The HotSeat Chassis Inc. line of super-expensive, super-fun simulators, run the gambit from NASCAR-style auto racing to fighter jet piloting. Last night at the Digital Life Press Preview, I tried their brand new, week-old, helicopter sim and got to live out my Blue Thunder fantasies while buzzing the rooftops of my native Queens from the comfort of the new HotSeat PC GAMER set-up--complete with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound.

Google Earth mapping makes the topographical terrain authentic. But, other than a few notable landmarks (Shea stadium came up in my sights as well as the appropriate bridges), you won't be finding your house without a little legwork.

Which brings me to another cool feature of these custom-made fantasy machines: you can actually design and "build" structures for your virtual world. That's right. Say you want to live in a mansion with your own helipad: Draw up plans, design, insert and voila, you're living like Hammer (before the unpleasantness).

Not for nothing, but if you can afford one of these sims, you probably already live in a mansion: They start at around $999 and go up to $16.949, depending on the screen(s), CPU, chair, and controls you choose. (The PC GAMER setup I used runs $7,200.) Every one of these puppies is made to order and custom built. The helicopter simulator I tried isn't yet available on the Hot Seat Web site, but you can still order up a racing, combat simulator, or virtual cockpit.

The consoles are compatible with PC games and gaming consoles such as the Xbox, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation. What's more, the controls for the flight simulators are FAA-approved. You know what means? I actually logged time towards a pilot's license during my brief trip thanks to HotSeat.

See you in the friendly skies.

Post by Alex Ivey