I have never really used the VC much - but the Antonov-14 has completely sucked me into using the VC and I am enjoying it. I have always understood that the FS2004 default a/c VCs are fully "clickable" and also that some, but not all, payware add-ons are fully flyable from the VC. For example, The Aeroworkx Kingair 200 is - but the Dreamfleet C310 isn't. However , I am now finding that the default a/c VCs are not fully clickable either-- the C172 battery switch turns on and off with the mouse , but the starter switch won't work using the mouse -- unless I am doing something wrong.So what is the truth of the matter - any VC flyers out there?Barry

The designers have to build in functionality, so sometimes they don't. Most of the time, you see MORE switches than those that are actually functional within the limits of FS2004, or the plane's design- but they are part of the VC because the real plane has them. For instance, an F-16 won't allow you to release chaff, because FS doesn't support that, but the switches could still be there.In terms of what planes are fully clickable (for items that actually function)- I can think of the Wilco A320 PIC, and the PMDG 737 off the top. Other than simple ultalights/biplanes and the like, I don't think anyone has made a modern aircraft that is FULLY clickable, because not all the systems work.I feel that instead of the phrase "Fully Clickable VC" designers should measure based on how many are clickable vs. how many are clickable in the 2D panel. So "100% clickable" would mean all the MODELED systems are clickable, and they coudl avoid unnecessary bad press from unintentionally misleading statements.

>I feel that instead of the phrase "Fully Clickable VC">designers should measure based on how many are clickable vs.>how many are clickable in the 2D panel. So "100% clickable">would mean all the MODELED systems are clickable, and they>coudl avoid unnecessary bad press from unintentionally>misleading statements.Thanks for that Christian -- but what I am wondering about is why the simple systems in the default a/c (for example, the starter switch in the C172) aren't clickable. I am not referring to any sophisticated a/c system not modelled in the Sim.Regards Barry

Barry, I haven't set foot in the default Cessna but I can tell you that the default Bell helicopter can certainly be started cold in the VC using the mouse. From what I remember in starting the 172, once the Master switch, the battery and avionics are all on, with Mixture rich and the throttle about 1/4th in, I believe you need to click "select" the Starter and drag it to the far right then let go. Please remember, it's been a loooong time since I've started the 172, but this should give you an idea or two to try (if you haven't aleady tried EVERYTHING! LOL )-Lindy :-rotorGood luck:-wave

With the starter and things like Mooney flaps you have to make sure if you are using active camera that you turn off the panning (default F12) then you click and hold the left mouse button. Then all you do is move left or right or diagonal left or right depending on your vantage point.Carmine http://ftp.avsim.com/dcforum/Images/wave.gif

I fly the Flight 1 Piper Meridian quite a bit and pretty much all of the gauges in it are fully clickable. This makes it easy to change altitudes, or changes settings on the Garmin, etc. Steve J.

All FS2004 aircraft can have fully clickable virtual cockpits, while it's a bit more complex than backlit gauges it can be done, I guess it depends upon how much time any developer want to spend programming. The PMDG even has a TOGA VC button. I think we shall sart seeing some more advanced VC soon enough..Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4][h3]P M D G's 747-400[/h3][h4]coming to a runway near you[/h4][/font color]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |

Default Cessna Starter:Click on it and then move the mouse wheel towards you until the engine starts.Gabriel

I fly only in the VC, still don't understand why more people don't. Its just so amazing how much it feels like reality.

Barry, I also love flying the AN-14 with the VC (only option )but I cannot mouse click the fuel/air mixture lever! I have to set "automactic" fuel/air ratio in aircraft realisim settings!(disappointment!)Do you or anyone else find that problem? P.S. Prop pitch works fine! Take care RickB "Someday I will fly in a real B-17"!!!

> Barry,> I also love flying the AN-14 with the VC (only option )but I>cannot mouse click the fuel/air mixture lever! I have to set>"automactic" fuel/air ratio in aircraft realisim>settings!(disappointment!)Do you or anyone else find that>problem?> P.S. Prop pitch works fine! There are a few switches/gauges that I can't get to work in the AN-14.The COM RADIO switch on the left hand side panel, and the digits on the COM radio and ILS.Also the mixture control lever doesn't work -- but you can control mixture using an assigned keyboard buttonBarry

>Default Cessna Starter:>Click on it and then move the mouse wheel towards you until>the engine starts.This didn't work for me -- but left clicking, holding and dragging does.Thanks Barry

>Barry, I haven't set foot in the default Cessna but I can>tell you that the default Bell helicopter can certainly be>started cold in the VC using the mouse. From what I remember>in starting the 172, once the Master switch, the battery and>avionics are all on, with Mixture rich and the throttle about>1/4th in, I believe you need to click "select" the Starter and>drag it to the far right then let go. Sheesh!!! Thanks for that. I would never have thought to click and drag seeing as how, in the 2 d cockpit, all you do is simply left click.Barry

Hi Barry, I wasn,t sure if it was me concerning the mixture control not working by mouse clicking or my download, installation, etc! LOL Now,thanks to your response,I can remove the "automatic" mixture setting and assign a keyboard button. Thanks again, RickB "Someday I will fly in a real B-17"!!!

> Hi Barry,> I wasn,t sure if it was me concerning the mixture control not>working by mouse clicking or my download, installation, etc!>LOL> Now,thanks to your response,I can remove the "automatic">mixture setting and assign a keyboard button.Great - I finally figured out how to use the ADF too. You select the hundreds and tens of the frequency by clicking on the left hand dial -- and set the single digits using the digits shown to thr right of the dial. Then you have to set the switch at the top to the Russian word for Compass - something like KOMP. When within range of an ADF station , you will see the signal strength increase on the signal strength meter.Now, If I could just get the "what looks something like an ILS" to work.This is really the greatest little freeware a/c IMO.Barry