What is Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Flight Simulator is a second-generation, real-time flight simulation program that pilots of all ages and levels of experience will enjoy. The simulation considers 39 important aircraft characteristics and includes an out-the-window three-dimensional dynamic flight display, extensive flight controls, and minimum Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) instrumentation as specified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Unlike first-generation simulators, Flight Simulator features detailed graphics that closely simulate a pilot’s actual perspective. Scenery looks realistic and instruments look and behave like the real thing. Flight Simulator’s “world” is more than 10,000 by 10,000 miles square with a resolution of about one one-hundredth of an inch.

The world encompasses the entire continental United States and extends into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The “populated” world consists of five areas and includes 118 airports. Winds, clouds, time of day (for dawn, day, dusk, and night flight), and navigation aids are also included.

Added features make Flight Simulator’s aircraft more difficult to fly than first-generation simulators, so as a convenience to new pilots, varying degrees of difficulty are provided. If you have never flown before, you can use the easiest flight mode to learn the fundamentals of flight control. In this mode you fly in optimal conditions using only the primary flight instruments and controls. When you have mastered the basics of flight, or if you are already a seasoned pilot, you can select more difficult modes to simulate sophisticated flight factors.

In all modes, except the WWI Ace mode, you can control environmental conditions such as wind, time of day, and turbulence. You can also set a reliability factor that determines the frequency with which flight problems arise. You can begin or resume flight from a series of interesting prerecorded flight situations, and you can even set up and save your own situations.

Microsoft Corporation. (1986). Information Manual and Flight Handbook. (pg. ix). Redmond, WA.

Download Microsoft Flight Simulator for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

System Requirements

From Mac OS 1.0 up to Mac OS 6.0

Compatibility notes

• Macintosh 128K, 512K, Plus, or SE
• 512 KB RAM required for World War I Ace

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Mini vMac