Microsoft held a small media event yesterday in downtown Toronto, at the Toronto City Centre Airport and, for what was being shown, the company couldn't have picked a better place. I got to go hands-on with the upcoming expansion pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Acceleration , and take a seat in the new DreamFlyer from FMS Flight Motion Simulators Inc.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration is the first expansion pack for a Microsoft Flight Simulator game in about ten years and brings three new aircraft into the game, an EH101 helicopter, a race modified P51 Mustang and the F18 Hornet, plus about 20 new missions to support those aircraft. Some of those missions include carrier operations with the F18, and rescue missions with the helicopter. But as Microsoft's Flight Simulator Community Evangelist, Hal Bryan, told me, “Really, at its core, what Acceleration is about is online, multiplayer air racing. With the Reno air races from the U.S., the Red Bull races from around the world, (it's) a chance to let you not only fly in the same world as your friends, but race against them and see who can be the fastest and the best”.

Flight Sim X

Hal showed me exactly what he meant while guiding me through the a quick flight tutorial, and after only a couple of minutes he moved me on to the races to see how I would fare against some competition. Though it seemed that I had taken like a fish to water in the tutorial, my handling of the tight turns in the races when using the faster planes was a bit of a different, and slightly embarrassing, story.

Acceleration

I could barely manage to stay in the course, let alone fly through the checkpoints, crashing and flying in the wrong direction on multiple occasions. It was clear in the end, however, that had I had some more time to sit a learn all of the flight controls, I would have fared considerably better. Thankfully, the expansion pack plays quite smoothly, and was quite enjoyable, even if I couldn't quite handle the faster planes. Of course, there was something else that made the experience even more enjoyable; playing Acceleration using the DreamFlyer.

FMS Flight Motion Simulator Inc.'s DreamFlyer is, in its most basic form, a flight simulation controller. However, it's more than just a joystick. The DreamFlyer is a full motion flight simulator controller that you sit in to control your flight simulation game. It comes with a full joystick, complete with combat controls, a hand throttle with more buttons and a thumb switch mouse, plus foot pedals. Making turns is as simple as tilting the joystick or, if you prefer, yourself in whatever direction you're looking to go. When you make your turn, the DreamFlyer and monitor turn with you, giving the sensation of flight. You can even attach an LCD monitor, or three, to the DreamFlyer so you can have a fuller experience.

“ DreamFlyer brings the experience of flying to a whole different level,” said FMS Flight Motion Simulators CEO, Rahul Lakhote, “It brings full motion into the picture and allows the user to interact with the simulation software using our full system, with the joystick, the pedals, the full surround sound system (option), and you can fly any aircraft, any time, in any weather condition”.

One of the cool things about the DreamFlyer is that it can be slightly customized. The surround sound capability is just one option. From what Lakhote and Daryl Nelson, FMS Flight Motion Simulators Product Rep/Test Pilot, told me, it may be possible to add force feedback and even custom controls for different planes. Another benefit that the DreamFlyer has over other flight simulators is that it doesn't use any motors, just two USB cables for the controls, which means that it's virtually maintenance free – not to mention easy to set up. The lack of motors and simple build structure also bring down the cost by a considerable amount.

Speaking of which, how much does this kind of fun cost? Unfortunately, it doesn't come cheap for the average gamer, costing $2,800 USD plus shipping for the base model. For hardcore flight sim players though, especially when considering the fact that more conventional, motorized, full fledged flight simulators cost in the hundreds of thousands, the DreamFlyer is a steal. It is also available now.

You can find out more about the DreamFlyer at www.mydreamflyer.com. Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration is scheduled for release this holiday season for Windows PC and is not yet rated.