Jason_Peters

This is looking great as usual! As a 747 Classic (USAF E-4B) Flight Engineer, I can't wait for this one. I get to play with 747's at work, and soon I'll be doing the same at home! ha! The 747 is an amazing machine, you guys that are willing to learn the systems are in for a treat.

This is awesome! I did my PPL and IFR with the fine folks at Atlas Aviation located at KTPF, while I was assigned to nearby MacDill AFB. I've since moved to the Omaha area for another assignment, and KTPF was/is the only thing I dearly missed, what a great little airport! Thanks for putting this together! It looks great! Is it P3Dv3 compatible?

I jumped in with both feet and updated my recently completed install. I had literally just completed my move from FSX the day prior, and was finally happy with P3Dv3. So, I wasn't 100%, but I gave it a go anyway. I'm happy to report, no issues! I updated both client and content per the instructions without any problems. I'm still sorting out issues with REX4-TD, P3Dv3 doesn't seem to care for the airfield bump maps and I believe I read the water animations cause issues as well. After removing those, the flashing ground has ceased and the sim looks really nice. I also noticed my graphics card (GTX 960, running 361.43) does NOT like dynamic reflections enabled for some reason. It keeps locking up the graphics driver, after which it recovers but this causes P3D to CTD. I'll have to experiment...

As a Flight Engineer on classic 747's (E-4B, which is a modified -200) I just can not wait for this model! The 747 is one of those planes you just can't help but fall in love with once exposed...

I recently purchased P3D and plan to move my extensive FSX installation over towards the new sim. I installed P3D to a new separate SSD, and intend to move all my sim related software to this drive. As I start to install things to P3D, should I uninstall items from FSX on the other drive to prevent registry and file location issues? Trying to get things re-installed as clean as possible...

MJ, Thanks for the info on FSUIPC, should prove very helpful. I realize there are many P3D installers. However, I wasn't sure whether or not I should remove the copies installed to FSX on the other drive before installing a new copy to P3D in order to ensure there are no registry mix ups... Installing any new sim is always a chore!

I decided to try the same earlier this year and wound up at United Virtual. So far it's been fairly enjoyable, and has added some much needed variety to my virtual flying schedule. http://www.united-virtual.com/

What is the best way to move things over to P3D? Should I uninstall items from FSX as I reinstall them to P3D on the new drive? Is it possible to move my keyboard and FSUIPC configurations over? Any help is appreciated as I start to tackle this over the coming days, hoping to be flying my first P3D revenue flight for my VA this weekend!

So, as an update the upgrade continues... I got a little carried away with phase one, and added the following in addition to what was described above: 500GB SSD for P3Dv3 to reside on Dell U3415W 34" / 21:9 Ultrawide Display Phase two begins today, as I install Prepar3D and get things up and running. So far the primary challenges I see on the horizon, are the costs associated with re-purchasing a few of my favorite aircraft which I intend to spread out over the next few months (hopefully the holiday sales will help with this) and getting UT2 up and running comparably to what I had with FSX.

Well, phase one complete! (Though I wasn't able to avoid detection by the wife radar...but hey, I'm still alive! LOL) Made a few updates to the rig: Purchased/Installed the 4Gb GTX 960 GPU mentioned previously Purchased/Installed updated cooling fans as well as two additional fans (changed my Corsair h100 to push/pull config) The addition of the new fans, plus the change in config let me push the overclock a tad as well, so I'm now a stable 4.4ghz. Nice and cool, idling at 28-30C, full load at 68C, not too shabby! Phase two is next, looks like the P3Dv3 installers are starting to roll in. I'd like to start the transition this month as I'm excited to see how the upgrades work out. But, I'd still like to see a few more installers, and I need to spread the costs out as this change will hit the pocket book for a while to come. Hopefully, the upgrades get me the intended results!

Hadn't noticed that, nice to to see Jim over at Flight1 is his usual peachy self, some folks just really push his buttons... LOL That is a hard pill to swallow, I could live without it, but the GTN really makes the 182 and Turbine Duke come to life... I think this discussion has me moving in the right direction, but it's looking like I'll roll slowly at first and let the add-ons catch up. Perhaps I'll order that GPU... Just have to figure how to keep under the wife's tactical radar... :ph34r: ... Keep the talk going fella's, what are those of us that look at the investment missing?

Thankfully when I built the system I sprung for an 850watt power supply. So I think I have plenty of power reserve to swap the card. I was looking at: http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Dual-Link-Graphics-04G-P4-3967-KR/dp/B012NOWERC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443837456&sr=8-1&keywords=04G-P4-3967-KR I gave some thought to what I would want in the sim ASAP and the add-ons below are what I'd have to purchase again: A2A C182 PMDG 737NGX (Base only) RealAir Turbine Duke FlightOne GTN 750 Add the cost of P3Dv3 (I qualify for Academic though Professional is likely more appropriate) and the updated GPU and I'm looking at roughly $500 total (Academic License). Looking at the rest of the list the only remaining must haves would be the PMDG 777X & 300, and the VRS Superbug & TacPack (when available for v3) Which would be another $260 or so down the road...

Thanks for the feedback fella's. I agree with the fact that a move ultimately supports the hobby. A hobby that has kept me entertained for some 24 years or so, I'd definitely like that to continue. Something I did not take into account with regard to a move to P3Dv3 is whether my system is ready to handle it. It is definitely a bit long in tooth (built it in 2011). Without getting into the kinda specifics that push us over to the hardware forum, what would need to be done in order to push the sliders to the right with about 30fps? Basic specs currently: CPU: I7-2600K (stable overclock to 4.2ghz, liquid cooled) RAM: 8gb GPU: GeForce 560ti 1gb OS Drive: 240gb SSD Data Drive: 500gb 7200rpm, 6gb/s FSX runs at a stable 30fps, unless I load PMDG type aircraft at large detailed scenery then it's 15ish. I'm thinking another SSD specific to P3Dv3, say 500gb or so, and an updated GPU (GTX 960 ?) would get it done. Thoughts?

450+ views and only one reply. Either 449 people have the same questions I do, or no one has a point of view to share except Mike (Thanks Mike! ). Really though, no one else has any thoughts? What's the scoop on this beast known as Prepar3d? What was it that made you jump into the money pit and toss FSX into the retirement bin?

So, I'm an avid simmer. I have been simming since the days of Sublogic ATP, and MSFS 3.0, and as you might imagine I have quite the investment in FSX. With the recent release of P3Dv3, I decided it may be time to look into what it would take to upgrade to the new platform, and boy was that eye opening! After purchasing P3Dv3 Academic, and paying for any required upgrades for the various add-ons I really enjoy (A2A, PMDG, VRS, etc.) I'm looking at around $600 to upgrade!! :Black Eye: So, was it worth it? Is it that much of a leap forward? My FSX is running mostly stable and I'm fairly happy with it. I am just fearful of being left behind as far as the latest add-ons are concerned. $600 seems nuts to me for some reason, even though I realize I have spent much more over the life of FSX... Thoughts?

I'm not so sure the 757/767 is off the table. Does anyone else besides me remember that a 757 was one of PMDG's first complete aircraft? I believe prior to this they focused on custom flight manual sets, and .air files for various simulators. I was the proud owner of the 757 for Terminal Reality's Fly! sim, it was the gateway drug to the procedural simulations we enjoy today! Ha! Perhaps RSR and team are feeling nostalgic, and wish to take us back to the beginning? Regardless, I'm holding out hope for a PMDG 787. As an FE I really enjoy using PMDG's simulations to learn all the different aspects & quirks of each machine. With the 787 having such a unique new approach to its systems design I bet it would be fascinating to learn. I imagine this is unlikely though, the computer system overhead required for those display's would be incredible! At the end of the day, as some others have remarked, anything PMDG is a day one purchase. Meanwhile, bring on the 747's! It'll be just like work, 'cept with glass panels, and nicer motors, and an autopilot that's not a piece of #$%, and my chair is missing...Who provides the adult supervision on these things now?

Absolutely amazing machine! RealAir does it again! This is my go to GA machine for sure, I just can't stop flying it! I took delivery and flew it back to Omaha. Today was Omaha to North Platte, then on to Aspen. Thinking Telluride next... Love it! IMO the only thing missing is icing effects on the airframe and windshield (similar to the F1 King Air, or Mustang). I found myself wishing for a little ice as I drifted through the clouds over central Colorado today on my descent. I'm sure this was a conscious design choice, and in no way does it detract from the aircraft at all. It's really the only thing I could think of that was missing, immersion wise, and maybe some more options for panel toys... Like an Aspen PFD or somn'. A fella' can dream right? Now to think up a custom paint scheme and tail number, then fly the new family bird to the paint shop... Any interested painters? Ha! Thanks RealAir!

Hubert, The colored arcs are pretty straight forward, and there is only one white arc. The Top of which is equal to the aircraft's maximum speed with flaps extended, and the bottom equates to the aircraft stall speed with full flaps and landing gear down. The 2nd white arc you may be seeing is likely in the lower left of the instrument and is the True Airspeed indicator. You would set the current temperature deviation, and pressure altitude in the top window with the knob and read the resultant "True Airspeed" in the window. Without the correction the normal speed read on the indicator is "Indicated Airspeed". Airspeed can be a somewhat confusing discussion. There are many types to consider: Indicated Airspeed - Speed read off the indicator uncorrected for atmospheric density, installation error, or instrument error. Calibrated Airspeed - Indicated airspeed corrected for installation or instrument error. True Airspeed - Calibrated airspeed corrected for temperature deviation and altitude. Groundspeed - The actual speed of the aircraft over the ground. I hope this helps!

Well, we had a stern discussion. Sometimes you have to be a hard nosed Captain, with these young FO's (it's my understanding she recently upgraded to the 777). It seems the misunderstanding was cleared up for now, she put the gear down as directed on the arrival, and we had no further issues. I'm looking forward to another leg, small issues aside she's a sharp FO! I'm not sure what it was, but it worked fine on the arrival. I checked the CVR postflight and the 'gear up' was not recognized during the takeoff. However my subsequent plea's after she reminded me the gear was down as I called for the 'after takeoff' check were, all of them in fact. In any case, it worked fine on arrival. I'm sure it was just a missed speech recognition, no worries. On a side note, can 'gear up' & 'gear down' calls be enabled in all phases of flight? It seems it may only be recognized prior to the after takeoff, and during the approach landing? There are some non-standard situations where it would be nice to command gear down prior to the approach, such as using it to increase drag for a more rapid descent, or perhaps brake cooling. Not common I realize, but a useful tool never the less. As long as the speed checks the FO should drop it on command. Thanks for the great job! It feels great to operate a heavy the way it is intended!

Nope not muted, and all the other commands have been fine... Weird... Maybe she's just got an attitude... lol

I'm pretty happy with my new FO on my latest leg (PHNL-KDEN). However on departure I called for 'gear up' and nothing happened? Is it not the FO's responsibility to place gear handle as indicated on pg NP.21.38? It'll be a post flight debrief item for sure... lol Seriously though. Any thoughts on what's wrong guys? Gear down is not working either. Both voice commands are properly recognized (confirmed via the green band) but no action is taken. The key assignment is the standard G key.

Great job! Can't wait for these to be available!

I've been using the DynamicFriction mod for some time now and love it! Wonderful change to taxiing! I'm curious however, what the impact of increasing the script speed from 30kts to say 150kts would be? I'd like to have the increased sliding friction available at landing speeds, as I feel like the aircraft tend to slide much too easy to when landing in a crosswind. That being said, I'm concerned about major impacts to takeoff/landing distance as well. I understand we may not be able to have it both ways. Another thought I had was potentially expanding the script to add another stage. Say, between 30-150kts (150 is an arbitrary choice, you'd need a speed that would cover VRef for most aircraft). So it would dynamically switch between taxi, takeoff/landing, and standard friction settings. Though I am completely unfamiliar with Lua, and not even sure this is feasible. Thoughts?

When that happens, go to your addon menu in FSX and restart Coutal. Should fix it right up without having to exit FSX. :good: Not sure what causes it, though all the Coutal airports (FSDreamTeam, FlightBeam, etc. are susceptible to it) Hopefully it'll save you from exiting the sim next time! B)

Thanks for the reply, PM on the way! :smile: