Flight Sim sticks and gears, need help

[FIATLOVE]

A friend of mine who's gonna buy my old pc wonders if I can help him regarding buying hardware (controller) and software for flightsimulators. I have no clue about flightsims but I know a few of you guys are into it, so I ask for your help.
The pc is configured like this;

AMD 2500XP, 1.83Ghz
1024 MB Dual RAM
ATI Radeon 9700Pro 128 Atlantis (he may buy a new 256MB card if needed)
S-ATA 80GB 8MB WesternDigital
XP Home

The guy who is buying my old pc have to kids at 18 and 20 yrs, they are learning flying for real as hobby (had many hours in air already), so I guess they want proper equipement sticks and controllers, not walmart stuff... ;)
Another friend of me said a full pro hardware controller set for FS costs about 1000 USD, is that so?

I hope some of you friends can be to some help.


Mads

[chris]

The good stuff in controllers will cost big dollars, probably around US$1000.

What planes will be flown in Flight Simulator, considering the following control configurations:

- Console mounted yoke, slides in and out of console to adjust pitch (majority of GA type aircraft)
- Floor mounted yoke and pedals (as in majority of airliners)
- Joystick/sidestick and pedals (as in fighter planes, modern Airbus airliners excepting A300/A310 series).

For most General Aviation type aircraft, CH yoke and pedal setup will be great. For a Boeing, or any usual non-Airbus (except A300/A310) airliner, a floor-standing yoke and pedals combo is most suitable.

You can find a list of controllers on www.simw.com. :)

[FIATLOVE]

Thank's alot for basic info Chris, and for that link! -^
The kids will know what you mean regarding the different setups of controllers and what setup to choose for their learning needs, I will give them this info and send them to the air-sim shop in town.

Mads

[chris]

Glad I could be of some use. Any other questions, just ask. :)