Pro Pilot '99

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Review: Pro Pilot '99

So it was with reservation that I agreed to review Pro Pilot '99. I'm pleased to report Sierra's new noncombat sim does indeed feel a lot more complete and focused, while supporting 3D acceleration for faster frame rates and a slight graphical improvement.

There are six Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft to climb into, including the new 1997 Cessna Skyhawk 172R. As with last year's version, all instrument panels and gauges in the cockpit are active, so every switch, button, and knob is fully functional. For easy reference, budding virtual pilots can click on any instrument for an instant description.

Aside from the continental U.S. and two of Canada's largest cities (Toronto and Montreal), Pro Pilot '99 has also added Western Europe for a total of over 4,300 airports. Yes, it's now possible to fly through Paris, Rome or London, along with over 30 other 3D rendered metropolitan cities, such as New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Runways are now lit up, and unlike Flight Simulator '98, pilots are cued by an audio ATC for air traffic and weather information during departures and arrivals.

Pro Pilot '99 really shines in two key areas: its robust navigational systems for the seasoned flyer and its robust training for newbies. Realistic operational aids include GPS (Global Positioning System), VOR (Very high Omni-directional Range), ILS (Instrument Landing System) and NDB (Non-Directional Beacons). There are handy tutorials on using each of these tools, over 30 video lessons, and an interactive handbook for each plane's cockpit, their basic flight maneuvers, and advanced flight plans. Beginner flight sim users will get off the ground faster and smoother than with Flight Simulator '98.

Pro Pilot also added 3D accelerator support this year, but only for 3Dfx Voodoo 1 and 2 chipsets. Even so, the game did not look that much better than last year's software-only version, except now ground textures are less pixelated, plus there are sun glares and more translucent clouds. Overall, I did not see any major graphical change, though it ran much more smoothly, without the frame-rate hiccups-and the rudders and flaps now move when viewing the aircraft from an outside view.

The key difference between last year and this year is that the former was unfinished, prompting the flight sim community to ponder why Sierra would release such an important product prematurely into a monopolized market. While not perfect, Pro Pilot '99 offers much more hope for the series in the long run by concentrating on the sim's strengths. I'd still like to see better graphics (with Direct3D support so everyone with a 3D card can enjoy the eye-candy), third party add-on support, weather effects (remember the rain and lightning in Flight Unlimited II?) and multiplayer events for Pro Pilot '99. Apparently, these additions are already in the works for future versions of Pro Pilot, as are a whole new game engine, more planes, and new airports.

Pro Pilot '99 may still not be "the complete flight simulator", but they've come along way from last year's rush job.-- Marc Saltzman / GamePro