Bill: Thanks for your update on Briefing Time; looking forward to using it in FS9. The only thing that equalled the quality of the aircraft was the manual that accompanied it; extremely well done! I hope that you'll have a stong influence on upcoming R4D production for FS9; looking forward to that as well.-GeorgeM at 5B6

Hi Bill,I don't have to introduce myself to you (better known as Barrie) and I am visiting this forum to try and see what the position is re. the virtual cockpit for R4D.From your report I see it is once more delayed by FS2004 issues. As yet I haven't bought FS2004, and from what I read am not greatly encouraged to do so. For no other reason I will keep FS2002 because you say there won't be an update for the R4D. I see there is a default DC3 in FS2004 but I seriously doubt it will be as good as MAAM's version.I find it utterly gauling that Microsoft expect us all to rush out and buy their latest version when, as usual, they don't immeditaely make the tools available for the independent software guys to be able to update their products to run in the game. They should be made to realise that we have treasured aircraft such as this, and the B25, and many, many others that we are not going to just ditch to suit them. I'll carry on with FS2k2, thank you, for that reason alone.I can appreciate your predicament. On the one hand you have guys like me wishing to maintain, and hopefully update, the R4D and keep the B25 at all costs, whilst on the other hand those who have just bought FS2004 naturally want things to run well in that. It's the usual period of chaos and uncertainty. I think I'll just wait for the dust to settle this time. In the meantime I'm quite happy with FS2002Regards, Barrie

Hi Barrie, I was just about to answer your e-mail when I came over to check the forum.I agree with what you have said in almost every respect. The good news for the FS2002 holdouts is that the new Gmax R4D will be for them, as well. Thanks to the aforementioned drastic changes in the flight model, there will have to be two quite different versions for the two sims. But we have been committed to do the Gmax R4D with Jan's glorious VC for FS2002 for a long time, and FS2004's appearance does not alter that intention. So, it will take us a bit longer than expected, but users of both FS2002 and 2004 will eventually be able to have the Dak with no compromises.While I'm expounding on the subject, let me answer another question often asked - though not by you, I think. The new R4D will be a totally new creation, not a simple (or even complicated) upgrade. As such, we will be charging a full price, still $25, for the CD and download. We are not able, or to be candid, even inclined to give a discount to present registered users of the current R4D. The main reason for this is the extra labor involved in trying to deal with some sort of system for proving who is and is not a registered user of the R4D and all the resultant e-mails involved. Remember that all the developers and the people at MAAM who would have to handle the extra workload caused by any such system are volunteers and have other jobs. For instance, the onerous R4D black-out panel registration scheme of the old R4D causes a lot of extra work (mainly for me) that would better be spent at more productive work. We gladly dumped it for the B-25 and it will not arise from the dead for the new R4D, either. So it's full price for everyone and buy and fly. As always, the money all goes to the museum's restoration programs, so it's a good cause and we promise good value for the money. We think that even registered users of the old R4D for FS2002 will want to have the new bird and will feel they are getting their money's worth.You asked a very good question in your e-mail, Barrie, that I feel deserves a public answer..."What will the future MAAM policy be regarding users of FS2002, such as myself?"A good question, but I have no good answer for you right now. Beyond the R4D, I don't know whether we will continue to support the old sim in future packages. That decision has yet to be made, and frankly affects some of my team-mates more than it does me. As the panel designer, my work would not be greatly increased working on a package for both sims. The panels would look the same and duplication of effort would not be an issue. Jan, Fred, and Rob are in a different boat, though. Rob especially has double the work creating two indentical performing flight models working from radically different parameters. The FD goal posts have not only been moved, they seem to have been shortened, placed closer together, and camouflaged as well! It will be interesting to see in the future what level of acceptance FS2004 receives. Obviously, if a very substantial number of FS users choose to stick with FS2002, as you have, we will be inclined to continue producing aircraft for it, but that is very much up to my more affected partners. There are no Grand Kahunas dicating policy on our team, so I'll let them have their own say about that issue, here and elsewhere, then we will all decide together, when the time comes. We'll let you know when we do. I am looking forward to talking about this issue with attendees at the AVSIM Convention in a couple of weeks to get a feel for which way the wind is blowing. Bill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif

While I can agree with some of your comments I have to say you are missing out on a GREAT sim with 2004. The default scenery and weather alone are enough to justify the change. BT "works" as is and feels smooth as glass in 2004, just a few tweaks to get it spot on. The PMDG 737 works quite well in 2004 and between those two aircraft it will keep you plenty busy until the updated versions are released. By the way, the default DC3 stinks....as do all the default A/Cs, but nothing new here. Get 2004, you won't be sorry. Oh by the way, you CAN have both on your hard drive at the same time you know...Then you have the best of both worlds. HOWEVER, I predict you won't be using 2k2 much after using 2k4.. Mike B. (by the way, 2002 has been thrown in the trash at this location, 2004 is MUCH nicer)

Hi Bill,Thanks for your prompt reply.A good straight honest answer. We can already see some problems emerging with FS2k4. Microsoft always seem to adopt an independent attitude and have alienated many because of this. Why can't they have a period of consultation with the major independent developers before any new game is marketed. After all if it weren't for these guys the game would hardly survive on it's own. Yes, we need Microsofts muscule to produce the basic game, and we are grateful for that, but it is the independent programmers like yourself and many others who really make the game what it is.I am still convinced that two years is too short a period between versions. I think I speak for many when I say that what we want is, not minor changes such as better cloud scenery and ATC, worthy though they are, but a significant improvement in the overall scenery, especially airports and major landmarks. As a Brit I can say that Microsoft have obviously never visited this country judging by the default scenery, airports and airfields. Yes they may be there but totally unrecognisable. I appreciate that globally they can't get everything accurate which is why I advocate the game be issued country-wise, or perhaps region-wise. This may be a pipe dream of mine but Microsoft would actually make more money because they would then produce not one version for the whole world but many versions for each region. However each version would have a far more accurate representation of that area.Further, why is there always this delay in making the "tools " available that you need, they should be available on the day the game is published, if not before.I am delighted that you intend to carry on with the new R4D for FS2002. I promise to be one of the first to buy it, even though I think I have now had about four CD's off MAAM as well as the B25. This is even more welcome when we hear reports that the default DC3 isn't much to write home about (I forget the exact words used to descibe it). This doesn't surprise me in the least, and only confirms what I said earlier.Anything MAAM produce is first class, and marvellous value for money and I'm not trying to cadge a free copy from Bill, honest! Oh and I don't work there either, worst luck.I agree with the person who says you can have both versions on your HD and it looks as though I probably will, depite all I've said.Cheers, Barrie

You're right on, Mike.. I have both installed on my XP "D" drive, and - other than the power/sound issue - I normally run 2004 because of the enhancements. (however I DO WISH THE CORONADO BRIDGE AT San Diego WAS STILL THERE!!!!!!!) How could MS leave this out????The weather/atc/scenery is much better in 2004. - provided you have horses.. the Brit scenery (I'm a limey) sucks. The new aircraft are moderate utility, and so I'm looking forward to the BT patch and the new R4D. I am SO thankful to Bill and the rest of his crew, because BT has to be the best machine flying, and - really - $25 is peanuts for such a package. While on this subject, Bill - there are numerous other museums out there that could use your brilliant fund-raising scheme. I would dearly love to haul the Lancaster bomber off Hamilton Warbird Museum's runway in Ontario, Canada. There is also a Halifax being rebuilt at the Trenton airbase. Us "hard-core" airplane people live for this stuff. All the best,pj

Thanks very much, PJ, on behalf of us all. Well, we didn't copyright the donationware idea. ;-) We heartily encourage other developers to support worthy aviation causes. I doubt there is a non-profit air museum in existence that would turn such an idea away, especially if shown the results of the MAAM-SIM effort. As for us, we have our hands full with our own aircraft collection. I'll tell any prospective FS donationware developer this - it's a great way to get access to, and even flights in, some really wonderful pieces of flying history! That's payment enough for me. Bill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif

It's high time we give you a report on the current projects. First, the upgrade, update, patch - whatever you want to call it for Briefing Time. As has been widely reported in the forums, substantial changes have been made by MS in the flight model in FS9. I'd tell you what Rob Young, our flight dynamicist, had to say on the subject, but it might be considered a "flame" against MS and have to be removed.;-)The main effect on BT seems to be a huge and unrealistic increase in power. I guess the good news is that the carrier takeoffs are easier. The bad news is it no longer flies to the book numbers, which is something Rob spent a lot of time perfecting. Well, he's had a bash at it and the new air file is about to enter testing (attention BTBT members -something coming down the pike shortly). Fred has made some changes required in the gauges, to include the FSSound issue and the missing panel upon first loading. Sorting out the flight model may take some time, but we are trying very hard to have it ready and right in time for the AVSIM Flight Simulation Conference and Exhibition at MAAM on 26 September. On to the R4D...There will NOT be a patch for the old R4D to work in FS2004. The model is just too incompatible. But work continues on the all new Gmax R4D/DC-3. Jan's model, as you may have seen elsewhere in this forum, is absolutely stunning! There is still a lot of work to do on the pacakge, but we will definitley have a flying version to demo at the convention. We are not willing or able to announce a firm release date at this time for the finished package. I would come up with one off the top of my head, but considering the curves we have been thrown by the new sim, it would be better to get the plane well into testing before we firm that up. Like BT, we think it's better to put out a completely finished, well tested product before release. BT has needed no patches in FS2002 and we would like to have the same performance with the Douglas.Remember too that the SDK, software development kits, for FS2004 have not been released by MS and, as usual, we are having to noodle things out for ourselves. The appearance of these would speed things up a bit, but that's out of our control. I will say that we on the team and at the museum are more eager to get this bird up and on the market than anyone! We are hoping to have the aircraft ready for a full beta test soon after the convention, and depending on the results of the test program, ready for release very soon after that. I know that doesn't tell you much, but I ask your patience and understanding as we are all volunteers with other careers and responsibilities. The only promise we can really make is that the end product will be worth waiting for. Work on the Reading KRDG MAAM Scenery is proceeding at a furious pace. The good folks at the KRDG Airport Authority were kind enough to drive me all over the AOA, Airport Operations Area, while I photographed all sides of every structure. They also provided an airport diagram and along with satellite photos, Bill Womack is using all this material to produce a very detailed, photo-real version of the entire Carl Spaatz Reading Regional Airport, including the MAAM compound, of course. Bill W. will be presenting a paper at the convention about the development of this scenery, which will be ready for demo at the show and for upload as freeware upon our return home.Flying in from England and the Netherlands to assist with the MAAM-SIM display at the convention will be Keith Maton, Ian Pearson and Tim Westnutt of the MAAM-SIM Beta Team. When we are not in the MAAM main hangar or at the convention center at the Inn at Reading, you'll find us at the MAAM-SIM Mobile HQ (my Southwind motorhome)parked next to the museum office. Feel free to drop by and say hello. It's going to be a great show and we hope to see you there!Bill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif

I am eagerly awaiting the Briefing Time update for 2004. I have only had 2k4 for about a week and throughly love it. The new weather is awesome which alone is enough for me to make the change. Myself not being a real pilot I don't have an appreciation for how one model might be more realistic than another. However I do love a very detailed visual model and am looking forward to the possiblity of a gmax DC-3 by your team. Anyway, you guys have done beautiful work with the B-25J and I am looking forward to seeing it again when I use 2k4.

Hi Eric,Thanks very much, for the whole team. We are well into testing and Rob is making the needed mods to BT's flight model. We hope to have the patch finished and up very soon.As for the new Gmax DC-3, it's a possibility - it's already a reality and it won't be long before you'll see her flying in FS2004. She looks absolutely stunning - even at dusk in the currently cruddy weather conditions we are "enjoying" at KDCA...http://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/dc3_0915.jpgBill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif

Darn! Forgot to turn on the lights! Bill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif

Sorry Bill,I seem to have the wrong idea here. I thought you said there wasn't going to be an R4D version to run in FS2004 because it was too much work to update. Are we now talking about a completely new version for FS2004? Was the 3D cockpit, for which I have been awaiting, just for FS2002If this is correct I am probably going to revise the timing of my purchase of FS2k4Please clarify again?

Hi again Bill,Ignore my last message. My mistake for not reading your original message properly. I now understand that there will be two versions of the R4D, one for FS2k2, & another for FS2k4.Aren't we all lucky!!! :-) :-) :-)Regards, Barrie

Hi Barrie,*the existing* R4D is not being updated to FS2004. An entirely new model, for FS2002 and FS2004 as seperate versions, is what I believe is being planned.Both will be GMax models with virtual cockpits. I don't know whether the FS2004 VC will be "active" or not, but kinda hope so - only Bill or one of the other team members can answer that one! :-hahIan P.:-halo

There are big problems making the VC controls active, working in the dark without the SDK. I'll let Jan and or Fred answer this in more detail, as they are the players involved. But initially the controls will probably not be active. Then, at some later date, we may issue a free patch to add the feature to both planes.Bill Rambow MAAM-SIM - Rambow, Visser, Banting, Young, Womack, and Hamblyhttp://www.fssupport.com/maam_sim/maamsim_logo.gif