Gameplay

• Physics

Extremely advanced physics makes for a realistic feel and believable aircraft handling.

• Graphics

This version has a definite graphical improvement on the 2002 version. With my Radeon 9600 series graphics card and 2 GB RAM, I get around 25 frames per second. You can completely customize the graphic settings in the settings page under the “Display” option. This way, the game will be able to display less intensive graphics for low-end graphic cards, and extremely intensive graphics for high-end graphic cards.

• Air Traffic Control (ATC)
  

New to Flight Simulator in this version is Air Traffic Control, or ATC. You can’t actually talk to a live controller, but it is very realistic, nonetheless.

It works by prompting you with all currently available ATC requests. For example, you may request clearance to taxi, clearance to takeoff, clearance to land, directions to your arrival airport, and much, much more.

Each available request is preceded by a number; when pushed, a pre-recorded voice of your preference speaks your request. An Air Traffic Controller responds to you request, and a new set of requests appears. ATC procedures continue on in this manner.

• Dual / Multiple Monitors

With FS9, you can use any number of monitors and customize each one with a different view or module or both. FS2004 does this by allowing you to dock or undock components into windows. For example, you can undock the GPS and move it around as a separate window, like you would do with any Windows window (not to be redundant).

The following lists some of the modules that can be organized to your preference:

Main instrument panel

Radio Stack

Annunciator

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Compass

Air Traffic Control

Throttle Quadrant

Overhead Panel

Here are the available views:

Cockpit – Normal 2d cockpit view

Virtual Cockpit – 3d cockpit described above

Spot Plane – You can position the view wherever you wish

Tower – View from the departure tower

Top Down – Displays a ground map and a crosshair