Well, since the forum is back as per the related thread, I figured we might as well use it, so on behalf of the people's republic of my house, I demand that all development work on Airbus A320s stop immediately, and a shiny new FSX Ilyushin IL-96 and a Tupolev Tu-204 be created instead LOLAltogether comrades...Polyushko-pole, polyushko, shiroko pole,edut po polyu geroi,eh, da krasnoi armii geroi.Joking aside, I'd really like to see those things in detail for FSX.Al

Altogether comrades...Polyushko-pole, polyushko, shiroko pole,edut po polyu geroi,eh, da krasnoi armii geroi.

:( I had no idea you knew that song! :(

I demand that all development work on Airbus A320s stop immediately, and a shiny new FSX Ilyushin IL-96 and a Tupolev Tu-204 be created instead LOL

Yes - enough with the A320s :(! It would be great to see a detailed Ilyushin IL-96 and a Tupolev Tu-204, but I want to see them for FS9 as well as FSX.The Tupolev Tu-204 can be powered by either Aviadvigatel PS-90-A2 or Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. Which would you prefer modeled in FS; or perhaps both? Being from the UK I guess you might lean more towards the Rolls-Royce engines. We should be aware that the Russian engines: 2x 'Aviadvigatel PS90-A2' turbofans, promise a 40% longer period between overhauls!Also she comes in different versions:Tu-204-100/200 - basic version with Russian avionics and engines (the -200 is the heavier version with extra fuel for more range)Tu-204-100C/200C - basic cargo version with Russian avionics and enginesTu-204-120/220 - non-Russian avionics and engines - (the -220 is the heavier version with extra fuel for more range)Tu-204-120C/220C - non-Russian avionics and engines cargo versionTu-204-300 - About 6 meters (20 ft) shorter than the basic Tu-204. A longer range and more efficient derivative of the Tu-204. Powered by the Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan.Tu-204-500 - This version is optimized for shorter routes, featuring smaller wings - increasing cruising speed to Mach 0.84. It is fitted with a Honeywell 331-200ER APU.Tu-206 - flies on liquefied natural gas! A Tu-204 testbed for alternative fuels - Not sure if this is flying or just a proposed/planned experiment. From model images I've seen she has a taller fuselage and a 747/Beluga Airbus style hump - supposedly to hold all the gas. I know there used to be a flying Tu-154B2 testbed for alternative fuels, which also used gas.Tu-214 - this is basically the same as a Tu-204-200, just made in a different factory. The main difference that I'm aware of being that the Tu-204 has two main doors and 2 emergency doors while the Tu-214 has 3 doors and one emergency door.Tu-204SM - this is an enhanced version of the Tu-204-100, although I'm not sure of the exact enhancement details. It is powered by the Aviadvigatel PS-90A2 engines with a new two-crew flight deck, new avionics, new air conditioning system and a new flight control system.Any preferences here? Me, I'd love to see all of them accurately and realistically modeled if possible. But if I had to make a choice right now I might go for the Tu-204-500 as I haven't got the time to fly long-haul routes and I'd like the increase in performance.As for the Ilyushin IL-96 - she comes in 5 different version that I'm aware of:IL-96-300 - this is the initial version and comes fitted with Aviadvigatel (Soloviev) PS90A turbofans. Range fully loaded in a two-class configuration is about 11,000 km (5,940 nmi). Interstingly there are two VIP versions of this variant which were used by Vladimir Putin and are now used by Dmitri Medvedev.IL-96-300V - a longer range version of the IL-96-300IL-96M - this variant includes a 10m (30ft) fuselage stretch making it 15 tonnes (33,000 lb) heavier. It is fitted with Western-style avionics and is powered by four Pratt & Whitney PW2337 engines. Range fully loaded in a three-class configuration is about 10,400 km (5,600 nmi). The plane is also designed for a crew of two, dispensing the need for a flight engineer. The Il-96M (and cargo version Il-96T) is comparable with the Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-200A, but is much cheaper.IL-96T - cargo version of the Il-96M and IL-96-400. It is powered by four Aviadvigatel PS90 engines.IL-96-400 - this variant is with Russian avionics and engines. It is based on the IL-96M/T fuselage and is powered by four Aviadvigatel PS90-A1 turbofans. It can carry up to 436 passengers. Typical two-class configuration will have 386 passengers. Range with 315 passengers in a three-class configuration is about 10,000 kmAny preference here? Again I would like to see all these accurately modeled in FS, but If I had to make a choice I'd go for the IL-96M/T.

To be honest, I'd settle for any serious attempt at them, regardless of actual variant. And you'd be wrong, I'd prefer someone to have a crack at the Russian engined variants, since the point of wanting those aircraft is because they are so very different. Although the Tupolev is overshadowed by the very similar 757, I notice another airline has just put the Tupolev in service recently, so it's not as if they aren't relevant, and it would make an interesting alternative to the 757 in FS.Al

To be honest, I'd settle for any serious attempt at them, regardless of actual variant........

True.I do like the Rolls-Royce engines myself. But at the same time I also want a Tu-204 with the Russian Aviadvigatel PS-90-A2. Franakly I'd be happy with either engine set up, but I do find that I'm leaning more towards the Aviadvigatel variant as that would make the Tu-204 a total Russian bird completely different from anything else. I know I would prefer if she is modeled with Russian Avionics.

Although the Tupolev is overshadowed by the very similar 757, I notice another airline has just put the Tupolev in service recently, so it's not as if they aren't relevant, and it would make an interesting alternative to the 757 in FS.

I agree, I don't think the aircraft is irrelevant - I think there are around 42 Tu-204s in service at the moment (that could have increased) with a further 84 on order and additionally to that some in storage.Outside of Russia she's on order for Icaro (Ecuador), Clean Air (Brazil) and 2 orders for Air Koryo of North Korea (who also have 2 Tu-204s operational already). Cubana have 4 examples in operation. Iran Air and Iran Air Tours have a big order of 35! Air China Cargo have 1 example in operation and orders for further 4-6 aircrafts. Cairo Aviation also have 5 examples.In Russia the Tu-204 is on order, stored or in operation for a lot of airlines including: Red Wings, Atlant-Soyuz, Vladivostok Avia, Rossiya, KMV, Aviastar, Airstars, Dalavia, Orenair and KrasAir.In Bulgaria, Air VIA was interested in the Tu-204 and I thought they might become a major operator of the type but they seem to have gone solely with Airbuses for now.That's a nice variety of liveries so far for a possible FS version. There could be also other airlines interested in the Tu-204, these are all the ones I know of. If anybody knows any more feel free to mention it.Funny enough there are no Tu-204s with Aeroflot and I don't think there are any firm orders from them. I know Aeroflot are more interested in the Sukhoi Superjet at the moment but they may well decide to start using some Tu-204s as well, now that they've sadly retired their large fleet of Tu-154s.

I wonder who might be able to create these aircrafts for FS? For Freeware there are a number of possible sources. But in terms of payware development, there are not that many options. The major payware developers (like PMDG, Wilco, Level-D etc....) are mostly involved with western aircraft and that is their area of expertise - it will probably be difficult for them to deal with modeling Russian systems accurately and realistically. The only organisation, I can think of at the moment, that may be able to handle it is Captain Sim. They are a Russian company after all, based in Russia, Ukraine and Canada. I am very surprised that they haven't really picked up development of more Russian aircraft for FS - there is a big gap in FS in terms of Russian hardware from payware developers. Luckily we have some incredible freeware to fly with but Russian aircraft have been largely ignored by the payware developers all together. There is definitely interest and demand in this area from simmers. It is a valuable niche that should be exploited, in my opinion, by any capable payware developers.This is why I am surprised that Captain Sim have not really provided much Russian aircraft payware. It was a long time ago that they did a very good 'L-39 Jet Trainer' which I remember fondly as well as an impressive (for the time) 2 seat MiG-21UM 'Mongol'. More recently they have done a good looking Yak-3, but that is all. Everything else they have done is Western hardware. I was also surprised by their recent release of another Boeing 767 - the FS market is saturated with B767s at the moment, and it would be very hard to outdo the excellent Level-D 767. I would have much rather they release a Russian aircraft - like the IL-96 or Tu-204 for example; there are numerous aircraft they can do in fact - Tu-134, IL-18, IL-76, An-225, An-124, Mig-29, Su-27, Yak-52, IL-62, Yak-42, IL-86 etc.... etc.... (the list goes on, and on....).I am certain such products (if they are realistic and detailed FS products) would do unbelievably well in Russia and well outside of Russia too - especially in EU and CIS countries and probably in the USA as well (where they are really impressed with the big Soviet cargo jets). There has been considerable interest in Russian Aircraft, the payware Yak-40 from Suprunov Design has done very well and the unbelievable freeware Project Tupolev Tu-154 is being used by simmers world-wide (along with other impressive Russian freeware) who can't wait to get their hands on more Russian well modeled and detailed aircraft.Captain Sim would certanly avoid competing directly with Wilco, PMDG, Level-D and other payware developers if they start releasing some Russian Aircraft. In order to be successful they will have to do a very good job - I suspect that once they do one Russian Aircraft really well - the demand for more would skyrocket!

I tend to agree that Captain Sim would seem to be the logical choice to create a Russian airliner, and their fondness for the 757 has dared me to hope that they might one day look at the Tupolev, as the similarities between the two would no doubt be helpful for flight modeling. There's also no doubt in my mind it would be a big seller to Russian simmers, for although it isn't a massively prevalent aircraft, I think national pride would make Russian simmers buy it in the same way that I bet French simmers would buy a decent Caravelle and Brits would buy an ATP. And there are a huge amount of Russian FS users.I know that I'd buy something like that in a heartbeat, but I suspect US simmers would take some convincing to stump up the cash for it, since a lot of simmers already think that Captain Sim are the devil incarnate, unless they think that is Ariane. Come to think of it, there's another company that might do it actually. after all, they did make a Tu-134. I've flirted with buying that one actually. Do you know if it is any good?Al

Sorry - I haven't used the Tu-134 from Ariane ( http://secure.simmarket.com/ariane-tupolev-tu134.phtml ). As far as I know its a detailed simulation with good systems modeling but with no VC. I don't think Ariane made this themselves, I think it was a partnership between them and a 3rd party (but I don't know who it is). I myself do not like Ariane - they go too far with activations and other rubbish. At least with Captain Sim you can buy a CD version that would work right out of the box and the download versions do not give you problems.I use the Tu-134 freeware from SCS - which is very good: a great aircraft model with wonderful flight dynamics and 2D panels. If its updated with a VC, some updates to the engineer panels, a detailed English manual - it would be priceless, just as popular as the Project Tupolev Tu-154. There was also a payware Tu-134 in development by Samdim Design, but as far as I know this has sadly been postponed indefinitely for now - I was looking forward to this one.........US simmers can be enticed to fly Russian Aircraft in FS. A lot of them already fly with the Project Tupolev Tu-154 and SD Yak-40. Many have also enjoyed flying with a number of other Russian aircraft including the Xomer An-2, Samdim Tupolev Tu-114 and Thomas Ruth Tu-144. There is a general curiosity in the US about Russian hardware. I know when US Airforce Pilots come to Bulgaria (Graf Ignatievo airbase) to train against the Mig-21 and Mig-29 (and they get to fly them as well), they are genuinely impressed with the Russian machines (as well as the pilots flying them) - Its too bad the Bulgarian Air force retired its big fleet of Mig-23/27s, these could have been involved in the exercises as well.In terms of who is the devil's incarnate between Captain Sim and Ariane - I think right now most simmers would say Ariane (some might even say PMDG for abandoning FS9 development on their new 737NG version). I haven't really had any problems with Captain Sim - I used a number of their products and even though some of them can be improved I am still generally happy with what I got. I think what annoys people about Captain Sim is that everyone knows they are capable of really great things (like their C-130) but somehow some of their FS projects do remain unfinished. Their FS9 'Legendary Boeing 707' was a good example of this - a fantastic aircraft with a few nagging issues that could have been resolved, but never did. On the other hand I think they took some unnecessary abuse for their Boeing 757, which I recently tried and thought was very good, even without the updates they later released. Also CaptainSim regularly have sales with impressive reductions.Releasing a great and realistic (and complete!) Russian FS aircraft would be of great benefit to their reputation. Besides I haven't heard any flak towards CaptainSim for a while.

I have that Freeware Tu-134, which does run well in FSX, although as you say, I wish it had a VC, even so, for a freebie it is truly outstanding. The thing that puts me off that Ariane one is that even though it does look good, the promised FSX update never materialised, whoich might have included a VC, so that means it probably isn't much better than the freebie one.Stand by for some flak in the Captain Sim department by the way: I'm currently in the process of reviewing their FSX 727, and I know that when an Avsim review goes up for a Captain Sim product, the reviewer had better be wearing a tin hat :-)Al

............Stand by for some flak in the Captain Sim department by the way: I'm currently in the process of reviewing their FSX 727, and I know that when an Avsim review goes up for a Captain Sim product, the reviewer had better be wearing a tin hat :-)

Heh - I see! Standing by for new flak towards Captain Sim......... :( Looking forward to reading your 727 review - hopefully they have addressed all the shortcomings of the prior version.

Guys - The guy that made the IL-96 for FS2004 is now doing a Tu-204 (god knows if he is still working on it, didn't talk to him for several months). His earlier project was an IL-86 that looked very promising, but alas, the work had to be quit because the gauge developer suddenly didn't want to continue.

Guys - The guy that made the IL-96 for FS2004 is now doing a Tu-204 (god knows if he is still working on it, didn't talk to him for several months). His earlier project was an IL-86 that looked very promising, but alas, the work had to be quit because the gauge developer suddenly didn't want to continue.

Thanks for the info Benjamin,If you talk to the freeware Tu-204 developer again feel free to let them know that if they wish they are welcome to post about their Tu-204 here in this forum. I hope he's still working on it.Also if you yourself come across any updates on this or any other Russian project - feel free to post an update here. We'll be happy to read about it.

The chap who made the most beautiful TU-154M model IMHO called VITAMIN, was making a very nice looking IL-96.Unfortunately for me ....maybe fortunately for others it looks like the project may have gone payware with DBS studios.http://www.avsim.su/forum/topic/102151-russkiy-samolet-ilushin-96/

The chap who made the most beautiful TU-154M model IMHO called VITAMIN, was making a very nice looking IL-96.Unfortunately for me ....maybe fortunately for others it looks like the project may have gone payware with DBS studios.http://www.avsim.su/forum/topic/102151-russkiy-samolet-ilushin-96/

Interesting, hopefully at the end we'll have a good IL-96. Not sure what to make of it possibly becoming a DBS payware project though - their Yak-40 looked pretty disappointing to me. There's an AVSIM review of it here:http://www.avsim.com/pages/0110/DBS/Yak40.htmIn comparison, the SD Yak 40 looks light years ahead.As for the VITAMIN Tu-154M - I haven't tried this out yet, I've been meaning to for a while now. It uses the panel and gauges from the Project Tupolev model. Initially when the VITAMIN Tupolev came out it was just the model, no VC or panel, it also used the flight dynamics from PT and users connected the PT Tu-154M panel to it. More recently about a year ago a version was available that had a good-looking VC, again with the PT gauges and flight dynamics. So to use it you need to first install the PT Tu-154M (for the gauges). I think there's even a panel.cfg update to make the VITAMIN VC model work with the new 2.03 version of the PT Tu-154M. However I don't think they can use the 3D gauges from the VC in the PT plane so in the VITAMIN model it's probably just the 2D PT Gauges.I've been really happy with the PT planes for years now - so I didn't feel a strong need to try the VITAMIN model as it uses the same flight dynamics, gauges and panel, but I am curious and will aim to try it in the near future. I've heard some positive things about it - that it looks very good and can offer better frame rates from the VC than the PT plane. You can use both PT and VITAMIN Tu-154M models, from what I've seen there's nothing to cause conflicts. Use of one does not mean having to get rid of the other model.I wanted to give a little info on the VITAMIN Tu-154M for anybody who's not familiar with it as it is somewhat difficult to find any detailed information. Anybody with further info feel free to post.I'm a dedicated Project Tupolev user and will probably continue to use their model instead of the VITAMIN one, but I do want to see what it offers - at any rate I'm always happy to try another Russian plane model in FS, especially of a Tu-154.

Count me in too for more Russian aircraft. I'm an avid user of the SD Jak40, SDS TU-134 and PT TU-154. I'd love to see a PMDG quality Il-96 for FS9 :(

If Captain Sim made one its framerates'll be as bad as the 757s and 767s IMHO :(.It's best to wait for Flight1 to make one or at least wait for SamDim to upgrade to FSX.Dave.