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No More Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases

By Doug Holland (Intel) (233 posts) on January 31, 2009 at 10:28 pm

I was just reading some posts over at the AOPA forums and discovered a post indicating that the Microsoft team that was responsible for writing Microsoft Flight Simulator would be closed.

As a pilot I use Microsoft Flight Simulator for training scenarios and often fly to a new airport virtually before flying there for real. If Microsoft Flight Simulator X really is going to be the last version that would be a sad loss for the general aviation community as many pilots, like myself, use this software as a training aid.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator X the capabilities and graphics are truly stunning and so I'm planning on speaking to some contacts within Microsoft about this and will let you know what I hear about the fate of Flight Simulator.

Categories: Software Engineering

Comments (13)

January 31, 2009 10:46 PM PST Ray

It is a great product. However, it is too focused on reality rather than fun which leads to a narrow audience: enthusiasts. Therefore, it won't earn too much money for Microsoft to justify the cost.

February 1, 2009 12:00 AM PST Kevin

This is such a shame. Flight simulation is one of the few areas that Microsoft truly 'led front the front' and impressed not only flight simulators and gamers but the general public as well. I could understand cut backs in these difficult times but to simply just close down Microsoft Flight Simulator, with its long windows history, seems a very short sighted approach. Pity...I was looking forward to a new 'win 7' version to run on their new operating system.

February 1, 2009 12:14 AM PST Kevin

You know, if the darn product was advertised correctly, I see no reason why there couldn't be a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator 'in every home'. I live in Australia and I can't remember Microsoft ever promoting this BRILLIANT product. Why...? I mean.....we have professional pilots using it as a training aid for goodness sake..........Doesn't that speak volumes? Customers need to be reminded just how good the latest version is....that's all.

February 1, 2009 12:52 PM PST x

Commercial pilots train on full flight simulators, by law (FAA/JAA and others). Try CAE (http://www.cae.com).

February 1, 2009 8:20 PM PST Doug Holland (Intel) Total Points: 12,580 Status Points: 12,580 Black Belt

Hey Ray, I really think you'd be surprised at how many non-pilots are flying Microsoft Flight Simulator. Sure it is realistic and that is why many people like it as for some it is as close as they get to being behind the controls of a real airplane. The realism makes it useful for pilots to add to more traditional flight training, and the realism can also be tuned down for non-pilots too. Of course Microsoft must, like any other company, determine the right direction for the company and its share holders. Hopefully they will determine that this product is worth keeping around. Regards, Doug

February 1, 2009 8:27 PM PST Doug Holland (Intel) Total Points: 12,580 Status Points: 12,580 Black Belt

Hey Kevin, I'd definately like to log some hours flying down in Australia some day and that really is another benefit of FSX. I wouldn't even have to wait to come down under to fly a Cessna 182 in the outback, I can just load up an airport or two in Australia and enjoy the flight. Sure it doesn't come close to flying a real Cessna which is why I love to do that but the extra hours I log on FSX make real flight safer in many ways. When planning a flight into Santa Rosa, CA for the first time I flew the flight several times on FSX to get a good feel for the airport layout and flying the pattern there. I do hope we'll see a new copy of Flight Simulator for Windows 7 and DirectX 11, but time will tell... Regards, Doug

February 1, 2009 8:30 PM PST Doug Holland (Intel) Total Points: 12,580 Status Points: 12,580 Black Belt

Commerical flight simulators, such as those produced by CAE are great tools but for the average Cessna or Cirrus pilot Microsoft Flight Simulator provided a great simulator for additional training. I recently had the opportunity to fly a C-17 simulator at Travis AFB but unfortunately had the flu that day, talk about bad timing :( Maybe I'll get another shot at that someday...

June 12, 2009 12:06 AM PDT stephen seckels

I agree also about your comments to Microsoft flight simulator fsx ; but I hope that there will be another version coming out in the near future fs11 and I would like to see in that version. 1. better clouds complexity engine 2. corrections when it is raining that not coming out of the blue sky... that their actually a cloud above you 3. more detail scenery more data by using double layer DVD disk's maybe 3 of them would be fine total. 4. water on runways when taking off and landing 5. better lightning effects, louder thunder shakes the plane 6. solid overcast skies sounds good to me as well 7. more realistic water scenery. 8. If you noticed the product out there called Google earth - that they have real time data of the weather satellites showing where the clouds and precipitation are on the Earth at that given moment... what would be nice that they also would have it in flight simulator as well showing where real clouds are on the earth and if they where cumulus or status or cirrus layers as well ; and where the true precipitation is at the real time in the area. 9. correction when there precipitation in the area and you are about to go above the clouds and there is blue sky above you that it is not raining. 10.better stars in the night sky flying.

July 7, 2009 1:05 PM PDT Jim McCommons

I can't find anywhere what planes are available to fly on flight simulator X?

July 7, 2009 1:11 PM PDT Doug Holland (Intel) Total Points: 12,580 Status Points: 12,580 Black Belt

Hey Stephen, I have to say I like you ideas for FSX+1 although I'm not even sure what the story would be on service packs let alone a new edition. - Doug

July 7, 2009 1:13 PM PDT Doug Holland (Intel) Total Points: 12,580 Status Points: 12,580 Black Belt

Hey Jim, Is there a particular aircraft you're looking for or just a general list of available aircraft? I'm mainly using the Cessna 172 and there are several versions of the 172 with either round-dial instruments or the G1000 glass displays. I obviously don't have it installed here at work but I'll see if I can get you a better list next time I'm using the software at home. - Doug

August 11, 2009 6:32 PM PDT Tony Kovacs

Sure you can just go to AVSIM <a title="Virtual Airlines Flight Simulator" href="http://www.simmiles.com">Virtual Airlines Flight Simulator</a>

August 13, 2009 11:43 PM PDT Tony Kovacs

I agree, AVSIM is the best resource for flight simulator information and addons for all FSX and FS2004 <a title="Virtual Airlines, Flight Simulator, Online Flying, Flight Simulation, FSX" href="http://www.simmiles.com">Virtual Airlines, Flight Simulator, Online Flying, Flight Simulation</a>

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