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Flight simulations have proved increasingly popular over the last few months as software houses have come to realise that many gamers want something simulating than the traditional shoot-'em-up.

Fighter Pilot is one of several simulations now on the market, and is a flight simulation of an F15 Eagle - an USAF fighter jet. The game includes several options such as Landing Practice, Flying, Training, Blind Landing, Air-to-Air Combat Practice and Air-to-Air Combat - a wide range of choices that will give you some idea of the intricacies of flying a fighter jet.

Sitting in the cockpit, you've got an incredibly detailed and impressive flight panel in front of you which takes up approximately one quarter of the screen. This is your bible - a watchful eye must be kept on all dials at all times if you're to remain airborne.

There is no landscape to speak of - the screen is divided into blue and yellow depicting the air and ground.

However, you won't have much time to look at the landscape. All your concentration needs to be on your altitude, speed, artificial horizon and radar settings, as you juggle with the controls to keep on a steady flight path and on the right bearing.

Air-to-air combat is probably the most difficult of the options, but at least you're given the chance at a few practice runs before you set out to engage a hostile enemy.

As soon as enemy aircraft are in your vicinity, a lightning symbol will flash and it's time to switch to Combat Mode which activates your guns and shows your ammunition status.

After playing around with Fighter Pilot for about ten minutes, I realised that it would take a considerable length of time to become reasonably proficient at the game. I was also surprised at how addictive a flight simulation could be.

Fighter Pilot is available for the 48K Spectrum and I played it using the keyboard, although a joystick option is available.

The controls are extremely sensitive and it takes a while before you are able to fly in a straight line at a set altitude bank and turn the craft.

Once you have mastered the controls, you can go onto the more difficult options like a Blind Landing and Air-to-Air Combat.