Hello to all of the group, We, copilot and myself, completed our first RC flight this early morning and I can just say it was sheer pleasure. I really appreciate all the wonderful help that I received from the people on this forum plus the exceptional support I receive from the JD group. I don't think I have ever had that support anywhere else. It is really unfortunate that I got so frustrated when all this started but I simply couldn't make the connection between the two top menus. Once the lightbilb came on all the rest was simply intuitive just as John had said. I really enjoyed this RC flight and look forward to making more. The initial 'stage fright' is now gone and I think I am comfortable with using this, as I see now, wonderful product. This program being what it is I can only imagine what V3 will be like. Yet, let it be a surprise. I publicly apologize to Maury Pratt for knocking his praising of this product. The only non-rational excuse, and it is a lame one, is that I started off becoming utterly frustrated. So Maury, if you read this, please accept MY PUBLIC apology. One last note John. When this flight was completed and I halted the aircraft the speaker stated, and I guess that person was you, congratulated both of us on an error-free flight. I can only assume that, this being the first flight, any errors are overlooked. The copilot is great but I don't know about me. Actually I do but don't want to admit. Thanks to all of you.Blais

that was doug's dulcent voice congratulting. the only thing i would ask, is the next "blais" that comes along and is frustrated, you help him/her. that's how this forum has become so successful, at first the core people helped the newbies. then the newbies became experienced and helped the newbies, then they became experts and they helped the newbies. pretty soon there are a lot of expertsv3 will knock your socks off. the hardest thing to understand in all previous versions was the menuing system. as you said, once the light comes on, it's intuitive. some peoples light comes quickly, others it takes a while.the menuing system in v3, does not suffer this problem with a learning curve. it is what i wanted to do all along, but because of the limitations i had to work with, in the aplc (adventure programming langauge), what you saw in v1.x and v2.x was the best i could do.glad everything turned out the way it did. enjoy

Blais,I can only assume that, this being the first flight, any errors are overlooked.No sir, the radar contact controllers will not cut you any slack just because it's your first flight.As in the real world, once you enter the IFR system you're expected to perform within the parameters set out by 7110.65 FAA rules whether your're flying a C172 or a B747-400. The fact that you got a congratulatory message at the end of your flight was based solely upon your own expertise at handling the airplane, listening closely, and following the controllers instructions.So..."Congratulations, you've completed your radar contact adventure the way it ought to be done, no errors! You can fly in my airspace anytime, See ya next flight!" Mike CollierKPHX[table border=1 bgcolor=#eeeeee][tr][td rowspan=2] http://avsim.com/flightdeck/images/Radar_small.gif[/td][td]http://www.dispatcher.org|Dispatcher' target="_blank"> America West Airlines and proud to be a Beta Tester of[link:www.jdtllc.com]Radar Contact]The premiere ATC adventure add-on for FS

Thank you Mike, The credit really belongs to the lovely '1-0' co-pilot in her handling of the aircraft. She did all the work and it was very interesting to watch her handling of the aircraft especially in the STAR-APPROACH phase. My wife and I have flown this route many times as passengers and it was always interesting when on a United aircraft because a passenger could listen to ATC if he or she chose. I tried to pattern my FS flights along those lines prior to the use of the ATC programs now available. Last nights, this mornings, approach pattern seemed almost identical to the RW as far as a passenger can determine. Funny, she, Ms. 1-0, almost felt human. Then again, she was wasn't she. A lovely voice, well recorded and executed. I do plan on taking a more active role in suceeding flights though. We do need to give her some rest. She deserves it. Once again I have to thank JD, his group and a number of folks on this forum for helping me overcome my initial mental block. I guess as one gets older one becomes more akin to a mule. In retrospect, the learning curve was extremely frustrating but that made a successful first flight so much more rewarding.Good Afternoon MikeBlais

Hello John, I think it is only fair to assist anyone on this forum with the same level of assistance as I obtained myself. The folks are great.I will do the best I can. I do look forward to the release of your V3 and witness what you folks have up your sleeve. Should be interesting. I've beaten the heck out of the documentation and will not hammer it any longer. You folks know the road to take. I do have one question John. Departing KPVD Ms. 1-0 was directed to contact BOSTON center. As we made the transition to New York airspace she was directed to contact CENTER. Next she was directed to CLEVELAND center and finally CHICAGO center. What happened to poor NEW YORK center? I know many folks are fed-up with the 'Big Apple' but gee we can't hold ATC accountable for that, can we? Now to put the ADVDisp.DLL back in and see if the problem was me.Enjoy the nice afternoon.Blais