I've been busy updating my very first proggie ever released for MSFS--Autoland. For those unfamiliar with Autoland, it's a standalone app that you fire up and run minimized in the background. If it detects you are in autopilot approach mode and that you're locked on the localizer/glideslope, it can take over the landing from final, to touchdown, to rollout. All you would normally have to do is apply the brakes.... I'd say it can land about 90 pct. of the aircraft out there--prop or jet. The program includes a slider which lets you adjust the landing within a narrow range in order to accommodate such a wide range of aircraft.Late last year, a new freeware utility was released by Flightdecksoftware called FDSConnection, which is an interface which lets third party utilities "talk" to MSFS, very much like FSUIPC. I wrote my update with this in mind in an attempt to promote FDSConnection for developers like myself--and to see if I could use it as a platform for Autoland. It appears to work, but I test on the "perfect" system--no add-ons other than aircraft and landclass scenery, nothing else to interfere with FDSConnection or Autoland.So I am looking for simmers interested in trying out Autoland on their systems. Ideally, candidates should have:~Prior experience with/installation of Autoland 2002~Ability to follow directions~Proven skills setting up an ILS approach~Ability to land any aircraft manually~Be willing to communicate issues ~Be willing to accept the risk that Autoland may not work at all and not get fussy about it :)~Under no circumstances publish my email address or add to a mailing list--I request this to minmize spam and also to avoid "mailing list" based viruses. For this reason, all who join the beta will be bcc'd so their identity/email addresses stay hidden as well.Autoland "2004" will be a freeware release. If you are interested, send me a Private Message via avsim and include your email address. I'll send you the beta. I will give priority to those who've used Autoland 2002, followed by those who are "Aces" in the ILS approach department. I am limiting the beta to five users. After two days I will close entry to the beta, even if there are no takers.Autoland isn't a replacement for good piloting skills--to be honest, I rarely use it--but many others do and I've been getting almost daily requests for Autoland 2004. I threw this package together in quite a hurry, so I have to warn it could be buggy...Thanks in advance for your help!-John

Bump - just letting ya know I have one participant, so I still have four slots left open for those interested...-John

One more update... It's becoming apparent that experience with Autoland 2002 is a must. The purpose of my beta isn't to redesign or teach the use of Autoland--it has its limitations and it won't work with all aircraft. It has an especially challenging time with the MS Default aircraft since it uses the autopilot, which in turn uses the trim--which MS left rather weak in many default aircraft--to control the flare.My single goal of this test is to see that Autoland 2004 works reasonably close in FS2004 as Autoland 2002 did in FS2002. Right now it seems like it could be a challenge to engage in dialog with users who are learning the program at the same time I'm trying to judge my key area of interest--whether the program works and is stable in FS2004.Thanks,-John

Id very much like to try autoland for [email protected]