me personally, I find the system that Microsoft gives you a lot easier to use than SimBrief or Navigraph, especially when first getting started.

This video explains how to do it right on the Xbox, it’s the same process on PC as well.

https://youtu.be/OJ9FX9KgG0c

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

I just checked out the SimBrief and SkyVector site. So the advice is to make a flight plan on one of those sites and leave it open, start the flight in msfs, and switch over to the flight plan to check speed/altitudes/etc or can I "load" them into the sim. I ask that because I see some flight planners say compatible with MSFS. If I can "load" a flight plan into the sim, than that's one I would prefer.

I also checked out Navigraph. Is it the same as SimBrief and Skyvector, and you use whichever one you prefer? I see SimBrief is made by Navigraph. While searching flight planning I see a bunch of reddit users saying that they use a combination of softwares like Navigraph/Simbrief at the same time. So what do they do differently that would require using more then one flight planning software?

You have helped me tremendously. All I need is a point in the right direction and I get lost in the google/youtube rabbit hole. I guess I need to do the IFR tutorials ASAP so I can learn about ILS.

With respect to SimBrief, if you're doing VFR I guess you could keep the map open. How it generally works though is is you are usually inputting those waypoints into the GPS unit/flight computers (in aircraft equipped with such equipment) and they will display the flight path on the monitors (and the auto pilot will follow it if set up and activated)

As far as how SimBrief and Navigraph are used together. SimBrief will generate realistic and comprehensive flight plans for you. It will give you a route and alternate, and also give you payload and a whole bunch of other stuff as well. So it is an simple way to get a realistic flight planned.

Navigraph provides a variety of reference material like charts for departing and approaching airports, taxiing, radio frequencies, etc...Basically all the stuff you need to know to follow real world procedures during the coming and going from a given airport.

jwilphl did a great job explaining everything btw.

If you want to get into flying airliners, definitely start watching some youtube tutorials, and maybe watch some of the streamers who do it. It definitely seems to be the preferred aircraft type for the big streamers.

The default Boeing 787-10 and 747-8 in the game and the freeware mod Flybywire A320 NEO are actually pretty decent compared to previous flight sim default airliners and a great place to start. Airbus is probably the easiest to learn due to the way the auto throttle is very hands off. There are also some very high fidelity payware addons like the PMDG 737 and Fenix A320, which are outstanding, and that's what I do most of my airliner flying in these days. However, I wouldn't recommend investing in any of those until you're comfortable with the default airliners and are enjoying yourself and looking for something more realistic.

[canes21]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Flew my first flight with my new yoke. Also used JPConfigs Cessna 152 that is supposed to be a bit more realistic with regards to physics. It definitely felt more complex than the default 152 in the game.

All I can say is that using the yoke was a much more engaging experience and only made me want pedals and a throttle quadrant more. The controller was nice to use at first, but already after using the yoke one time I am ready to have a setup that basically allows me to physically do just about everything needed.

[Rao Taneja]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

I've been an obsessive flight simulator nerd for the last 20 years (when you deal with severe motion sickness its as close as I'll get to having my PPL). I used to run X-plane years ago on some of my Macs, but ended up picking up a Series S for MSFS 2020. I have no other games on it, so it handles the file sizes and runs MSFS great. I'm intrigued by X-Plane 12, but I've already invested so much into MSFS with yokes and other peripherals that I'm not sure I'll be rushing out to find Mac supported alternatives.

[jwilphl]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

I just checked out the SimBrief and SkyVector site. So the advice is to make a flight plan on one of those sites and leave it open, start the flight in msfs, and switch over to the flight plan to check speed/altitudes/etc or can I "load" them into the sim. I ask that because I see some flight planners say compatible with MSFS. If I can "load" a flight plan into the sim, than that's one I would prefer.

I also checked out Navigraph. Is it the same as SimBrief and Skyvector, and you use whichever one you prefer? I see SimBrief is made by Navigraph. While searching flight planning I see a bunch of reddit users saying that they use a combination of softwares like Navigraph/Simbrief at the same time. So what do they do differently that would require using more then one flight planning software?

You have helped me tremendously. All I need is a point in the right direction and I get lost in the google/youtube rabbit hole. I guess I need to do the IFR tutorials ASAP so I can learn about ILS.

Navigraph and SimBrief work together but provide somewhat different tools. Navigraph helps you better visualize the finer points and details of your flight path. It gives you all the charts, taxi maps, approach plates, etc. Navigraph also offers real-time flight tracking, but I personally haven't tried it yet so I don't know exactly how it works. I assume there are additional downloads and installs for MSFS to get it going.

As the others have already explained. SimBrief is more about creating a "realistic" flight briefing like real pilots would use. It's basically for simulating all the steps up to loading into the game with the actual flight, and it gives you details you can add into the game like cargo weight, fuel, and passenger counts. Some of this you might manually input into the MCDU under the "INIT" page two (block fuel and weights).

One of the things a video tutorial will cover is how you input a flight plan into your MCDU (Multi-Function Control and Display Unit). Each airliner has one. To be honest, I haven't tried importing a flightplan yet from any service, I just do it manually in the cockpit. I do know you can import a plan from SimBrief, however, and that might save some time. I think I'd recommend doing it manually for a while, at least at first, to get comfortable with the computer.

Here's an example route between Detroit (KDTW) and Reagan (KDCA) from a SimBrief flight briefing listing the major waypoints:

KDTW/22R N0463F390 LIDDS2 GRIVY DCT AIR DCT BUCKO FRDMM5 KDCA/19

tc020791 also mentioned you can use the system MSFS gives you by choosing "High Altitude Airways" instead of "VFR Direct" under your initial flight settings on the World Map. Then you can pick your departure runway (choose a gate on the map if you want to start cold and dark), your approach, and your arrival runway. This route will show up on your VFR flight map in the game. You'll still have to program it into your MCDU, however (under "FPLN").

If you use a preplanned flight from SimBrief or Navigraph, your vectors and waypoints may not always line up with what MSFS uses. If you're using your VFR map in the game, for example, you might see your plane going off the pink line if your MCDU-programmed flight plan is different from the one MSFS uses, assuming you've selected both options.

SkyVector, meanwhile, is something that real pilots actually use for flight planning purposes, not really meant for simulation, but it's a quick and free site so you can practice reading maps and so forth.

Here's a couple YouTubers I've used in the past to help with learning:

https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSimSchool/videos

https://www.youtube.com/@737NGDriver

[BiggPapa07]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Right here and addicted. Lol

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Think I might do some virtual hurricane hunting later today.

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Looks like Update 14 is out now for all platforms. Hmm, those 'BIG' Surprises?


Full Update 14 Notes



2023 Road Map

Spoiler

https://www.flightsimulator.blog/2023/12/15/sim-update/?expand_article=1

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Lol, after Starfield I swore to never buy a same day release. I lied. Nov 19!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvzlC4iCtns

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rvzlC4iCtns?si=Ltuq2v2joYu-DP67" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Blzer]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

No 10/10 game has truly existed, until now it seems.

Jesus Almighty.

[EUBlink]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

No 10/10 game has truly existed, until now it seems.

Jesus Almighty.

No kidding. If it accomplishes half of what that trailer teases and does it well, I'll be satisfied.

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

For those interested in hearing updates on MSFS24. The idea that we can exit the aircraft and roam freely has me wowed!


<b>Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - Game Overview | gamescom 2024</b>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb7hpoxFTEE

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jb7hpoxFTEE?si=Agsom33Uc3Yya2iq" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<b>Microsoft Flight Simulator - Gameplay Trailer | gamescom 2024</b>

Step into the cockpit and traverse Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the latest world update 18, <b>available now in Microsoft Flight Simulator.</b>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zEtJCLgPls4?si=hiSkSiquMJlPJD2k" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

<b><big>Preorder Now Available</b></big>

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – available for pre-order today on the Microsoft Store — will launch in a variety of editions on November 19, 2024, and day one with PC Game Pass. All pre-orders will receive the De Havilland Canada CL-415 firefighting aircraft to use instantly in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020). The Standard Edition comes with 70 aircraft and 150 upgraded airports; Deluxe Edition will include 10 additional aircraft and five extra airports; the Premium Deluxe will have another 15 aircraft (total of 95); and then there’s the Aviator Edition for those who want everything which comes with all of the above plus the 30 planes that have been released in the Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Marketplace for a grand total of 125 planes with that edition.

https://www.flightsimulator.com/msfs...now-available/


Standard Edition - $69.99
Deluxe Edition - $99.99
Premium Deluxe Edition - $129.99
Aviator Edition - $199.99

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

A first look. Watch the First Mission of the New Career Mode; Will also have VR support on release too!
https://www.roadtovr.com/microsoft-f...-release-date/


Here's a recording of the first mission of the brand new Career Mode of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, showing what you can expect.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcAGgzbJriw?si=jsZvsqBFv4akaxX9" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Picci]

Re: Any Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans Here?

Nov. 19 is next week. Yes, Game Pass offers you the standard, but I'm still looking to own. Another simplified breakdown.

The main difference between the four main editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are the aircraft and airports. The Standard Edition is $70, and it includes 70 aircraft and 150 upgraded airports. The Deluxe Edition is $100, packing in an extra 10 aircraft and five more upgraded airports. The Premium Deluxe Edition is $130, and it includes another 15 aircraft. This edition is available at physical retail, with a jumbo steel book and an Xbox Play Anywhere code for the game.

Finally, the Aviator Edition weighs in at $200, and it includes an additional 30 aircraft that were published by Microsoft for the prior game


https://www.windowscentral.com/gamin...and-cross-play


There is a limited Collector's Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 available for the most hardcore fans. At $260, it's only available for preorder from Aerosoft. This special version of the game packs in a number of physical extras.


Here's everything included:

Spoiler

Antonov AN-225 model and stand
Flight bag and six patches
Instruction sheet
Logo pin
Flight tags with game code
Lithograph
Letter to fans