Quote Originally Posted by lars573
According the Sim columist in PC gamer M$ removed/neutered crashes in the next version after 9/11.
I remember reading that too, but wasn't it just "flying into building" type crashes? Did they nerf sloppy-but-normal landing crashes too? That would be a shame

On the general topic of a flight sim. Complex control schemes make Lars I even have a joy stick. Must be too cheap. I couldn't get flying right with it in Star Wars battlefront 2 or Battlefeild 2.
Complex controls are only needed with the multi-engine civilian flight sims, and modern jet-era combat sims. The basic single engine prop planes and prop fighter sims can be easily flown with just a joystick... although I have to say that a set of pedals are really neat if you have a sim that models the rudder properly, especially with weather effects like crosswinds. There's a technique called a sideslip with the rudder and stick, which is the only way (in a realistic flight sim) to keep pointed down the runway when the wind is blowing hard at a 90 degree angle to your approach. Pedals are also a big help in fine-tuning your gunfire aim in a prop fighter sim. You can "walk" the bullets across the target with your feet, while remaining in a tight banked turn while chasing the target. It's possible to control the rudder with finger controls like a roller wheel, or a "twist" joystick for rudder but it really doesn't feel the same.

OTOH, once you get into the full HOTAS stuff, it's hard to explain to non-fanatics what the pedals under your desk are for. I usually just give up and say "yeah, they're great for car racing games."