Everything is real
In aeroflyFS you are flying in a real environment. All 41,285 sq. km (15,940 sq. miles) of Switzerland are modelled down to a resolution of three feet. Virtually all Swiss airports are equipped with landing strips, reproduced to their exact dimensions, and among them are numerous selected airports featuring buildings and hangars as well as correct taxiways. The high-resolution photorealistic scenery makes it impossible to distinguish whether the scenery is virtual or real!
All basic instruments (speed, altitude, heading, rate of climb, artificial horizon, turn indicator) show real values as well as type-specific instruments (RPM, G-meter, vario and more) and are fully functional. This allows both visual and instrument flying.
Perfect visuals
The aircraft in aeroflyFS are superbly detailed. Take a look at the perfectly replicated finish and landing gear of the F-18, the weathering marks on the Sopwith, the paint chips on the Pitts, the interior of the Cessna, the glider cockpit and the retractable engine of the Discus bM.
Versatile control
In terms of control, aeroflyFS is versatile like no other flight simulator. The program automatically recognises any standard joystick once connected via USB port. Function assignment is accomplished through an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Modellers who already have a Game Commander or a USB interface cable of one of the IKARUS RC flight simulators can also use them. Keyboard and mouse operation is also possible, and you can fly all the aircraft without any special hardware - if you're on the move, you can still fly on your notebook or iPad!
Selectable flight conditions
In aeroflyFS you can select wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, thermals, fog, visibility and clouds. The density of the cloud cover as well as a lower limit altitude are fully adjustable. These freely adjustable parameters are directly incorporated into the simulation, and the wind simulation even takes even takes local geography into account. Together with the thermal simulation and turbulence, an authentic flight environment is generated for you to fly in. Glider pilots can 'search' for thermals and take advantage of updrafts along the slopes. If you wish, you can visually display the wind fields including thermals.
Flight challenges to sharpen your skills
Fly the many challenges in aeroflyFS and win bronze, silver and gold trophies. Take-off followed by a climb-out, full circle with a steady climb, pattern procedure and spot landing are the basic challenges. Those who succeed here can take on flight training challenges in the glider and jet, or even take up aerobatics. All challenges feature interactive monitoring and evaluation by the simulator. Pop-up instructions and distance markers for the flight challenges are provided, and when you reach the final marker, points are awarded and the timer stops.
Special functions
All special features of the aircraft are fully integrated into the physical simulation. Flaps act just like their real-world counterparts, rudder control gradually diminishes as aircraft speed decreases, and the nose-gear suspension will dip when brakes are applied on the ground.
Cockpit view options
With the touch of a button you can switch between different camera views in each aircraft - sit in the pilot's or co-pilot's seat or even in the rear of the Cessna, take a look at the scenery to the side, look up and down or watch the flight in Follow mode. The cameras in aeroflyFS are installed exactly at head height, so the impression of actually sitting in the cockpit is perfect. Camera panning and zoom allow you to adjust the view so that you can see both the surrounding environment and keep the instruments in view.
Animated pilots and autopilot
Each aircraft cockpit is always occupied by a pilot if you're not at the controls yourself, whether you have selected the co-pilot position or are watching the flight from the outside perspective. The aeroflyFS pilots even take over active control when you activate the two-stage autopilot. In the first stage, the autopilot stabilises the plane and you only need to determine the aircraft's attitude and heading. In the second stage the autopilot always brings the aircraft back into a horizontal attitude and automatically maintains the course.
Flight information and Moving Map
The cockpit instruments of all aircraft show real-time values, and with a simple key combination you can see the most important flight information data displayed. Besides speed and altitude, this includes, among others, the current flap setting, throttle position and course. The Moving Map will help with orientation both in the cockpit and in a separate window. 'North Up' or 'TrackUp', map zoom and airfield markings simplify orientation.
Head tracking support
aeroflyFS supports the widely used TrackIR4 and TrackIR5 head tracking system for PC - control the camera view left/right or up/down, and zoom in/out with head movements.
From beginner to expert
AeroflyFS is a flight simulator for everyone, thanks to adjustable realism settings. In 'Expert' mode you will enjoy the unique flight physics and have full control over all rudder functions. In 'Beginner' mode aeroflyFS will help you by stabilising the rudder, easing the stall characteristics and reducing rudder effect.
Mountain and city names
Switzerland and tourism go hand in hand, so if you want to find a popular holiday spot, or even enjoy the view from the Matterhorn towards the central Alps you will quickly appreciate the superimposed mountain and city names - more than 10,000 names of mountains and cities are available at your fingertips. You'll feel llike you're already on holiday once you activate the autopilot, select External view and enjoy the high-resolution photorealistic scenery!
ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
With more than 43,000 units built, the Cessna 172 is one of the most popular aircraft in the world, with its docile flight characteristics making it an ideal trainer. In the cockpit of all aeroflyFS aircraft the control stick, throttle lever and flap lever move in sync with your control inputs. In addition to the heading indicator the Cessna also features an animated magnetic compass and, for additional guidance,a moving map which follows the map of Switzerland.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
This twin-engine combat jet was designed primarily for use on aircraft carriers, with its versatility and long range capabilities making it attractive to air forces around the world. Numerous countries have purchased the F-18, including Switzerland, and the aircraft is ideal for quickly covering large areas of the country. In aeroflyFS it is possible to change your aircraft at any time, even during flight, so you can easily gear down from a jet to more leisurely speeds when you want to appreciate the infinite details of the Swiss scenery.
Jodel Robin DR 400 / 140 B Major
The DR 400, lovingly nicknamed 'Remo' (in French 'remorqueur' eans tug/tractor) is popular in flying clubs for towing gliders. The low-wing aircraft with its large canopy is also often used for sightseeing flights, and it is an ideal aircraft for visual and instrument flying.
Pitts S-2B
The distinctive looks, outstanding aerobatic performance and unique sound of the Pitts helped it achieve worldwide fame. The sound is uniquely replicated, whether you're in the cockpit or from the outside observer's perspective. This one sounds like a real Pitts! The pilot and owner of the real-world Pitts with the registration D-EUJS has personally fine-tuned the plane on the simulator, making it perform exactly like the original Pitts!
Discus bM
The Discus, manufactured by Schempp Hirth in Germany, is an exceptional glider. Between the years 1987 and 1995 the Discus won every World Championship in the Standard Class! The bM version is equipped with a retractable Rotax engine with a 35 kW power output and is therefore able to take off under its own power. As well as being able to take off from the ground, you can also decide to winch-launch it in aeroflyFS. Retractable landing gear and spoilers complete this high performance glider which features a remarkable glide ratio of 48.
Swift S1
The Swift S1 is a distinctive aerobatic glider design. On its first appearance at a World Championship this machine from the Polish designer Markula Marganski left the competition trailing in its wake. The Swift is currently considered the benchmark aircraft in glider aerobatics, although production was terminated after only 30 gliders were built. The Swift S1 shines in aeroflyFS with an outstanding roll rate, just like the real-world aircraft, making aerobatics real fun. If you're in a hurry to reach sufficient altitude, you can repeatedly press the [L] key to bring the Swift up to starting level in a few seconds.
Sopwith F1 Camel
This single-seat WWI combat biplane a very widely used aircraft of its time, but even today it is still considered as difficult to fly because of its rotary engine, whose rotating mass is not easy to compensate for in tight manoeuvres. The engine delivers 130hp, generating a top speed of 185 km/h. The sound, the view from the cockpit and the realistic flight characteristics let you experience exactly the same feeling early pilots had when at the stick of this legendary biplane.
Extra 300 LX
The aerobatic Extra 300 LX is the two-seat version of the world-famous single-seat aerobatic aircraft designed by Walter Extra. It is characterised by an extremely high level of manoeuvrability and rigidity. The two pilots sit in tandem formation and the front cockpit is sparsely equipped just like the original. As with all aeroflyFS aircraft you can choose the pilot's or copilot's position by using the [F2] function key. With an output of 330 hp at a weight of only 870 kg, the Extra 300 LX is one of the most powerful aerobatic aircraft available.