3 ms·

Is there a comparison between the flight models of X-Plane and MSFS? Are all models better in X-Plane or it depends on the model?

by kensai 3y ago

azalemeth 3y ago
The cannonical wisdom is that X-plane, being based in blade-element theory and actually simulating the plane, can be really very good but also is much less performant and may not completely capture some specific (unmodelled yet aerodynamically significant) edge cases, I think including things like the exact behaviour of sprung trim tabs in low airspeed stalls. MSFS on the other hand is one giant lookup table. In theory more accurate in the well measured region and less so farther away from reality. I personally have spent a fair amount of time in gliders. XPlane captures their dynamics a lot better than MSFS -- but the really, really missing thing in both cases is your inner ear: the acceleration is a core part of how things feel and you really can't replicate the sensations that well (even in a full motion simulation, I think). Doing practices for failed winch launches (at 3g+!) is easy in a simulation. It isn't in real life. Both tools have FAA/CAA/EASA approved versions for flight training. Real flight training involves a lot of stick and rudder for a reason.
- Mountain_Skies 3y ago
  Acceleration is one of the biggest parts of simulators that just can't match reality. We can fake most of the visual aspects of speed and acceleration, but the pressure one feels over the body, including the signals we get from our inner ear, is missing. Top simulators can do all kinds of shakes and vibrations. They can angle the body to simulate a dive or climb but acceleration seems to be one of those things that if we are ever going to be able to simulate, will be orders of magnitude more difficult than most everything else. Even smell and taste, minor senses in transportation simulations, can be stimulated for limited situations. We might have to wait until we're able to tap into the brain directly for simulated acceleration to happen.

Is there a comparison between the flight models of X-Plane and MSFS? Are all models better in X-Plane or it depends on the model?

by kensai 3y ago

Is there a comparison between the flight models of X-Plane and MSFS? Are all models better in X-Plane or it depends on the model?

azalemeth 3y ago

The cannonical wisdom is that X-plane, being based in blade-element theory and actually simulating the plane, can be really very good but also is much less performant and may not completely capture some specific (unmodelled yet aerodynamically significant) edge cases, I think including things like the exact behaviour of sprung trim tabs in low airspeed stalls. MSFS on the other hand is one giant lookup table. In theory more accurate in the well measured region and less so farther away from reality. I personally have spent a fair amount of time in gliders. XPlane captures their dynamics a lot better than MSFS -- but the really, really missing thing in both cases is your inner ear: the acceleration is a core part of how things feel and you really can't replicate the sensations that well (even in a full motion simulation, I think). Doing practices for failed winch launches (at 3g+!) is easy in a simulation. It isn't in real life. Both tools have FAA/CAA/EASA approved versions for flight training. Real flight training involves a lot of stick and rudder for a reason.

Mountain_Skies 3y ago
Acceleration is one of the biggest parts of simulators that just can't match reality. We can fake most of the visual aspects of speed and acceleration, but the pressure one feels over the body, including the signals we get from our inner ear, is missing. Top simulators can do all kinds of shakes and vibrations. They can angle the body to simulate a dive or climb but acceleration seems to be one of those things that if we are ever going to be able to simulate, will be orders of magnitude more difficult than most everything else. Even smell and taste, minor senses in transportation simulations, can be stimulated for limited situations. We might have to wait until we're able to tap into the brain directly for simulated acceleration to happen.