Computer flight simulators are recreations of aircraft piloting experiences, commonly found in homes and run on personal computers. They can simulate traditional, combat, or science fiction flight scenarios and require no additional hardware beyond a joystick and headset. Online communities provide additional content and multiplayer experiences.
A computer flight simulator is a recreation of an aircraft piloting experience. As the name suggests, it is mostly done through a computer. A computer flight simulator differs from a full flight simulator (FFS) in that a computer flight simulator is commonly found in a home while the much more complex and expensive FFS is primarily a commercial or military simulator. Both types of flight simulators have computer components, but the computer flight simulator can be run on a personal computer (PC), while an FFS often requires much more complex digital and analog systems to run it. Computer flight simulators are often referred to as flight simulation video games to more easily distinguish them from their industrial counterparts.
A computer flight simulator usually takes the form of a computer game that can be run on a PC. Common computer flight simulators include the wildly popular Microsoft Flight Simulator, the ultra-realistic X-Plane, and the venerable cult classic Falcon 4.0. They are not limited to Windows based systems and can be found for Linux, Macintosh and even iPhone. Video game systems also feature flight simulation video games, but these are considered to be far less realistic than their computer counterparts.
Most computer flight simulators require no additional hardware beyond what is commonly found in a home computer, although some additional items may be desired. The dials and other instruments inside the aircraft cockpit are displayed on the computer screen, and flight control is via mouse and keyboard. Most computer flight simulator enthusiasts will also want to purchase a joystick to better simulate flight, and a headset may be required to communicate with other players in multiplayer mode. More extreme enthusiasts build or buy their own simulation cockpits, or simpits, which can cost even more than a typical home computer.
Computer flight simulators can be divided into three main categories: traditional flight simulators, combat flight simulators, and science fiction flight simulators. Traditional flight simulators allow players to fly various types of aircraft in a realistic environment. Activities such as flying in an air show, landing at an airport, or taking off from a small private airport are examples of possible games in a traditional flight simulator. Combat flight simulators take place in battlefield situations and usually require players to craft military items.
Engaging enemy planes in a dog fight, bombing targets in a war zone, and landing a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier under fire are all examples of this type of game. Science fiction flight simulators are games that simulate vehicles that don’t exist using the correct technology, but generally respect the natural laws of the universe. Games of this style might have you flying a TIE fighter, piloting a spaceship full of colonists to another planet, or trying to smuggle weapons across intergalactic spaceways.
Computer flight simulators have a significant following online. Some of these online communities provide plug-ins, mods, and additional content for computer flight simulators. Others provide a means for players to meet and play with each other. Online gaming experiences can be extremely complex and interesting, and include online fighter squadrons, virtual airlines, and virtual air traffic controller/pilot interactions.
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