Rating: 
Summary: Better than expected
Review: ***** First of all and very important - Frames per Second *****
Before install this new version, I was afraid about the Frame Per Second (FPS) performance. The FPS in the previous version (2000) was hilariously bad and, as this new version has a lot of visual improvements over the previous version, I expected something like slide show. GUESS WHAT? The image runs smoothly, even at the highest screen resolution and all scenery options turned on. The frame rate stability (stutters) has been greatly improved since Flight Simulator 2000. Hats off to Microsoft on improving the image flow.***** Install the simulator *****
The install engine reports that a complete install will require 1.6G of hard disk space - it will actually require 2.3G. The load time is about 20 minutes using full install option, but the CD is not required to run the game. All of 3 disks are required during the installation process. ***** Running by the first time *****
The first time you run the simulator, a lot of things are made: The scenery textures are uncompressed, the databases and indexes are built, the navaids and facilities are configured etc. After all (this takes 4~5 min., aprox.), you will be inside the Cessna 182S Skylane cockpit at (as always) Meigs Field runway 36. ***** First look *****
If you do not change any settings and take off, you will notice that something is different in Chicago: There are a lot of small buildings where, in the previous version, are only flat area. This is what Microsoft call auto-generated scenery: The trees, houses, offices, schools and other kind of buildings are automatically generated as you fly over the area, but sky-crappers are not auto-generated, only small buildings. The amount of auto-generated scenery can be changed. If you turn on the aircraft lights, you will see great improvements: the NAV and strobe lights effect are simply fantastic, even creating aircraft fuselage reflections. Make a turn and prepare to land on Meigs Field: On the final approach you will see better runway lighting effect. Just before touching the runway, set your view to spot plane and watch: your tires generate smoke at the moment of the touch. ***** Air traffic control *****
Microsoft Flight Simulator now comes with integrated air traffic control (ATC) system. You work with ATC using a semi-transparent window that shows messages and options. For example, if you are on Meigs Field and call the ATC window (to display or hide the ATC window you must press SCROLL LOCK), you will have the ATC window as following: CHOOSE A MESSAGE TO TRANSMIT TO MEIGS GOUND ON
1 - Tune MEIGS Ground on 121.800
2 - Request Taxi - Remain in Pattern
3 - Request Taxi - Depart Straight Out
4 - Request Taxi - Depart North
5 - Request Taxi - Depart South
6 - Request Taxi - Depart East
7 - Request Taxi - Depart West You choose an item using the correspondent number. After each choice, your ATC window modifies, so you have another set of options applicable to each situation. When you select an item from the ATC menu, you will see the text of the message on screen and hear the pilot voice saying the phrase. Your messages to controllers are audible (unless you turn the pilot voice off). Other cool feature of ATC is the autotune. When autotune is on, your radio and transponder are automatically tuned to correct frequency. This frees you to concentrate on flying the aircraft and navigating to your destination. The ATC adds a new level of realism of Flight Simulator. If you already have knowledge of the ATC system, you will love this new feature. If you are new to ATC, the guys worked hard to make your introduction to the system fun and easy. ***** Crowded skies *****
You are not alone in the sky. There are a lot of planes around you, and these planes make use of ATC messages. You can even listen the communication between the controllers and these planes. This is a very welcome feature. ***** The fleet *****
Now we have the Boeing 747-400 with great sound and panel. All planes now come with painting schemes. For example, you can fly the Boeing 737 using one of the three virtual airlines painting schemes provided. ***** Other cool stuffs *****
Improved textures, improved aircraft design, improved lighting effects, improved, improved, improved... Everything is improved with this new version. ***** This guy should have a powerful machine *****
Average...
I have a P-III 800 MHz, 256 Mb RAM, Asus GeForce2 MX 32 Mb and Quantum Plus AS 40 Gb 7200 RPM. Oh, I am running Windows XP Corporate. As you see, it is an almost ordinary configuration. If you have an average processor, enough RAM and a good graphic card, try Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. You will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic, addictive
Review: Although I'm a computer enthusiast since the days of the TI-99 and the Commodore 64 this is actually my first flight simulator experience.
Why the interest now? I'm currently doing a lot of traveling and you kind of start thinking a lot about how these darned birds actually work. Flight Simulator 2002 (FS2002) is definitely immersive and addictive. It's totally thrilling to feel the plane's response to your actions and more so the fact that it is not that complicated to get started flying and having some action.
The software (I don't like to call it a game) gets you started with a quick set of short videos that explain the basic controls and terminology to start flying immediately. You actually have the opportunity with these first interactive introductory lessons to land the plane with the help of Rod Machado, a much respected flight instructor. There are plenty of menu options available. The recommended approach is to go through the 'Learn to fly' section while reading the ground school documentation to obtain a deeper theoretical comprehension of these fun interactive lessons. The lessons teach you simple tasks such as take offs, and the basics of maneuvering and landing your plane plus more complex topics such as traffic patterns, VOR navigation, and ILS approaches. All documentation is stored in Adobe (PDF) format and is easily accessible from the menus. A very interesting feature is the ability to create your own flights by entering parameters such as your favorite aircraft, the airport location where you want to take off from, weather conditions, and time of day. You can even set the weather and time parameters based on the location's current weather and time. This requires an Internet connection for the software to download this information. There are hundreds of airport locations available to choose from, national and international. Of course, there is the favorite menu option of choosing one of the many available sceneries. They have also included sceneries from FS2000 for you to enjoy. Depending on the difficulty level of the specific scenery, you start out either on the air to sightsee a specific landmark or at the airports runway to start one of the many fun tasks. You can customize the level of physical realism when landing hard or crashing. In the default novice mode, as long as you have your landing gear set, you will land in one piece no matter how hard or fast you were flying your plane, you can also fly through buildings. Make sure to tweak these options for a more satisfying experience FS2002 is an extremely entertaining and valuable piece of software and a fantastic learning tool. I recommend using a joystick for a more rewarding experience, and if you have bucks to spare, buy the Force Feedback 2 and a set of rudder pedals.
Rating:
Summary: Another great upgrade to the Flight Simulator Series.
Review: Every time I buy the new version of FS I'm always amazed at how far this game has come. I've been using the series since Sublogic's Simulator was available for the Apple II in the early 80's.
FS 2002 has some nice upgrades over FS 2000. It includes a 747-400 which is fun to fly on ultra-long flights. You can set the simulation rate to 16X normal speed with the autopilot; previously you could only run it at 4X speed. This is important if you want to run 5,000-7,000 mile intercontinental flights without the wait of getting to your destination. The scenery continues to improve. There are realistic looking aircraft at the commercial airports. There are more trees and buildings on the ground. If it's raining you can hear the rain hit the plane (while on the ground) and see it shooting by the side windows when looking left or right (especially neat during night landings). It includes an interactive air traffic control feature which I haven't tried yet.
One thing I'm not thrilled with (no biggie, though) is that you have to set the autopilot with the tiny buttons on the instrument panel, rather than just filling in boxes on a menu. If you want to set your jumbo jet to cruise at 39,000 feet you must click on a little box on the panel and hold down your mouse button until it clicks up to 39,000. Also I'd really like to receive more commercial aircraft on future versions of the game, like the MD-80, the 757/767, and some Airbus aircraft. I guess this will take some time, though. Meanwhile FS 2002 is a worthy upgrade for enthusiasts.
Rating:
Summary: Flight Simulator the great one!!!
Review: Filght Simulator is the game of my dream. I always wanted to fly real planes. But how ever i am not actually flying a real plane i am controlling a plane and flying it like the real way. I mean the controlls of course the throttle, flaps, communication etc.. When i got this game i quickly got the hang of the basics of the plane but my only problem was the landing we take off with great excite ment, we were flying safely, we reached the airport no traffic so we can land, thats it darn the plane was about to land on the ground what in the world the plane didn't stop and crashed on a tree. If you have the joystick it will be really fun to fly with that. Right now i am a proffessional pilot and you gotta buy this game. It is much more fun to play it online with an another real life pilot on the same plane.
And if you have this requirements it won't take that long to load- Windows XP
3D Graphics Card
CD-RW 24x
Memory 1.30 GHZ
and 56k or higher modem.
Rating:
Summary: ...but I ain't got wings.
Review: FS 2002 is a serious simulator. That said, this simulator is a real achievement from the folks at Microsoft (like 'em or not). I have gone through most of the training lessons, and I can tell you that they are thorough. I have two friends, who are real pilots (I'm not), that are amazed by the knowledge I've gained without leaving the confines of my study or risking a real-life bad-weather landing. So impressed that they each ran out and purchased a copy. The simulator includes numerous detailed aircraft, thousands of airports, amazing graphics (definitely need a good accelerator and lots of RAM for this), detailed downtowns (I live near Denver and it's spot-on), real-time weather conditions, customizable weather conditions (for practicing your instrument landings), and a ton of lessons that will let you talk-the-talk with real pilots. I've played this one for hours, and I really haven't scratched the surface. If you're even a little interested in flying, buy this game.
Rating:
Summary: Microsoft FS2002 (A classic game ever)
Review: hello all,
The game FS2002 is a classic game ever I have played. Even u all know that its not a game but a great flight simulator which has great sceneries, aircrafts, realities in aircrafts behaviour, that means, in takeoff, landings etc. This simulator is really based on realistic actions, specially I like the take off views and ILS system which further uses Approach holds. By this game now I can Fly and land the aircraft more accurately. The weather and clouds are realistic ones that I sometimes feel that I am in a real plane and flying it. The plane I like most is the Boeing 747-400. But something that I ever want to know that how i can change the design and color of the aircraft so that i can make the aircraft relating to a specific airline in any corner of the world. Secondly, ewhen i am flying in night, there are no Airports lights means this isnt realistic because at airports, there are dozens of light. But in this Simulator, there are only runway lights( that are very rare)and its very difficult to land. Else is alright. In the end I want to congratulate the Microsoft team that made a really anthusistic game ever.
Rating:
Summary: -Junior Pilot
Review: http://www.x-plane.com/
So, either play, or go buy a REAL simulator, licenced by FAA to be used in a simulator setting. Loggable!
Rating:
Summary: As Real As It Gets!!
Review: I bought FS 2002 four months ago and I've been "flying" every single day since then. Then I wanted to test its realism, just for fun, I went to a local flight school and ask for a "discovery flight" for $$ for 1 hr. Let me tell you that now I can compare FS-2002 to the real thing and it's true, it is as real as it gets...the only thing missing here are the G forces, but everything else is real. Even my instructor was amazed of my level of knowledge.
If you like flying, buy FS-2002, and if you don't believe me, go to your local flying school and compare for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I finally bought an updated version of MS flight sim. I had the MS Flight Sim for windows 95 before and i must say that this is a significant improvement! There is a a variety of aircraft to choose from and they are all, of course, difficult to control though you can adjust the settings. The AI is great and the interactive Airport Traffic Control is really cool! The detailed scenery is another beautiful addition. Everything adds to the games realism. This is definitely a great buy!
Rating:
Summary: Blue screen issues
Review: I had blue screen issues with Flight Simulator 2002, but discovered it was in fact my system which was being overclocked from 800 MHz to over 1 GHz. When I clocked it back (I'm running Windows XP, by the way) FS2002 worked like a charm! No more blue screens or crashes, just beautiful bug-free play. FS2002 is by far the best sim I've ever played, and it's programming is far more efficient, as it can keep a good framerate on a decent machine (Celeron 800) with the graphics turned way up! Thousands of trees and small buildings, very detailed terrain elevations, airports that actually look like airports and function like airports, the ability to download real-time Jeppesen World weather with a winds-aloft feature, the sun reflecting off the water, real-time ATC which works very convincingly and good all-round dynamic scenery AI. I would recommend this to any flight sim enthusiast!
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