Flight Simulation (Psion software)

1982 video game

1982 video game

Flight Simulation

Developer(s)| Psion
Publisher(s)| Sinclair Research
Designer(s)| Charles Davies
Platform(s)| ZX81, ZX Spectrum, Timex Sinclair 1000
Release| May 1982[1]
Genre(s)| Flight simulation
Mode(s)| Single-player

Flight Simulation is a flight simulation program written by Psion and marketed by Sinclair Research for the ZX Spectrum and ZX81 home computers.

In the United States, Timex Sinclair marketed the ZX81 version as The Flight Simulator for the American version of the ZX81, the Timex Sinclair 1000.[2] It was also marketed as Flug-Simulation in Germany[3] and Simulador De Vuelo in Spain.[4]

## Gameplay

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The program simulated the essential aspects of "a highly-manoeuvrable light aircraft"[5] in flight.[6] Despite the limitations of the ZX81, it offered a basic graphical view of the instrumentation and view through the front window, as well as navigational aids[5] and a full-perspective moving view of the final runway approach.[7]

## Reception

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The ZX81 version received positive reviews. Popular Computing Weekly said "No words can do justice to this most elegant of programs ... You will not see a better games program till Psion create one for the Spectrum".[8] ZX Computing called the program "superb", stating that it made "very good use of the power and the graphics of the ZX81".[9]

The ZX Spectrum version also received good reviews at the time of its release in early 1983. Tony Bridge of Popular Computing Weekly said the program "the best of its type" and that the Spectrum version was even more stunning than the original.[10] Malcolm Jay of ZX Computing said the program was superb but complained about the limited instructions, suggesting "would-be Spectrum pilots should obtain a book on flying from their local library".[11] Eight years later Your Sinclair magazine considered that it had not dated well.[12]

Both versions of Flight Simulation became the best selling program for their respective machines with the ZX81 version reaching number 1 in February 1983[13] and the Spectrum version reaching the top of the Spectrum charts in May.[14] Both versions were still in their machine's top ten chart over a year later.[15] David Potter, Psion's managing director, stated the game had sold around 250,000 copies in an interview in the January 1984 issue of Your Spectrum.[16]

Main viewing screen on ZX81 version (left) and runway approach on ZX Spectrum version (right)

## References

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1. ^ "Sinclair softens up the cassette market". Your Computer. IPC. June 1982. p. 15. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
2. ^ "ZX81 Cassette Tape Information for Flight Simulator, The". Zx81stuff.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
3. ^ "ZX81 tape Flug-Simulation by Sinclair Research".
4. ^ "Flight Simulation". Retrieved 2021-04-24.
5. ^ a b "Magazine Page Scan from World of Spectrum". Zx81stuff.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
6. ^ "ZX81 Cassette Tape Information for Flight Simulation". Zx81stuff.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
7. ^ "ZX81 tape Flight Simulation by Sinclair Research".
8. ^ "Reviews". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 1, no. 17\. Sunshine Publications. 12 August 1982. p. 11. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
9. ^ Pearce, Nick (October 1982). "Zap! Pow! Boom!". ZX Computing. Vol. 1, no. 3\. Argus Specialist Press. p. 73.
10. ^ Tony Bridge (3 March 1983). "Sinclair's Little Mascot". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 2, no. 9\. Sunshine Publications. p. 12. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
11. ^ "ZX Computing".
12. ^ "Your Sinclair".
13. ^ "Top 10". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 2, no. 8\. Sunshine Publications. 24 February 1983. p. 31. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
14. ^ "Top 10". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 2, no. 21\. Sunshine Publications. 26 May 1983. p. 55. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
15. ^ "Top 10". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 3, no. 21\. Sunshine Publications. 24 May 1984. p. 54. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
16. ^ "Circe". Your Spectrum. No. 1\. Sportscene Specialist Press. January 1984. p. 97. Retrieved 31 May 2024.

## External links

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* Flight Simulation at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
* Flight Simulation ZX81 Collection entry with the original inlay scan and program listing. An emulator is available on the site to play the game online.