>"....I will have a nice surprise for you."If that's what I think it is, I'm certain he'll be in for a nice surprise. It will also (once again) re-affirm my VERY positive opinion of you and RAS! Dave

I've flown both the LIC Decathlon and the RAS bird. The LIC package is outstanding... hard to believe that it is freeware. The attention to detail is a cut above even some payware aircraft. But I have to give the nod to the RAS Decathlon.I prefer the textures on the RAS aircraft... but this is just a subjective opinion. The RAS gauges are better... so good that there is no reason to fly it in anything but VC (as is the case with their SF.260).But what really sets the RAS Decathlon apart from any other FS aircraft I've flown is the FDE. I had believed that nothing could be made better at this time than the SF.260. Rob has proven me wrong in spades! The RAS Decathlon does eveything extremely well... ground handling, rotation, climb, cruise, and especially decent and flare. It is this latter regime that the RAS Decathlon really shines. The aircraft loses energy much better (after power is pulled back) than any other FS aircraft I've flown.I look forward to anything LIC creates. They are to be commended for showing an incredible attention to detail and a level of passion to get it right that some payware developers don't poccess. With regard to payware, I've been less than satisfied with some of my recent purchases. The exception to these experiences is RealAir. Their products are a cut above, and I have found their support efforts are always prompt, professional and friendly. They could easily give lessons to other payware developers. Simply put, I will buy anything RealAir offers us, and I will do so without hesitation.

I could not agree more.. I was really impressed with the LIC freeware package, but flying the RAS Decathlon is a whole new experience!Not only is the handling outstanding, but the virtual cockpit is so well done and detailed that you can zoom it in or out and not realise that you are not looking at the 2d cockpit, until you pan the view. Best I've seen in any aircraft!I was not sure I needed yet one more airplane in my hangar, but this one is love at first sight and a keeper!Best GA aircraft for FS9 (IMHO) Dreamfleet Archer, Flight1 Meridian, RealAir Marchetti, RealAir Decathlon.

Well dave the suprise was indeed a suprise. RAS is truly a class act. All I have to say is that everything that has been said about this aircraft is indeed true. The plane is simply outstanding. The gauges, Sounds, Textures, and Flight Model are great. The best part is I now have a new goal to reach. I hope to achieve this level in our next release. I can now blame RAS for me lack of free time ;)There is one thing I would have done differently. personally I would have had more openings but thats my personal taste ;)Thanks again guysKevinLIC

I can only echo the sentiments here, the Decathlons are BOTH at the pinnacle of achievement currently for FS - in their respective fields.But trying to decide which I like more is so difficult I just gave up - just fly them and don't worry about it!Both teams need the heartiest of congratulations from the community. There's too much knocking and not enough praising in this hobby at the moment, but both teams show how the game should be played. Let's hope others can raise their game to these standards.RAS, I shall be back for the SF260 as soon as I've figured out the gauges/procedures on the now-patched Anotonov AN-24RV and mastered the ground handling of the Decathlon. About Christmas at this rate!Not really a big fan of retractable singles in GA, but I'm making an exception for this (and the FSD Commander, and the Dreamfleet Cardinal, and the Flight 1 Meridian etc).Allcott

Just one tip here for even smoother flying of the RealAir Decathlon.l The 3d gauges are so sharp that they still look clear even with low gauge quality set in FS2004 display/aircraft menu. Unless you have a very powerful system this setting will enormously increase the smoothness of motion when you fly, especially in complex scenery areas.Kind Regards,Rob Young = RealAir Simulations

Can I remind everyone there are a couple of fixes for small issues with both aircraft, which most won't have. But check out our support page at www.realairsimulations.com in case they are useful to you!Rob Young