jd,I actually find Game Commander 2 a big improvement over #1. I don't have too much problem but it takes some trial & error to pick the right sounds (not too long, not too short, etc) which are also distinct enough to avoid any ambiguity. I think I mastered this art to perfection so GC2 works OK for me. For any upfront effort I invest into programming GC I think I am getting a handsome return.Michael J.

>i was thinking it would be easier to have the menu choices, >be joystick buttons, for those who didn't want to use a >keyboard. is that an option for you? Hi JD,You may be right, but the situation around Fs2002 is becoming ever more complex. I'm running Fs2002, RC, and now FDC, all simultaneously, and each can have a need for joystick buttons.The demand for joystick buttons is greatly diminished, by using the mouse to click the control panel, which IMHO is a work of genius. If the control panel goes, I for one am sure going to miss it!!Keep up the good work!Jim H.

>Jim, >>Actually, using the scrolling functions of the CP, you >should be able to maneuver through the menus the same as >now. It's a good question, though. Someone will probably >check. Hi Michael,Sounds good!! :-)Cheers, Jim H.

>I agree I hate keyboard - I often fly at night and can't see >individual keys at all. >>On the other hand I have no more buttons left on my >joystick. They are used for key items like flaps, views, >spoilers, etc. >>For me the only sensible option is to use the Game Commander >to voice activate ATC menu. Even if I have to say "2", "3", >.. etc to do it I think using voice for ATC is the most >natural thing. I only hope/pray that one day the menu will >be "Game Commander friendly" allowing easy access with >nothing displayed on the screen. (C4TO works like this in >FLY however it has a very limited set of choices). >>Michael J. Hi Michael,My situation exactly. Buttons and hats pretty well all used up, keyboard sitting beyond my CH Pro Yoke and Pro Throttle almost out of reach, and with the lights dimmed while flying at night I can't see the ****** thing anyway! I use a big trackball, which sits beside the yoke, and is ideal for clicking the RC Control Panel.Your reference to Game Commander is interesting. I have an old registered version of the programme around here somewhere. I never had much success with it. I don't know whether the lack of success was to do with the quality of the headset I was using, or the quality (lack of maybe) of my very husky voice. The voice is the reason I am most definitely not interested in doing my own recordings for FDC!Regards, Jim

john hnidec contacted me last night, and he was suggesting integrating the radar contact control panel, with his new fsflightmax display. sounds like the best of both worlds, radar and and radar contact command buttons

>john hnidec contacted me last night, and he was suggesting >integrating the radar contact control panel, with his new >fsflightmax display. sounds like the best of both worlds, >radar and and radar contact command buttons Sounds interesting. Is there info around somewhere on John Hnidec's Fsflightmax display?Jim H

avsim home page i think

Jim,>I'm running Fs2002, RC, and now >FDC, all simultaneously, and each can have a need for >joystick buttons. How do you like FDC? I'm considering buying it.Another option for reducing the need for joystick buttons is to get something like Game Commander, so you can use voice commands instead of joystick/keyboard. That's something else I'm considering. I wonder how many of these programs we can run at one time before it all starts crashing....Sidney Schwartz [KPDX]

>avsim home page i think Hi JD,Thanks, I found the reference. Very complex instrument with a mind boggling amount of information available. Ideal use would be on a second monitor with WideView or such.For access to RC, on a single monitor, without taking up space, I hope RCCP continues to function with V3.For anyone curious about FsFlightmax, this is the urlhttp://www.simsystems.com.au/fsflightmax/index.htmlCheers, Jim H.

>3) you will not be able to fly cross country, on the same >transponder code, you will be instructed to change it at random >intervalsIn the real world I never had to change transponder codes when flying airline equipment IFR. I don't think having this "feature" in RC would be a benefit, just added workload.Diane

>Jim, >>>I'm running Fs2002, RC, and now >>FDC, all simultaneously, and each can have a need for >>joystick buttons. >>How do you like FDC? I'm considering buying it. >>Another option for reducing the need for joystick buttons is >to get something like Game Commander, so you can use voice >commands instead of joystick/keyboard. That's something else >I'm considering. I wonder how many of these programs we can >run at one time before it all starts crashing.... >>Sidney Schwartz [KPDX] Hi Sydney,I consider FDC as much of an enhancemant in its own way, as RC.If you have all the options in RC, then there is some overlap, as they both do chatter and various cabin announcements etc.RC obviously majors in ATC, and has a super copilot to handle radios and/or fly the aircraft.FDC majors in Captain/Copilot interaction, starting with ineractive checklists, and going on to the most important function - Copilot will extend and retract flaps and gear for you, as preset in performace files which are present for default MSFS aircraft, and can be completed from scratch by the user for any other aircraft. (I've done one for a Trident 2E, and another for a Super VC10.)FDC also does chatter, flightdeck announcements, cabin announcements, and speed and gpws calls.RC, IMHO is the foremost ATC programme available. FDC doesn't compete with it in any way, but complements it to a high degree. It takes a bit of work to tailor both programmes, so that they run together without clashing. I'm a bit slow, so it took me about a week of spare time effort, but the result is well worth it, if you are into airline type flying.To illustrate, I have RC's Jamie handling the radios right off. After she has finished with ground, FDC's Captain and First Officer (who is a girl) do the checks, pushback, start the engines, and taxi out to the active, various flight deck and cabin announcements take place on the way. Brakes on, and Jamie calls Tower, FDC does pre takeoff checks, Jamie accepts runway and takeoff clearance, FDC does the Vspeed calls, handles the flaps and gear, Jamie handles Departure and will take over the controls if required, FDC does post takeoff and climb checks. After all that while Jamie continues to do the radio work, there are a few cabin and flightdeck announcements along the way. Descent and landing follow a similar pattern of cooperation between RC and FDC.You have to be careful to brake to a stop at the gate without using the parking brake, so that FDC can more or less finish, and allow RC the last word, after setting the brake. Well you wouldn't want to miss the RC Controller's compliments on your flying abilities, now would you!!! :-)I hope this gives you a feeling for what the combination is like.Regards, Jim H.

Hi Jim, >I hope this gives you a feeling for what the combination is >like. It certainly does....thanks much! I was already leaning towards buying it....you pushed me off the fence. :-waveSidney Schwartz [KPDX]

1) no more limitation of 39 checkpoints in flight plan. version 3's limit is 299. anyone need more ;-)2) transition levels for departure, enroute and arrival. they can all be the same, they can all be different. transition levels are saved from session to session with the associated flight plan3) you can now leave frequency to get weather while in arrival's airspace4) version 3 will remember where you retrieved your last .apl file, and remembers what the last .apl file you used is5) here's a good one. it is an option, saved from session to session. "pilot auto reply". it will be on, by default. this will give you the same experience as in version 1.x and 2.x, where the pilot will auto reply to each instruction given by the controller. as you become more familiar with radar contact, you can turn that off, and then you will have to press a key to acknowledge. you can also press a key to repeat, and when applicable, press a key to say unable.

There's about 50 other things, but two of note are:6) Can request higher/lower altitude in arrival's airspace. I really like this one myself.7) Oh my gosh! We're out of lemon-soaked napkins! We need to return to the airport immediately (alternately, We ran out of Twinkies over Las Vegas and need an immediate clearance into whatever airport is next to a 7-11).Telling too much? ;-)Now...about those 299 waypoints... :-lol

JD, v3 sounds exciting. I've been giving the default ATC on FS2k2 a real good tryout recently, and am not impressed. Spoiled, I suppose, with RC. What annoyed me most were the silly handoffs. For example in the middle of France, getting handed off to Wittering approach: that's in Eastern England; over the Irish Sea on the way to Dublin getting handed off to Benson -- that's a RAF base near Oxford, and so on. Your v3 won't have any nasties like that, will it?Best wishes for completion of the project. :-wave Don Hunt