[MikkOwl]

As real and detailed as possible. With every part that can affect things being modeled accurately. If there are less aircraft to choose from because of this, that is acceptable. The reason is simple: I love the machines. I want to get to know them better. I don't want to do long winded start-up procedures, I'd rather automate them. But I still want all the systems to be there, and I'll decide which ones I want to mess with. This gives far more immersion than without, and the aircraft, and the experience, becomes more than a pretty ghost with a ghost pilot (without legs, body or arms) in it.

As the level of detail increases, and the task of flying each aircraft is more difficult due to the learning and consideration required, some care should be taken to make the different players be able to still fly together online (since this is stepping into territory that even some more realism minded simmers don't want to do). The solution is simple:

Permit automatic handling of the undesired features online. But when score is calculated, flying on lower realism settings gives a penalty to score calculation. A somewhat humorous way to display someone's realism setting is to assign their rank based on that. The most hardcore simmers have the highest rank assigned to them, while the beginners and others who are not ready or willing have lower ranks. The very beginner gets the lowest flying rank of all, which probably accurately shows his overall level as well to the rest, who can also take steps to accomodate him better.

Using the P-47 limited manifold pressure example, it could be set in the pilot's realism setting that the throttle cannot be moved past it so the engine won't blow from that, but the pilot gets a noticably felt penalty in scoring and other markers indicating the pilot's limited setting. Other from suffering some scoring and personal prestige, it doesn't affect the enjoyment the pilot gets online at all.