FS2020 Flight Training

Even though Microsoft’s newest simulator came out in 2020, it is still very much a new product for me. The chaos of the last several months has left very little time for virtual flying in my life. The little bit of simulation I have done has been done on the old standby of FSX. Yesterday I decided to begin learning how to make the most of FS2020. Because it had been so long since I logged into Steam, the process actually began with a giant update that took all night to download.

This evening I began with the flight training module in the main menu. The electronic instructor showed me around the cockpit and helped me learn how to navigate the cameras. Unfortunately, I found the instruction in FS2020 to be far less effective than the Rod Machado lessons that came with FSX. The directions were often unclear and I found it necessary to repeatedly restart the lessons to understand what I was being told to do. Although I will continue to experiment with the built-in lessons from time to time, my next step is going to be exploring some instructional videos on YouTube.

After finding the lessons somewhat frustrating, I decided to simply jump in and see what I could figure out on my own. Because I fly Skyhawks in real life I loaded up the Cessna 172 and took off from the same Paducah airport (KPAH) where yesterday’s flight ended. What caught my attention the most was the incredible difference a decade and a half makes in terms of graphics capabilities. Yesterday’s FSX auto-generated scenery was nothing compared to the photo realistic satellite generated scenery of FS2020. The reflections while flying over the Ohio River were very impressive.

Additionally, controlling the camera movement was very instinctive. It was much easier to glance down at the instrument panel and then out the window than it ever was in FSX. Looking across at the passenger seat and then forward at the instrument panel was almost instantaneous. The smart cam option also made it feel much more realistic as it simulated head movement caused by turbulence or the banking of the aircraft.

Following half an hour in the air I touched down at Barnes Farm (23KY). It is a 2,600 grass strip in Burna, Kentucky. In real life it is a private strip requiring permission to visit, but in the virtual world I felt comfortable inviting myself over. This was my first soft field landing in FS2020 and proved to be a non-event. Hopefully taking off from there will prove to be just as simple.

It was great to get back in the air, even if it was just for a few minutes. More than anything, flying in FS2020 back to back with FSX was a good reminder of just much technology has progressed in fifteen years. Today’s flight was also a good demonstration of just how much I have to learn about the mechanics of FS2020 gameplay. It is going to be quite a learning curve, but should be a fun journey along the way.