I guess some networks are faster than others.Check this video, and see what those folks do with their pilot-client.No Zig-Zag, no stuttering, just fluent motions...Video can be found at http://213.158.118.19/fpi/The DVD Quality version at 116MB is well worth the download.I used the smaller one (8.5M) to tide me over until the DVD one was on my Harddisk...stclvax

Just viewed the smaller version, had peaked my interest to download te DVD Quality one, Nice shots.

Man, I don't wish to flame anyone, but I think I have the right of the opinion.And my opinion is that this program is a joke.First of all, installation, which took me about 1 hour to avoid all the crashes and FS restarts etc etc...until I finally managed to boot up in LIRF, got it working, I heard the voice of the ATC (after trying couple of times to connect and change the frequency to the LIRF_TWR). And finally when I was there, to find an uncapable ATC, or better said, the guy who barely understands english and can ONLY give you the clearence, because the rest he doesn't understand...I mean, #####...OK, I'm not blaming FPI for this guys capabilities, but I was a "nice" addition to my aggrevated soul at that point...Then OK, he told me I should put some valid FP in the FP-page. So I did...LIRF-LOWW. So I said ok, let's see...noone was on the airport, so I was unable to test this "smoothness". Which again points out - how important is that? Until we have like 500+ users flying online, like in VATSIM on the weekends for instance, there will be no need for this smoothness, because you rarely really see someone taxi in front of you.Another nice thing, when you open the Main Windows of the FPI, the Flightsim FPS drop to exactly 1 FPS! LOL. I was almost unable to keep FP open and enter the data into my PSS FMC.Then I again had some funny talks with this Italian guy...well, don't want to go into details here, but it was quite fun :)Basically what I kept telling him was that I want to stay on the airport, at the gate, and NOT fly. I wanted to wait until someone appears to see this smoothness of the MP aircraft...and he kept asking me if I'm ready to copy my clearence. :)And there I go, taxiing to the RWY 25, BOL5A departure, 6000ft initial, and all that...H/P 25, and takeoff...there he goes again, change Freq. to LIRF_APP 125.50...so I go into ATC list...no LIRF_APP. OK, so I reply to him...there is no LIRF_APP available, requesting own navigation and climb to FL330. Silence...and he again, change freq...lol...I tried at that point changing to ANY other ATC which was green on the list (assuming green is online :)), but I was unable to change to any of them, finally I tried clicking on all of them...At that point I closed the FS (which produced - until now it *never* happened - a dx error of some kind, restart fsim blah blah) and had to close the voice server and whatever was still open from the FS manually through the taskmanager.And still I have to comment on this program's installation and manual: manual for getting started is pretty outdated, misses some important facts (but if you grumble a bit about it, you'll figure out for yourself) and not to mention that if you want to see the aircraft, there is no one simple all-in-one installer, but you have to install each livery and set for itself - click click click until you die...and it is not automated install, but you have to always specify where the FS9 dir is, so mooooooore clicking.And after all that clicking and setup, it's still in such a poor shape and crashing all the time, producing some weird errors etc.My final opinion is that this software maybe has some future, but if Joel comes up soon with the Squawkbox 3, this whole thing will be burried. And also seeing the fact that 95% of the virtual pilots are using VATSIM, why change to FPI?I know there has been a huuuuuge thread about this whole thing, but hey...I didn't try it back then (it didn't want to work, so I guess they patched it now, so it works halfway), so I tried it now...and here are my 2 cents :)And I must state, I did not read the manual completely, just the parts how to get started and basic functions like connecting, atc change, connecting voice etc...Hope I did not offend anyone with this post, was not my intention in any way!

Hi Word Not Allowed,first Question I have is if you use outdated driver for your ATI graphic card? If yes I'd say you try the latest because ATOC uses a lot of new functions. But I can't promise that it will work. ATI at the moment has some problems with its drivers AND ATOC is brand new. Think back about other software or even SB2 in it's first version... ATOC is a FREEWARE and not a payware. There are a lot of guys who will help you, also in Italy.FPI is different to VATSIM. A newbee can connect also as ATC without any check. So if you see that an ATC is a newbee help him, that's what the FPI community is about - everyone is welcome and the one who know how it is working help the new guys.btw. to get information of the Italian Division -> http://www.flightproject.net/itand the link to the Forum -> http://www.akash.it/flightproject/ita/forum/SB3 will bve a big step for VATSIM. And when it will be published we will be able to compare it with ATOCIt is not my job tot ell you which program is better, my job is top tell you the possibilities of today. Which program (SB2, SB3 or ATOC) is right now better is a question each of us has to find out.

Hello Stefan!First of all, thank you for all the great help you provided me through the installation, I really appreciated that!Second, yes, I'm running Catalysts 4.2 on Radeon 9700.I know it's a new software, and as I stated, it has a big perspective. But with SB3 on the way...it's a good thing actually: you are both freeware, flightproject and squawkbox, and at least there will be competing software (got right now this idea when I was reading post about FS2006!). :)ATOC is still much too buggy. Unfortunately. As any other program in the beginning! But keep up a good work - now you at least know the weaknesses :)I'll be back in some time to your site, when you go through few patches to check it out again! And pleeeeeaaaaseeeeeee make one installer for all the liveries. ;-)

Hi!I know all 3 networks (VATSIM,IVAO,FPI) and have to admit that the FPI's software is currently the best while the ammount of members is still far too low.I tried both, the ATOC pilot client and the ATC client - both with NO PROBLEMS, no bugs etc. AS I've said, the software is currently the best, IMO (and my frames staid on 25 when opening the IPI).What I have to say about the "quality" of radar service and pilot's knowledge is that I've often observed a very friendly (!) but also not too seriously way of flying with FPI - the stress is more on "have fun" than professionality (like on VATSIM, for ex.).BTW: Not having a restriction (like a test) to start as ATC does not mean that the ATC is likely to consist of newbies... it was always just too complicated for me to sign up in a VACC, in a sub-division, do an upgrade req., fill in all those easy questions (and they are easy, a newbie could complete the theor. test in 30 mins with some documents open, e.g. manuals). Still, a controller should speak english in an adequate way to control and I regret your bad experiences (and can understand them).BTW2: If you want to see others, open up servinfo, look up where the people are flying and go to this airport then.Best regards,Stefan

Stefan,Yes, that was exactly that I did, I looked up the destination, saw few incoming into LIRF, so I positioned myself there and tried as many as 3 times to explain the ATC that my intention is not to fly but simply sit on the airport and wait for someone to appear, and wait for those other players. I was really speaking very clear slow and understandable english. Should listen to me when talking to some EGLL controllers (gotta catch one, his name, he's EXTREMELY fast, precise, speaks helluwa fast but really understandable - be sure to have a pen ready if he's giving you the information *lol*, and so far I saw, can handle basically any situation).But, the LIRF ATC was persistently asking if I'm ready to copy clearence...very annoying...Have you been flying in any of the Group Flights, like the PMDG one few weeks back on Saturday evening...then you actually see how much an ATC can handle...I can't say how many aircraft were there in total, but there were lots. Zurich Airport (our first leg), was extremely overloaded. You're invited to join us this saturday if you find time, on the US East Coast - this is going to be fun because the airports will be ATC packed and hopefully two runways open for landing and takeoffs. They will need that, or they will have to divert :DAn answer to your word about "have fun" and professionality, I rather like professionalty, because exactly that is what gives me joy and what I find "fun". If I wanted fun, I wouldn't be playing FS ;-) but rather some space simulations with loooooooooooooots of shooting! :)And all those complicated enrollments that you have on the VACC websites, and virtual airlines, I find that even more cool. When I entered the BAV community, I was extremely satisfied with that fact, and now I hear they even closed the recruitment service due to too large number of applications. So go figure :)

Hmm, seems we have the same sense of fun! So my article is more to show what a lot of people might dislike (I always find it amusing to see somebody complaining about CTRL+E+... engine start not working in a complex add-on), e.g. the hugh structure of VATSIM (with divisions, sub-divisions, special regulations,...).I will continuing flying on both networks (ok, mainly on VATSIM due to the ammount of members and a 15% better chance to get prof. ATC ;) ) and I will also control on both networks (in fact, I currently prefer the ATOC - it's just as functional as the ASRC but with a better user-interface...not that much .dot commands to remember *g*).Best regards,StefanBTW: Thanks a lot for your invitation :-) ...hopefully I find time

Hehe, the Ctrl+E autostartup is one of the most amusing things that I really often have a chance to laugh to! I mean, firstly...why buy the expensive addons, if you're then going to use Ctrl+E for starting engines, lol.Though, people are different. I myself enjoy as much as possible realism...recently I've been looking for the posts for the most-proper take-off procedure. When is what done, flaps retraction, exact AGLs and speed. It's kinda cool when you do it totally properly, I think... As a kid, I wanted soooo much to be a pilot, but then, through my childhood and youth (hey, I'm STILL 24!) I was discovered some kind of heart-problem. Nothing serious, but enough to keep me from taking a career as a pilot. So I'm stuck with simming today...and aggrevated that it's not as real as the real thing! :)I never did controlling. Can't imagine it being so interesting to me, but I might take a look at it one day! I guess if so many people do it, it's kinda interesting!

Hi Word Not Allowed!I also thought controlling is boring...but if there is traffic, it's often as challenging as flying LOWI with 20kts x-wind ;-)...and to come back to the topic: The fastest and easiest way of getting into the ATC-business is maybe with FPI (not "too much" traffic for a newbie, no restrictions)?!I think the best way to check for the real Take-off and landing procedures is 1. a look into an aircraft manual and 2. to watch a video (like those on cokpit-DVD, other I-net sites A340.net or atcbox.com)Stefan

OK, thx will look into it!!So so!! Also du kennst LOWI! :)LOWI is something special, low approach over mountains...and usually sight 0 and strooong winds! :)

Hmm...Just a note in German, sorry!Weshalb schreib ich

>Hmm...>Just a note in German, sorry!>>Weshalb schreib ich