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Flight Simulator’s Cessna 310 Offers Up Realistic Weather Lesson

Gaming simulation can demonstrate how inflight icing affects the flying ability and aerodynamics of the aircraft under variable conditions.

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Microsoft Flight Simulator offers an unexpected learning lesson by demonstrating aerodynamic icing in flight as it affects the pitot-static system. [Credit: Shutterstock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft Flight Simulator's premium Cessna 310 add-on delivers an exceptionally realistic experience, simulating detailed aircraft maintenance, wear-and-tear, and intricate systems.
  • During a simulated flight in icing conditions, the author experienced dangerous and unexpected aircraft behavior, initially misinterpreting the issues as solely aerodynamic problems.
  • The flight ultimately revealed a highly realistic simulation of an iced-over pitot-static system, causing the airspeed indicator to malfunction, which provided a profound and unexpected learning lesson for even an experienced pilot.
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I recently set out on a small adventure using a “payware” Cessna 310 available from within the Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) main menu. This is one of the more premium add-ons you can buy and is absolutely worth every penny of its $40 price tag. 

The Cessna 310 is one of the newfangled “living, breathing” aircraft that MSFS has released in recent years. It is an aircraft you must fly, maintain, and treat well, as if it were your own. That means oil changes, inspections, and wear and tear that result depending on how you manage the airplane. You’ll even have to clean the airplane over time. Passenger comfort changes depending on how you fly or the level at which you keep the cabin temperature.

Peter James

Peter is an experienced Part 135 business jet pilot with a passion for simulators and how they blend with the real world. Learning to fly at age 12, he supplemented his passion and career goals with the early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. With the growing realism of all PC simulators today, he frequently uses them for extra proficiency, and loves to show other pilots how great they are.

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