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Hello-

Pilot Training System is conducting a closed beta test of its ClimaDrive software system http://www.pilottrainingsystem.com/discoverClimadrive.php that plugs into Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) - Acceleration and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D versions 1-4.

We are seeking beta testers who are avid users of one or more of these PC-based simulators and are interested in trying out a new weather-simulation feature, and preference will be given to users who are familiar with other weather addons.

Pilot Training System will offer a complimentary one-year subscription to ClimaDrive for users who agree to participate in the closed beta.

If you meet the requirements above and are interested, please sign up ASAP (limited seats available): https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1F9uOrHwuaNwBnL

Thanks,

Chris Johnson, PhD, CFII, MEI
Founder & CEO, Pilot Training System

4620 Frey St. #318.

Madison, WI 53705
(608) 620-4315
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnsonpts/
http://www.pilottrainingsystem.com/

This will certainly be of interest for Jcomm.

The site is copyright 2015... three years back... ??

Looks very interesting, specially after watching the video on the site, but I don’t like the subscription idea which is enough for me not to participate: I don’t want to get all excited about an addon that after the free year of use turns out to cost a fortune. It is made for official training, not for home simmers, so it seems to me. 

3 hours ago, J van E said:

It is made for official training, not for home simmers, so it seems to me. 

That is correct Jeroen. They've been developing the whole system for a while. IIRC it is/was an FAA sponsored endeavor. The weather implementation is relatively recent.

Vic

4 hours ago, J van E said:

It is made for official training, not for home simmers, so it seems to me. 

Interesting. Official training?  Does that indicate that rather than reproducing accurate real-time real-world weather, which most of us cherish, this one is instead aimed at setting up conditional weather situations for training purposes?  Such as ceilings, visibility, crosswind landings, icing conditions, and the like?

Real time or historic or search for specific.

 

Vic

I'm going to have to agree with Jeroen, a 1 year subscription is not enough to interest me especially given the time involved in a true test of the software, not to mention the high degree of labor involved just in continual system reconfiguration. To be worthwhile to the program, one would have to build a system just for this testing and then devote a great deal of time each week to testing.  I do this for some software testing, but I'm usually paid to do that.

 

So initial comments are more about the subscription base product rather than the product concept itself. Interesting.

Vic

I think that given the way the gaming industry is going, flight simmers are rightfully concerned about the pricing model in a increasingly expensive hobby.  I personally worry about software as a service (SWAS), i just about tolerate paying yearly for my Navigraph subscription, if companies decide to go down the SWAS route i'll be taking a bow and leaving the hobby.

I think a lot depends on what type of service we're talking about. I subscribe to Navigraph - can't get along without it. When I was flying IRL I had a Western States Jepp subscription, etc. 

I don't think it's reasonable to make a blanket statement about SWAS *BUT* I am generally in agreement with you.

Vic