So I bought the Maddog last week--it looks great. But I can't fly it. Can't seem to find the manual, although it's probably right in front of my face. The big problem is that I can't get on their forum for help with that or any other problem. I registered, then you're supposed to get a confirmation email with a URL to click, which all went "smooth." However, still can't get on the forum. So, following instructions, I try and contact customer support. Well, the support has the drop down menus for which product you're having problems with. Doh, it's not a product, it's the support forums I'm having problems with. If I could get in there I wouldn't have to use support. But I can't contact support. I chose a product at random and explained my problem but haven't heard anything in a week so am wondering if anyone has any suggestions. And, btw, can anyone tell me how to turn on the avionics? That would be a great first step. I think I have the rest of it going, or at least no warning messages other than the no avionics problem. Thx!billg

Hi Bill,First, there was an additional download for the manual, since the initial release of Maddog 2004 did not include one. I'm fairly certain you can download the manual, as well as all the patches (v1.42 is current) from the Lago website.The manual is actually pretty detailed, but not presented as well as say, PMDG or LevelD. Still gets the job done though, with full explanations of all systems, as well as Normal/Non-Normal Checklists. However, there is no tutorial available, so you have to use the checklist cross referenced with the manual, and kinda feel your way through it.About support. Unfortunately, it is poor at best. To be honest, right after initial release, the support was great. All forum posts were answered quickly, and we were given progress reports on the patching process. Unfortunately, so many people in forum began acting like whiny children demanding patches and constantly battering the devs with criticism, that the devs began to fade from view. You seldon see a dev posting in the forums now, and when they do, they're immediately attacked by forum members. Its pretty bad, so I wouldn't expect to get too many answers there. Regarding your last question, I'm not sure how much cockpit preperation you've done, but very (very) simply, here's what you do from a cold cockpit:1) Turn on the Battery Switch. Its on the Overhead Panel, just below the APU Master switch.2) Make sure the parking brake is set, then press the EXT PWR AVAIL blue switchlight between the two EXT PWR BUS switches. Shortly, it should illuminate blue. 3) Directly above the APU EGT gauge, rotate the Meter Selector to EXT PWR and verify 115v +/- 5v and 400Hz +/- 10Hz on the Volts and Frequency Meters respectively.4) Move the EXT PWR BUS switches to ON. You know you've done everything right when you hear the the Auto-Pilot Disconnect aural alert, the PA system will "ding", and all the instrument flags will be removed from view. There should also be obnoxious (but realistic) noises coming from the blower fans, and standby altimeter vibrator.5) On the main panel, to the right of the altimeter, there are two knobs that control the PFD and ND. They are labelled PFD and WX OFF. Click each one once to turn them on. If you do this quickly enough, you may catch the instruments in AHRS ALIGN mode, and you will not see any pitch or heading data. This is normal, and the data will appear soon without any interaction on your part.That should get you started, or at least powered as the case may be. Hope that helps,Nick

Hi Nick,Just did a serch on "lago", as I have just bought the MD80. I have experience with the MD-Max product, so I'm not totally at a loss. However- how do you perform an autoland? The other product requires the VOR2 is set to the ILS frequency and the CRS is set to r/w heading, but how do you ge to the copilot's panel to access VOR2?Thanks- just on the off-chance that you get to see this :)Bruce.

Hi there Bruce,The F/O's side isn't simulated, so the Maddog designers came up with a pretty slick way of letting you tune the offside Nav receiver:Look on the glareshield in between the Nav 1 freg display and the OBS display. You should see a faint number "1" or "2". Just click that number and it will change between Nav 1 & 2. The same is true of the exterior lights. You should see a number 1 there too. Click it, and you'll get access the the switches that are on the F/O's side (Nav, Strobes, Beacon, Runway Turnoff and Wing Inspection lights).EDIT: Looks like I only answered half of your question... :-doh You're probably already familiar with the real autoland procedure, and with the exception of the autoland test, the Maddog simulates it pretty well. The basics are: Make sure you're in a normal electrical and bleed configuration. Tune both Nav radios to the ILS, and select the appropriate front course on both OBS. The maddog will usually overshoot the turn when intercepting the LOC, even if there is an undershooting crosswind. And if there is an overshooting crosswind, you'll usually find yourself getting in the way of parallel runway traffic. Even in such a case, the maddog will correct smoothly, and WILL fly an excellent stabilized approach. It even attempts remove any crab in ALIGN mode. It will flare nicely, and even attempt to maintain centerline in ROLLOUT mode (not perfect though).Hope that helps,Nick

Thanks Nick, this us great info.Regarding normal electrical and bleed info, do you mean a/c of, both engine generators engaged?Thanks again, much appreciated. Bruce.

Bruce,Yes, I should have clarified. Sorry 'bout that. Make sure both the L&R AC Busses are powered, and the AC BUS X TIE switch is in AUTO. If the AC BUS X TIE switch is OPEN, then a failure of any one IDG/CSD, or if the bus goes unpowered for any reason, it will result in the loss of the on-side Autopilot. You would still be able to fly a coupled approach, but it would not Autoland.About the bleeds, make sure both packs are in AUTO, and the L&R CROSSBLEED levers are open. This makes sure that the TRP will provide an accurate G/A EPR Target.Regards,Nick

Thanks Nick, I appreciate the help..Bruce.

Hi Nick,One more question that I can't find the answer to to in the manuals.How do I access the aft pedestal panel? I'm looking for the pnuematic(sp?) valves, and see it on the aft ped panel in the manuals. But I can't seem to access it from the SHIFT-1 through 0 keys that normally invoke the panel components in 2D.Thanks- I'm really enjoying this plane, awesome immersion.Bruce.

Bruce,Depending on how you have the Maddog setup, you should see a series of letters on the left side of the main panel. From top to bottom, they should read: O H A R T F S I E L C. Click on the "L", and you will see a small popup that contains the rudder trim knob, and the crossfeed levers.Again, depending on the setting you selected in the Load Manager, you may not see those letters until you move your mouse to the left side of the main panel, then they will appear. Alternatively, you can select to have them displayed at all times, regardless of mouse position.Regarding the crossfeed lever position, up is "Open", down is "Closed".Below is a pic of the panel with the buttons in view:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/119947.jpgSee ya,Nick

Thanks again, Nick, for your very welcomed unofficial "support" for the LAGO product. I really like it. Pros and cons compared to MDmax of course. but at least I don't have someone teling me that I can't access parts of the product that I pay for until I accrue certain hours :).Bruce.