Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight sim?

[N918KT]

So which would you rather do if you really want to participate in aviation? Would you rather learn to fly a GA airplane or would you want to build your own extremely realistic airliner flight simulator (B737, B747, A380, etc.) and fly it online VATSIM, IVAO, and/or PilotEdge with an FSX or X-Plane flight sim software with all realism settings turned up?

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I have flown the global express simulators. As real as it gets.
Flying for real is many times more satisfying for me.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Sadly if you asked the world this question you'd get different results from us. Bunch of years ago I was perusing a magazine rack and found three flight sim magazines and no real flying magazines. I'd blame kids and computers but it has always been this way before sims it was model airplanes. Yeah some make the jump, many are simply lame.

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Sadly if you asked the world this question you'd get different results from us. Bunch of years ago I was perusing a magazine rack and found three flight sim magazines and no real flying magazines. I'd blame kids and computers but it has always been this way before sims it was model airplanes. Yeah some make the jump, many are simply lame.

I still like RC planes. Not the foam / electric stuff but Balsa / Nitro.
I think I will always have some in my garage.

 

[HighFlyingA380]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I think the poll results are pretty predictable since you're asking it on Pilots of America and not flight sim forums...

 

[iWantWings]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I would surely like to have a go at a "modern" simulator where reality and sim would be hard to distinguish. However, if I had to chose exclusively between the two, I would no doubt go with GA.

Today winds were picking up in the area I live and I got a kick out of watching a bird of pray "hovering" stationary without ever flapping its wings for more than 10 minutes (my daughter was saying no way it's real bird and it must be a kite in the shape of a bird tethered to an invisible string). The point being I get a kick out of simple, real things related to flight more than the "reality" created by (admittedly amazing) software/electronics/hardware mesh.

(I'm not necessarily old but I think I'd be considered "old fashion" lol)

 

[DavidWhite]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I think the poll results are pretty predictable since you're asking it on Pilots of America and not flight sim forums...

Flight sim (As in FSX) forum pilots will tell you that real pilots are dumb and terrible and that they should be the ones flying airplanes.

 

[EvilEagle]

Part of the satisfaction of flight is that it is inherently dangerous. Sims aren't. I've flown level D sims, nice tools for learning and proficiency. Nothing teaches like air under your ass.

 

[MachFly]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Part of the satisfaction of flight is that it is inherently dangerous. Sims aren't. I've flown level D sims, nice tools for learning and proficiency. Nothing teaches like air under your ass.

I think the poll results are pretty predictable since you're asking it on Pilots of America and not flight sim forums...

 

[MachFly]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Flight sim (As in FSX) forum pilots will tell you that real pilots are dumb and terrible and that they should be the ones flying airplanes.

The sad part is that I can actually see those guys saying that.

 

[w_privett]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

To paraphrase, if interested in "aviation" should one practice "aviation" or engage in video games ?

 

[Bill]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I've never been interested in video games, I've always favored going out in the world and doing real things.

 

[SCCutler]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

...like the difference between making love, and watching porn.

Or so I have heard - never watched the stuff, myself... ;-)

 

[poadeleted21]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Well, the G650 sim is a ton of fun to fly. I wouldn't trade my bo for it. unless, of course,
I could rent time in it or sell it

 

[Fearless Tower]

The sad part is that I can actually see those guys saying that.

Back in the day when I recall seeing threads where flightsim geeks would argue against NTSB findings.

 

[jmn444]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I've never been interested in video games, I've always favored going out in the world and doing real things.

Bingo.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

The problem with the flight simulator, is that you've spent an hour and a half negotiating terrain, clouds and traffic to land at that beautiful beachfront airstrip....

....and you're still sitting on your f***ing couch.

 

[Fearless Tower]

The problem with the flight simulator, is that you've spent an hour and a half negotiating terrain, clouds and traffic to land at that beautiful beachfront airstrip....

....and you're still sitting on your f***ing couch.

But, you can drink a beer.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Good point. Okay you win.

 

[MachFly]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Back in the day when I recall seeing threads where flightsim geeks would argue against NTSB findings.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Back in the day when I recall seeing threads where flightsim geeks would argue against NTSB findings.

Real pilots do that too.

 

[Brad Z]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

This might be the stupidest survey yet.

 

[Old Geek]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Buying and operating an "extremely realistic" flight sim would cost more than buying and operating my airplane.

 

[Old Geek]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

This might be the stupidest survey yet.

KT hangs around here and the Light Sport forums. He's a little naive and silly and doesn't get to spend many hours in real airplanes, but he means well.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

KT hangs around here and the Light Sport forums. He's a little naive and silly and doesn't get to spend many hours in real airplanes, but he means well.

That's cool. Guys with sims or models because that is all they can swing is cool. I roll my eyes when the money spent on those things exceeds the cost of getting yourself off the ground.

 

[JimNtexas]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I'm always tempted when some high dollar simulator operator offers up 'Walter Mitty' sorties in a real airline quality simulator.

But I'd rather fly a J-3 than a Space Shuttle sim.

 

[silver-eagle]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Considering the cost of flight training, one could have a terrific flight sim for just a couple of hours flight time. On the other hand, would one rather watch a video of a roller coaster ride or go for one? (And I'm not much for roller coasters but...)
LIVE or LIVE VICARIOUSLY! Your choice.

 

[Matthew]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Change the wording of the question to reference sex instead of flying and compare the two poll results,

 

[Sac Arrow]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Change the wording of the question to reference sex instead of flying and compare the two poll results,

Now a full motion simulator....

 

[poadeleted21]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

Buying and operating an "extremely realistic" flight sim would cost more than buying and operating my airplane.

I would cost as much as buying and operating a lot of biz jets.

 

[redtail]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

A no-brainer, so I didn't vote. That said, I'm glad I had access to MSFS as a teenager who wanted to become a pilot but couldn't afford it. I logged many hours doing T&Gs at Meigs Field on my Commodore-64.

Now I have a multi-monitor setup that I use occasionally, with X-Plane, FSX and my iPad running WingX.

I was 33 when I was finally able to get my PPL. Flew around for a couple of years then had to hang it up for ten (family, job, etc).

I love my sim but it sure feels good to be back in the real thing though

 

[DavidWhite]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

A no-brainer, so I didn't vote. That said, I'm glad I had access to MSFS as a teenager who wanted to become a pilot but couldn't afford it. I logged many hours doing T&Gs at Meigs Field on my Commodore-64.

Now I have a multi-monitor setup that I use occasionally, with X-Plane, FSX and my iPad running WingX.

I was 33 when I was finally able to get my PPL. Flew around for a couple of years then had to hang it up for ten (family, job, etc).

I love my sim but it sure feels good to be back in the real thing though

RT, as someone who appreciates history and enjoys simlators have you ever checked out Aces High?

http://www.hitechcreations.com/

There are a few of us on this forum who play. It is an excellent game with a good community of people who just love history and airplanes. Probably about 20% of the players are pilots IRL. Atleast it seems like it.

 

[Florida Cracker]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

...like the difference between making love, and watching porn.

Or so I have heard - never watched the stuff, myself... ;-)

Yeah. We believe you....

 

[redtail]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

RT, as someone who appreciates history and enjoys simlators have you ever checked out Aces High?

http://www.hitechcreations.com/

There are a few of us on this forum who play. It is an excellent game with a good community of people who just love history and airplanes. Probably about 20% of the players are pilots IRL. Atleast it seems like it.

Yeah I've heard of it, looks fun but I barely have time for any simulators at the moment, let alone a multiplayer session. But thanks.

Years ago I fooled around with Battle of Britain-2 "Wings of Victory" ,IL-2 and
B-17 but never got into multi-player.

 

[simtech]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

I would cost as much as buying and operating a lot of biz jets.

For sure. Our sims cost $4.5 mil each and we have, lets say a good bit in the building, more than 10. We also have another sim (different airframe) that cost $10 mil and we have a few of them. So yeah I agree

 

[Captain]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

If you could fly a sim and be somewhere else when you landed then sims would be great. The lack of risk would then offset any lack of realism that present day sims possess.

Sadly, that isn't the case. When you fly a sim and step out you are in the exact same spot you were when you started. Therefore sims are SEVERELY limited in their utility. When it comes to getting from A to B I'd take a pogo stick over a sim as the pogo stick will eventually get me there. A sim will not.

 

[simtech]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

If you could fly a sim and be somewhere else when you landed then sims would be great.

No joke when I say this...We had a student call us down in the sim. He was wanting to know why the gps on his phone was no corresponding to the gps in the sim!! Seriously that happened!

 

[nddons]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

The view is a lot better in a real airplane. I can look down and see rivers, lakes, farms, and cities.

Sim pilots can look down and see shag carpeting and Starburst wrappers.

 

[Captain]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

No joke when I say this...We had a student call us down in the sim. He was wanting to know why the gps on his phone was no corresponding to the gps in the sim!! Seriously that happened!

Automatic fail. Severe lack of aeronautical...eh, intelligence to be a pilot. Revoke all certs. Have a nice day, thanks for playing.

 

[warthog1984]

Re: Would you rather learn to fly a real GA airplane or a extremely realistic flight

No joke when I say this...We had a student call us down in the sim. He was wanting to know why the gps on his phone was no corresponding to the gps in the sim!! Seriously that happened!

Please say he was trying to force the phone into a sim mode or something like a faux take-home mode.