X-plane was developed by Austin Meyer several years ago to answer a growing need for realistic flight simulators. After some revision history, Austin added helicopters as part of the X-plane package. To the best of my knowledge, X-plane never sold in stores, but rather through magazine and Internet advertisements.

Click for larger image.

X-plane is a truly realistic simulator that uses real engineering prediction to model 3-dimensional flight in the computer's 2-dimensional world. Along with the superb flight model, X-Plane includes global digital elevation-mapped terrain, artificially intelligent ATC, an incredible aerodynamics engine for modeling any kind of aircraft you could ever imagine, and so many other hidden treasures.

I remember the first time I fired X-plane up. I installed it on a 95 machine and chose the Sikorsky S-76B helicopter (why wouldn't I?). I couldn't believe the sound it was making! I felt I like I was in the twin turbine again. The S-76 sits with a few degree forward tilt in the rotor system. . .so when you come to a hover, you are actually pulling the cyclic back a little to maintain a level position.

X-Plane felt just like the real thing. I departed runway 4R at Newark Airport and took a turn to the west where I was greeted by several tall buildings, some of which had helipads on the roofs! I took a real steep and slow approach and struggled to get this powerful ship on top of the building. I almost felt a little sweat building up on my brow as I heard the ever so gentle chirp of the wheels hitting the steel reinforced pad. I better hit the breaks before this ship rolls off the rooftop!

My next mission was a VTOL (vertical take off and landing) flight in an AV-8 Harrier. I thought to myself, "No way he modeled this as well as the Sikorsky helicopter." I vectored the nozzles at approximately 90 degrees and started to hover. I slowly transitioned into forward flight and built my airspeed to approximately 80 knots. At this point, I rotated the nozzle to approximately 60 degrees and continued increasing my forward airspeed. I pulled back on the throttle a little bit so I didn't exceed 250 below 10,000 feet. I decided to be adventurous and attempt an approach onto another rooftop (who needs airports when we have these lovely helipads?).

After a few minutes, I got the knack of it. I actually had to position the nozzles past 90 degrees (in effect like reverse thrust) to slow myself down. I took a glance over the cockpit window as I saw the building approach. My airspeed started slowing down a bit quicker than I wanted, so I set the thrust vector back to 90 degrees and continued a 50-knot approach. As I got within 500 feet of the building, I pulled up a bit to slow down and maintained altitude with the throttle. It was not so bad after all! I came to hover above a building in a multi-million dollar military Jet!

Click to continue . . .

Did you ever fly a flying boat? You can in X-plane! Did you ever fly a tilt-rotor? You can in X-plane! Did you ever have aspirations of experiencing true engineering prediction for supersonic flight? Does the Concorde ring a bell? You'll be at the helm if you have the guts! Perhaps you prefer a Cessna Citation or even a Cessna 172? Maybe you're in the mood to be one of the first pilots to fly the 777? You make the choice and file the flight plan.

Not only does X-plane provide a superb simulator, it also includes (at no additional charge) a scenery and plane editor. You can actually design your own parts, and hence your own aircraft. Perhaps you think your F-4 (yes, it also includes military jets) should have 25,000 pounds of thrust? Make the change and test the new design!

So, what about scenery and graphics? X-plane version 4.X uses hardware 3D acceleration and texture mapping to create lifelike textures and terrain. Every time I make an approach to a helipad or rocking ship in the ocean, I feel like I'm landing on the real thing! They even include skid marks on the pad to add to the sense of realism. Maybe you want to land at JFK or an Oil rig off the south coast?

This F4 will have another go round.

The X-plane "team" put a lot of work into weather and meteorology. Take a look at this screenshot:

Not a bad dusk approach in 1-2 mile visibility conditions. Notice the detail of the Delta Airlines Jet? As you can see, X-Plane pays particular attention to detail. I remember the time I set myself up for a gusty 35 knot approach to Big Bear in the mountains of California. I was almost overtaken by the realism. The moving map and weather radar played important roles, but the GPS also helped to guide me in.

If you are beyond the recreational player, you can do extremely sophisticated data analysis and output your results to the screen or a file. Perhaps you want to check the pitch, yaw, and roll as they relate to G-loading? X-Plane breaks ground where no other simulator has touched.

Are you an aspiring pilot or on your way to your instrument ticket? X-Plane is a fully functional Instrument simulator (no, you can't log the hours yet)!