Got mine yesterday .... In a single word: outstanding!You guys can buy it with eyes closed.

And... did anyone notice ? No bugs !Edit : except perhaps the glitch mentioned above by Jack while I was posting. Bad luck :(

Tis blooming superb in my humble opinion - ok, so no autopilot but who cares? It flies extremely well and I even managed my first flight today after buying it and thumbing through the manual with out crashing, amazing in itself lol.Stalls pretty good too and the laaaag of that jet engine sure makes you think ahead but recovers well. No wonder it was a really good trainer.Hand fly it and it's precise and very forgiving.DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN = THANKYOUA truly wonderful job from Lotus, and the manual is excellent as well as funny in the right places... Open Stella rofl.John E

Thank you all for the kind words, I greatly appreciate it, and I'm very glad you're having fun with the Albatros.I'm also happy that you find the manual a bit humourous. Pebble and I didn't want it to be too dry and technical. FSX is supposed to be fun. :)"Does what it says on the tin..." maaaan that's funny John, love it.Thanks!-Mike

If you watch the video check out the awesome landing lights!!!!Never seen anything like them in FS before! (around 3:50)http://secure.simmarket.com/lotus-simulati...-albatros.phtml

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. The L39 is a great aircraft to fly, makes you sit on the edge of your seat when in coffin corner. The workmanship is excellent. I don't think there is any plane out there that looks as real as this one does from the outside, and few if any as fun to fly. The new lighting and rain and frost animations are a must have on any new FSX aircraft for me to buy it. The FPS are excellent too.In fact, Lotus could make a few bucks by selling the new lights, rain, snow and frost effect addon that places it on existing aircraft. I sure wish my RealAir SF-260, Spitfire and Duke, Aerosoft Beaver, Twin Otter and Catalina, CLS 742 and 743, Captain Sim C130 and 757, Carenado Skylane 182, Cherokee and Mooney, Level D 767, and my numerous modified and standard FSX default aircraft could benefit from the animations upgrade.Too bad the L39 does not have autopilot, but that's OK since it is a fun hands on machine. Thank you for an excellent product. I will watch for your company and products in the future. Some of these other mutts should watch their six and keep their tails tucked in real tight, for there is a new dog in town :( and his name is Michael Johnson. Spirit Flyer :(aka Stephen

...and last but not least, the lady co-pilot (or instructor) with the pig-tail is Hot! :(...for an animation. :( Spirit Flyeraka Stephen

This is an absolutely stunning release in every regard. It is quite possibly the best allround aircraft release for Flight Sim that we've seen, in terms of the quality contained in the things we're already used to (ie... the beautiful VC, TSS Sound, etc) but also in terms of the innovation in areas we're not used to seeing;- Landing Lights (forget sour grape like comments about 'just effects', these are like nothing we've seen).- Performance in FSX. (Looks like nothing we've seen, yet better frames than all but the simplest default aircraft)- Rain, Ice and other effects.But the biggest thing I love about this release (and the thing that has killed off my usual 'aircraft promiscuity' and led to me not wanting to fly ANYTHING other than this L-39, is the flight modelling - I've not flown a real L-39 but this just feels beautiful through the whole envelope. It is the first aircraft I have flown is FS where the elevator trim feels as it does in a real aircraft. Couple of clicks and your stabilized where you expect to be ......... no bouncy, pitch oscillations.I hope Mike has got a bloody good deal on boxed publishing because this deserves to be on every flight simmer's PC around the world.Perhaps I have detected wrong but I am disappointed by the 'mild sour grapes' from representatives from some of the other (larger) developers on here. The fact is, there ARE things that you could learn from this release - the bar has been raised so you should be inspired because your releases will need to have frame rate performance like this, WITH the complexity, WITH the effects, and with the stunning visuals. I'm sure the (single) developer of this wonderful piece of FS art work will only be more motivated and encouraged by the lack of enthusiasm from some of the other developers here.David Rogers

.....but also in terms of the innovation in areas we're not used to seeing;- Landing Lights (forget sour grape like comments about 'just effects', these are like nothing we've seen).- Performance in FSX. (Looks like nothing we've seen, yet better frames than all but the simplest default aircraft)- Rain, Ice and other effects.Perhaps I have detected wrong but I am disappointed by the 'mild sour grapes' from representatives from some of the other (larger) developers on here. The fact is, there ARE things that you could learn from this release - the bar has been raised so you should be inspired because your releases will need to have frame rate performance like this, WITH the complexity, WITH the effects, and with the stunning visuals. I'm sure the (single) developer of this wonderful piece of FS art work will only be more motivated and encouraged by the lack of enthusiasm from some of the other developers here.David Rogers

David, we wish you and others had not misinterpreted my remarks about Effects Files to be "Sour Grapes.There is no intent to disparage the author or his work and we fail to see how our remarks could be taken as "Sour Grapes". The simple facts, as I pointed out, are that these visual effects do indeed fall into the general category of FX Effects Files.The author has taken pains to point out the difference between a commonly available FX Effects File as opposed to his unique method of creating those Effects in 3D Modeling Software as portions of the actual model.Further to the point, his background in console game development studios with an emphasis on EFFECTS FILES provides him with a unique perspective on 3D Modeling of EFFECTS FILES in FSX.His background and experience level does provide an advantage over other developers who do not have such a rich background or level of experience in using 3D Modeling Software to create EFFECTS FILES in FSX.Short of his offering a license to the techniques used it is doubtful that users will see other developers delivering these features in the short term.It is possible to accomplish, as the author has clearly shown, but it is likely that it will take quite some time before others will be able to "catch up".Hope this clears up the "Sour Grapes" issue once and for all. :(

We've already done VC Lighting. See this picture: http://www.eaglesoftdg.com/forum_shots/TC/panel2.jpgWe'll look at creating custom LL, VC Rain, and Icing FX Files but only on certain aircraft types.Keep in mind that you are looking at (FX) Effects files gentlemen, nothing more, nothing less.We've already complimentented the author of this package so let's not make this into a contest. :(

Competition is a good thing! "Keep in mind that you are looking at (FX) Effects files gentlemen, nothing more, nothing less." Who cares technically how they are accomplished. The point is that they were accomplished, they work and.... you dont have them. Sorry, your statement sounds like "Oh, no big deal, anyone can do that". Bob

Sooooo tempted to buy......BUT waiting on the J41 from PMDG......Oh but this looks sooo good.....should I?...naw....wait.........but listen to what they say about the l39..........save money for the j41 ok..........yeah but did you see that youtube video.......sooo tempted...........

Competition is a good thing! "Keep in mind that you are looking at (FX) Effects files gentlemen, nothing more, nothing less." Who cares technically how they are accomplished. The point is that they were accomplished, they work and.... you dont have them. Sorry, your statement sounds like "Oh, no big deal, anyone can do that". Bob

Bob, read thru the post I just made...maybe it will clarify things a bit. :(

What is the top speed and distance of the L-39?

What is the top speed and distance of the L-39?

From the manual the max speed is 910 km/h or mach .78also from the reading it says if you fly low and fast 250nm will be close to the limitBTW, you can download the manual and watch some neat videos here:http://www.lotussim.com/media-extras.html

From the manual the max speed is 910 km/h or mach .78also from the reading it says if you fly low and fast 250nm will be close to the limitBTW, you can download the manual and watch some neat videos here:http://www.lotussim.com/media-extras.html

Thanks Ryan. Just to clarify the speed though, 910 km/h is actually VNe, attainable only in a steep dive, where the boards will pop out automatically to save your wings ripping off. :) Max level speed at sea level is about 370 knots, at cruise altitude (22000 feet) you can expect a ground speed of around 310-315 knots, and approx 400-450 nm range on internal fuel, if the winds cooperate. Careful flight with external tanks and heading straight up to cruise alt should net you around 700-750nm. She won't be hopping many oceans, but she can do the Canada-Greenland-Iceland-UK gap.... just. :)Cheers,-Mike

David, we wish you and others had not misinterpreted my remarks about Effects Files to be "Sour Grapes.There is no intent to disparage the author or his work and we fail to see how our remarks could be taken as "Sour Grapes". The simple facts, as I pointed out, are that these visual effects do indeed fall into the general category of FX Effects Files.The author has taken pains to point out the difference between a commonly available FX Effects File as opposed to his unique method of creating those Effects in 3D Modeling Software as portions of the actual model.Further to the point, his background in console game development studios with an emphasis on EFFECTS FILES provides him with a unique perspective on 3D Modeling of EFFECTS FILES in FSX.His background and experience level does provide an advantage over other developers who do not have such a rich background or level of experience in using 3D Modeling Software to create EFFECTS FILES in FSX.Short of his offering a license to the techniques used it is doubtful that users will see other developers delivering these features in the short term.It is possible to accomplish, as the author has clearly shown, but it is likely that it will take quite some time before others will be able to "catch up".Hope this clears up the "Sour Grapes" issue once and for all. :(

Hello RonAny update on when we can expect the EFFECT of reflective glass in the VC, in future Eaglesoft releases.Even the default aircraft have had them for years.

Hello RonAny update on when we can expect the EFFECT of reflective glass in the VC, in future Eaglesoft releases.Even the default aircraft have had them for years.

Mad DogWe've answered this issue many times. To date we've had about six requests for that feature. Our user feedback tells us that the vast majority of customers do not want that feature and even further state that they wish competitors would remove the feature.They all state they like the feature for about three minutes then quickly tire of it. Sounds like you may be one of the minority on that feature. We've participated in this thread but have no desire to see it become about Eaglesoft. It really should be about the L39.If we've taken it off track then we apologize. :(