Dear PMDG,I just bought the J41 (and also the MD-11 for FSX). I would like to congratulate everyone at PMDG for the very beautifull rendition of the J41 aircraft. Once again those of us who are not lucky enough to fly for fun or as a daily living, are one step closer to how it might be like out there...Being a software developer my self, I can only imagine the amount of work and dedication that went into specifying, designing, implementing and testing such a complex addon.However I have one big issue which almost kills all the experience for me: the lack of the 2D panel.Please imagine the following scenario:- I have the forward view, seeing the two main panels, and a bit of the left engine parameters- Takeoff- I am being issued a heading and altitude change by ATC (still hand-flying)- Reaching the altitude / heading / flight director modes requires changing the view and looking to the left part- My left hand should remain on the yoke, while somehow I must look the other way to push buttons. Ok, I assigned a yoke button to the mouse look function. this way I can press it, look with the mouse to the left, change settings and change the view again. The problem is loosing sight of the two main panels, which makes the hand-flying in that time almost impossible.Yes, I know this way is more realistic, however in real world the pilot can look with his head and doesn't have to press SPACE and look with a mouse in his right hand. Also once the pilot grabs the knob he can look back to the primary flight instruments while rotating it; although I suspect the pilot non flying would perform the these tasks in real world.No, I don't have TrackIR!I would like to propose a solution, which I hope is simple enough to be included in the service pack update. Basically the only controls which are needed to remove the need to look in other direction while in the busy stages of flight are:- AP / Flight director modes- HDG / CRS / IAS / ALT selection knobsWould it be possible to add only these controls to a dedicated 2D panel popup? I don't think we need fancy graphics here, alt least for me only the functionality is important.Or perhaps extending the AP panel below the FMS in the FMS 2D popup?Please consider this idea for the service pack, or at least if you could think of some usability enhancements to allow us to fly without the need to look in other directions.What do you guys think?All the best,Cristi

There was a thread in which Armen told us about X-Mouse. Which basically allows you to look around the cockpit by pressing the "wheel" on your mouse alone. It's awesome! I have used it only for the past few days and I am loving it. Download and install X-Mouse HEREThen in FSX controls, assign ENTER (instead of SPACE) to look around. And in the X-Mouse control window, assign ENTER to the Wheel Button on your mouse. Now you can look around the flight deck by pressing the wheel. You can even zoom in while looking around the flight deck all by using the wheel on your mouse.I still haven't faced a situation where flying in VC would be impossible. But give the above tool a shot, it might help you out.Maybe one of the devs/mods can write a thread about the use of X-Mouse with FSX/JS41 and sticky it. I think a lot of people would find it useful.

I will try it, but you still loose sight of the primary displays while adjusting the knobs right?

This seems like a great solution when you don't have or aren't using TrackIR. I wasn't using mine for one flight and always had to press Space to look around. Doing so obviously resets the view and it was just a huge mess when flying the final approach, making sure the AP is off, etc.

This seems like a great solution when you don't have or aren't using TrackIR.

Yup...looks like it's the best alternative to TrackIR

Yup...looks like it's the best alternative to TrackIR

Or a triple wide screen :)

Or a triple wide screen :)

:(

LOL...Even betterI would go with the second option anytime.........

Still it would be handy if we could have a minimal 2D popup with the FD controls and knobs.

I have found that it's just something you get used to over time! Since fsx I have never used a 2d panel. I got so used to the hat switch, and now track IR that I could never never return to 2d. I have planted several j41 seeds in the ground because I found my self fascinated with the detail of the j41 vc! and if the forth comming 737 I'm sure I'll be planting some 737 seeds as well :(

I have found that it's just something you get used to over time! Since fsx I have never used a 2d panel. I got so used to the hat switch, and now track IR that I could never never return to 2d. I have planted several j41 seeds in the ground because I found my self fascinated with the detail of the j41 vc! and if the forth comming 737 I'm sure I'll be planting some 737 seeds as well :(

Couldn't have said it better myself.

There was a thread in which Armen told us about X-Mouse. Which basically allows you to look around the cockpit by pressing the "wheel" on your mouse alone. It's awesome! I have used it only for the past few days and I am loving it. Download and install X-Mouse HEREThen in FSX controls, assign ENTER (instead of SPACE) to look around. And in the X-Mouse control window, assign ENTER to the Wheel Button on your mouse. Now you can look around the flight deck by pressing the wheel. You can even zoom in while looking around the flight deck all by using the wheel on your mouse.I still haven't faced a situation where flying in VC would be impossible. But give the above tool a shot, it might help you out.Maybe one of the devs/mods can write a thread about the use of X-Mouse with FSX/JS41 and sticky it. I think a lot of people would find it useful.

I installed XMouse. I am following your direction.."Then in FSX controls, assign ENTER (instead of SPACE) to look around. And in the X-Mouse control window, assign ENTER to the Wheel Button on your mouse. Now you can look around the flight deck by pressing the wheel. You can even zoom in while looking around the flight deck all by using the wheel on your mouse."I opened FSX control .I looked at all "Look...". But I cannot identify title as "Look Around", May be I misunderstand your direction. Will you please advise how I shall complete to transfer SPACE to ENTER.ThanksSanal

My apologies....in the FSX control look for "Mouse - View Direction". You will see 3 of them but just change the first one from Space to Enter.I hope that answers your question.

My apologies....in the FSX control look for "Mouse - View Direction". You will see 3 of them but just change the first one from Space to Enter.I hope that answers your question.

Thank you for your help. It is working.Best regardsSanal

Not a problem. Glad it's working. :(