3JaysDad

Maybe it's me..... Can someone please explain to me what TOPCAT does or provides that the NGX FMS doesn't?? The PMDG CDU already caluclates the necessary V-speeds for takeoff and after reading through Tutorial #2 (great job BTW) I am still at a loss to figure out exactly what value TOPCAT provides for the NGX..... Feel free to enlighten me...Thanks!Phil

Hi all, I know there are a ton of cost index topics, and I'm aware of the "master" list that has been posted here, yet I feel that list may be outdated or a rough approximation.I mostly fly the 800 winglet, and the 700 winglet for Southwest, and I wanted to ask for input on the most accurate Cost index for the following airlines:United ContinentalDelta (I believe it's 17)AmericanSouthwestWith all the real world crews that appear to visit this board nowadays, I'm hoping they can chime in as well.Thanks!

That only reinforces what I said above. PMDG needs to do a better job of managing customers' expectations. Ryan and Robert shouldn't be singing from different sheets of music. The message should be clear and consistent, even if the message is that we need to wait a few weeks. And, again, I'm fine with waiting.

Thing is the sdk was stated as finished in November, tutorial was stated as finished last week, the sp was also stated as complete by Robert, with delays now being due to internal software updates and installer software, which was all great information given by the team. The final information was that all was pretty much done with that by reference the "soon" statement. Another weekend drifts by with no comment from the team to say why soon had not yet come. Its not the length of delay, time taken to sort whatever it is, it's the communication that leads readers to think that something is imminent, soon is not weeks in my book, my boss certainly wouldn't appreciate my use of the term only to give him the work months later.As stated also the sdk is what many are wanting, other than fs2crew, there many other developments that will make use of the SDK and ssd much to the use of the ngx. But for me, and as been the main reason that all other PMDG products get shelved and replaced by the leveld 767 is the sdk opens up support for hardware properly, which in m view turns any sim, regardless of its systems depth, graphics etc, from a simtoy havng to use my mouse and keyboard, to a proper sim that I can control correctly with hardware, and not scrambling for click spots with my mouse whilst handling etc. it's why I'm looking forward to seeing the queen updated with an sdk.So for me the fixes will be nice, the tutorial will be good to expand my knowledge, but the sdk is what will allow me to fly the ngx even better and more realistically. I'm happy to wait, just rather then information that came out was more descriptive, factual, and regular. I'm happily half way round my second round the world trip in the ngx, so a good few thousands of miles to go yet before I make it to Eham to start up with the tutorial, just ask that pmdg think a little more about the frequency and content of the information they put out.Of course they coud be just waiting for the flight release, and release the same day, to put the point across to Microsoft that people want a sim not a game.

Looks like we may have a full package ? SDK, SP1c, Tutorial 2.

+1. PMDG promised full 2D panel functionality. This is not a thread about 2D v. 3D flying..... it's about delivering on a promise. If the 777 comes out without 2D panels, it's up to the individual to decide if they can live with it.I just want what I was promised..... and I don't think it should be too difficult. The 2D throttle panel in the previous PMDG 737NG worked just fine thank you.Phil

Steven Jobs' contributiosn to the PC and technology in general are immeasurable. He was a visionary and a pioneer and his passing is a great loss. And anyone who thinks this is not a relevent topic is a Luddite (go look that one up....). Flightsim Phil

Had a similar problem. After a couple of great flights with no problems, I has 2 CTD's.... one on final and one on downwind to final. The first was flying into KMSP and the other was on the SADDE6 arrival into KLAX. Nothing really crazy going on..... Wx was set to "clear", UT2 was down at around 20%. I don't have the Hotfix installed though.... Phil

Can anyone recommend a good payware/freeware flight planner that is useful for planning flights and generating routes in Europe? I am particularly interested in one that includes SIDs and STARs. Thanks! Phil

Has anyone out there had any success with any VR Insight products and the PMDG 737NGX?? I am considering buying the CDU and MCP units..... Thanks! Phil

3 years plus is too much time ? Your plane, my money, any company that tries to force me to to use a VC when I prefer 2D, ESPECIALLY with multi monitors, won't be getting it. Pretty dumb decision.

I have long resisted the urge to chime in on this topic for quite a while, and I'll probably regret doing so now.First, I acknowledge a small percentage of folks who just like to create discontent and egg people on purely for the enjoyment.Second, I understand the frustration of those devote flight sim folks who are devote to their hobby. Anyone who says to them "get a life" is just as wrong as either side of the debate. Nobody has a right to tell another how to feel about something they love, whether it's gardening (stay in the English countryside sometime) or flight simming. The person you're talking to maybe someone in a wheel chair who's drempt of flying their whole life, you just don't know. Again, you're just as wrong as someone with a different opinon.PMDG doesn't need anyone to back them up or come to their rescue. They've made their position clear, and while I respectfully disagree with their business and marketing model, I respect that they have the right to run their enterprise they way they wish. I also understand the challenges, frustrations, intra-group dynamics, and handicap they have as I have a strong background in complex software project management (U.S. Navy weapons systems) and marketing (marking director for 2 fortune national financial services companies). Their enterprise does not belong to anyone but them, and they have the right to run it as they see it.As consumers, we have the right to vote with our pocketbooks, and the right to express our opinion about a customer service and especially a product. But there is no product yet. When the cake (737NGX) is baked, I'll bet the edges will be a little charred (over developed), but that is better than being under cooked.So, what I'm saying is that everyone is right, and everyone is wrong, probably me included. I'm down to visiting the site once every two or three weeks rather than daily, and if it bothers you to see no updates and no release (the lack of true project status updates does bother me too) then consider doing what I do, focusing elsewhere until it's done, then we'll have our cake!We all share the love of this hobby to different degrees, and I for one am happy just to have to guys like the PMDG group devoting their time, money and effort to increasing my enjoyment of the hobby.Thanks so much for your time.Dave

I noticed that NickN's Inspector settings include "Vertical Sync = Force On" but Ryan's setting is "Vertical Sync = Use the 3D application setting." Is there any significant difference? I am using a brand new EVGA GTX580 card....Phil

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I downloaded FS2Crew this past weekend, installed it, and attempted to follow Tutorial #1. I had a couple of major problems:1) Whenever I would complete a "section" such as the "Config" page or "Receiving Aircraft", I would click on the ">" button in order to move onto the next screen. The next page would flash for a second and then disappear. In order to display it, I would have to press the "L" button.2) Additional screens that flash without prompting, such as the "Loadsheets", the FA screens, etc... would also flash for a second and then disappear, never to be seen again. As a result, I could never get past the "Before Start" section. The departure clock would count down to zero but I could never continue as several key screens disappeared without any action or input on my part.How can I recall these "missing" screens or at least get them to appear without immediately disappearing....Frustrated,PhilFlyBoy Phil

Does anybody out there know what is going on with AircraftSimulators.com (formerly AGT) ??? All of a sudden it seems their website has disappeared and has been replaced by a notice that they are "updating" their product offerings. I was planning on buying a set of overhead panels from them...FlyBoy Phil

I installed the A320 over the weekend (FS2004, WIN-XP) and had the following problem:I started a flight, A-319, DEN---> DFW. I am having problems with my Microsoft Sidewinder joystick. It is intermittently responsive. WHen I bring up the "FLT CTL" Status Screen on the lower ECAM and move the joystick around, it indicates that the elevators and ailerons are jumping all over the place. No problem with the throttle however.... BTW, using the same joystick with the A330/340, I had no problems at all.Any ideas????FlyBoy Phil

Why is that?? Is there a conflict with some other key assignment?? Can the "Arm spoliers" function be mapped to another key assignment other that "Shift + /" that does not cause a conflict within the program??PhilFlyBoy Phil

Maybe I missed it in the docs, but I just upgraded to the 800/900 version of the software and I am unable to arm the spoilers using the traditional "Shift+/" command. Additionally, after I armed the spoilers by clicking on the spoiler lever, they did not deploy upon landing. Any ideas guys??Thanks!!!FlyBoy Phil

Dario:I read about the massive power requirements..... Doesn't really bother me though. I have a 480w power supply. Since I only have 1 additional PCI card (Soundblaster Audigy), I'm not too concerned about taking up the additional space. Your info on the new ATI series sounds interesting. I guess I'll wait until both new products hit the market and check out the various enthusiast web sites. I'm sure there will be dozens of comparison tests...Regards,PhilBTW, I live in NY.FlyBoy Phil

Anybody out there know when the new Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra cards are going to hit the street?? I got some mad money saved up for one of those bad boys. I read some reviews on the web and the new cards supposedly offer huge Flight Sim improvements....FlyBoy Phil

Does FS2004 include the Instructor Station add-on that came with FS2002?? It was a great feature that allowed you to set up a networked PC to act as an Instructor Console and change various FS parameters. If not, will the FS2002 Instructor Console work with FS2004??THANKS!!!FlyBoy Phil