Miniature flight sim
X-Plane is my favourite flight sim. Over the years I must have bought it about five times; I even used it as the software behind a multi-screen flight simulator I built in the late 90’s, when I was writing the simulation column for PC Gamer magazine. Now it’s out for the iPhone and only street terms liked stoked, psyched and pumped can explain how… er… rad it’s making me feel.
Recovering flight-sim addict Jason, checks out X-Plane for iPhone and iPod Touch.
This isn’t a long review because X-Plane 9 for iPhone and iPod Touch users is a very simple piece of software. It manages a staggering 95% of the full PC and Mac simulator’s flight-model accuracy. You can control the weather and basic approach options. When at the accelerometer-powered controls of four different aircraft, you have throttle, flaps, gear and brakes at your fingertips. The real joy, however, is the way the iPhone’s position-sensing inner workings provide a directional interface as fluid as any joystick.
The mini-X-Plane is a work in progress. The application’s developer, Austin Meyer – who I chatted to many years ago – is a tinkerer. In the weeks since I downloaded it, he’s improved the framerate by 25% and added a calibration for the tilt sensor. The later is important, because you can now set the centre-point for aircraft control so, during steep dives and climbs, you can still see the screen.
For £5.99 this is a steal. Check out the mini-sim and it’s big brother (for PC and Mac) at www.x-plane.com.
Find out what Jason is up to on a daily basis on his own blog www.jasonbradbury.com
