Last year, Friday November 24, 2006 to be exact, Best Buy had Microsoft Flight Simulator X on sale for I want to say for a little over $18. Well, I couldn't resist so I picked up a copy for myself, only to find there was absolutely no way my machine at the time was going to even load this game, much less play it at anything close to acceptable levels.
So I put FSX away, for the time being, until I could see fit to invest into an adequate machine, in case you are curious anything on level of Cybertron or above should do just fine for this game. This game recommends a Windows Vista Experience score of 5.0 or greater. Basically Microsoft FSX already hates your machine, even before you bought FSX. You could by a new machine today, or tomorrow for that matter, and it could be too old for FSX.
Fortunately for me, and thanks to advice I got from Ars Technica's Hot Rod System Guide and Scott Hanselman's Ultimate Developer Rig guides, I was able to build myself a machine that is actually capable of running FSX. Well, at least after I downloaded the patch for Vista that fixes a problem with FSX and multi-monitor systems.
I told you that story, so I could tell you this story...
One of the things I noticed when I was first trying out FSX on my new system, was that you could fly FSX using the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows. You think FSX hates you and your PC, just try using it with either a mouse or a keyboard. I actually have an old Saitek X45 Flight Stick and throttle, but haven't wanted to set it up yet due to two reasons. One it uses a serial RS-232 port to connect to a PC. And two it is HUGE, and needs a whole desk of its own to hold it.
So the idea of reusing my Xbox 360 controller with FSX is perfect. It fits in my hand, and uses our friend USB.
First Attempt:
I have two Xbox 360 wireless controllers and I also have a Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit. Basically you get a USB charge cable and a NiMH rechargeable battery pack. I know the regular Xbox 360 controller, the non-wireless version, works with Windows XP and Windows Vista out of the box. What about the wireless controllers?
I had read Scott Hanselman's article: "Xbox 360 Controller Wireless Receiver Adapter for Windows". So I know I could buy either an adapter, or a combo pack with both the wireless controller and the adapter, to get my controllers to work with Vista. Or I could just buy a standard non-wireless controller. But I didn't know if my controllers would work by using the USB charge cable. And why spend $20 to $60 if you don't have to?
So I plugged the USB charge cable into my controller, and then again into my PC and waited... Found New Hardware... hmm, this is promising... maybe... Locate and install driver software... Windows couldn't find driver software for your device... Uh, oh... Check for a solution... Contact Microsoft Corporation for support... hmm, not good... but wait there's a link... Download Gaming Software... Controllers, Xbox 360 Controller for Windows, Windows Vista (32-bit), English (US)... Download Xbox 360 Accessories Software 1.1 32-bit for Windows Vista... cross fingers...
Round Two:
...After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I finally had to face the stark realization that something wasn't right. The question was what? Was it Vista? Was it my new PC? What could it be?
Well, I knew I was wishing and hoping from the start. I mean the Xbox 360 Wireless controller had to have a RF transmitter in it, and the Xbox 360 had to have a matching receiver in it, which was something my PC doesn't have. But did that mean that Xbox 360 wireless controllers don't have the required guts needed to send data out over USB like the standard controllers could do so effortlessly? I had to know. 
Final Lap:
Google Search on "Play & Charge Kit PC Support" -> results: Scenyx Entertainment Community: PC Tools and Utilities (Xbox 360 related).
There definitely seems to be some difference of opinion on the matter, even at Microsoft, but in the end I accepted defeat. 
It does NOT appear that the Xbox 360 wireless controllers will send any real controller data over the USB charge cable. This had better be due to cost constraints, and not simply an over site or profit decision.
Conclusion:
So I went to my local Game Stop store today and bought a Xbox 360 Controller Wireless Receiver Adapter for Windows today for $20, and took my first flight, in a Bombardier Learjet 45, from KFLO - Florence Regional Airport to somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Um yeah, I'm still working on the landings.
| "First Flight" Microsoft Flight Simulator: $18 Adequate PC: $1600+ Xbox 360 controller adapter: $20 Getting to join the friendly skies: priceless |  |
Note:
Once you do actually get your Xbox 360 Controller to work with Windows Vista you have a lot of cool opportunities to take advantage of the synergy.
Vista Games - you can use the controller to play any of the games that ship with Vista.
Virtual Earth 3D - this is a great way to explore maps. Very intuitive, responsive, and useful, and not to mention fun.
Games for Windows - any game that get Games for Windows certification is required to have Xbox 360 Controller support