Well said Glen.Its the height of poor communication, particularly since JD stated he was going to update people as to their progress in a blog, and that blog was updated once in Dec '09. If you said you're going to provide updates, please provide updates. Why get short with people and provide comments like 'it will be ready when its ready' if you've stated previously, 18 months ago no less, that you're going to provide regular updates.Kael

As a fellow Potter,I hope Pete that you have sampled TitanicAplogies for the thread drift.

Hi.Well, there's some fair comment here. The thread has drifted and I apologise for contributing to the drift.However, ten minutes searching this forum bring to light a good deal of information on the progress of RC5. We know pretty well what airlines and equipment will be included, we have a good idea of new functionality (progressive taxi, better handling of notams et c.) and of overall progress towards a release (beta testing underway).I agree, an occasional update would be welcome (and was promised), even if it is only a couple of lines a month, perhaps 'Yes, we're still testing'... It would certainly allay the natural suspicion that work has come to a halt. Still, I don't believe a full bulletin would serve much purpose because, as I pointed out above, most of the frequently asked questions have already received a reply.The main question remains unanswered and that is 'When...?' I suspect it would be very difficult to be at all precise regarding a release date as that will depend to a great extent upon the faults found in the beta version. I suppose, since the change from V4.X to V5.X implies a new build, eighteen months could see the bulk of the testing completed, provided that private lives don't intrude, but I am not involved in any way and am only guessing.I wonder what it is about RC4.3 that makes people so keen to move on to RC5.Kind regards,Dave

As a fellow Potter,I hope Pete that you have sampled Titanic

Of course -- the stout is one of my favourites! ;-)

Aplogies for the thread drift.

Since there's not really much to discuss about RC V5 progress that hasn't already been said many times (mainly it's just "it'll be ready when it's ready"), I think beer is a reasonable diversion. ;-)Sorry Pete P. to disagree with you. Long time no speakee? Hope you are well!BestPete

(mainly it's just "it'll be ready when it's ready")

I think this statement is precisely why James initiated this thread, its not very informative and tends to be used frequently as a 'fob off' by software testers who are lucky enough to be using the software in question.Still looking forward to the release of V5 whenever it arrives :( Glen

I wonder what it is about RC4.3 that makes people so keen to move on to RC5.

Ground Traffic Handleing. So tired of having to run through the grass at busy airports like KALX. Very large part of ATC is ground controllers at the airport.Brad

I think this statement is precisely why James initiated this thread, its not very informative and tends to be used frequently as a 'fob off' by software testers who are lucky enough to be using the software in question.

Which doesn't include me. I was reporting what I've observed.

Still looking forward to the release of V5 whenever it arrives :(

Me too, but still enjoying 4.3 whilst waiting. ;-)Pete

Ground Traffic Handleing. So tired of having to run through the grass at busy airports like KALX. Very large part of ATC is ground controllers at the airport.

You are somehow expecting such a miracle in V5? Unfortunately I don't see any way an ATC program can actually fully control the AI unless it creates it itself, like VoxATC. But then you throw out your nice airliner AI collections like UT2, MyTraffic or WOAI and accept a small subset which might just be completely controllable at the cost of ATC performance (read "powerful PC"). Because at least on the ground, and on approach and takeoff, it would have to pilot each and every one itself. It can give it a plan to follow, but that's just what UT2 does, and then it's under FS ATC control not RCs.RegardsPete

For goodness sake nobody add anything more to the "Wants" list or v5 will never ever see the light of day.After five years of "We´ll tell you when wee tell you" (why does that make me think of the snooty attitude over at a well-known 767 forum?) my guess is that they just dont know when v5 will be finished. If thats really the case a statement to that effect would be more than acceptable to all of us.I´m trying to pluck up the courage and brain-power to have another go at PFE but doubt that I will understand it any better this third time around.

I wonder what it is about RC4.3 that makes people so keen to move on to RC5.Kind regards,Dave

I don't even do simming anymore because I've lost all interest due to lack of intelligent ATC and good planes, and developers taking until we all go to our graves to complete their "precious" planes the ETAs of which have, frankly at this point, has become irrelevant to me. I just fizzled out. RC4.3 falls way short of what a proper and smart ATC program should do. So, Dave, to answer your question RC4.3 has serious issues: (1) resetting to the first waypoint in the middle of a flight for reason I still don't understand nor frankly care about as this is a problem that should NEVER occur in a $45 software (2) No NAT and Trans-Atlantic / oceanic controls which pilots would radio to check in with at regular intervals during the "blackout zone" where there is no radar contact just like in real life, get oceanic clearance, be told their expected ETA to the entry point of the NAT etc...These two points are enough to ruin this software for me and wish for their correction in release 5.Let's see how long it will take for Radar Contact (or a competitor to which I'm NOT afraid of switching if it beats RC) to get it's act together.John

I can understand for freeware of not having a release date. For payware it would be really refreshing to have a flightsim developer besides Microsoft actually have a plan for releases with an actual deadline... What if your local Mc Donalds franchise was a side business for somebody and they only opened when nothing else was going on?

These two points are enough to ruin this software for me and wish for their correction in release 5.

Thanks John.I personally have never had an RC flight reset unexpectedly though I've seen a few complaints about it... I was unaware of the Atlantic black-hole as I fly pretty well exclusively on one side or the other and would probably only cross at a much increased sim-rate.I have, however, been criticised on occasion for missing crossing restrictions I didn't miss but am able to work around that (rare) problem and suspect the fault lies with some other application.I agree with the general tenor of the thread that it would be nice to be reassured such problems will have been addressed in the new version. If they are solved, it will certainly have been worth the wait.Kind regards,D

I have updated the community on multiple occations to post V5 is NOT a pipe dream. However it seems that folks just can't take JD's word at face value. :( When there is news we will post it right here on the forum. I bet if right now all the folks asking for this and that had to take the FIR exam on ATC procedures that are in RC, few could pass it. B) Instead of keep harping on whats in V5, learn whats in V4.3 in detail. If you have a copy of the FIR manual you would know why I stated what I said, its a very thick manual. :( JD is not going to be pressured by snide comments about paywhere should let people know now, that is just rubbish. Fly with V4.3 and when V5 comes along you may learn a lot more about ATC than you every thought about.Rant OFF :( Bob

Hi Bob.It seems instant gratification is the norm since the world moved from paper into the electronics age.I'm old enough that I have never bothered to learn what is considered good form in maintaining a blog but it seems even to me that December 2009 to July 2011 is a long time between posts. As I said above, it would be nice to see an occasional reassurance that work continues, and I think that would quieten many of the more waspish posters.Kind regards, and thanks for what we already have.Dave

I have updated the community on multiple occations to post V5 is NOT a pipe dream. However it seems that folks just can't take JD's word at face value. :( When there is news we will post it right here on the forum..Rant OFF :( Bob

JD's word at face value? I'd love it if JD just came out with some more words. He stated he would blog the progress of V5 here : http://jdtllc.wordpress.com/Since there hasn't been an entry for 18 months one can only assume there is no progress.I personally believe that some personal issues have arisen for the developer and that has presented him with problems completing development. If thats the case thats fine but I fail to see why an announcment can't be made to that effect. In the blog JD made updates on 19 August 09, 21 August 09 and 2 Sep 09. Three updates in three weeks. Then 18 months of nothing. Bobby I hope you don't work in customer service.Kael