Hi everybody,Finally I have decided to merge ( for a while and I hope as long as possible) my job with my hobby. I am discussing with a french producing company the possibility of directing a full length documentary shot in HD format about the passion of cockpit building.Financing is not yet achieved but I would like to start making a kind of inventory of all (almost) achieved projects, whatever the simulated plane is. For financial reason I would focus only on North America ( USA-CANADA) and Europe.The film will start telling the history of the film simulation on personnal computer with the early Sublogic FS1 and Commodore 64 computer. A big part of the film will also be dedicated to the fact that without Internet, our hobby would probably not exist and that every builder comes some step further thanks the sharing of skills and knowledges using Internet. Due to a full immersion, the cockpit builder is probably the first amateur in the history experiencing an almost 100% virtual reality.There is nothing else comparable to that experience. This will also be a part of the story. Last but not least are the raising companies bringing to the market products nobody could imagine even 10 years ago. Their are also king, popes, tsars and stars among the cockpit builders I mean by that, the real pionners without whom we would not be where we are yet. James Price and other which I hope will read the thread and taking contact with me. Anyway, I would be happy If I could get some post at [email protected] from all interested personn willing to show his work in that film, as well as commercial companies selling parts, softwares. Links for pictures are also very important.Since the financing is not yet raised, I would also welcome any suggestions as regards that part. I mean by that some Ideas how we could raise the money. For the european television, for which I am normally working as tv movie director, my idea is too exotic but there is a huge potential world market on cable TV and I am sure that the pictures will have a huge success and not only among aviation fans. Then let's hope that we will meet for real in a near future.With my best regards to all,Roger Wielgus

Did you think about contacting discovery channel?They broadcast many programs about aviation. I have even a program from them in wmv format on my hd about flightsimulators in general (with a big part about MSFS). It shows all kind of civel and military sims.Good luck with your projectNorbert BoschPS If my project was in a more advanced stage, you were certainly welcome for a visit.http://home.wanadoo.nl/norbert.bosch

Dude, Discovery is the first channel that comes to mind... it's right down their alley.The documentary idea is really great, and hopefully will give this passion the exposure it rightly deserves. If you are in India sometime in the middle of next year, please do check out the progress of India's first Home Cockpit...Rahul Sharma.New Delhi, [email protected]

Thanks Norbert and Rahul for your advices.Keep in touch. Roger

Hi,I have not get that much mails. I thought there would be more enthusiasm about that project. I have already some simpits Stars having answered, but I need a bit more feedbacks.Thanks guys for your helpRoger

Roger.First..give it some time to get the word out...I am sure you will get more than enough material for your project! There are at least 5-10 finished/in final stages projects in North America (Robert Prather 777, Matt ford 737, Deltaflight 767, James Price 737, Matt Weitlpach F18, Gene Buckle F15, etc).If you add in the producers of home cockpit items (Flightdeck solutions, AGT, simparts, simkits, project magenta, etc) and a visit to a commercial simulator (like CAE, continental, american, delta, etc), you'll have a TON of material around the topic. I can even see a split screen showing 3 simultaneous shots...a home cockpit+commercial sim+real flight - on approach to JFK... that would be amazing! I would also add some footage on websites with projects...clearly the Oz 747-400 project with Matt Sheil, the 747 from Japan with Junji and the Schiratti project would make a lot of sense to show. You could even show this AVSIM forum as a center of activity in this virtual world!(of course, most of these require some permissions and copyright releases!)For sponsorship...the sim software and hardware suppliers may be in a position to support a little. You may get support from Discovery Channel Wings to do the show. BBC may be another source, since they do aviation clips as well. CNN may be a target..but be careful...they may want the story to use as a lead in for how terrorists can use basement cockpits to train! We don't need that kind of negative reporting! Microsoft & X-Plane may be sources...since their software forms the bed for many of the simulators.Depending on when you want to begin filming, my 777 sim will be in 'shootable' stage (it may actually energize my project further!). I'd be glad to help. (www.777project.com)Good luck...GREAT idea and a GREAT project!

Hi Captain,Thanks for your excellent comments and suggestions. Finally you very close to my current screenplay draft. I agree with the idea, which I will use for the introducing sequence of the film, to match together a real plane (outside view) with virtual cockpit on an approach, sometimes real cockpit views, sometimes virtual cockpits for finally ending the sequence, after shut down of the engines somewhere in a basement or a car garage with the wife voice saying to the pilot and copilot that the dinner is ready and still hot. Your suggestions as regards the financial contributions are also smart. I will be very soon in London at the discovery channel european producers desk and talk with them about the project, but I should still get in contact directly with the Microsoft people in the States. I think that the french one would not understand the deal.Thanks captain and keep in touch. By the way I would love to know if there is somewhere on this planet I guy ( or a woman) working on space shuttle cockpit.....that will be the future.....RegardsRoger

Roger,Have you contacted the builders at ViperPit? (www.viperpit.org/forum ) The forum is a gathering place for a very focused group of F-16 cockpit builders, very high end work with some amazing pictures showcasing outstanding work.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Mike,I did not know about that site. Thanks. I will contact them.Roger

Hi Roger,I think a documentary would be a great idea. Up till now, the only way anyone in this select group hears about advances or other simmers is in the forums or in magazines. If you don't go to a book store monthly you will miss an article in Air & Space, PC Pilot ect.. The Discovery Channel did an episode on "flight simulators" late last year, but it was mainly military oriented and spoke briefly on Flight Simulator 2004 and what it took to develop it. I personally was disappointed; I expected more on the home built cockpits/flight decks. I also believe that approaching the Discovery Channel would be your best chance for support. Maybe by the time you get your support, I'll have my sim done. GOOD LUCK !!!Chuck Moorewww.projectb737ng.com

Chuck,Thank you very much for your encouraging comments. I have seen your site. Very, very impressive. I am not only interested in finished project. I have to show different stages in the construction.Keep in touchRegardsRoger

Chuck,I would love to see your show.I finished my GA home cockpit a few months ago and wouldn't use FS any other way.Your more than welcome to use/show my cockpit in it.I'll go to your address above and send some pics and brief back ground on it.Good luck.Danny

Hi Danny,My name is Roger, not Chuck but it happens to me everytime.So your are welcome with your project. Thanks for your proposal.Keep in touch. Roger

To all,I do make good progress in my project and receiced in the while a lot of supporting mails very encouraging for me. I still do have a question: Should anyone has a contact or knows how to get in touch with the Microsoft Games responsables please let me know directly at [email protected] believe that I really need their support and I would not just write to them without any recommandation.Thank youRoger