Hello Gang!I have grown tired of looking of a good Dash-8 for FS2004 with a good panel and good sounds. The Frolov Dash-8 is great but the visual model is not the best and the sounds are giving me a little bit of grief - not to mention that you can't use them with any other aircraft and the flight model is jerky at times. Some folks have recommended the PSS Dash-8, which has been recently updated to work in 2004, but I have a couple of questions before I take the plunge:1. How many liveries does it come with; I noticed that PSS sells their liveries for 5 Pounds each, or a livery package for the wonderful price of 40 British Pounds. No Way!!!!!!!!!!!!2. Are the sounds good? Are they comparable to Frolov's sounds?3. How's the flight model?Thanks for any input you can provide.Sincerely,Dennis D. Mullert

Just Flight will be releasing a re-packaged (for FS2004) version of the Dash-8 shortly. It won't be entirely coincidental that this will be close to the release for the DreamFleet/Flight One/ATR ATR-72, which is likely to do to the Dash what England did to Croatia.My money's being held for the ATR.Allcott

Dennis, The PSS Dash-8 is pretty good although I can't give a direct comparison to the Frolov, I never spent much with it. PSS has always up to now anyways sold liveries individually or as a bundle. The justflight package that's coming I think will include a number of liveries, that's probably the way to go. The flight model is pretty good, approaches seem to be a bit on the nose high side but all in all I have no big complaints. The avionics are very well done. If you're a propellor head, I think you'll like it. Jay Eklund - Pilot 4332Senior VP Denver Operationshttp://www.pacificwestairways.com

I recommend the Fanda (Frolov) Dash8. PSS one doesnt have the real feathering and prop procedures modelled, also Oleksiy's Dash has a lot more panels and systems simulated. The sounds are exactly realistic and they are using their own software to appear, thats why you cant use them. Oleksiy has done real good work with it and they are developing payware version right now too, should be hopefully ready beginning of this summer. You can find the support forum here: http://forums.fscentre.com

I found that the Fanda/Frolov panel merged with the PSS visual model is a decent combo. The Fanda model has good flight dynamics (PSS Dash-8 FDEs are less than spiffy...very nose-high at approach speed and overpowered, especially on the ground) and I find the sounds much better than the PSS. The PSS panel looks very good, but does not replicate the systems in the kind of detail seen on the Fanda panel. The PSS FMS is better, but it does have a few documented bugs which PSS have not fixed...and their current position is that they plan no further updates to the Dash-8.I actually fly both the Fanda (merged with PSS visual) and the PSS model. Depends on my mood...CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Washington, DC

1) factory rollout liveries only.Liveries are 5 pounds each but heavily discounted on purchasing more than one. Purchase together with the base pack and you might get 3 for the price of one (or almost). Think 50% discount when buying 3+ items from them at the same time.2) yes, good sounds. Haven't heard Frolov's sounds so can't compare. I3) very good.

>1. How many liveries does it come with;As mentioned above - just the 2 factory liveries.>2. Are the sounds good? Are they comparable to Frolov's>sounds?Sounds are good. Different but comparable to Frolov. >3. How's the flight model?Slick. I like it. It seems to fly quite nicely - of course I've never actually piloted a DHC8, but it *seems* to feel like it should. Frolov's panel has it head-and-shoulders above the PSS panel when it comes to depth and systems integration. The PSS Dash-8 could be considered (in payware terms) a "light" panel. While most systems seem to work, they aren't always fully integrated and many of the panel switches are just there for show. I've never been able to fully figure out the DHC8's FMC (even though I consider myself well versed in the Boeing/Smiths and Airbus FMCs), but that's probably my own fault.* If you are a pure systems person - go with Frolov...* If you enjoy a well-rounded aircraft - go with PSS...* If you are a flight-lite person - go with neither - they both need some thought before takeoff. :) I give the PSS Dash-8 a B+ grade. Not fantastic, but certainly enjoyable in flight. -Greg

Dennis,I strongly agree with Georg above, the Frolov Dash is so far better than the PSS version and if you look carefully on the Dash Forum (URL above in Georg's note) .. you will find answers to your sound problems most likely, as well as merge assistance ... you can buy a PSS livery or two, but there are some available on the fscentre site for the Dash.I have both ... and fly only the Frolov panel, most of the time with the PSS liveries.Cheers!!!

I love the PSS Dash 8. Mine come with a slew of livery's (Air Canada, Intersky ect.),The Q version is simply amazing and I love the V/C. The flight model is very good and it is prolly my favortie plane to fly.I have the 2002 version with the free patch for 2004.BTW, They have free livery's on the PSS site too.I'm no Dash 8 pilot in real life but I like it and think it was the best purchase I have made for 3rd party planes (right up there with Cpt. Sim 727).See you in the fence...CYYZ

I agree with most of the above opinions. Problem with PSS is that you have to buy the liveries and once they finish the product thats it. No updates (except different MS version)like so many other developers nowadays. So if you find the FDE not to be right hopefully someone that knows what there doing will make adjustments. So once finished hope you like there next release cause thats all you will get help for. All that being said I do enjoy the Dash from time to time.

Like I said, my CD version of the PSS Dash 8 came with a bunch of livery's. And they have free download's on the site. I got mine from Just Flight.See you in the fence...CYYZ

How anyone can say that the PSS sounds are just as good as the Fanda sounds is beyond me. Yes, PSS wins in the looks department, but Fanda is in a different league when it comes to sounds, flight model and systems.

Dennis, you should consider the Just Flight/PSS Dash 8-300 Professional (available July 2). Looks like a winner with both versions (Regular & Q) in 15 liveries and 3 airports included (Frankfurt, Milan, and London City updated for FS9). Price $29.99 (a bargin by today's standards).Cannot say much on the Flight1 ATR72 looks hot, but may be priced like PMDG 737-700 (which means too expensive for my taste), the price as not been released yet.Check out this link for a photo essay featuring this aircraft:Very good looking 2D & 3D Panel (beware, lots of pictures)http://www.flightsimmer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17780 Good luck,

>How anyone can say that the PSS sounds are just as good as>the Fanda sounds is beyond me. Yes, PSS wins in the looks>department, but Fanda is in a different league when it comes>to sounds, flight model and systems.They haven't tried Fanda's Dash I presume, and if they have, they had some kind of problem that couldn't let them use that amazing piece of software properly, that's the only explanation I can have.Also, we have to remember there is people who really don't care about flight dynamics, system simulation, sounds, etc. There are some that are only looking for a nice looking model...for those, Fanda's Dash won't cause any great impression.For me is all about realism, if I can get a pretty model too, better yet...now, if we talk about a payware product then a "pretty" (read realistic bitmaps) panel should also be provided.So, as somebody said before:Looking for a pretty model......go PSSLooking for a flight sim........go FandaLooking for a flight sim + pretty model + pretty panel bitmaps.......wait for Fanda's paywareCarlos.

>>How anyone can say that the PSS sounds are just as good as>>the Fanda sounds is beyond me. Yes, PSS wins in the looks>>department, but Fanda is in a different league when it comes>>to sounds, flight model and systems.>>They haven't tried Fanda's Dash I presume, and if they have,>they had some kind of problem that couldn't let them use that>amazing piece of software properly, that's the only>explanation I can have.>>Also, we have to remember there is people who really don't>care about flight dynamics, system simulation, sounds, etc.>There are some that are only looking for a nice looking>model...for those, Fanda's Dash won't cause any great>impression.>>For me is all about realism, if I can get a pretty model too,>better yet...now, if we talk about a payware product then a>"pretty" (read realistic bitmaps) panel should also be>provided.>>So, as somebody said before:>>Looking for a pretty model......go PSS>Looking for a flight sim........go Fanda>Looking for a flight sim + pretty model + pretty panel>bitmaps.......wait for Fanda's payware>>Carlos.>>>Uh huh.If you want real flight dynamics than MSFS 2004 is not the place to be flying. Maybe you should give IL-2FB a go Carlos. You will get a real taste of realisim and flight dynamics that you desire.......See you in the fence...CYYZ