Microsoft Flight Simulator For Dummies

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. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents 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 The Microsoft Flight Simulator that was The Microsoft Flight Simulator that is Evaluating Whether Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Is Right for You Recognizing that you have much to learn Making the decision to tackle Microsoft Flight Simulator Selecting and Purchasing Microsoft Flight Simulator What platforms can you use to play the game? Which version should you buy? Wait, what are enhanced airports? What do you need to get started? Time for the Big Handoff Chapter 2 Taking Control with (or without) a Custom Setup Checking Out Custom Setups and Cockpits Getting comfortable on consoles Perfect PC controls Preparing for virtual reality flights Running the Cockpit from the Keyboard Instruments and systems Cameras Menu Autopilot Brakes Power management Flight control surfaces Radio Lights Commanding the Cockpit with the Controller Chapter 3 Heading to Flight School Exploring the Game’s Main Menu Noting the tabs on the Main Menu Taking the Discovery Flights Searching on the World Map Engaging in Flight Training Adding flight challenges by using Activities Scoping out the Marketplace Early Flight Tips for Future Ace Pilots Playing Those Tutorials Taking off the Training Wheels and Engaging the Landing Wheels Preparing for takeoff Making adjustments before takeoff Getting off the ground correctly Practicing safe landings Chapter 4 Virtual Planes, Real Pilot: Flight Simulator in VR Experiencing a Whole New (Virtual) World Going for the enhanced experience of VR play Considering the potential downsides Curbing motion sickness Preparing for VR Gaming Verifying the potency of computing equipment Targeting the other gaming hardware you need Prepping your game settings for VR play Appraising Hearty Headsets Meta Quest 2: The low-budget pick HP Reverb G2: The affordable upgrade pick Valve Index: The splurge pick Tweaking Game Performance Settings Chapter 5 Takeoff in Tandem: Flights with Friends Meeting up with Friends for a Midair Adventure Creating a multiplayer group Picking a departure point Crafting Your Itinerary Setting flight conditions Specifying your aircraft and attributes Siting the all-important destination Strategizing and Taking Off Selecting manual control or autopilot Starting the tandem flight — finally! Collaborating Cross-Console Tackling visual and lag issues in multiplayer mode Troubleshooting console connectivity Part 2 The Art of Single-Engine Navigation Chapter 6 Loving Flight Fundamentals Your Plane Will Cop an Attitude Perfecting picture-perfect pitch Saying yes, yes to yaw That’s how we roll Fine-tuning your plane’s performance by using a trim tab Exploring Aerodynamic Forces Achieving thrust Downplaying drag Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help Employing in-game assists Checking out all the assists Letting the game work for you Chapter 7 Learning Those Instruments Reading Analog Instruments Going Digital in a Glass Cockpit The primary flight display (PFD) The multifunction flight display (MFD) 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 Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH) Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (SPZA) Preparing for and Accomplishing Takeoff Checking your flaps, releasing the parking brake Centering up on the runway Triggering the thrust Putting the pedal to the metal Handling Adverse Flying Conditions Blame it on the weatherman Cautious night flying Chapter 9 Departing from and Returning to the Runway Making It Up into the Air Finding and staying the course Attending to alignment correction and vertical stabilization Maintaining speed and climbing Taking a turn Dealing with stalling Inclination effects Coming Home Again, Home Again Navigating approach patterns Tweaking your descent Keeping an eye on RPM and airspeed Touching Down Making a smooth landing Getting instructions for your next moves Part 3 Airport Operations Chapter 10 Knowing Your Way Around the Airport Finding the Runway and Other Ways Admiring the apron (or parking or stands) Recognizing a runway Traveling the taxiways Identifying a terminal Getting on at the gate Tracking with the tower What You Can Do at Airports Identifying Compatible Airports Choosing a departure location Choosing an arrival location Is Your Chosen Airport the Real Deal? Chapter 11 Talking Your Way Into (and Through) the Air Engaging with ATC Communicating continuously with ATC Finding options for an authentic ATC experience Observing the Rules while Communicating with ATC Working through an ATC Communications Sequence Obtaining ATIS frequencies and info Getting departure approval Receiving and following taxi instructions Getting the go-ahead for takeoff Keeping contact with ATC while in the air Acquiring approach and landing instructions 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 Airliners Jets Turboprops Propellers Different Planes for Different Pilots Best for Beginners: Cessna 152 Best for high altitudes: Cessna Citation Longitude Best for performing tricks: Aviat Pitts Special S2S Best for long-haul flights: Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner Best for Intermediate Players: Daher TBM 930 Best all-purpose plane: Beechcraft Baron G58 Best turboprop: Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX Best for showing off: ICON A5 Chapter 13 Knowing the Nitty-Gritty of Flight Planning and Navigation Gathering Information for the Flight You Want to Take Choosing your flight rules: IFR versus VFR Departure airports, waypoints, and arrival airports Getting an altitude Estimating flight duration Noting weather conditions Allowing for passengers and cargo Planning and Navigating Your Flight by the Important Details Setting your flight path and other parameters Navigating your flight with help from Flight Simulator Making the most of your console instruments Minding your tracking tools Chapter 14 Working the Radio in Single or Multiplayer Mode Calling Up the Radio Knowing what to listen for Listening for other aircraft 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 Rules of traditional aviation Following the rules virtually 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 Adapting to continue your flight Knowing when to call it and land early Dealing with Equipment Failures Acting on electrical failures Responding to engine failures Extinguishing Engine Fires Using your aircraft’s fire deterrent system (if available) Deciding what to do after the fire is out 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 Seeing without seeing Using your navigational sense 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 EULA