Just like to know what Your experience is about the MADDOG 2008 from Leonardo. Is it worth the money? or...Framerates, VC-quality, overall apperance etc...Please give me some reference before I pay 49 EUR for it...Im running on a bit (I guess) old computer, 4GB RAM, Nvidia 7600GS.Best regardsPer

The Maddog is in my opinion the greatest addon out there.This is especially true if you like real world realism. It is a very complex aircraft, which takes some time to learn.It has the only proper random failure generator (which includes an MEL system - so you can continue flying a broken plane for as long as the list allows).The flight model is second to none (I only have some heavy metal full motion time, but even this little experience makes me appreciate the Maddog's flight model).The negatives - it is quite intensive on the system. I have a super computer and get about 35 fpm at busy airports in FS9. BUT, it is infinitely tunable. You can adjust the quality of all the major gauges separately until you find a setting which works for you.I can't recommend this highly enough.I just bought the SkySim DC9, and not taking anything away from them, it really highlights what a superb addon the Maddog is.I also have all the PMDG stuff, and the Maddog is superior in every way (in my opinion).Just go flying, and then deal with a no 1 generator failure shortly after take off. Go through the emergency checklist and you'll know what I mean..........NeilC

Hi,It is a great aircraft, one of the best I have. System wise it is superb, not easy to operate.I don't use the VC, so I can't comment on that.The 2D panel graphics and specifically the panel lighting are superb.Maybe you have done already, if not, here is a very extensive AVSIM review:http://www.avsim.com/pages/0409/Leonardo/Maddog.htmMy 49 euri,Egbert

I have the Leonardo Maddog 2008 standard package, and was wondering if there's any reason to buy the Pro pack which is more expensive? I don't care about digital vs analogue engine gauges or the "other" FMC. The one in the standard package works great. Framerates are horrible compared to PMDG and other complex addons, but you do get a really really great sim.VC looks "OK", a bit cartoonish as you can see from the pictures in the Avsim review. Still better than Skysim or Coolsky's MD80/DC-9 packages. This one has 3D knobs and full VC functionality. You CAN fly it from the VC if you can live with the horrible framerates. This is one of those airplanes that'll have you switching back to 2D because those panels are so much better than the VC.Outside model is stunning, the prettiest maddog out there.I'd get it solely based on system modelling depth, which is unsurpassed. I don't regret buying it, even though I prefer flying in the VC even for complex models. You really can't do that much with the Maddog 2009.

Hi, Per!I have the Standard version as there seems to be nothing I would really need in the Pro extras.But in 90% this is the same addon, so I guess I can drop my three euros too.At the moment I fly nothing else but the maddog and I must admit I've spent a huge amount of money on addon aircraft.That includes the most famous products of course. I do like many of them (with DA Fokker 70/100 for short and Level-D 763 for long-haul being my favourites).Buying this bird was the greatest pleasure I've done to myself since a looong time.It is not an easy one to learn and you will lose some hair and sweatdrops for sure.And it does require reading manuals and procedures many times on end. But it is worth it all.The system modelling is absolutely best I've seen. The FDE seems gorgeous (as for the MFS of course).The 2D panel graphics is very nice and realistic. I won't tell you much of the VC since now I'm in the period of 2D flying (but from what I've seen it is at least OK). There are a lot of additional attractors like the Manager & Setup panel. It will let you not only set up all the details you wish (including flightdeck versions, refresh rates, key assignments and even boarding music) but also preprogram and save your flightplan (PMDG airac navdata) with fuel and load. And there is a huge choice of customizable failures if you like to practise them.The maddog world of internal sounds has really charmed me. You will hear so much in the cockpit and all the sounds were recorded in the real MD-8X flightdeck.There are also interactive (voice) flight attendants as well as ground communication with refuelling, powering and steered pushback options.To make it short (and not change it into a boring review) - that is (at least for now) my favourite toy for MFS2004.I never fly any aircraft for more than a month non stop due to getting bored. Now that's something different. No signs of boredom on the horizon.There is also a dedicated forum where you can learn a lot: http://www.flythemaddog.com/forum/index.php?act=idxHowever, it's rather the 'customers for customers' type since the developers don't even have time to remove spam posts.Do I recommend it? And what do you think? :(

The pro package has the best Random Fault Generator/MEL system out there.You can set failure rates for 3 different levels (ie. failures on relatively unimportant failures 1/100 hours, big failures such as engine failures 1/10000 hours etc.)Say your APU fails, it will then remain failed until you elect to fix it (the overhead panel even puts an 'inop' sign over the relevant switches.All this alone is worth several hundred dollars as it approaches the systems modeling and failures of a level D type sim.It is great fun trouble shooting through the emergency procedures, trying to diagnose the fault. There are different levels of fault also. Say the no. 1 generator trips out. Sometimes you can just reset it, sometimes resetting isn't enough, and you have to switch it off and live with all the systems this takes out. Sometimes you have to uncouple the CSD to stop it overheating etc....Absolutely worth the money.Neilps. I don't use VCs, so can't comment, but I have the 2D panels set up over various monitors and it looks lovely and is easy to use.

How does the Maddog compare to the Coolsky MD-80?

How does the Maddog compare to the Coolsky MD-80?

If I were you I'd get the CoolSky MD-80/Skysim DC9 first and then transition into the Maddog 2008 (you'll need all the help you can get). I personally like the CoolSky/Skysim birds over the Maddog 2008 package for the simple fact I don't have the time these days to learn something like the Maddog 2008 project. I tried it last night after owning it for some time and had to put it down as I had to go to work the next day. For those with limited time this not the plane for you. It's very hard to get into but I imagine once you do it's very rewarding. The more modern jets in the real world anyway are no longer this complex. The E-Jets, Airbuses, and CRJ all are easier to transition into in the real world than the older planes. I'm having allot of fun with the Skysim DC9 and the training aids of the Coolsky model is second to none. The VC's in the models I mentioned are very nice as well with the least favorite being the Maddog 2008. Looking straight ahead out the VC is very unrealistic.Again if you have the time (and I do mean 'TIME') the Maddog is the most realistic out there in my opinion. But for those that don't have the time the other options are the way to go. What's nice is all the options we have for the DC9/MD series are nice and reasonably accurate in their own right. It's all in what you have time to put your energy into. My time is better spent in the real world of aviation and the Maddog goes along way in that direction it's just I don't have the time to learn a legacy aircraft to this level. I'm almost sure when the Aerosimmer A320 comes out the learning curve is not going to be as great as that is a more automated modern airliner. Just like the PMDG 744, getting into that aircraft (which is very realistic) does not take as much time as the Maddog 2008 project...

I have both Coolsky and std md2008. md2008 is clearly up to date and superior. VC is as good as the PMDG brand models, perspective is dead-on, peering way over the glare shield and you'll see the nose of the plane. Although my machine is a little dated, frames are as good as the PMDG/LevelD stuff, don't see it as being a problem. I'd say it's one of the best payware around. However, the support forum is probably the worst--essentially zero support from the developers (not that I personally needed support).

I have both Coolsky and std md2008. md2008 is clearly up to date and superior. VC is as good as the PMDG brand models, perspective is dead-on, peering way over the glare shield and you'll see the nose of the plane. Although my machine is a little dated, frames are as good as the PMDG/LevelD stuff, don't see it as being a problem. I'd say it's one of the best payware around. However, the support forum is probably the worst--essentially zero support from the developers (not that I personally needed support).

Can you show me a pic with the dome light in the VC at night? That's one of my pet peeves with the Maddog 2008 bird is it's very dark in the VC especially and dawn and dusk before the sim lights come on. With all those switches on black panels (overhead panel) you need all the light you can get at all times of the day. I couldn't find any mention of a dome light option in the manual. Not to play favorites but both the Coolsky and Skysim birds have excellent lighting at all times of the day. Now outside of that the Maddog 2008 bird is truly I feel one of the most detail models on the market system wise. If you do a comparison of VC's looking forward (since you expanded on the point) in the day time the Maddog 2008 model dips down more than it should right along the left side if your sitting in the captains seat. I've sat in the real thing and what I get from the other two models is more accurate visually than the Maddog 2008 model. It goes without saying the Maddog VC is not the best of the bunch but that's not what it's about. The system modeling is where it's at and it excels over most other add-ons on the market. I don't want this to get into a pissing match about which one is better. The Maddog 2008 bird is truly a hard core simmers dream and deserves all the praise it's gotten, period... :( :(

Hi,It is a great aircraft, one of the best I have. System wise it is superb, not easy to operate.I don't use the VC, so I can't comment on that.The 2D panel graphics and specifically the panel lighting are superb.Maybe you have done already, if not, here is a very extensive AVSIM review:http://www.avsim.com/pages/0409/Leonardo/Maddog.htmMy 49 euri,Egbert

I only fly this plane when you have real time to complete all check lists and procedures. I have flown on the real thing so many times in the past. I am now worried about flying on the real thing because this is a very unforgiving plane if procedures are not followed. I forgot to turn on the left side air for anti-ice on a high altitude flight and started to freeze up. I turned it on to late and had a one engine flame out than the other. I was able to glide to a landing on a highway but this is the first test I do with all my new add-ons just for this incident. This is a very real and rewarding add-onCarl Perry

flood light 'on'you'll find the flood switch on oh panel, upper right quad. make sure apu or engine is on.

flood light 'on'you'll find the flood switch on oh panel, upper right quad. make sure apu or engine is on.

Thanks... :(

The main reason you can't even compare the Coolsky (which I spent 100s of hours flying when it first came out) with the Maddog is the flight model.The Coolsky flightmodel just stinks.Try flying level at 220 kts at normal weight and then dropping the Slats. On the Coolsky, the nose will go down??????????????Also when you select a certain EPR on the TRP, the Autothrottles never get close to it. Their excuse is that this is a problem with FS. How come Leonardo manage it perfectly.Yes, it is very complicated, and yes you will have to follow the checklist. BUT, I would love to see you get in a real one and try flying it. Once you have mastered the Maddog, this would not pose a problem, and after all, it is a flight SIMULATION, not flight GAME.I have my Super VC10 if I want a bit of fun flying and don't have hours of time, but when it comes to realism, there is only 1, and that is the Maddog.I recently went back to the Coolsky, but was so frustrated with simple things like 1) turn on the emergency power and watch the battery amps. It should start discharging, then when you turn it off, it should start charging. It doesn't do this with the Coolsky.Also, the engine start procedure. Watch the spool up rate of the engine as you put the fuel in with both models. Then watch a real world Utube film.No comparison. Also I got another CTD with the Coolsky on my first flight, a problem I have not suffered with once in the Maddog.Each to their own view, but I just feel you cannot compare these aircraft.Neil

I purchased the Maddog Pro a few days ago and it's outstanding. Like others have said, you need to study your systems and operating procedures and you'll be well rewarded. I think you can go to the Maddog site and download the manuals to do some up front study if you're interested. I flew fighters in the Air Force and recently retired so I'm not sure what flying heavy metal is in the real world but relative to PMDG and LevelD, the Maddog's flight modeling is superb. I also enjoy the systems immersion piece. The external and internal lighting is excellent, and attention to detail, such as communication with ground crew and directional pushback is really neat.On my system, the frame rate is very good. I'm averaging 35-40FPS with VATSIM and AS6.5 running in the background--plus I have every addon known to man (UT, GE Pro, Real Environment, FSGenesis etc etc).Relative to Coolsky, I believe Coolsky is FSX only??? Whereas, Maddog is FS9 native and can be easily installed/ported to FSX.Colonel (ret) Rich Perry, USAFi7 965 Extreme Quad oc'd to 3.8GhzNvidia GTX 285 (2GB GPU)6GB OCZ DDR 3 1800MhzRaptor 10000rpm HDSB X-Fi ExtremeDell 24" 1920x1200Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit