Hello guys!So its finally out!! I have waited for it for a long time and it looks a real beauty from the screenshots! I just wonder if anybody has already bought it and what are your impressions? I am planning to buy it as well very soon today.Thanks!

I bought it late last night. Only had time for a few patterns, but I'll give my impressions after a very limited time in the plane. Overall I like it a lot so far! I'm not a real pilot, so I won't comment much on the flight model, but it flies nice and smooth. There are actually two flight models, and I only tried one. The 2d panel is very nice. It is big and easy to read, yet still sharp and clear looking. The panel has separate popup windows for some other windows (you can see in the screenshots). It works a lot like the Cessna 441. Although obviously the panel doesn't have too many complex things on it :)I'm not a big fan of any virtual cockpits. I just never use them that much. This one looks nice, but I will let someone who has used it more comment. I spent most of my time in the 2d panel. As for documentation, well you can download it right from the website and see for yourself. Obviously, an experienced flightsimmer should have no problem getting the 172 up and running quickly :)My complaints:No checklist in the checklist window. There is a detailed checklist in the manual, however it doesn't show up in the sim. It is easy to add it in manually ourselves, but I would expect it to be there. There is even a button to open it up on the panel manager. No big deal there though as it is just a matter of cutting and pasting the one from the manual.It kept me up too late last night! It also made me late for work this morning, as I felt the need to fly another quick pattern before leaving this morning. I blame this airplane for my poor judgement! What I like:The 2d panel sold me on the package. It is really nicely done. There is of course a config manager which allows you to choose between two different models, flight models, weights, etc. All the standard stuff. The manual also comes with a nice weight and balance form which allows you to calculate CoG (you can download this from the site and check it out). Again, I can't comment on real-world accuracy, but I found everything to be as expected.

Knowing the quality of these guys I am buying as we speak ;-)Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4]http://www.rawbw.com/~bdoolin/shinault/Animation1.gifCaution! 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 |

Seems u got me in! :D

Did anyone notice a tenendcy for the plane to climb like a bat out of h*ll shortly after take off? I have to apply massive amounts of forward elevator to keep the plane from stalling out at one of the worst possible moments in flight. I had the trim on neutral (I think) but I'll check that again. Could be a C/G issue too, perhaps. Is it normal in real Cessna 172 for the pilot to put some forward pressure on the stick jut after take off in order to keep the airplane from over climbing?

Bought it last night and spent about two hours flying first the included tutorial then a more familiar flight I make in real life from 7S3-KONP (in a 172!). The flight dynamics are exceptional, hands down the most realistic simulation of a 172 yet, power changes, flap pitch changes, amount of control input for a CH yoke, crosswind crabbing for landing are all spot on to the real deal. The initial release had a mistake in the panel configuration that used the Conquest radios (didn't notice cause I've already got that!) but they already posted a fix and all the downloads for today have the fixed installation file. This is a top notch payware aircraft and you even have the choice of wheelpants or no wheelpants (thank you Jim). If you are a student pilot, seasoned pilot that likes small singles, simmer that likes small singles you gotta get this plane :-beerchug Zane

You got the CG issue right (you also can get roll problems with too much weight on one side). Many of the aircraft I fly do require forward pressure after takeoff otherwise the nose will rise too high and you lose airspeed (Mooney's Ovation being the most pronounced). Make sure you rotate at the correct speed (55 indicated for the 172), gentle pull back then as you start your climb keep your nose down to accelerate to Vy (best rate of climb) and trim to relieve the pressure on the yoke. That's how it's really done :-wave Zane

I noticed that too after trimming the aircraft to the marked takeoff position. Next time I did not trim the aircraft to that mark (just left it at default) and it was better.

Hey Zane, this is the first I've heard of someone on this board who flies out of 7S3! As luck would have it, One of my upcoming projects is a high-detail version of this airport for FS9. Bob and Betty Stark have been most generous, giving me plans, photos and allowing me to traipse all over their nice airfield with my camera. Look for it soon.thanks,

Very interesting info. about the need for forward pressure in many of these aircraft. Appreciate it. I also might have been over-rotating and getting the nose high too early. I put 50 lbs of cargo in the aircraft through the configuration manager, that might have been a factor as well. Can't wait to get home and try it again. These little planes will bite back if you don't know what you're doing, I've been flying 737s for too long! :-)

No need for forward pressure during initial climb-out if the trim is set to the take-off setting.In the 172 that I fly there is a mark near the trim wheel that indicates the take-off position for elevator trim. Then we cross-check by looking back towards the elevator. If the trim tab is flush with the elevator then the trim is set correctly for take off.

Yeah, I was trimming in the VC and I could not spot the reference mark. I took a guess at what I thought was the neutral position. Setting the trim might be easier in 2D panel. Can't wait to get home and try it. I liked the introductory tutorial. It would be great to have a 172 like this for real. That's why I bought this package, maybe someday hopefully.

I've got a good bit of time n 172's and there is something strange about the wing that does not look right. Not quite sure but it looks like it has almost 0 dihedral across the upper span. The 172 has a definite amount of dihedral. Could someone post some shots in the screenshot forum of the model? I'm thinking about getting this one. All I have to go by is the few shots on the preview page.Hornit

Hello Bill,That is fantastic news :-jumpy :-yellow1 :-jumpy :-yellow1 :-jumpy I've got Randall Rocke to make the runway for Fly!II (wasn't included) and Wayne Roberts is making the buildings and scenery, again for Fly!II... small world. Fun little airport to fly out of, the Stark's are great folks and the EAA pancake breakfast every first Saturday is an absolute hoot.Take care,Zane

I noted the lack of dihedral too--but didn't want to comment remembering a certain someone making me the butt of all his jokes in another priduct's forum.... I'll leave it to others this time :)-John