Almost every decent add-on for X-Plane has raindrops on the windshield while I cant think of one example in P3D. So, clearly, it must be easier to implement it on X-Plane. It boggles my mind that a developer like PMDG won´t offer things that most users of the platform are used to and expect. 

 

Thiago Braun

 

Unfortunately, most of them have some important shortfalls. While some even manage to produce a quite realistic behaviour of the water on your windshield (e. g. IXEG), they all depend on the limited capacity of the weather engine in X-Plane. That being said, how immersive can it be to have perfectly animated rain on your windshield, while you're flying just above the overcast, blinded by the sunlight? Unfortunately something none of the addons can cure; it's linked to the limits in X-Plane's weather engine itself. If one day Laminar miracously finds a way around this (i. e. create datarefs that precisely tell you whether you're in "plausibly wet" condition or not (including precise positioning relative to clouds etc.), then it certainly becomes time for reopening this debate.

 

 

"DC-6, max wing flex (before skin deformation occurred) was 12 feet, six up, six down. (This comes from the DC6/7program Engineering Manager)."

 

That is detached from the aircraft in an engineering test rig designed to bend the wing until it deforms and then breaks to verify design basis calculations.  During flight operating within the certified operating range no, you're not going to see noticeable deflection.

 

 

"DC-6, max wing flex (before skin deformation occurred) was 12 feet, six up, six down. (This comes from the DC6/7program Engineering Manager)."  

 

They're testing beyond design tolerances to find out how much above 'normal' it will take. Airframes were a lot more rigid at the time.

 

 

 

Regarding my bug comment, no hard feelings meant, I just don't chug the PMDG does no wrong Kool-Aid as hard as others around here.

 

True, but there's no need to be unnecessarily critical, either.

 

 

 

Disappointed proper sound modelling wasn't included in initial release.

 

People keep mentioning this as if it's a default function of the sim. It's not, like a lot of the other stuff.

 

 

 

Offer a path to update my license for a nominal fee to P3D when available and I'll buy it tonight.

 

P3D exists in an entirely different functional and market environment. As such, it has its own pricing structure independent of the other simulators.

WOW. Such a brilliant job PMDG!!

 

Is a more true to life engine start system one of the things you plan to look at in one of your promised updates by any chance?

 

This talk of windscreen rain and wing flex seem to be mere nice little eye candies whereas the dark art of proper priming and the clatter-clatter-bang of the engines starting must surely be the very essence of a big old piston-pounder!

 

I understand there may be limitations in the game engine and there has to be a cost/outcome calculation made from a commercial point of view. But i must admit, when going through the start-up checklist and getting to the "prime the engine" item to find all four switches flicking over at once my heart did sink a bit.

 

So should I look forward to seeing such an update?

 

 

So should I look forward to seeing such an update?

 

Full names on posts in the PMDG forums please... , and I guess you missed the recent thread with much emotional discussion on this subject.  PMDG said they are taking notice but are not hinting at any changes, and explained that they modeled it this way purposely to allow one person to do what actually requires three.., and then there were several suggestions on how to improve on that basis. Bottom line, the DC-6 dual wasp engines really do start relatively easy, the easy start sequence is intentional and no changes are forecast.

Thanks for the summary Dan, I did indeed miss that thread.

 

Now that I understand more of the developers thinking, I feel much more settled on the issue. I look forward to the many many hours of happy simming ahead!