The quest for realism is great. But in FS2024 has it gone too far?

Discussion Hub General Discussion
,
1

msfs-2024

Each time a new version is released the realism increases – “great” I used to say, the more real the better.

But a frustrating time with Autopilot on FS2024 has convinced me that in that area – and I am sure, various others – the increased realism has led to a far less enjoyable experience.

I’ll explain.

It used to be - Turn on Autopilot (on any aircraft) and it wold fly straight & level. Changing course /speed was easy.

But real Autopilot systems are much more complicated so you have to train yourself up on the aircraft system and even then, it’s awkward, there are correct sequences to follow.

But I hear you say – yes that’s how it’s supposed to be, that’s real life!

But now with FS2024, for the first time ever with the Microsoft Sim, I just find the level of realism a barrier to an enjoyable experience. (I started on the Bruce Artwick green screen version and have followed all the way up to FS2024),

One of the things I (and I’m sure others) like to do on a sim is just start up the sim and get into the air for some fun free flight, throwing the aircraft around when I have a spare 10 mins.
When reality is simulated precisely, taking a flight it feels like an expedition – so many things to set and check. Real aircraft are like that after all!

Great if you have lots of time and knowledge but for me it’s becoming more work and less enjoyment.

So, in one sense – great job Asobo, you really have mapped reality.

But I haven’t got the time or energy to gen up on all the planes and the correct ways of working their subsystems in detail.

I’d love an option to turn on a simpler interface for those casual flights. Remember when there was the option for auto rudder/aileron co-ordination? Was that FS4?
I’m not suggesting to that simple but you get the point.

Even FS2020 was easier than 2024

I’d be interested to hear if any others feel similarly?

5 Likes
2

Moved to Discussion Hub > General Discussion that is more appropriate since not a request for support.

3

We must be playing a different game. Planes made by Asobo are over simplified and far from reality. Their 737 MAX is the best example. Wrong engines, missing features, full of bugs. 3rd party developers is what makes this game more or less realistic, not Asobo.

13 Likes
4

I use a Saitek Auto Pilot Panel, Driven by Spadnext. And I have to Agree that the Autopilot systems are getting to complicated, I struggle with the INI Builds Planes, I stay Away from the airbus aircraft, I would like to have an option for a Basic autopilot in all aircraft. I want to just put in an Alt and have the VS Climb to it and then hold, the airspeed set and hold, the head hold track a Heading and the NAV hold follow the GPS or NAV Aid what ever aircraft just work the same,

Have an option for basic or real auto pilots

Just my thoughts, I don’t have time to learn different systems just want to make it simple as time isnt always on my side.

3 Likes
5

Autopilots such as the GFC 700 and KAP 140 aren’t complicated.

6

Totally agree, could not have said it better.

7

There are literally hundreds of planes to choose from in MSFS. If you don’t want to have to wrestle with obscure systems but just have a fun flight, pick a simple one like, say, the Waco YMF-5 and go with that.

Once you’ve figured out whether the tailwheel is locked when the lever is forward or back (and if you do, please let me know) you’re pretty much good to go.

1 Like
8

When I first played in 1982, the mountains were “flat” wireframe graphics and there were no people. Now in 2025 we have every mountain range in the world in 3d textured meshes and the sim now also has representations of people.

I wonder where all this will be in say…500 years, especially after machines start programing machines.

3 Likes
9

Can’t say I get what you mean. How are the planes in 2024 more realistic than in 2020? Especially in terms of systems and instruments, that’s pretty much down to the individual planes.

Ans in just about every plane, you can just autostart with Ctrl-E and go full throttle!

10

I basically also do not feel like the current sim is more or less complicated than MSFS2020 in general. The only thing which changed is that there is a larger variety of aircraft to choose from created by more all different creators.

MS decided now to not dumb down aircraft artificially anymore (like they did in former iterations) so they get magically accessible to any target group, instead they chose a more realistic way by providing all different levels of automation within the aircraft selection. As a rookie you cannot just jump into the Grumman Albatross or B747-400 and get going without caring about the overwhelming amount of systems - you have to start with a good old simple Cessna and work your way up.

If one however does not want to set it up all on it’s own there is the flight planner which in theory (bugs aside…) should be able to set up your autopilot to a large extend. As it is obviously somewhat bugged on the large airliners there still is Simbrief with similar capabilities.

If that’s still too much effort there are aircraft like the SF50 Vision Jet - hop in, set your route, press the engine start button and go. There are so many aircraft in that sim which are just fun to fly without that much effort :wink:

What I somewhat can however agree with would be a lack of a proper virtual copilot and engineer (on a three person cockpit) with tasks one can hand over other than just COMS as flying an A320 all alone is also unrealistic :wink: (it would be handy if I could at least delegate landing gear and flaps handling to a virtual person as long as we don’t have a native shared cockpit solution).

11

Why would you buy a " flight simulator" and complain about the realism?

Forget MSFS and absolutely, most certainly and never do not cast an eye at DCS. That is a road you do not want to travel.

However, If I may, I can recommend war thunder for your perfect fit.

1 Like
12

One World, One Community - No matter how you play – regardless of platform, experience level, or reason – we are one community of aviation lovers.

Some folks want the flight experience without the technical components. That’s understood and somewhat accommodated in game design using the Assistance Menu.

Turn on most of the Assistances (I would eschew Charlie the Co-Pilot, my snarky name for the AI assistant flying the plane), set Weather to something nice, maybe a few clouds and low wind, daytime and season as you see fit, and have at it.

A basic 152 under 5,000’ using CTRL-E to get started and take off from a big airport (even if you forget trim and flaps) will get you in the air lickety-split. Turn off damages and overspeed, any other consequences.

Voila, simple flight. Albeit hand-managed the whole way.

Move up to a C172, once airborne, click on AP, HDG and LVL on the Garmin Flight Controller Panel. You can now manage the Heading via knob and you’ll be in Level flight.

2 Likes
13

Right now in 2024 that is unnecessary, because even with damage on its just going to pop you back into the air because of ‘back on track’… Which is horrible for a lot of us, but probably handy for very casual fliers.

2 Likes
14

To deal with the OP, I think it depends what aircraft you are looking to fly, but I also don’t think that 2024 is any more complicated than 2020.

You said that: “It used to be - Turn on Autopilot (on any aircraft) and it would fly straight & level.”

In any autopilot-equipped aircraft in 2020 or 2024, you would need to at least set altitude (and climb / descend rate if required), heading and autopilot mode (HDG or NAV/GPS) in preparation. Then, when you press the AP button, it will fly at the heading, altitude & setting you have commanded. The basics are broadly the same as IRL, and also the same as with previous versions of MFS.

In aircraft with the G1000 or less complex systems, that’s still all you need to do, so I don’t really see how it can be perceived that 2024 in particular is over-complicated.

If you want a quick, simple flight using autopilot, pick the 172, DA40, DA62, Bonanza, Grand Caravan or anything else with the G1000 and start from a runway. Set HDG, ALT & VS, set flaps & trim and then just go. Once you’re up and either level or in a stable climb, hit the AP and thereafter you can control it with the HDG knob and the throttle.

None of this stops you from the other intended use, which was: “One of the things I (and I’m sure others) like to do on a sim is just start up the sim and get into the air for some fun free flight, throwing the aircraft around when I have a spare 10 mins.”

2024 and 2020 both definitely allow you to do this too. Select free flight, start from the end of a runway in your chosen aircraft and the gear will be down and the engines running. Just set your flaps and trim for takeoff and go. You can start from a non-runway too - just pick a spot you fancy anywhere in the world and you will immediately be in flight.

If you want to fly airliners or more complex aircraft / systems, and if previous versions of MSFS were much less realistic in allowing a press of the AP button to instantly equal straight & level flight then yes, I totally sympathise. But I do think you can have just as much if not more fun in the smaller G1000 equipped aircraft mentioned.

1 Like
15

Funny how different we all are!

For me, a satisfying flight starts with flight planning, METAR check at origin and arrival, a cold and dark cockpit and subsequent start of the planes systems, IFR clearance, etc. etc. That means that after the first 20 minutes have passed, my plane usually has not even moved.

I absolutely love the systems depth MSFS offers (even more so the high quality add-ons). For many planes and systems I found original manuals online (Garmin), some of them with hundreds of pages. Reading them is often kind of a dry experience, but for me, the reward comes when I apply my newly acquired knowledge in the sim and things actually work!

The same goes for POMs - the one for the 737-NG has 1.500 pages…

But the beauty of the sim is that it offers something for every taste. As others have said already: if you don’t want complications, just pick a simple plane!

When I’m in that mood, I fly the Solo over Rio at Sunset - an absolutely superb experience!

Happy flying!

2 Likes
16

My big problem is the helis, I looked into the heli tree and instantly noped out. For a full simulator the manual counter torque could be a great feature, on an Xbox controller it is hell. At least make it to where it can be turned off, I can’t think of any heli that has that problem anyway

17

I suspect only you can make that call. For me, who started with chuck Yeager’s flight sim (and then the Amiga a320 game) and then nothing until fs2020, no.

In fact, I love it and enjoy the immersion, even though I’m still scared of vatsim.

Also, as a recent father, navigraph, the auto pilot etc all really help me to do some simming to a decent level but not ignore my child.

I still find I can hop in a plane and muck about - I particularly enjoy GA between Dundee and Oban.

Ironically, it’s a lack of realism in the sim that annoys me:

Consumers of msfs are given a dearth of options when it comes to version and what planes you get. But when you get into the sim, you find that what you’ve paid a premium for is riddled with inop switches, a lack of detail and then the community has to fix it - frequently with a paid for version. So you pay twice.

(The 787 is an example - was premium for fsfs 2020, had more than a few bugs and needed community bods to fix it)

18

That’s a very valid question - up to a point.
I absolutely get it that for many people, the fun is meticulously learning every aircraft, their checklists, planning flights…to at high level of realism. In the real world it can take several minutes before you even start an engine.

But the more of that kind of realism (of that sort) there is, the less you can just dip into the sim in a spare 10 minutes.

I agree, the realism of FS2020 and 2024 is very similar - except - as it has been documented elsewhere - for autopilot. It’s just the straw that broke the camels back for me.

So I’d like to see a much more comprehensive assistance menu with options to simplify things to an individual’s taste.

19

This topic was automatically closed 365 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.