Despite the fact that flight sims no longer seem to be any sort of priority for games developers I think the current situation is very good for flight sim fans.
I like the idea that I can jump into practically any part of aviation history and have a go with the aircraft of the time. I have most of the following sims or I will likely as not get them in the near future to complete my collection.
I thought I’d post up the list here to get your views on them and add any others you think the rest of us might enjoy.
WW1 - Rise of Flight For me the verdict is still awaited, flawed on release but with potential.
WW2 - IL2FB - 'nuff said!!
Vietnam - Yankee Air Pirate - YAPv2 gives single missions based on real missions from the Vietnam War. You can read about a mission and then fly it. It’s like reading a book and then getting involved yourself. Dated graphics but well worth a go.
Modern - LOMAC - Fills my need for a modern jet fighter and missile combat fix. Needs a lot of work to master the radar modes etc but thats half the fun for me.
Helicopter - DCS Black Shark - Not yet tried but considering giving it a go.
- YAPv2 also has some good helicopter missions
I’m still waiting for a decent helicopter sim that will give me a great Vietnam helo experience.
Just some Sunday morning musings 
Regards,
WB.
I always go back to Falcon 4 and its spin offs. The campaign system is the best I have played and still hasn’t been beaten yet as far as I know.
Three versions of Falcon 4, namely Open Falcon, Free Falcon, Allied Force
Open Falcon supposed to be the most realistic of them all requires the original game cd loaded. Can be found on ebay of all places
http://www.f4support.com/forums/index.php
Files in the download section
Not requiring the original game is Free Falcon 5, a bit like IL2 with a mod group associated with all releases, you can fly the F16, F18 etc and Russian as well
http://www.freefalcon.com/content.php
For download links, go to the forum and look for Free Falcon 5, click on that and 9th down is the download links, try it its 1.3Gb download but it is free.
Allied force, the most stable version but more arcade than simulation in my view.
I might have a look at Battle of Britain II Wings of Victory when the 2.10 patch comes out, there is a you tube vid giving a preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3yNv3yilHA
Splash
Rise of Flight, Got it and am enjoying it more than when i flew the Beta, its definitely improved, enjoying the Multiplayer even though its not as developed as IL2 the Dogfights are intense and feel pretty realistic.
IL2 with Ultrapack and Scorched Earth will be hard to beat even Oleg will struggle i think with Storm of War to top this current version of IL2.
Yankee air pirates has tempted me, i have been playing the original of their Nam game and love it.
Lomac is a great sim, one i pick and play every once in a while, definitely one that lost out to IL2, without IL2 i would have probably flown more of it.
F4 Falcon i love but have never been able to devote the time to in order to really appreciate.
Dcs Black Shark, is one i have kept away from because it looks good and will probably take over me if i did start. I wish it was a longbow game rather than the black shark though.
Don’t forget IL2 Birds of Prey on the X-box, if you just want to kick back on the sofa and get all arcadish with a gamepad with our favourite engine all tarted up for the gamerz…
…I’ll get my coat