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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
- Sprache: Englisch
Take to the (virtual) skies with help from Microsoft Flight Simulator Microsoft Flight Simulator has offered a great way to fly aircraft of all sizes without ever leaving the ground for nearly 40 years. With help from Microsoft Flight Simulator For Dummies, you'll take to the skies in everything from tiny two-seaters to huge commercial airliners. Plot your course and deal with realistic wind and weather as you fly pond hoppers, 747s, and everything in between all around the world. In this book, you'll learn how to: * Start with getting a feel for the controls of a small plane before moving on to larger airliners * Get familiar with the instrument panels of all sorts of planes * Deal with virtual emergencies, dynamic weather, Maydays, and more! Great for anyone just getting started with Microsoft Flight Simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator For Dummies is also the perfect book for existing players looking to get the most out of their time with this awesome game.
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Seitenzahl: 367
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
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Microsoft® Flight Simulator For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Trademarks: Wiley, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, Dummies.com, Making Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. Microsoft and Flight Simulator are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Microsoft® Flight Simulator® For Dummies® is an independent publication and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Microsoft Corporation.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2023930716
ISBN 978-1-119-82845-7 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-82846-4 (ePDF); ISBN 978-1-119-82847-1 (ePub)
Microsoft® Flight Simulator For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Microsoft Flight Simulator For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting Started with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Chapter 1: Taking to the Virtual Skies
Following the Evolution of Flight Simulators
Evaluating Whether Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Is Right for You
Selecting and Purchasing Microsoft Flight Simulator
Time for the Big Handoff
Chapter 2: Taking Control with (or without) a Custom Setup
Checking Out Custom Setups and Cockpits
Running the Cockpit from the Keyboard
Commanding the Cockpit with the Controller
Chapter 3: Heading to Flight School
Exploring the Game’s Main Menu
Early Flight Tips for Future Ace Pilots
Playing Those Tutorials
Taking off the Training Wheels and Engaging the Landing Wheels
Chapter 4: Virtual Planes, Real Pilot: Flight Simulator in VR
Experiencing a Whole New (Virtual) World
Preparing for VR Gaming
Appraising Hearty Headsets
Tweaking Game Performance Settings
Chapter 5: Takeoff in Tandem: Flights with Friends
Meeting up with Friends for a Midair Adventure
Crafting Your Itinerary
Strategizing and Taking Off
Collaborating Cross-Console
Part 2: The Art of Single-Engine Navigation
Chapter 6: Loving Flight Fundamentals
Your Plane Will Cop an Attitude
Exploring Aerodynamic Forces
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Chapter 7: Learning Those Instruments
Reading Analog Instruments
Going Digital in a Glass Cockpit
Chapter 8: Pulling Off a Successful Start-Up
Choosing a Good Starter Plane
Looking around Your Departure Airport
Heading to (or from) Popular Airports and Landmarks
Preparing for and Accomplishing Takeoff
Handling Adverse Flying Conditions
Chapter 9: Departing from and Returning to the Runway
Making It Up into the Air
Coming Home Again, Home Again
Touching Down
Part 3: Airport Operations
Chapter 10: Knowing Your Way Around the Airport
Finding the Runway and Other Ways
What You Can Do at Airports
Identifying Compatible Airports
Is Your Chosen Airport the Real Deal?
Chapter 11: Talking Your Way Into (and Through) the Air
Engaging with ATC
Observing the Rules while Communicating with ATC
Working through an ATC Communications Sequence
Part 4: Choosing and Flying Your Aircraft
Chapter 12: Airplane! (Not the Movie, the Craft)
Pick a Craft, Any Craft
Planes, Planes, and More Planes
Different Planes for Different Pilots
Chapter 13: Knowing the Nitty-Gritty of Flight Planning and Navigation
Gathering Information for the Flight You Want to Take
Planning and Navigating Your Flight by the Important Details
Chapter 14: Working the Radio in Single or Multiplayer Mode
Calling Up the Radio
How to Communicate by Using Your Radio
Flying the Friendly Skies with Company
Chapter 15: Rules, Rules, Rules — So Many Rules!
Playing It Safe by Following the Rules
Knowing What Not to Do
Part 5: What to Do in Case of an Emergency
Chapter 16: Mayday! Recognizing and Responding to Emergencies
Yes, It’s Probably an Emergency
Preparing for Emergency Scenarios
Getting Safely Through the Emergency
Dealing with Equipment Failures
Extinguishing Engine Fires
Chapter 17: Making an Emergency Landing
Strategizing and Practicing for Emergency Landings
Determining a Landing Location
Adjusting the Approach and Touching Down
Making a Power-Off Approach
Part 6: The Part of Tens
Chapter 18: Ten Flight Simulator Tricks You Should Know
Start in Midair
Find Animals Quickly
Refuel Your Aircraft Anywhere
Turn Off Satellite Overlay
Explore Outside the Plane
Explore the Streets
Speed Up Your Flight
Fast Travel to Flight Phases
Customize Your Pilot Avatar
Change Your ATC Call Sign
Chapter 19: Ten Cool Airports to Visit Virtually
Courchevel Altiport; French Alps
Dubai International Airport; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Gustaf III Airport; St. Jean, Saint Barthélemy
John F. Kennedy International Airport; New York City, New York, USA
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport; Saba, Lesser Antilles
Marble Canyon Airport; Marble Canyon, Arizona, USA
Mataveri International Airport; Easter Island, Chile
Tenzing-Hillary Airport; Lukla, Nepal
Tokyo International Airport; Tokyo, Japan
Your Airport
Part 7: Appendixes: Example Flights
Appendix A: Example Cessna Flight
Making a Cold and Dark Start
Taxiing Your Cessna 152 for Takeoff
Taking Off and Flying a Cessna 152
Landing Your Cessna 152
Appendix B: Example Baron G58 Twin-Engine Flight
Making the Cold and Dark Start in a Beechcraft Baron
Taxiing Your Twin-Engine Baron
Taking Off and Flying the Baron
Landing in the Beechcraft Baron
Appendix C: Example 787 Dreamliner Flight
Starting Cold and Dark in the 787
Taxiing Your Dreamliner
Taking Off and Flying the 787
Landing Your Big Boat — er, Plane
Index
About the Author
Advertisement Page
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 2
TABLE 2-1 Keybinds for Instruments and Systems
TABLE 2-2 Keybinds for Cameras and Views
TABLE 2-3 Keybinds for Menu Commands
TABLE 2-4 Autopilot Keybinds
TABLE 2-5 Braking Keybinds
TABLE 2-6 Power Management Keybinds
TABLE 2-7 Flight Control Surface Keybinds
TABLE 2-8 Radio Communications Keybinds
TABLE 2-9 Lighting Keybinds
TABLE 2-10 Cameras, Views, and Modes
TABLE 2-11 In-Game Menu
TABLE 2-12 Brake and Power Management Controls
TABLE 2-13 Flight Control Surfaces
Chapter 3
TABLE 3-1 Main Menu Sections
TABLE 3-2: Sections of the World Map
Chapter 4
TABLE 4-1 PC Specifications for Flight Simulator in VR Mode
TABLE 4-2 Suggested Headset Options
TABLE 4-3 VR Settings in Flight Simulator
Chapter 5
TABLE 5-1 Common Multiplayer Mode Issues
Chapter 6
TABLE 6-1 Assistance Categories and Options
Chapter 10
TABLE 10-1 Standard Edition Handcrafted Airports
TABLE 10-2 Deluxe Edition Handcrafted Airports
TABLE 10-3 Premium Edition Handcrafted Airports
TABLE 10-4 Handcrafted Airports by Update
Chapter 12
TABLE 12-1 Standard Microsoft Flight Simulator Aircraft
TABLE 12-2 Propeller Aircraft in Flight Simulator
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 Aircraft Failures That You Can Choose
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
FIGURE 1-1: Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0, released in November 1982 for the I...
FIGURE 1-2: One of Flight Simulator promotional screenshots.
FIGURE 1-3: An infographic showing each of Flight Simulator unique versions.
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1 Your cockpit is one of the most important places during your flight.
FIGURE 2-2: Turn on VR mode from the General Options menu after launching Fligh...
FIGURE 2-3 The keyboard puts a myriad of commands directly at your fingertips.
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1: The Main Menu in Flight Simulator, with sections numbered.
FIGURE 3-2: The World Map offers you exciting options.
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: A glimpse of how the cockpit looks when seen in virtual reality.
FIGURE 4-2: Some of the headsets you can choose from for your first VR flight.
FIGURE 4-3: The Meta Quest 2, pictured alongside the Quest 2 Link cable.
FIGURE 4-4: The HP Reverb G2 virtual reality headset.
FIGURE 4-5: The Valve Index.
FIGURE 4-6: A look at the VR Mode settings screen.
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: Adding a friend to MSFS 2020.
FIGURE 5-2: Viewing your friends or friend group.
FIGURE 5-3: Choosing flight conditions.
FIGURE 5-4: The Aircraft Selection menu.
FIGURE 5-5: Weight and balance entries for your airplane of choice.
FIGURE 5-6: Look to the World Map for a flight destination.
FIGURE 5-7: Ready for takeoff with your friends.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: The three axes of an airplane.
FIGURE 6-2: An aircraft’s parts that help determine its position related to its...
FIGURE 6-3: An airplane cockpit that shows the yoke.
FIGURE 6-4: A look at the Assistance menu when you first access it.
FIGURE 6-5: The Flight Assistant menu.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1 A view of an analog cockpit.
FIGURE 7-2: A view of a glass cockpit’s PFD.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: Choose a proper plane for your first flight.
FIGURE 8-2: Know where you are in the airport before taking off.
FIGURE 8-3: Black-on-yellow signs show you which taxiways you’re crossing.
FIGURE 8-4: Use these signs to see which taxiway you’re traveling along.
FIGURE 8-5: These signs represent critical parts of the airport.
FIGURE 8-6: You don’t have to travel far to get a view of Hong Kong from this a...
FIGURE 8-7: Taking off from the Maria Reiche Neuman Airport offers a view of th...
FIGURE 8-8: Extending the flaps enough for lift but not too much to create exce...
FIGURE 8-9: Give yourself a good view of everything before taking off.
FIGURE 8-10: Ensure you’re centered on the runway before attempting takeoff.
FIGURE 8-11: Bad weather can pose a significant challenge for pilots looking to...
FIGURE 8-12: Wind speed and direction are important factors that affect takeoff...
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: Landing and taking off present you with controls to conquer and obs...
FIGURE 9-2: Signage around airports tells you where to go.
FIGURE 9-3: Try not to pitch down when taking off; it can slow your climb.
FIGURE 9-4: Keep the throttle and yoke steady while you climb.
FIGURE 9-5: Keep an eye on your airspeed at any point in the flight.
FIGURE 9-6: Right- and left-hand airport patterns.
FIGURE 9-7: Keep an eye on your RPM indicator at all times when landing and tak...
FIGURE 9-8: Landing smoothly requires lining up your aircraft and keeping your ...
FIGURE 9-9: Celebrate after you reach your gate.
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1: An airliner parked at a gate.
FIGURE 10-2: All flights (ideally) begin and end on the runway.
FIGURE 10-3: Taxiway navigation is one of the big challenges of airport operati...
FIGURE 10-4: Terminals come in all shapes and sizes.
FIGURE 10-5: Some players find Flight Simulator’s airport simulations lacking i...
FIGURE 10-6: Airports can be tiny strips on tall mountains or giant internation...
FIGURE 10-7: Pilots can successfully take off, even on a smaller airstrip.
FIGURE 10-8: Landing on concrete is very different than bouncing around a dirt ...
FIGURE 10-9: Asobo Studios has handcrafted some of the most iconic airports in ...
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1 A typical air traffic control tower.
FIGURE 11-2: The ATC window in Flight Simulator.
FIGURE 11-3: A standard radio panel.
FIGURE 11-4: The KSDF airport diagram.
FIGURE 11-5: Taxiways are designated by these little signs.
FIGURE 11-6: Check in with ATC when on approach for landing.
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1: A turboprop plane in flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
FIGURE 12-2: The Textron Aviation Cessna 152 plane, great for beginning players...
FIGURE 12-3: The Beechcraft Baron G58; a fabulous all-purpose plane.
FIGURE 12-4: The ICON A5 plane is one of the flashier designs you can choose.
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1: Keeping in constant contact with ATC ensures up-to-date informatio...
FIGURE 13-2: Tuning in the ATC window for local weather conditions.
FIGURE 13-3: ATC landing instructions.
FIGURE 13-4: Navigating by landmarks is vital to flying based on visual rules.
FIGURE 13-5: Leaving KJFK via runway 22R.
FIGURE 13-6: Make sure to choose efficient and effective flight paths when plan...
FIGURE 13-7: Your cruising altitude changes with every flight.
FIGURE 13-8: The estimated time can vary depending on the amount of stops you a...
FIGURE 13-9: Check your estimated time of arrival in the Navlog at any time.
FIGURE 13-10: Customizing weather conditions affects the flight challenges you ...
FIGURE 13-11: The Weight and Balance screen helps you manage your passengers an...
FIGURE 13-12: Keep an eye on the maximum weights of your aircraft while you mak...
FIGURE 13-13: Your flight path is one of the most important and basic pieces of...
FIGURE 13-14: Selections for the players and air traffic you want to experience...
FIGURE 13-15: For a more controlled flight, set up the weather that you want to...
FIGURE 13-16: Your console instruments — from the compass to the altimeter — pr...
FIGURE 13-17: Use your fuel gauge as a point of reference to ensure that you’re...
FIGURE 13-18: The Navlog is one of the most useful but often overlooked tools a...
Chapter 14
FIGURE 14-1: The radio panel in an aircraft.
FIGURE 14-2: You can easily miss ATC callouts, but the ATC window helps.
FIGURE 14-3: Keep in contact with ATC and regional operators while out on your ...
FIGURE 14-4: Multiplayer mode opens a whole new world of immersion in Flight Si...
FIGURE 14-5: Some airports may require you to wait to land or take off.
Chapter 15
FIGURE 15-1: Follow all airspeed regulations.
FIGURE 15-2: The Flight Simulator world incorporates real-world aviation regula...
FIGURE 15-3: Flight paths often need to change mid-flight due to weather and ot...
Chapter 16
FIGURE 16-1: Heed the red lights in a dark cockpit.
FIGURE 16-2: A Cessna 152 cockpit (top) versus a more complex Airbus A320neo co...
FIGURE 16-3: Engine failure can keep a plane from making it to its destination.
FIGURE 16-4: Making an emergency landing in a field.
FIGURE 16-5: Engine fires are accompanied by flashing lights and blaring alerts...
Chapter 17
FIGURE 17-1: You never know when your cockpit display might signal an emergency...
FIGURE 17-2: Don’t look for a perfect emergency landing zone; a field can work ...
FIGURE 17-3: Approaching an emergency landing zone requires precision and patie...
FIGURE 17-4: Outlines can tell you where landmarks and obstacles are, even in t...
Chapter 18
FIGURE 18-1: Choosing a departure point for starting your flight in midair.
FIGURE 18-2: Locating fauna in the world.
FIGURE 18-3: Searching for the Repair and Refuel option for key-binding.
FIGURE 18-4: Setting the World Map to IFR view.
FIGURE 18-5: Look around your flight path by using the Active Pause mode.
FIGURE 18-6: Looking at the world via the Flight Simulator street view.
FIGURE 18-7: Bind a keyboard button so that you can adjust sim rates.
FIGURE 18-8: Finding your fast travel options in the Travel To window.
FIGURE 18-9: The various options for your pilot avatar in Pilot Avatar Settings...
FIGURE 18-10: Changing your call sign in the Customization window.
Chapter 19
FIGURE 19-1: Courchevel Altiport.
FIGURE 19-2: Dubai International Airport.
FIGURE 19-3: Gustaf III Airport.
FIGURE 19-4: John F. Kennedy International Airport.
FIGURE 19-5: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport.
FIGURE 19-6: Marble Canyon Airport.
FIGURE 19-7: Mataveri International Airport.
FIGURE 19-8: Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
FIGURE 19-9: Tokyo International Airport.
FIGURE 19-10: The sky’s the limit.
Appendix A
FIGURE A-1: The Cessna control panel.
FIGURE A-2: A Cessna preparing to taxi.
FIGURE A-3: A Cessna taking off.
FIGURE A-4: A Cessna coming in for a landing.
Appendix B
FIGURE B-1: Beechcraft Baron control panel.
FIGURE B-2: A Beechcraft Baron preparing to taxi.
FIGURE B-3: A Beechcraft Baron lifting off.
FIGURE B-4: A Beechcraft Baron approaching for landing.
Appendix C
FIGURE C-1: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s overhead control panel.
FIGURE C-2: A 787 taxiing.
FIGURE C-3: A 787 taking flight.
FIGURE C-4: A Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing.
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Introduction
Have you ever wanted to fly around the world simply by booting up a video game? Stop over at some of the largest airports in the country, then zip around to the other side of the globe with a plane full of passengers?
Welcome to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the most realistic flying simulation game on the market. You’re not confined to a single map or two, or even an incomplete list of destinations. The world is your oyster, as they say. And you can go anywhere. Fly from point A to point B, wherever your heart desires, in the confines of this expansive, lovingly crafted game.
But unless you’re an actual pilot, a flight simulator expert, or one of the developers, you might need a little help getting started. This isn’t like your typical first-person shooter or adventure game. The aircraft you find throughout the book are real-world aircraft. People go to school for years to learn how to fly them.
So with this book, I’m taking you to flight school, so to speak. After you read the parts that are pertinent to your Flight Simulator journey, you can simply jump into the airplane of your choice, spin the globe to choose a destination, and fly there in no time.
Like the wise Joshua Michael Homme of Queens of the Stone Age once sang:
It’s gonna be smooth sailing
From here on out
About This Book
When you fire up Flight Simulator, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What do you do first? How in the heck does a plane actually work? Will you ever get off of the runway, and how will you accomplish that? What’s the best place to start?
Here’s the honest truth: The game won’t hold your hand. That’s fine. I’m here to do just that. This book is for anyone who has questions, concerns, or frustrations about Flight Simulator. Enjoying a flight simulator game should be for everyone, not just for those with the patience to watch dozens of piecemeal YouTube videos or complete a slew of practice flights.
Really, the For Dummies series is all about giving you just what you need to know to accomplish things as simply as possible. In the case of Flight Simulator, you can find out the basics (and handy shortcuts) of the game that can help you fly your favorite aircraft across the world to any destination you choose.
This book is a reference tool crafted to help you get as much out of this realistic simulator as possible. Follow the part and chapter structure to
Get acquainted with the nuts and bolts of the game, its setup, and its controls.
Find out about basic flight principles that apply in the real world, how to invite friends to fly with you, and even how to play in virtual reality.
Pull off a successful start-up and takeoff, and then figure out how to navigate, as well as return to the runway. (Talk about a round-trip flight!)
Determine how to find your way around an airport and communicate with air traffic controllers.
Select the airplanes that you want to fly with, explore how to navigate while in the air, and embrace flight rules and radio etiquette.
Discover the unexpected happenings that can occur when you’re in the cockpit, prepare for them, and tackle that emergency landing when you need to.
Follow the steps provided to take sample flights in aircraft that have various levels of complexity.
Sure, you could do a few Google searches to find some of the information presented in this book, but there’s nothing quite like having everything you need to know gathered in one place. There’s still something to be said about a physical tome that contains a wealth of knowledge about a subject.
Consult it when you have no Internet connectivity. Read it when you’re on the throne. Roll it up and swat a fly with it. No matter how you slice it, there are about a zillion ways this book can help you inside and outside of Flight Simulator. In a pinch, you could probably use it as an emergency ration. Chewy, but it’s still sustenance.
Buying this book is the cheapest way to consult an expert, really. For less than the price of the game itself, you’re getting the expertise of someone who’s played video games for nearly 30 years, written about them for almost two decades, and accumulated real-world aviation information as it relates to the aircraft you’ll be flying. It’s a win for everyone, in my book. This one, I mean.
Foolish Assumptions
Most level-headed people don’t like to make assumptions. But if I wanted to get this book into the hands of those who might need it most, I had to do just that. And here you are, just as planned — which is great! So, let me put it to you like this: If one of these assumptions ends up being incorrect, I have a sneaking suspicion you can still find this book helpful.
I assume that
You probably like planes. Maybe you’re interested in their inner workings. Perhaps you enjoy traveling. Either way, you have some sort of rudimentary knowledge or passion about aircraft that makes you want to dive into this book. You might even be a pilot in real life, looking to take your passion into the digital world.
Whatever the case may be, you take some sort of delight in watching, riding in, studying, or looking at planes. Or at the very least, you know what a plane is. Right? Okay, great.
You’re familiar with video games.
You’ve either played a few of them or you’ve seen them in passing. You have an interest in video gaming, even if you’re not an avid gamer. Whether you’ve killed a few Goombas here and there, or explored Magicant several times over, gaming is at least a small part of your life.
You’re curious about or enjoy simulation games.
Maybe you’ve driven everything from farm equipment to trains in the digital world, and planes are the next frontier. (Great choice, by the way.) It seems obvious to me that you enjoy either the idea of flying an aircraft or the actual experience. The thrill of seeing the world from 40,000 feet in the air never wears off — in the real world or in the game.
So whether you’re a hardcore gamer who happens to enjoy sim games or you’re an aspiring pilot looking to get a little virtual practice in before you actually hop in the cockpit, you can get something out of this book. And if not, well, go ahead and buy it anyway. Collecting retro tech is getting expensive, and I’m still trying to add a Super Lady Cassette Vision from Epoch Co. and a copy of Milky Princess to my stores.
Icons Used in This Book
Need a wingman? I’m right here! Well, I’m here spiritually, in the form of icons, anyway. Throughout this book, icons in the margins highlight certain types of valuable information that call out for your attention. Here are the icons you encounter and a brief description of each.
The Tip icon marks tips and shortcuts that you can use to make it much easier to navigate your first flight, set up multiplayer sessions, understand how some of the game’s aircraft differ, and more.
Remember icons mark the information that’s especially important to know. Want to know the most important tidbits from each chapter? Just skim through these icons, and you’ll be flying fancy free in no time.
The Technical Stuff icon marks information of a highly technical nature that you can normally skip over. Of course, much of what you can expect out of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 often veers into the nitty-gritty, so it can be helpful to stop by and read over some of this content — even if it’s just because you’re curious.
The Warning icon tells you to watch out! It marks important information that may save you headaches, failed first flights, or overall frustration with the sim. I’ve got your back — but you don’t have a ton of these icons around to worry about.
Beyond the Book
In addition to the abundance of information and guidance related to Flight Simulator that I provide in this book, you get access to even more help and information online at Dummies.com. Check out this book’s online Cheat Sheet by accessing www.dummies.com and searching for “Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 For Dummies Cheat Sheet.”
Online, you can find a quick reference guide to common controls, taking to the skies, and more, all to read over if you don’t happen to have the complete book handy. The Cheat Sheet can definitely come through for you in a pinch.
Need help beyond this book and its online information? Don’t hesitate to head to YouTube and check out the many talented creators who have painstakingly recorded video tutorials that complement the written ones in this book to help you along. You can find a massive Flight Simulator community out there that wants you to spread your wings. You never have to fly alone!
Where to Go from Here
Just like the aircraft that inspired Flight Simulator, this book is built to take you anywhere you want to go. You can fly through this book however you want because it’s not meant to be a linear experience. You can explore and skip around as much as you like as often as you like.
If you need help getting started, feel free to jump in and follow the beginner’s tips or check out a sample flight. For those completely new to the Flight Simulator franchise, acclimate yourself to the game with Chapter 1. Also, be sure to check out Chapter 3 for an overview of menus and flight preparations so that you can get a handle on them before jumping into the cockpit.
If you already have a good idea of what to expect from the game, check out Chapter 19 for a master class in breaking down some of the coolest parts of the game. Also, for a selection of interesting airport destinations in-game, take a look at Chapter 19. That way, you don’t have to search very long for a destination. The choice can feel overwhelming — because you have the whole world in your hands, quite literally!
If you only really need a quick reference in terms of mouse and keyboard controls or controller support, I have those for you in Chapter 2. You can find everything you need to know about using one or both methods to control Flight Simulator in this chapter, whether you’re opting for a hybrid model or sticking strictly to your controller.
It’s really up to you how you begin your journey. But know that no matter where you start, I’m here with you every step of the way. Spread your wings and get ready to greet the horizon! The whole world is at your doorstep. You just need to hop into the cockpit and fly there. It really is that easy.
Part 1
Getting Started with Microsoft Flight Simulator
IN THIS PART …
Get a crash course on flight simulators, an overview of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 offerings, and a guide for evaluating and choosing a version of the game.
Find out about selecting the game’s control platform and the extensive list of controls for your chosen interface — whether PC keyboard or Xbox controller.
Explore the game’s main menu, find good advice and tutorials to guide your flying, and start out right with preparations for takeoff and landing.
Take a look at the preparations and equipment needed to fly a plane in virtual reality.
Discover how to gather your friends, create a multiplayer flight session, get your group flight off the ground, and even troubleshoot your online connectivity.
Chapter 1
Taking to the Virtual Skies
IN THIS CHAPTER
Introducing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Exploring the history of flight simulators
Figuring out whether Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is right for you
Choosing a version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Are you ready to see the entire world without leaving your seat? Jump into the cockpit with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, and you can do just that. From flying over the majestic Grand Canyon to touring the rolling hills of the town you grew up in, your virtual journey soars. You can truly see it all within the confines of this extraordinary simulation game (sim). A sim game is designed to closely simulate a real-world activity — in the case of Flight Simulator, the activity of flying in the aircraft of your choice, at your leisure. You don’t even have to worry about the weather.
Many of us will never set foot in a cockpit and are, instead, content to be passengers aboard commercial flights enroute to various destinations. That’s by choice for some, or by circumstance for others. Giving people a chance to fly without all the time, money, and risk that goes into actual piloting makes flight simulators such a fun and rewarding experience. Flight Simulator is currently the best of its kind for casual players and hardcore enthusiasts alike. Not only does it let you fly just about anywhere in the world that you want, but you can do it in a dizzying number of different aircrafts, including jetliners and prop planes aplenty, all modeled after their real-world counterparts.
Whether you’re a rookie pilot or a seasoned professional, this chapter offers foundation and guidance as you prepare to soar through the friendly skies. It’s smooth sailing (or flying) from here on out.
Following the Evolution of Flight Simulators
Flight simulators sprang up in the early 1900s, and military pilots used them throughout World War I and World War II. As passenger flight became common, civilian pilots would also begin relying on simulators to learn the basics before graduating to a real airplane. Original flight simulators primarily took the form of analog cockpits which were used to train professional pilots and maintenance crews during simulators’ early days. As technology evolved, flight simulators transitioned to a more cost-effective digital format that both professionals and enthusiasts could use.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator that was
In terms of Microsoft’s line of flight simulators, the company released Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 for the IBM PC in November 1982. This somewhat rudimentary debut used simplistic graphics (as shown in Figure 1-1) but employed systems that included variable weather and time of day, as well as a coordinates system to help players navigate.
The original Flight Simulator game was touted as extremely realistic, offering “full-color, out-the-window flight display” as a draw for those interested in jumping aboard. Only four colors were on display at one time, and the graphics were simplistic depictions known as vector graphics. These two visual limitations make the original Flight Simulator look positively archaic when compared to even the most rudimentary video game of the modern industry. The modern version of the game offers photographic realism as well as an amazing number of airports and aircrafts you can choose from.
The original release severely limited the aircraft types and available terrain that you could fly over. Players could board a Cessna 182 (the only plane available in the main game mode) and fly around four areas of the United States: Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, or Seattle. Players would begin in Chicago’s Meigs Field airport, which would continue to be the default starting airport over the years, even as Flight Simulator continued to grow and evolve as an eventual series.
Used with permission from Microsoft.
FIGURE 1-1: Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0, released in November 1982 for the IBM PC.
Another in-game mode, Europe 1917, let players take flight with a Sopwith Camel plane (a fighter plane, vintage WWI) in a mountainous area, then declare war and grapple with other enemy aircrafts. Although it was an extremely rudimentary simulator, it served as a great foundation for what was to eventually come. Mostly incremental updates happened over the intervening two years, and 1984 marked the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0. A third sequel appeared four years later in 1988: Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0.
Numbered updates would continue through 1996, when Flight Simulator for Windows 95 debuted — but beyond that, releases were marked by years rather than versions. Check out the nearby sidebar, “A 30,000-foot view of releases,” for a rundown of the evolutionary path taken by Flight Simulator.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator that is
Flight Simulator is the first release in the series since 2006’s Microsoft Flight Simulator X, marking a 14-year absence for the popular game. This new version is also the most feature-rich, with thousands of airports to visit, hundreds of aircrafts, and real-world topographic mapping that allows players to fly around the world at their leisure. It’s impressive stuff, to be sure. Figure 1-2 shows an excellent example of the stunning visuals.
A 30,000-FOOT VIEW OF RELEASES
For the techy audience who cares, here’s a complete list of Microsoft Flight Simulator releases over the years, since the beginning:
Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 (1982)Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0 (1984)Microsoft Flight Simulator (Mac) (1986)Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 (1988)Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 (1989)Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 (1993)Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 (1995)Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95 (1996)Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 (1997)Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 (1999)Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 (2001)Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (2003)Microsoft Flight Simulator X (2006)Prepar3D (2010)Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (2020)Note: Prepar3D is essentially a branch of Flight Simulator X, brought to market by Lockheed Martin. After the company bought the rights to Prepar3D, it became a separate simulator in its own right. Many Flight Simulator X developers went on to work on Prepar3D after Microsoft closed developer Aces Game Studio.
Used with permission from Microsoft.
FIGURE 1-2: One of Flight Simulator promotional screenshots.
Comparing Figure 1-1 to Figure 1-2 shows just how far the game’s realistic appearance has come in a relatively short time. Flight simulation has just about reached parity with real-world flight, and in a few years, simulations might offer graphics on par with what you see when you look out the window of an actual plane’s cockpit. And with the Flight Simulator experience as immersive as it is right now, I’m anxious to see how much the game improves going forward.
Evaluating Whether Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Is Right for You
When people think of flight simulators, some may tend to envision video games where you simply “fly planes.” Sure, that’s what you’re doing in the end, but Flight Simulator has a lot more to it. Consider this: You can fly planes in arcade-centric games such as the Ace Combat series, but all you really control are aircraft movements (up, down, left, and right), deploying missiles, and laying down gunfire. You control the planes in games like Ace Combat much like you control any other video game avatar. (A game avatar is the player character’s digital representation.)
Recognizing that you have much to learn
You get the most out of Flight Simulator when you’re interested in figuring out the inner workings of flight and want to enjoy navigating from the perspective of a pilot.
These inner workings include
Selecting the types of aircrafts you want to pilot.
Doing what you need to do to arrange for takeoff.
Understanding how to maintain altitude while flying.
Knowing how to maneuver the craft in the air.
Finding out how to navigate to your destination.
Training to land safely and smoothly on runways across the globe.
Flight Simulator offers a virtual experience of applying essential flying skills, all while you’re chatting with air traffic controllers and multitasking in a way that requires your full attention at all times.
Gaining the knowledge and honing the skills to engage with Flight Simulator is an acquired taste, that’s for sure. The process may be frustrating at times, even with the right amount of in-game assistance, tutorials, and this book. In fact, the effort required to understand a real flying skill before applying it in the game may not be fun for some folks. But I find few things more rewarding than jumping into Flight Simulator, getting to know the cockpit, and unraveling the mysteries that come along with becoming a pilot.
If you’re not particularly interested in diving into the most granular parts of flight — including what all those buttons and switches do — you might find that the Flight Simulator game isn’t really for you. Keep in mind that it’s called a simulator, after all; it’s meant to be as similar as possible to the real thing.
