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Really good and accurate simulations are becoming a real part of the educational scene as programmers start to get to grips with what educationalists require, and the educationalists begin to realise what the computer can do. This package, a simulator of an airline flight within Europe, is the result of such thought and liaison.

The idea of the package is that it should be integrated into topic work dealing with, say, travel, geography, economics of flight, or even maths! All these facets are present and probably a good deal more as well. The package doesn't depend upon the computer program: a much wider vista is laid out with suggestions and development, worksheets and reference charts.

The player - who is the owner of the airline - aims to take the plane from one airport on the map to another via up to two intermediary stops. During the entire exercise, which starts with booking and choosing the plane and ends with accounts, the player must deal with all the problems and calculations that would be necessary in real life: fuel and distance, passenger numbers and plane availability, weather and navigation - a real stinker, this, because you have to understand the corrections in bearing for differing wind speeds/directions. However, if you get stuck the computer will give you a lesson - very clearly and thoroughly.

To do this program proper justice, it would need a good deal more description that I have room for. £20+ may seem expensive for a single program, but you really get value for money as it's an excellent addition to any school's software selection.