Top flight simulator options available today.
Top flight simulator options available today.
LH Martin acquired FSX from MS some time back to customize it for their needs. http://www.prepar3d.com/
The top simulator right now is Prepar3d. It's similar to FSX but Microsoft licensed the code to Lockheed Martin, who enhanced it for 64-bit and keep updating it. It offers a wider variety of planes, including fighters, tanks, and ships—though I'm not sure about the reasoning behind that range. The platform fully accepts FSX mods, so existing mods or DLCs should work. They seem to have three levels ranging from a home desktop user to someone who owns a Boeing 737. http://www.prepar3d.com/
P3D remains pricier than FSX. Many creators haven’t developed their extensions yet. FSX currently leads in add-on support, while Xplane offers superior speed but fewer options.
The X-plane addons are quite poor quality. I've never encountered such a high number of low-resolution models and liveries.
It doesn't seem like $60 is overly expensive, particularly with the improvements in performance and support for 64-bit systems. This price reflects what players are willing to pay for updated console titles. Also, because it has been modified, it now focuses more on professional pilots.
Based on the model, I'd identify it as a DCS series aircraft. The DCS community offers free resources; top jets include the A-10C and F-15C, though the latter lacks an interactive cockpit. There are also free options like the P-51D (fully detailed) and Su-25T. (The Su-25T doesn't feature a touchable cockpit, similar to the F-15C). If you're after the A-10C, consider getting it on the market.
Heard good things about this: http://www.virtualpilot3d.com/ Here's a nice little blog with a bunch. http://bestflightsimulatordownload.blogspot.ch/