Based on the participation of those helping test Autoland 2004, it looks like I'll be able to release my utility fairly soon--if not before the end of the week hopefully before the end of the month.I have to say at times it looked pretty dicey--I'm using a new interface (FDSConnection) and didn't have access to a Win2000 or XP system, nor one with many add-ons. That's where those helping test have really come through, all the more amazing since none had prior experience w/older versions of Autoland.I am jumping back and forth between several projects. I also hope to release (in the same timeframe) a version of the Eclipse 500 that Dave Eckert (www.daviator.com) laid much of the groundwork for. In the A/C design forum there's a thread I've started and within a link to some recently posted shots of my project.This makes me throw out another question to the forum. The original Eclipse from Dave didn't have spoiler or door animations. I've just started sorting that out, but I don't think I can finish before August, after which I will become busy on personal projects and with business trips through the end of the year. So I'd like to release what I have now. It has a simple V/C with animated sidesticks, full virtual cabin, and virtual wing views. On the outside, everything's animated but the already mentioned door and spoilers (which are tail mounted in the Eclipse)... I worked really hard to respect Dave's low poly count with this model--as a result, peformance in both FS2002 and FS2004 is outstanding. Here's a link to some shots, although they are scheduled for purging from the screenshots forum soon:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=147160&page=My question--would anyone be interested in downloading 'er as she already is?Regards,John

Bump---LOL, we're all so buried in other, more interesting threads that no one's responded to my question. If anyone has the time, could you take a moment to answer please? I am on dial-up, so I'd hate to upload a package only a handful would be interested in...Regards,John

John, Certainly sounds and looks like a welcome addition to my hanger! The spoilers and door would be nice, but can surely wait if necessary.Since my wife says I'm a handful by myself, you now need only one more request. :~)Your screen shots are things of beauty!RegardsJackD

Thanks Jack, especially for your comments about the screenshots. I had pretty much come to the same conclusion on my own to release it as it stands for the time being. I'm really entranced by the beautiful lines on this aircraft....Dave did an amazing job for an aircraft that has its roots in the days of FS2000. I don't know how he managed to be so economical with the poly count, while still creating such a beautiful aircraft. I know users who dl it will find it one of the few bizjets with a virtual cabin that doesn't send fps into the tank.Changes I made from Dave's original model:~Added dynamic shine~Re-poly'd the windows to reduce poly count~Reshaped/Enlarged the engines and added wing tip tanks--a change made to the real Eclipse after it went through its first round of flight tests~Updated the animations to be FS2004 compliant~Updated landing lights to be visible from 2-d cockpit and V/CChanges I'd like to make before release...~Redesign 2-d panel ~Add dynamic shine to the top of the VC-panel... It gives a really nice effect, as it's something I tried in my update of Byron Warwick's Jabiru.-John

Hi John,I'd be interested in downloading your updated Eclipse 500. I've seen the screenshots and it looks quite nice. :) The FS2004 updates you're doing sound great! I say upload here as is. Errr, I suppose I should say when your finished with the updates you have listed. ;) I'll bet folks with lower end systems would really welcome it!Cheers,Jim

This thread is hilarious! An utility to autoland that takes away the most fun part of any flight sim :)Why would anyone want such a feature? I mean with ILS you can more or less autoland already at least with boeings ;)

"This thread is hilarious! An utility to autoland that takes away the most fun part of any flight sim Why would anyone want such a feature? I mean with ILS you can more or less autoland already at least with boeings CheersP

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Well I can see it could be very easily missunderstood :/. Well may try it for myself when I get my computer running again :). I use to watch my own landings from time to time as a passenger by using the replay function :)So it

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Hi John,Well put... I have been a user of your various autoland programs since FS98, and for the exact reasons you mentioned. Since all of my real flights have been as a passenger, it's nice to have a utility where I can view flightsim landings as a passenger. The autopilot and ILS can land you too, but it's usually an unrealistic, no-flare, 'three point' BANG, landing, which is actually discouraged in the real world. With a proper approach, your autoland program flares the plane nicely, and just makes it seem real. Shoot, with 'autobrake' and 'taxispeed', I can sit back there quite a while before I must run up to the cockpit to steer the plane onto a taxiway.. Wonderful.Over the years, I have developed my own charts for approach/landing speeds for the different aircraft types, because, as you say, without the proper speeds established, you may not 'autoland' well at all.The improvements to your already great program sound good. I am still using FS2002, hope it works o.k. in there.Looking forward to its release,Cheers, Bob

id love to have it....it would make it more realistic. The reason they have autoland is cause when Heavys are on long trips and the weather goes down the tubes, their options start to get limited. Its not that the pilot(or you) cant land its that he/she is not allowed to land under weather that is below cat III mins. The autopilot/autoland can do it better than the pilot. I can fly an ILS to mins in real life. But im not allowed to go below 200 and 1/2 unless myself and the airplane are certified for lower mins.so by all means, get that utility out. It would be a lotta fun to do.