Randy J's suggestion - Real Pilots for Real Reviews.

[Mike T 208]

Randy:"This is why I believe Avsim should create two types of reviews and reviewers. We have many talented real world pilots for most every aircraft in FS who are a part of Avsim forum community, why not use them for indepth reviews?...."Actually, a great suggestion in practice and in the same breath, I would go even further to suggest that companies such as Precision Manuals ONLY use real world pilots as beta testers for future aircraft that way we are all assured of getting the most realistic flight models. But in such an instance I would hazard a guess that would preclude you from being a tester no?I do recall many non-pilot beta testers from many developers, such as yourself, who are ademant regarding the realistic merits of various aircraft when such testers, such as yourself, have actually 0 (zero) time in the respective aircraft. In practice however, such as thing is not practical. What about a review of a Comet or Constellation, how about DC8 or maybe a SR-71 Blackbird? I doubt that there is anyone on this forum qualified to comment on their respective realisms or lack thereof so in your scenarios there would be no one to review OR test them since the qualification to do so would require real world experience. May I draw your attention to the fact that one need not have met God to be a preacher, been to Mars to be an astronomer, been to every country on earth to be a geography teacher, or need to hear the symphony to be a great composer. I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds as an Avsim reviewer since I do not speak for them in this commentary, BUT, since you quoted MY review for your example, please at least allow me the courtesy of retort.

[Chaos81 110]

Seeing as you put a little bit of effort into this, why not tell us what in the world you are talking about.

[Guest jennifer]

?

[Guest LLgaz]

Simple: He's talking about Randy J's suggestion as stated above.

[mcwdainow 0]

Hes referencing to a reply made by Randy in another post.http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ode=full#296895I agree with him, the problem I can imagine is finding the people available to do it.

[Guest allcott]

I agree with Randy. Horses for Courses. But unless Randy's a qualified IT specialist why is he allowed to post in a forum online? Unless he's a qualified journalist why is he allowed to have an opinion and write it down?And unless he's an Airbus pilot why is HE allowed to express an opinion about the Airbus addon in question?Slippery slope you're on there Randy. By all means state your case, but to then make a case denying others the opportunity to do the same because they don't possess some aribtrary qualification is simply hypocritical, when you don't possess the qualification or the authority either!OK, so the review is challenged. Isn't that what reviews are? Opinions of the author.? The ONLY problem I see with this particular review, as with most others, is the apparent official acknowledgement of the opinion by Avsim by recognising Brian as an Avsim Staff Reviewer. I think its a bit difficult to argue that the opinions expressed represent just those of the author when he's got an `official` badge hung round his neck. The implication is that his review is endorsed by Avsim. Is it?Allcott

[Guest Centurion]

I agree with Randy. His points remind of a particular individual on the PMDG forum who would consistently provide opinions and technical advice on 737 ops and handling characteristics.....without even holding a pilot's certificate! :-roll

[Guest bobsk8]

I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago on the fact that so many people don't use or are too lazy to use the quote function when they post a response to something someone else said on this forum , and I also provided a couple of examples of the resulting confusion that could happen when you are only reading one side of a conversation. Of course, many of the forum "experts" had to point out why I was wrong in posting that, and going on to tell me that my posts wasn't correct, and I should use threaded view and on and on, just to avoid what would be sensible for most of us to read. The post at the top of this thread is a perfect example of what I was talking about.........

[Guest Rayed]

>Randy:>>"This is why I believe Avsim should create two types of>reviews and reviewers. We have many talented real world pilots>for most every aircraft in FS who are a part of Avsim forum>community, why not use them for indepth reviews?....">>Actually, a great suggestion in practice and in the same>breath, I would go even further to suggest that companies such[... snip]>May I draw your attention to the fact that one need not have>met God to be a preacher, been to Mars to be an astronomer,>been to every country on earth to be a geography teacher, or>need to hear the symphony to be a great composer. >[...] snipI'll repeat myself here. I am for one very happy that AVSIM reviews are written by gamers, users, hobbysts, you call it.. and not real life pilots.Here are my personal reasons for it.- first is FS9 has the same in common with reality as cow with car - both things move ;)- FS9 is very fine piece of gaming sofware, when it is not treated as pilot training tool or a booster for armchair pilots :) AVSIM reviewers seems to treat it like it should be treated - a game which has to be fun (even if they don't admit it). Real life pilot will get bored with it in few seconds, so review would be boring.- reviews here give me enough of info to agree is disagree with reviewer and buy or not. I am not obligated to share reviewer opinion, but if they state the facts correctly (even if they make it bit better than in reality for some reasons) it's still very helpfull and informative.- I have few rules I use on internet since 1995. First is "no person on internet is a woman until proven" (and there is only one way to prove), second rule is "no person on internet is real airline pilot until proven" (and no real life pilot will even want to prove anything on internet forum) ;).- Last thing, I seriously doubt working real life airliner pilot would have time and will to even read our forum, not to mention reviewing something.. Of course there are always retired people who by my small experience are great in explaining things and in general talking about aviation, so maybe AVSIM might find someone among them.- lots of pilots aren't even allowed to brag about airlinie they work for, not to mention aircrafts they fly.So imo, AVSIM reviews are fine as they are and thanks for all reviewers for they good job. Personally I could care less about how Airbus fly in real life as I'll never pilot one and FS will never even come close.P.S. Just please stop using this "cartoony' addon for screenshots, thank you :)

[Guest SPOFF]

<- first is FS9 has the same in common with reality as cow with car - <- FS9 is very fine piece of gaming sofware, when it is not treated as pilot training tool or a booster for armchair pilots AVSIM reviewers seems to treat it like it should be treated - a game which has to be fun (even if they don't admit it). Real life pilot will get bored with it in few seconds, so review would be boring.<- reviews here give me enough of info to agree is disagree with reviewer and buy or not. I am not obligated to share reviewer opinion, but if they state the facts correctly (even if they make it bit better than in reality for some reasons) it's still very helpfull and informative.<- I have few rules I use on internet since 1995. First is "no person on internet is a woman until proven" (and there is only one way to prove), second rule is "no person on internet is real airline pilot until proven" (and no real life pilot will even want to prove anything on internet forum) .<- Last thing, I seriously doubt working real life airliner pilot would have time and will to even read our forum, not to mention reviewing something.. Of course there are always retired people who by my small experience are great in explaining things and in general talking about aviation, so maybe AVSIM might find someone among them.<- lots of pilots aren't even allowed to brag about airlinie they work for, not to mention aircrafts they fly.

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

Well, I am over 40 and a now medically retired private pilot. And so are a number of other AVSIM staff (over 40 that is). So, does that mean you don't trust us? Aw shucks.

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

Mike,I admire your restraint. :)My two pence worth... Were we a "pay for" access site, we could do just about anything, including hiring "professional" reviewers and former or current pilots.Were we a "pay for" access site, I would have a lot more tolerance for the type of BS that we are subjected to. In fact, if we were a pay for site, we would have tons of sympathy for those who hold us to a higher standard.We are a FREEWARE site run by, contributed to, and supported by volunteers. Expectations are like elbows. Everyone has at least one. To hold us to a standard that even the pay for sites in today's flight sim community are not required to achieve is, frankly, BS.

[LAdamson 240]

That about covers everything I was thinking............pretty well! :D L.Adamson

[Guest SPOFF]

It's hard to tell who's replying to who in this forum ..maybe when I get used to how it works..... L.Adamson: I know you are a pilot..your response confused me..Oh well. My comment was made "Tongue in Cheek"..just to "Tweak" that poster. SPOFF

[Guest SPOFF]

For those who might ask? PPL: Private Pilot License. SEL: Single Engine Land. MEL: Multi Engine Land. SES: Single Engine Sea. MES: Multi Engine Sea.That's the initial list. It goes well beyond that for advanced stuff. I post this because I don't want Non Pilots to think Pilots are "Elite". What are you kidding?? SPOFF