"I think it is sad for whatever reason that the biggest player in software aviation was missing. No consipracy issue for me-just sad..."Indeed, it is sad. But I believe you hit on it in an earlier post... the bean counters might have decided that the return on investment wasn't there. Afterall, there is not presently any market competition. Or perhaps, it could be something as simple as a scheduling issue. We don't know... but as Tom pointed out they will be at the Avsim Conference.20 years is a long run for any software title, especially a game/entertainment title. But FS has been very successful for MS. I can't see them ending it other than for financial reasons.Of course, the other threat to FS is if MS decides to make it for game consoles only. I see that as being the death blow (and hopefully they'll decide to keep it PC based... I'd hate to see such a successful title killed off because it went to console only).Greg

>I see it differently.>>There are lots of non pilots who go to the show at Oshkosh. I>don't have statistics-but I bet it would be substantially many>times greater than the number of pilots who attend. Oshkosh is>not just a trade show-it is the biggest aviation event that>occurs during the year. The Microsoft booth has always been>one of the hugest draws-and in itself probably contributes>greatly to increased interest and possible new converts to>aviation. ... snip....I agree.And even if there WERE mostly pilots attending, MS-FS has a big following among pilots, not the least of which is basic-training guru Rod Machado, who, in spite of the availability of "professional" simulators, devotes 2/3 of a page in his Private Pilot Handbook to MS-FS with statements such as "Don't call it a game", "saved...at least 10-15 hours of instruction", etc.You would think that at least a tiny one-man booth would be warranted, just to show the name, if nothing else...??? MS2004 was still being sold at at least one booth (I think it was advertised as 16 bucks after rebates), and I suppose I personally tipped one waffling anonymous real-world pilot over the edge into making the investment (along with some advice as to where to come for help, of course :-) ).Art

Geofa,Good to hear from you again. Now that you got that twin you can come down a little further south to KC..lolI think you know who my remarks were intended for. Most other people probably don't understand the other issues at play(real life and business, etc.) like you and I might have some knowledge of.I do think however that everyone should make Oshkosh, yes, especially major vendors like MS. You and Lou both know why they weren't there..hehe (and to who ever asked about why...no they can't and won't tell you..lol). Although I'm sure if any one of us could have made it there we would have been more than happy to COOP them. I hope this can be done more in the future at other events in addition to Oshkosh as us developers really have to show people "what they can do with their MSFS". That's a whole diff. topic for later though (even though addressed already for the future ;) ) One day we might even be able to make the dog gone Avsim conference. That still peves me a little that we can't make it there this year. maybe it's because we're going to be busy flying the Do228 at VGT and GCN this summer.Edited for content..hehe

>Actually Elite, On top, and Flight One had booths there-that>makes three...Chproducts also-probably a few more I am>forgetting.Well flight1 i know is also doing comercial simulators eg ATR so maybe there there getting more busness :) as for the others maybe there trying to do the same thing.Which is good it never hurts to diversify the busness...

I agree with the comments about X Plane, it's a mess. Unlike FS which is the product of a professional team backed up by a huge company, X Plane is the work of one guy along with a lot of free help from his supporters. It's more like a basement hobby then a polished professional product. If he were handed the baton I doubt that he would or could make the changes necessary to keep up.TonyDigital-Flight