This is what you consider good quality in X-Plane? Visually it looks good as does the panel, but it's flight model is nowhere near accurate. I've flown on 2 AT-6's, (an SNJ-5 and a Harvard) both doing aerobatics. I can tell you right now, you can't loop an AT-6 in 9 seconds. Also it's stall speed is 72MPH not 40! Turns seem too fast also.

I would like to apologize for the tone of this post! After reading it again this morning, I realize it does come across a bit blunt and arrogant! All I meant is what has been posted, is that the blade element flight model by itself, will not produce an accurate flight model, I do believe though as Geof has done, a few tweaks to it (like is done in FS) may produce a closer model.

I'll state it again... no one has produced factual data that shows Microsoft will not ever release Flight Sim again.It has been stated that MS flat out refuses to sell the FS franchise, to me that speaks volumes to their belief it is still a viable product.

Sacking an entire development team also speaks volumes. I think it symbolically signifies the end of the product as we know it. Ie., as a CD you buy and install, and then buy 3rd party add-ons for. Personally I do believe that we shall see the simulator continue in some new form in the future, but it's likely to be a locked down version, as I described in my post above, and as Tom and others have suggested earlier. If you put youself in the position of a developer - a business-minded developer - then you would want to invest in a platform that has a secure future, and right now, the Flight Simulator franchise does not have that secure future. X-plane does, in comparison. It has steadily improved over the years, and sales have steadily increased. It seems to be going from strength to strength. What Austin wrote about X-plane was published on his web site, for his product, and it has a very encouraging tone.

I would like to apologize for the tone of this post! After reading it again this morning, I realize it does come across a bit blunt and arrogant! All I meant is what has been posted, is that the blade element flight model by itself, will not produce an accurate flight model, I do believe though as Geof has done, a few tweaks to it (like is done in FS) may produce a closer model.

No worries - no offence had been taken :-)I don't know enough really to comment about the flight model, but what you say here sounds reasonable. It seems that the models need to be tweaked to get them to behave properly. What I like with the blade element system is that is easier to get a working result, if you throw in a model. I've done this a few times with plane maker, and it's fun. It might not be totally accurate rw performance, but it basically works. I'm not saying that I think X-plane is perfect. It many respects it is way behind FSX. Things that bug me are the engine sounds, and the effects, and the cross-winds which seem over exaggerated.

Sacking an entire development team also speaks volumes. I think it symbolically signifies the end of the product as we know it. Ie., as a CD you buy and install, and then buy 3rd party add-ons for. Personally I do believe that we shall see the simulator continue in some new form in the future, but it's likely to be a locked down version, as I described in my post above, and as Tom and others have suggested earlier. If you put youself in the position of a developer - a business-minded developer - then you would want to invest in a platform that has a secure future, and right now, the Flight Simulator franchise does not have that secure future. X-plane does, in comparison. It has steadily improved over the years, and sales have steadily increased. It seems to be going from strength to strength. What Austin wrote about X-plane was published on his web site, for his product, and it has a very encouraging tone.

The solution is simple... :( Austin will have to admit that "blade element theory" on it's own; is not good enough for "picky" MSFS users who might want to move over to X-Plane.He will then realize that sales profits from having additional third party developers on board, will increase astronomically; which will let him buy even a larger jet! He can then concentrate on i-phone applications for gamers, and stop screwing up X-Plane every few months with new beta changes, that can paralyze addons from working correctly. Just as they have done for MSFS, third party programmers will step in, and make X-Plane what it should have been! :( L.Adamson

He can then concentrate on i-phone applications for gamers, and stop screwing up X-Plane every few months with new beta changes, that can paralyze addons from working correctly. Just as they have done for MSFS, third party programmers will step in, and make X-Plane what it should have been! :( L.Adamson

Frankly, I don't think Austin will ever stop tinkering with his "brain child". Also, I don't think he cares very much what others do with it. His motto seems to be: here are the bricks and mortar, build your own home.

Back to this ongoing debate about the flight models of X-plane v. MSFS....May be someone who has had a positive experience of a flight model, with a good aircraft for X-plane, can post a link on here, so I download and try it? I have to agree with Larry regarding the default aircraft - they do seem to lack inertia and they also lack seem to lack the inherrent stability that you find in a real aircraft like the Cessna 152 or 172.