Hi Dave,
Certainly, I understand the desire to fly from London to New York without committing to the real-time flight duration. Here's a guide to help you achieve what you're looking for in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), and I'll also mention where these instructions can be applied to the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12 if relevant.
1. Simulating Time Acceleration in FSX:
- Select Time Compression: During the flight, you can press the 'R' key followed by the '+' key to accelerate time. This will effectively increase the simulation rate and reduce the real-time flying. You can use the '-' key to reduce the speed again.
- Use the Menu: Alternatively, you can navigate to the Options > Simulation Rate menu and choose a suitable speed-up ratio for your needs.
Note: Please remember that time acceleration can affect the simulation's realism and sometimes cause instability in the aircraft's behavior, so use this feature judiciously.
2. Using Autopilot for Long Haul Flights:
To further ease the experience, you can set up the autopilot to manage the flight. Here's how you can do this:
- Select Your Flight Path: Plot your route using the Flight Planner in FSX. It will help you select waypoints and navigate the entire journey.
- Use Autopilot Features: You can use features like the GPS and autopilot to follow the flight plan, manage altitude, heading, and speed. This will enable the aircraft to fly itself, allowing you to step away from the PC as needed.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and X-Plane 12: Similar features for time acceleration and autopilot can be found within these platforms. The methods to access them might vary slightly, but the principles remain the same.
I hope this helps you enjoy your London to New York flight without the need to dedicate 6-8 hours in real time. Just remember to monitor the simulation occasionally to ensure everything runs smoothly, especially if you're using time acceleration.
Safe virtual flying, and let me know if you have any more questions!