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Beware anyone writing flight simulators for the CPC464! We happen to have an ex fighter and commercial pilot with experience of large passenger aircraft on the Amsoft staff.

We've yet to find a flight simulation that he fully approves of, so bearing in mind that playing this game won't qualify you to land jumbo jets, it's nevertheless an interesting and worthwhile diversion from other types of arcade pursuit. Chris Anstey stuck his head in the clouds, and came back with the following observations from 20,000 feet.

The program begins by requiring you to taxi onto the correct runway heading, then accelerating to take off speed. You must remember to extend the flaps as the speed increases - and subsequently retract these with the undercarriage after take off.

You then climb and accelerate to cross a mountain range: the height of which is determined by the skill level selected at the outset. If you have got this far, you must then approach the landing runway and descend, keeping the speed under control, and staying level.

You have to manipulate the speed, flaps and undercarriage and then reverse thrust on touch down or you won't stop before the end of the runway. If all is well, you will be given a score and a report on aeronautic aptitude. The faster you go, the higher your score, but you must watch the fuel consumption.

It would be more friendly to get some warning of stalling or exceeding maximum speed. After all, the seat of your pants is not quite in touch with what's going on, and nor can you be prompted by the screams of your passengers as the gin and tonics hit the ceiling.

As you step up your competence level, flying aces have to contend with crosswinds (no. its not the sort brought on by the rather bland canapes they tend to serve on planes), engine fires - but thankfully, there are no singing nuns trying to keep up the morale of your undoubtedly terrified passengers with a few choruses of 'Abide with me' or the like.

The graphics are clear but a shade unimaginative - and whilst the plane is on the ground, the musical accompaniment is very reminiscent of the sort of wallpaper music they soothe you with as the plane is taxi-ing for take off. As the CPC464's first flight simulator, you will find it's well worth the reasonable £6.95 being charged by Anirog.