This is a downloadable WWI sim that costs $29.99 for a 255mb download from Thirdwire. The sim is classed as a "lite" sim which means you will be able to run it well on older computers without having to pay for expensive upgrades. First Eagles has had fair success in the PC games market, although its impact has a lot to do with the game having an 'open architecture' allowing others to modify and improve aspects of it and add new planes, terrain, weapons etc. There are lots of very good quality downloads available from several sources and an active user support base.

Microflight

This sim is one that I would always have on my netbook for when I go travelling. You can download some photoreal sceneries for it, and in its latest incarnation available from Quality Simulations it is a sailing/flying/gliding/driving sim. This VSF version is free as it is a beta version. Microflight 5.0 and Virtual Sailor are both available as downloads from the site for $30 each. They do not take up many resources and there is a selection of user created ships, sceneries, planes and other vehicles that will be guaranteed to appeal to everyone. On my last vacation I flew from my home in Adelaide, South Australia to California, and visited places such as the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and San Francisco before getting on board the Celebrity Infinity for a cruise down the Mexican Riviera and through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale. I flew the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, and Panama and also transitted the canal by cruise ship before I ever got there using Microflight and Virtual Sailor!

Warbirds

Warbirds is a subscriber based WWII sim that is availabe to play online for $14 US per month. For the money you get to play with hundreds of other enthusiasts on dedicated servers, access to lots of training and advice, and a months free trial period. You can choose from to join one of the many Warbirds squads, or fly alone. For a slightly higher sub you can choose to play in other games such as Armoured Assult Tank Simulator and Dawn of Aces as well as participate in special events. The game play is different from the usual similator in that it incorporates a strategy aspect where squads play for teams and each team can determine which targets to attack and what resources to allocate to ensure victory. Targets (scenes) can be captured or destroyed. Paratroops can also be dropped to capture a scene, which means you can fly unarmed planes as well as the usual bombers and fighters. This is the game that is recommended by the Fighter Ace management folk, so check it out at Totalsims. They also did the Flyboys game that was based on the WWI movie Flyboys from a couple of years back.

Rise of Flight

One sim causing a lot of interest is Rise of Flight. This title from Russia has some of the best graphics ever seen in a WWI sim. For more information visit their website at Rise of Flight.

This sim is a subscriber sim similar to Warbirds except that it boasts more up to date graphics and improved gameplay. These improvements include the ability to supply bases by air, sea or land. You can drive the vehicle or steer the boat as well as fly the planes. At the time of writing, one of our members is checking out this sim using the free 2 weeks game play that Hightech Creations. the developers offer to new pilots.

Microsoft CFS3

If you have this ageing WWI sim from Microsoft consider that it boasts an add on that completely transforms the sim into a WWI sim. It costs $50 US plus delivery and is available from Over Flanders Fields.