Okay, most of us are using the hobby's front-runners to get our flying fix: Microsoft Flight Sumulator 2004 (www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/ ) for non-combat flight and Lock-On (www.lo-mac.com/ ) and/or any version of the reincarnate Falcon 4.0 (www.freefalcon.com/content/content.php ).

But there are a few lesser-used or at least lesser-marketed sims out in the wild. I'm curious if anyone's using them and if they can speak on their strengths and weaknesses.

For those of you who may not be acquainted with these sims, give them a look...

General Aviation
- www.flightgear.org

Soaring Aviation
- www.silentwings.no/home

Mixed
- homepage3.nifty.com/ysflight/frmindexe.html

Combat Aviation
- www.fighterops.com
- www.flightzone.us/english/home.asp