I just wanted to plug Computer Pilot Magazine. It is clearly one of the best $50.00 I have spent. Not only do I get 12 issues of the magazine, but a Cover CD with several freeware files.It's the CD that is really great. Without the CD I would have never found this gem of a site.http://www.friendlypanels.arrakis.esFriendly Panels is a site that offers Freeware replacement panels for FS2002 and FS2004. The goal of Friendly Panels is as follows:"The gauges' layout in our panels has been carefully designed to include the maximun number of gauges in main window, saving you the boring task of being opening and closing pop-up windows continuously to access gauges or functions, and also mantaining the gauges layout in the panel as close to the real one as possible. As long as this is not always possible, we always try to keep a pleasant integration of pop-up windows in the main panel, keeping your outside view and maintaining main gauges in sight."Now if you are a panel purist, you may not like some of the layout choices made, but let me tell you, for flyability, they can not be beat. They have every panel available for the default planes for FS2004 and FS2002. The Boeing 777 is only for FS2002, but can be used in FS2004 by a simple edit in the panel.cfg to allow for the use of the FS9 GPS.The Panels are designed for 1024*768 or greater, so some of the components have been shrunk down, but they do achieve their goal at having nearly everything available without opening a secondary window. The GPS also is well designed so that it opens up as a natural part of the panel, yet does not conceal any vital instrumentation. And while there are some alignment issues with some of the components, (as in the Cessna 172 and 182) and some lettering that could have looked better, these panels are a HUGE improvement over Microsofts Defaults, and I recommend them highly. (Especially the ones with the Blue Radio Stack, I love it....)Be forewarned, the site may have some bandwidth issues, as the panels took much longer to download then they should have and in some cases paused for a long time between packets. Don't let that discourage you. The panels are well worth the wait.So Bravo Zulu, to Friendly Panels for your wonderful enhancements and for providing some samples in the May issue of Computer Pilot so that we can discover your talent.And Bravo Zulu to Computer Pilot magazine and their CD which helps us find little Diamonds like Friendly Panels.

On the recent CDs they have put just short of the most recent MS SDKs, a big help.Their combination of flight training articles (this issue includes fuel planning for jets), sample trips, reviews, is very good.

I love the magazine. Although, it's usually a little behind in it's latest news (because of time-to-print) the articles are top-notch. Many useful articles on navigation and sightseeing that have no comparison on the 'net. If you don't get it now, ask for a subscription for your birthday or christmas, and you will be very happy. It's nice to sit on the couch and read about flight sims instead of in front of the computer.