Yesterday, after twelve and a half years and more than 2200 hours in the Steam release alone, I've uninstalled FSX from my PC (after having done so from my laptop a few days earlier). It hadn't gotten much use in a year because in light of X-Plane 11, I finally realized how old it actually got. Not necessarily because of the visuals and better framerates alone, but rather because of a lot of small things like portability, multiplatform compatibility (Linux!), development potential, quality of life (free camera, quick views, etc.) and a much better base systems simulation out of the box (multiple batteries, bleed air, oxygen, FMS, etc.).
I'd lie if I said that I didn't miss anything about MS' last installment of a classic flight simulation, such as weather depiction and AI/ATC, but overall, it isn't enough to make me stick it out until other civilian flight sims are on the same level in those areas.
Microsoft and Aces did a tremendous job with the series, not just providing a solid base program for Joe and Jane Average to get their taste of being in control of an aircraft, but also offering a still much better documented SDK and assorted tools than any other non-MS flight simulator (yes, this is still the case). This SDK, combined with a helpful, like-minded and in parts very experienced community, allowed me to move from casual consumer to nerd status, experimenting with just about any of FSX' core components (except mesh generation and full on sound packages). That way, I found out or confirmed personal skill preferences useful for furthering my professional career (scripting good, artsy things bad). So in the process of trying to improve upon the simulator or a preexisting add-on, I got to know FSX and its design aspects and philosophy pretty intimately, which also immensely helped me in largely coming to terms with its limitations when actually flying in it.
To compensate my lack of background knowledge when tackling certain tasks, I hit the books about all things related to aviation. This was a better incentive than any university class could ever provide, because I got to go at my own pace and immediately apply what I've learned.
My relationship with FSX peaked with my master thesis, for which FSX indirectly offered a subject as I just coudn't find a good tool to derive jet engine performance tables for AIR files from. I asked my turbomachinery professor about such a tool, one thing led to another and I was taked with finding out what's avalable and trying to come up with a tool that's better and more flexible. The result was programmed in a niche version of MATLAB and put out resonable performance data for a CFM 56-7, but it did not fullfill our requirmenets due to too stringent linearity and too many unknowns when not having very specific and comprehensive source data available (the CFM 56 is well documented). Regardless of that, my professor was content with my methodology, documentation and analysis, so I got a B+, but still had no tool to populate AIR file engine tables with. Yet, I am eternally grateful that FSX basically helped me finish my master's degree (I unsuccessfully had tried to find a thesis position in numerous companies before).
While cleaning up the rubble after uninstallation, all of my development work and other stuff I've tediously collected was moved to an external hard drive in case of a potential, yet unlikely, relapse. Digging though all of this made me realize that in the context of time spent with FSX I feel like I didn't achieve much in terms of productivity. On the release side, I'm counting 10 aircraft mods, 7 aircraft, around 50 repaints, 5 gauges, 2 sceneries and 2 tools for ten years of development activity. A lot of these involved countless grueling twelve plus hour all-nighter sessions glued to the computer just to satisfy my quality standards, but it just pales in comparison to other devs' achievements. What's worse is that despite all this effort, quite a few projects never made it to release or didn't receive the update they deserve, mostly because I guess I just burned out in the process. Lack of time after having started work after university also contributed as it has become very hard to have enough time available to build up a good flow (or "get into the groove") for a thorough development session (this also hampers doing dev work for X-Plane, by the way).
If I had to pick a favourite project, my immediate answer would be Maintenance Income Tool, just because it provided quite a bit of purpose and uncertainty (probabilistic failures!) to flying with relatively little means. I consider it probably the only project that is close to perfection and I am working on an X-Plane version just because I'm missing it so much.
From all the flying I've done in twelve years, the one trip that sticks out the most is my Erie Canal tour from the lake to the Hudson. Being an engineering marvel in its day, I found that the remains of the old canal (well, except that bridge over the Gennessee) are almost perfectly represented when using Ultimate Terrain X and therfor, I was basically flying mouth agape most of the time, my imagination running wild all the way (I had read up on it and the area beforehand). Sadly, the trip report and associated screenshots did not survive the death of its host sites.
Doing MI Tool powered cargo or charter runs across the continental US in modded Metroliners, DC-9s, 727s and Learjets with a "Where do I want to go today?" attitude were also fun, as was flying the flags of airlines long dead in my 1980s themed environment.
All in all, I've had a pretty good run with FSX. Probably the greatest honor I can bestow upon those who made the simulator and all of the additional content that I had installed happen, is that I consider MS' (classic) flight simulators as a defining part of my (adult) life.
So farewell, you memory constrained and still surprisingly awfully running piece of code. I never thought I'd get sentimental for you but here I am with a wall of text.
B.
P.S: My webpage with all my add-ons will stay online and I'll try to provide what I can in terms of support for my stuff. I'll also read along here (out of habit) and, as usuall will be low key jealous about all the
P.P.S: I'm open to transferring projects into capable hands for updating and/or completion.
