I'm thinking of buying their -at 44 euros- quite expensive Dash 8. I would like to know any thoughts about this from people who are able to compare their Dash 8 to PSS's Dash 8 (which I have in my hangar).Majestic Software claims maximum systems fidelity, but, on the other hand, the manual is a slim 70 page (something users complain a lot about on their forum). The manual for PSS's Dash 8, one would assume as less faithful rendition of the original, is over a hundred pages long. My other concern are the visuals - how do these stack up (outside view, 2dpanel, virtual cockpit, etc.). I like eye candy just as much as I like systems. The screenshots focus mostly on the panels, which leads me to believe that the developers cut corners in regards to the visual quality. ricardo

Hi Ricardo,I'll try to give you some feedback. I've been a long time user of the Fanda Dash-8, and have a great deal of respect for the software. The "payware" version is very well done ... great detailed system modeling .. new external visual model with a few repaints available (although there is a psint kit).I don't like or use VCs so I can't comment ... and I'm not a eye-candy lover either ... but it looks good from the outside to me.If you want a Dash-8-Q300 ... this is it. The FMS is partially complete ... you can certainly use it to enter your flightplan and use the AP to fly the flightplan. There are lots of bells and whistles ... check the Majestic website for all the gory details http://www.majesticsoftware.com and look at the products page.Expensive yes, documentation not very well done but support is EXCELLENT and very timely I think.IMHO ... it's worth the price if you want a very well done turboprop regional ... I would say, given the continued development of the FMC, more available liveries, and more complete documentation, the Dash will be equal to the Dreamfleet ATR-72 ... which is very hard to beat at the moment for a complete, detailed, well documented and supported turbo prop. Can't compare to the PSS offering, but that is "old" in development years.Good luck and best regards,Paul BenoitKSAN

Hello Ricardo, I have the Majestic Dash8 with the VC installed. I also like all the eye candy I can get. The plane is very well done. I have the pilot edition. If you want more functionality from the FMS and such, I think you have to get one of the other models. The sounds on this sim are AMAZING. They also use the DirectX engine outside of FS9 to process the sounds. The website is www.majesticsoftware.com I think you will find all of your questions answered there both on the forums, and alot of info on the product pages. Good luck to you. Best regards, Jeff

Oops, Paul already included the post for you.

I can't seem to find any repaints, what is available?

Alex,here is a place for some repaintshttp://www.gjsmith.net/Textures/dash-8.htmlocated there are:qantassaswideroejazz - yellow, red and greenBEA FlyBEthe following ship with or are offered via separate d/l ... don't remember which, but I have them installedaustrianbritish airwaysiberialiatlufthansatyroleanwideroeCheers,Paul BenoitKSAN

Ok, I've looked at the various screenshots and read the forum.1) The exterior model seems pretty decent2) The panels look cartoonish and FS98/2000ish3) FS Quality writes about this package:"By the way... talking about the manual. As our Dash with all itsdifferent systems is truely a very complex aircraft, it isunderstood, that we provide a very extensive manual thatreaches from a quick start section to a very precise descriptionof all of the aircraft's systems."They consider 70 pages to be "extensive"? The ATR manual by Flight 1 is close to 500 pages long. Also, I see no indication that a thorough tutorial flight is included.4) The FMC apparently still has limited functionality. What is missing? Can you load a pre-created flightplan, say, via FS9 or FSBuild, into the FMC?ricardo

>4) Can you load a pre-created flightplan, say, via FS9>or FSBuild, into the FMC?Now - if you are looking for "realism" , then that wouldn't be very realistic - would it!Barry

This is one of those addons that promised so much for so for so long but fell short at delivery. I love the freeware Fanda dash 8 which only adds to my disappointment at what has been offered in the payware version. At this stage still very much work in progress. But they may get there in the end I certainly hope so.Bruceb

For real world training purposes, MajesticSoftware has not fallen short in any area. The aircraft flys and performs the way it is expected to as a Procedural Training Device. This product is being utilized by airlines and Professional Pilots, and has even been certified by the JAA.There are a few items that most simmers are a bit disappointed with such as a 70 page manual (which has the pertinent information to get you started from cold and dark to flying the aircraft), and the panel representation. The downside to that is creating a high fidelity panel may yield low FPS, which will then create another dissapointment issue amongst the flight simulator community.Crosswind

>For real world training purposes, MajesticSoftware has not>fallen short in any area. The aircraft flys and performs the>way it is expected to as a Procedural Training Device. This>product is being utilized by airlines and Professional Pilots,>and has even been certified by the JAA.Which airlines? Where can the JAA certification be found?>There are a few items that most simmers are a bit disappointed>with such as a 70 page manual (which has the pertinent>information to get you started from cold and dark to flying>the aircraft), and the panel representation. The downside to>that is creating a high fidelity panel may yield low FPS,>which will then create another dissapointment issue amongst>the flight simulator community.Photoreal 2D panel graphics are not going to slow the sim appreciably. I'll accept the idea as a poorly-informed opinion...but sure hope that's not Majestik's final answer.I liked the Fanda freeware DHC-8...and accepted the primitive graphics with its status as freeware in mind. A payware bird at this price with these sorts of panel bitmaps is somewhat underwhelming.Bob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Thank you for your insight on this matter Mr. Scott. Now I have been educated.

>>and has even been certified by the JAA.I'm sorry, but that simply isn't the case. There isn't a system utilising the Majestic Dash software that counts to loggable time as simulator. That isn't to say it couldn't be in the future, although I doubt the FS engine has the allround finnesse to be anything like an effective substitude for the real things, which is what would be required at this level.As some kind of MCC (Multi Crew Cooperation) trainer it would probably serve quite nicely, but procedural trainer time can't be logged and doesn't involve certification. In fact a suitable MCC trainer is two chairs and a cardboard mock-up of a cockpit.The JAA doesn't recognise PCATDS as valid training devices either. It does BITD (Basic Instr Training Device), but only for as a basic instrument trainer and the most that can be logged is 10hrs. Way below the requirements of Dash 8 trainees. FNPT2 sims don't are twin mockups and are both simpler and more capable than the FS engine for various reasons. >>This product is being utilized by airlines and Professional PilotsThis maybe the case, in the same way that Aeronix (sp?) PS2 744 PC simulator was used by some FTOs and pilots to learn 744 systems prior or during their type ratings.

I haven't tried it yet but I can tell you it's primary design purpose was for training purposes. There will likely be a slight downside on some graphics in order to keep fps up.One thing I would say from experience over the years is not to read too much in to a screen shot or two. I've seen screen of my own work that look crap and in game it looked great. I'm sure the same applies to any problem.I'm certainly very interested in getting this aircraft.

WHat are Frolov's credentials, I assume he is an experienced commercial pilot and instructor. I laughed my socks off at the AS2 guy (Nomisoft) who has produced AS2 Pro. Claims it is an FNTP2 capable simulator. The chap's only experience is flying a simulator and there appears to be no credible sponsor. Surely you got to have a background in the training business to know what is required from a trainer. AS2 Pro as an EFIS FNPT2 isn't it because people don't fly MD80 EFIS simulators to practice for their IR skills test in a 1980's Senca!I generally suspect the "Pro version" tag, however well intentioned, will just help sell more lower-end versions as it adds kudos to the entire product range.