X Plane vs MSFS

maverickdbn · #1 19th June 2009, 05:48 PM

There is a huge difference in the flight engines between MSFS and X-Plane.

Wtih MSFS, you insert the required output/performance figures and that is what is used for flight. In this way, you can make a brick fly.

With X-Plane, you insert the actual dimensions and design of the aircraft and the simulator will determine the actual flight characteristics.

The two simulators approach the flight dynamics from opposite ends and is far more difficult to model a real-life aircraft with X-Plane.

Which is why MSFS is more of a game and X-Plane is used by real-life designers to predict the real flight characteristics and qualities of the aircraft.

I am very interested to know how other people find X-Plane. I think it is a much more capable flight simulator than MSFS at present - maybe not in the looks department, but definitely in the realism and feel. I've seen some awesome and impressive screenshots.

I found a guy in Durban (SA) who was very helpful with MSFS 2004 to FSX and Xplane.

For any info on X Plane, SA scenary, General questions, cost, etc please contact.

email: alexdbn@telkomsa.net

screwbottle · #2 14th October 2009, 05:38 PM

Hi MaverickDBN

It seems no-one else has responded, so I will, as I have and use extensively X-Plane, now at version 9.40RC14. IMHO, the best sim on the market. In fact in my usage, I use X-Plane most extensively, then an opensource/free sim called FlightGear, and then the MS products FSX and FS2004. Here's how I rate them, in fact I have been the first person to add my comments to the reviews section.

X-Plane - out of the box accurate flight model, accurate scenery, and now growing and great selection of freeware, and payware add-ons. Attached pic is of the most sophisticated cockpit and model for X-Plane to date, from a payware company ND Art and Technology. It's the cockpit of one of the bundled Hawker Hurricanes, this of the MkI

FlightGear - Opensource and free, out the box accurate flight model, accurate scenery, and a growing selection of freeware aircraft some excellent such as the attached pic of the F-14 Tomcat cockpit bundled with the core download. There is also a superb Dassault Rafale C in the pipeline, the alpha is available, and extremely accurate model and cockpit already.

I still like using FSX due to a huge add-on aftermarket both freeware and payware.

Cheers

AviatorMan · #3 16th December 2009, 05:34 AM

Hey thanks screwbottle, I just started testing out X-Plane and it seems pretty good, it's amazing how easily it calculates the flight characteristics after inserting the dimensions.

The scenery isn't as good at flightgear, but it's amazing what has been done by these guys for free.

I found this Flight Pro Sim Review, which looks a lot light flight gear to me. I've been reading around on forums and people say it is the same, and some say it has had extra investment. I'm going to leave it for now.

I also like playing around with the Cessna 172 simulator at flight gear (a light plane that began being used commercially in the 1950’s).

AM

chrisg120 · #4 5th January 2010, 02:18 PM

Hi, I did actually buy the Flight pro sim, but as its my first attempt at flight simulators I'm not really an expert or any thing. However you do seem to get a lot for your money and I am very pleased with it. When I get better at using it I intend to get the extra upgrades.

Chris

maverickdbn · #5 14th January 2010, 01:33 AM

Hi,

I am thoroughly enjoying x-plane 9 and see that the guys at Laminar are really getting updates out at a fast pace. I see South Africa now has its own website: x-plane.co.za which I found to be interesting. Aeroworx and NMG trading have been hard at work and already designed stuff for x-plane. Great guys!!!Thanks

I see x-plane has a BK 117 helicopter( on the x-plane.org site) looks awesome!! Although its payware the guys are raving about it. Although they say it takes some getting use to.

Cheers

screwbottle · #6 3rd February 2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverickdbn

Hi,

I see x-plane has a BK 117 helicopter( on the x-plane.org site) looks awesome!! Although its payware the guys are raving about it. Although they say it takes some getting use to.

Cheers

Hi maverickdbn

I've recently purchased it. All I can say is FANTASTIC!!!!!. You will need a decent set of controllers, and fine tune the settings for them, both in the default Windows Control Panel, and then fine tuning in the SIM. But awesome, once you resist the urge to just fly after the installation, and go through the manual first, with the correct start-up procedure, you're up and flying. I have also purchased Heinz's complete Warbird collection, a very gifted designer as well, goto the shop on X-Plane .org to see what he has to offerr. I'm also going to purchase the two new ones just submitted, the Avro Vulcan and the CF-104 Starfighter.

I've found a few other SIM sites, one dedicated to the Russian Kamov KA-50 Black Shark military helicopter, one for flying WWI aircraft combat style, and a complete modern rebuild (free, I have downloaded this one, very hard to fly in combat) of the old Microprose Falcon 4 Combat SIM. I'll be putting the links and info of these on the adverts board.

maverickdbn · #7 26th February 2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screwbottle

Hi maverickdbn

I've recently purchased it. All I can say is FANTASTIC!!!!!. You will need a decent set of controllers, and fine tune the settings for them, both in the default Windows Control Panel, and then fine tuning in the SIM. But awesome, once you resist the urge to just fly after the installation, and go through the manual first, with the correct start-up procedure, you're up and flying. I have also purchased Heinz's complete Warbird collection, a very gifted designer as well, goto the shop on X-Plane .org to see what he has to offerr. I'm also going to purchase the two new ones just submitted, the Avro Vulcan and the CF-104 Starfighter.

I've found a few other SIM sites, one dedicated to the Russian Kamov KA-50 Black Shark military helicopter, one for flying WWI aircraft combat style, and a complete modern rebuild (free, I have downloaded this one, very hard to fly in combat) of the old Microprose Falcon 4 Combat SIM. I'll be putting the links and info of these on the adverts board.

Hi Screwbottle,

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds awesome. I'll have a look at your other suggustions.