The only thing better than airplanes are new airplanes! The 727 is one of my all-time favorites, so it was only a matter of time, I suppose, before I got the 737. I got the base model and the 100. My initial reaction when I saw the 737-100 was "OMG!!! What a cute airplane!!! Squee!!!" Okay, not really, but if jetliners had babies, they would look like the 737-100. In an era when Douglas was going in the direction of long and lean, no wonder they called this chubby little Boeing "The Guppy."

Loading the cold and dark flight puts you at a gate in Captain Sim's usual KSEA. (That's when you say, "Squee!!!") Captain Sim's trademark animations panel starts the fun. The stewardess (that was what they were called back in the day) is on the ground next to the airstairs. After playing with the animations and generally admiring my new acquisition, it was time to fly. Luckily, Captain Sim has provided a flight for that, too, which puts you on the active runway with engines running. Having disdained to even so much as glance at a manual, I dropped the flaps a couple of notches and off I went.

After the 727, my initial impression was that the 737 was a little more responsive and required a different touch. Nonetheless, I was able to fly into the wild blue and enjoy getting to know the 737. I had intended to end the flight mid-air, but it seemed a shame to close the maiden voyage so indecorously. I turned back around and lined up with KSEA's active runway.

I have been away from flight simming for awhile, and am more than a little out of practice. I came in too low and kept raising myself in the seat to see the runway. Then I was too high, and had to dive for the threshold. Nonetheless, when it came time to land, I greased a perfect, smokeless touchdown. My approach didn't look so alarming on the instant replay video.

So that's my initial impression. I haven't started from a cold and dark state, or used what appears to be some sort of newfangled autopilot. That will require some time with the manual. Oh, and I forgot to mention the virtual cockpit. It is gorgeous, as we have come to expect from Captain Sim, and not quite as distressed as the 727's. The custom camera angles were cool, too.

The free version should give anyone with the least bit of curiosity a good idea of what to expect graphically. Bear in mind, however, that if you install the demo, you're probably going to be getting the credit card out.

Thanks Captain Sim, for the smiles.

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I remember calling them an Air Hostess, not Stewardess.

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I love the way the A/P works in the 737. It takes getting used to the way it works, but it's easy once you know.