Every now and again I have a discussion with myself, (much to the concern of my near neighbours!), which of my various collection of Flight Sims shall I try today?... ...!
...well..yesterday I wheeled out my trusty copy of FS 2002 for a flight around the Los Angeles Valley, and was pleasantly surprised at just how wonderfully it still performs, compared to our more modern versions of FS 2004 and FSX!
Following after FS '98 and FS 2000, FS 2002 really was a breath of fresh air to suddenly observe the "realistic" scenery for the first time!
FS 2000 was a bit of a wash-out, (except that we had a fantastic Flying Manual provided with it!), but the designers must have had a re-think, and came out with FS 2002, which was a vast improvement overall!
Even today, FS 2002 with the modern hardware available, and a few extra scenery, etc, bits and bobs added to it, it  can almost rival FS 2004. ...., and even FSX!.. ... ...!
There is no doubt that Microsoft were going in the right direction, at the time, with their various versions of proper; "Flight Simulators!"... ...!
Its just a shame that that vision seems to have got lost in the wilderness at the moment... ...!
Still...I've still got all my lovely copies of FS '98, 2000, 2002, 2004, and FSX...
So, all is not lost for me!... ...!

Paul...Somewhere, in a proper Flight Simulator!... ...!

expat wrote on Mar 14^th, 2012 at 10:34am:


Hello Matt!... ...!

FU2!.... ... ... ...!

"Flight Unlimited" by Looking Glass Studios...bless 'em!... ..1

Yep! I Have FU I, II, and III still in their Boxes... ..!

Those are the Flight Sims that got me hooked into California flying, which I have done ever since!
I occasionally take FU II out for a tour of ' Frisco and the surrounding area...(I have the included FU II Sectional Chart in front of me now!).
Another of my favourites from the past (which I still use) is Pro Pilot '99, with its excellent ATC, and the wonderful Flight Manuals included in the box!
...and not forgetting "Fly!"...
And then there are all the old various Helicopter Sims..."Gunship", etc...!
So much fun from those old Flight Sims can still be had, even today...tears in my eyes... ...!
I am buried under boxes of Computer Flight Sims, Games, etc, since 1980 (Sinclair Spectrum/Commodore 64, etc),...and its lovely!... ....!

Paul...'Puter Nut!... ...!

I occasionally try out my copy of FSX which I purchased when first released, but somehow I really cant get  excited by it...

I have got so used to all the FS 2004 Menu options, etc, carried on from the previous versions, that I sometimes find FSX a bit infuriating to use!
Its "familiarity" that I like with FS 2004...Its an old, familiar friend! ...!
...and, of course "FS Navigator" gets us locked into it, as well.. ...!

Paul...FS 2004...and all is well in the World!... ...!

Apex wrote on Mar 14^th, 2012 at 12:07pm:


Naughty Apex... ..!

No Bridges in FS 2002?... ...

Strange, I thought, so I just fired up my FS 2002, and lo and behold, the Cal Bridges are there, in all their glory...>>
Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge (with Treasure Island), San Rafael Bridge, Martinez Road and Rail Bridges, Dumbarton Bridge, etc...

The same as FS 2004/FSX!... ...!

The California Highway Patrol are not best pleased Pilots who buzz their Bridges!

Paul... ...!

I found FS98 recently when I was clearing some shelves. Not sure that is worth putting back due to the big pixels in the ground scenery but FS2002 was a great fun sim and you can do a heck of a lot with it

The bridges are there in FS2002, but as I recall, look rather stringy, whereas in FS2004 they came out in fuller glory. 

And that's the only way I can ever again see the NYC bridges as I'll never be able to go back for real. 

I've also done some scenery updating in San Fran and NYC which helped, and also some kind of night lighting add on which brings out the bridge lights. 

I don't have FS2002 installed anymore, so can't look back at it. 

As slow as my computer has been acting lately I thought for a moment I was using FS2 on an old Apple 2.  Ahhh, nostalgia.

expat wrote on Mar 16^th, 2012 at 4:17am:


... ... ...!

I get the Kron4 News and weather forecasts e-mailed to me every day...>>> http://www.kron.com/
...and its great fun setting up my Cal flights according to local weather conditions, FS 2004 Jeppesen real weather/REX weather avoidance system, etc...
Similar to Great Britain, the changeable SOCAL weather every day is mostly unpredictable and often comes as a big surprise, pleasant, or otherwise*.. ...!
From violent storms early in the year, to Summer wildfires, and earthquakes at any time!.... ...!
Every FS 2004 California morning flight is always something to be well prepared for.. ..!
...its all part of the enjoyment of M$ Flight Simming... ...!

Paul...FS 2004...a bottle of Napa Valley's finest red wine, an imaginary little aeroplane..and my day is made!

....sorted!... ...!

* http://www.kron4.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=3426
http://www.kron4.com/WeatherAndTraffic/Weather.aspx