GAME takes flight...

Despite the fact I'm terrified of flying, I've always had this special place in my heart for flight sims, although I've traditionally been one to go with the combat flight sim genre. I think my love affair no doubt started with Microprose's F19 Stealth Fighter for the Amiga. Sitting in my cupboard, completing mission after mission, watching my laser guided Hellfire missiles blow up their targets. Ah, those were the days. Flight Simulator 2004 : A Century of Flight, is a world away from those days back in my cupboard (You lived in a cupboard? Come to think of it readers, Kevin does look a little like Harry Potter... - Ed), but I'm hooked.

Now, before I continue I must point out that I have never played any of the other preceding games in the Flight Simulator series. So, if I suddenly break off on a tangent about some feature that has always been in the series, I do apologise.

Upon starting the game. Wait. Why am I calling this a game? The Flight Simulator series has never been a game. Let's start again.

Upon starting the simulator (that's better), the first thing I noticed was the sheer amount of options available. There are basic training modes, in which you can earn certificates in all manners of aircraft and also a comprehensive training center where you can learn pretty much anything you want, from the operation of the GPS system, to how to fly a helicopter.

Happy happy joy[stick]

I decided to take the advice of the Getting Started section and take part in an introductory flight. The flight is introduced through a media player movie of King School's Martha and John King. Apparently one out of two pilots flying today learnt from King courses. Pressing the Fly Now button I get my first look at the cockpit of the plane I am about to learn how to fly - a Cessna Skyhawk.

One thing to mention at this point are the controls. Although you can control your aircraft using the keyboard, a sim such as this can only really be fully enjoyed with a joystick and luckily my Sidewinder pro lived up to the job with no problems at all. If you really want to get into the flying experience, I suggest you take a look at the many joysticks available that give you lots more functions than a standard sidewinder.

Flying around in my Skyhawk I am struck by how good the visuals are. The first time I was stuck in a lightning storm I found myself hanging around to watch the forks of electricity, rather than landing at the nearest airport. The instrument panel is clear and easy to read and a number of different views are available at the touch of a button.

Sound wise, there's not much that can really push a soundcard to its limits in a flight simulator. The drone of the engines are not too annoying and the radio communication between yourself and the tower is clear and easy to understand.

A few hours later I've managed to get the hang of this flying lark. My first solo flight in a Cessna is a complete success and I earn my first flight certificate (Which I printed out and blu-taked to my wall). Sure, I crashed the plane a few times, but I now know how to trim my plane for level flight, take-off and land (Not as easy as it sounds).

Flight Simulator 2004 doesn't end there though. The latest in the series is subtitled "A Century of Flight" and for good reason. As well as flying around in state of the art aircraft, you can also take the controls of some of the most famous planes in all of history. Want to know what it was like for the Wright Brothers to fly that first plane? Or do you fancy recreating Lindbergh's famous Atlantic crossing? Both of these and more are available.

Fly your way

Alternatively you can create your own flights, making use of thousands of airports all over the World. You can choose your aircraft, the time of day, and even have the simulator use an online weather system to recreate the exact weather conditions as they are, at this moment, at your chosen airport.

And after you've become tired of flying every aircraft you could think of, what then? Well, the simulator has a plethora of technical information and documentation that you can get to grips with.

If you've every thought about becoming a pilot, or just fancy learning how to fly, I'm sure that Flight Simulator 2004 would give a good enough grounding for you to confidently apply to a local flight school. Hell, it's made me think about it and I'm scared to fly.

Preview by: Kevin Pascoe