vcaptmattsmith

All,From time to time, some of the aircraft used in the race become unavailable to new race participants. This is normally due to the aircraft being discontinued by a developer (freeware or payware) and the model being withdrawn from distribution.Thus the aircraft no longer meets the historical requirement of "publicly available for download or purchase two weeks before the race starts".The Executive Committee has no desire to punish pilots who have legally downloaded or purchased aircraft for use in the race, but we must also maintain the ability for new pilots to compete on an equal footing. We cannot condone copyright violations of providing unlicensed copies of aircraft to team participants.Thus we will likely be forced to establish a list of "Discontinued Aircraft" which will be ineligible for the race.We have no desire to force pilots to verify the availability of their aircraft every year, nor will we condone 'ambush' declarations that an aircraft used in good faith during the race is suddenly ineligible. This process needs to be public and open to discussion by all interested race members.We invite members of the various teams to comment on how the Executive Committee might establish such a list, identify such aircraft, what type of time frame might advisable to notify participants of aircraft ineligibility, etc.Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts!MattFor the Executive Committee

Hi All,We are pleased to announce that the 2012 Flight Simulator Around-the-World Race will begin on February 18, 2012 at 1500 hours UTC.See you then!-MattRTWR Executive Committee

Minor updates and corrections to both the General Rules and 2011 Special Rules and their FAQs have now been posted. Pilots who were previously confused by particular points should recheck the rules for clarification. Substantive changes have not been made; we have simply updated the documents to be clearer and, where errors were noted, fixed the errors.Notices to Airmen for the 2011 RTW Race may be found here: http://www.fsrtwrace.com/2011RTWRNOTAMs.pdfFinally, team briefing committees have been issued passwords for the briefing sheet system and allowed to unlock one continent.Best of luck!

Flight Simulator Around The World Race Home (Edited by Sonar5 to insert race Home) It's our pleasure to today reveal to the community a preview of this year's race. We're not revealing too many details, but we want to give everyone a heads-up about certain things. We'll monitor the various team forums and, of course, our own forum on this website, for questions. 1. Weather. In 2010 all pilots will use the MSFS Default (Jeppesen) weather engine. Select Real weather with 15 minute updates (if you can possibly do so). It is now apparent that we need a level playing field with respect to the weather. Other weather systems have terrific features, but the need for competitive balance mandates this uniform standard. You may use the textures of the other weather programs, of course, but must use the MSFS weather engine. 2. Informal Norms. We would like to encourage pilots to fly in a realistic world. In particular, we want to avoid pressure to fly over a "bald earth," without terrain or autogen, with merely minimal cloud coverage. On the other hand, we understand that some pilots' computers impose limits on the realism with which they can fly

Thanks for the info on FSUIPC.As far as the effect in the real world:Windshear is a real phenomenon, however it typically occurs only with severe weather and near the ground. An example would be a thunderstorm producing heavy downdrafts that spread outward in all directions upon hitting the ground. This can create currents of wind that run opposite the prevailing wind and, in essence, the effect seen in the MS real weather engine. The MS engine is unrealistic in that it creates such windshear areas in places where you wouldn't typically find them in real life - at cruise, with winds aloft.For a somber example of the reality of windshear and what it can do, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_191Anyone else have any experience with this? REX? ASX?Cheers,Matt

Hi all,I have a question for folks who have purchased add-ons that purport to solve the "windshear" problem that the default real weather engine produces.In brief, this problem is presented when winds in one area are opposite in direction to those of an adjoining area; when flying from the first area to the second, the aircraft experiences a sort of windshear. Suppose, for illustration, that as you're flying with a 25-knot tailwind you enter a new wind area where there is a 25-knot headwind. FSX simply changes the winds instantly, leading to an instant 50 KIAS jump in airspeed. If you are within 50 knots of VNE, you are likely cooked.As I understand it, ASX solves this problem by loading weather for surrounding regions as well as the current region and smoothing the variations so that rather than experience an instant change in winds, the weather would instead gradually transition from one wind direction to the other, over which time the aircraft would maintain roughly the same IAS. This seems to me the most realistic way to deal with this problem (which I suspect is the result of the incomplete data that FSX is modeling the weather on.)I am also given to understand that FSUIPC has a feature that addresses the above problem in a similar manner.To conclude, my question is:Has anyone used any add-on to address the problem I described above, and if so, what did you use and how well did it work?Thanks very much!Matt

In an effort to improve the 2010 RTWR, we are soliciting feedback on the rules via our forum. A poll has been posted asking whether pilots prefer simple rules or variety in the race. Please visit http://www.fsrtwrace.com/forum.htm to share your thoughts and preferences.Thanks!Matt

The RTWR Executive Committee today announces the 2010 Flight Simulator Around-The-World Race. It is our pleasure to invite the same teams that made last year's race our most competitive ever to join us again in 2010; pilots who competed with the now-defunct FS-MP.com will be competing from their new home at iFlyOnline.com. Any interested pilots should visit the discussion forums of the team of their choice for information on joining and guidance on preparation for the race. Team members and others may contact the Executive Committee via the Contact page on www.fsrtwrace.com with any questions. See you in February!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matthew Smith, [email protected] | Executive CommitteeMicrosoft Flight Simulator Around-the-World Race | www.fsrtwrace.com

Learned on FS, beginning at age 10, with version 5.Got my PPL at 17. I think we were on FS8 then.70 hours to date. Would love to get the -IA and -MEL at some point, but school and work are likely to put that off for at least the next few years.Good thing FSX is so darn good.

We have announced the final results for what was possibly the most exciting Around-the-World race ever.Standings are at www.fsrtwrace.com .Teams did an excellent job of flying and navigating and the margin of victory this time around was slimmer than ever before. The committee congratulates Team Avsim for a hard-fought and well-won victory, and all of the other teams for an especially well-run race. See you next year!Avsim,Well, you guys did it. Fantastic job in winning an extraordinarily hard-fought race. We had no idea it would be this close, or so well-done. You flew largely error-free and you flew extremely efficiently. We're all extraordinarily impressed, and can't wait to see you all try to defend your trophy next year.Again, Congratulations!Matt

This post ends the Kickoff Event and begins the circumnavigatory portion of the 2009 Around-the-World Race.Best of luck to all the teams!Go.Matt

Greetings to the Race Community:This post officially begins the 2009 Flight Simulator Around-the-World Race Kickoff Event.You have two hours and thirty minutes to complete the challenge outlined in the Special Rules for the 2009 Race.Following the Kickoff Event, a second post will be made beginning the Around-The-World portion of the Race.Best of luck to you all!The RTWR Executive Committee | www.fsrtwrace.comMatthew SmithIan DaleReggie FieldsMike MacKuen

Please join us for a discussion of this year's race over TeamSpeak at 6PM this evening. The server address is 208.59.114.141.Thanks!Matthew SmithExecutive CommitteeFlight Simulator Around-the-World Race

Hi all,I'm happy to announce the start date for the 2009 RTW Race - 21 February. We've yet to zero in on a starting time, but will be working on that as we develop the rules specific to this year's race.I know there's been some confusion about this, and I apologize. This will be the final date, and we'll work to be more definite, earlier, next year.Cheers,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

It is my pleasure to announce the results of the 2008 RTW Race.First Place: Sim-OuthouseSecond Place: AvsimThird Place: FlightsimCongratulations to SOH, who have for the first time taken the "Tornado Trophy." This year's race was another very close contest. Congratulations to everyone who participated.We welcome your feedback as we think about plans for next year.Again, Congratulations!Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Special Rule 11 - RemovedSpecial Rule 11 - concerning the 24 hour embargo following an aircraft crash - is stricken from the Special Rules for the 2008 race with immediate effect. Pilots currently under embargo are released.The Executive Committee underestimated the amount of embargoes that would result from technical glitches rather than true crashes.SOH Leg: VHHX - RPLB AppealTeam Sim Outhouse's leg from VHHX to RPLB was appealed as lacking authentication. They were proactive in contacting the Executive Committee as soon as they realised that there was a problem, and after consultation they reflew the leg. Accordingly, no penalty will be assessed for this leg.SOH Leg: RPLB - RPLU AppealTeam Sim Outhouse's leg from RPLB to RPLU was appealed as lacking authentication. In this case they were not proactive in contacting us and only provided an alternate form of authentication only after quite a bit of time had elapsed. Since they did provide evidence that the leg took place in the end, we will not require them to refly it. However, because this evidence was so late in coming and the team was not forthcoming about the mishap, we have determined that a delay of 15 minutes on the next team SOH leg departure is needed to make up for the questionable authentication on this leg. This penalty should be served as soon as possible.Duenna Error Policy - ClarificationThere seems to be a great deal of confusion regarding what we expect if a Duenna error prevents you from authenticating your flight in the normal way. Although the Duenna is the only officially accepted way of authenticating a flight, all this means is that flights lacking Duenna authentication need to be appealed to the Executive Committee: it does not imply that if there is a Duenna error you must refly a leg. Neither, however, does it mean that you can ignore a Duenna issue and hope that no-one notices.When a team has what they believe to be a good flight and what they believe to be a Duenna failure, they should document the case, bring it to public attention, and immediately notify the Race Officials directly. They should present any evidence that they can produce as to the flight's authenticity. Primarily, we would like to see screenshots of the Flight Analysis window, as we used to use this for authentication. Also acceptable are shots of tracking through Google Earth, screenshots of the simulator itself, and testimony of multiplayer pilots. If the evidence indicates a proper flight, the Race Officials will approve the flight and there will be no penalty. If the evidence indicates an unsuccessful flight, then the team may apply the Retrospective Wingman Transfer, or, alternatively the Committee will assign a proper penalty. For example, the penalty might require the team to re-fly the leg and/or assess an additional time penalty.Best,Matt Smith

In an effort to ease the workload of our stalwart programming genius, Jared Smith, we're asking each team to keep track of their bonuses in an official bonus thread. This is the thread for Team Avsim.The pilot who scores the bonus is responsible for recording it via reply message to this thread (on team flights, the lead pilot may record for everyone, or each individual pilot may record, at the team's discretion). In the future, if a bonus is not recorded here, it will not be counted.Already scored bonuses should be summarised by a reputable team member in a reply to this post.Future bonus posts must include the following elements:Departure/Arrival AirportWhat the bonus is forBonus AmountAnd, importantly, the new total amount of bonus hours for the teamIn this way we hope to keep a running tally of bonus hours for each team. Penalty hours will be recorded on our website. Jared may or may not put the bonus hours into the baton tracking system. If he does not, rest assured, they still count - the tracker is not the official race record, simply a useful tool for following the race.Thanks for your co-operation on this issue. We recognise that this is an inconvenience, but we really want to be sure we aren't missing anything in tracking the race.Best Regards,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

We have a number of reminders and clarifications to publish, as well as some decisions on appeals.Keeping Track of Penalties and AppealsIn order to help us and you keep better track of pending appeals, appeals decisions, and penalties resulting from appeals, we have set up a table on the Follow the Race page (http://www.fsrtwrace.com/follow.htm) that details the status of appeals.Clarification on Wingmen and Penalties and BonusesAn aircraft must carry the baton in order to earn a bonus, accrue a penalty, or otherwise have an effect on the race. Wingmen who crash while not in possession of the baton do not have the 24-hour aircraft embargo applied, and wingmen who successfully complete cabin class flights but do not have the baton transferred to them do not earn cabin class bonuses. If the baton is not transferred to a wingman, nothing that happens on the wingman flight matters. (Note that it is still advantageous to complete the leg, in case something untoward is discovered with the lead pilot's leg.)Shockwave Wings of Power P-47Note that this aircraft is not (as configured by default) legal for the RTWR. Its external tanks total 330 gallons - the maximum allowed is 300. The external tanks must be "commented out" of the aircraft.cfg."Gnoopey" P-47M - Center3 TankWe are reviewing the configuration of external tanks on this aircraft. We recommend that pilots "comment out" the Center3 tank to ensure that it is legal.Reminder: 24-hour EmbargoesPlease remember that if you crash and restart your leg, it needs to be in a new aircraft: you are embargoed from flying the same aircraft within 24 hours after crashing.Sim-Outhouse Leg from CAP6 to CYQHThe baton pilot on this flight reported fluxuating frame rates and other anomalies he attributed to lag from flying online. The baton was carried at an average speed of over 600 knots - a value impossible to legally obtain, despite a valid Duenna reading. We have determined that this leg cannot be allowed to stand since it had to have been the beneficiary of a major computer error. Given the valid Duenna reading and the forthrightness of Team SOH about this flight, we have decided to allow them to retroactively transfer the baton to their successfully-completed wingman flight free of the normal penalty for doing the transfer after the fact. Thus we are asking them to delay their departure on their next leg for 48 minutes: 18 minutes is the difference between the time of the speeded-up flight and 30 minutes is the normal handicap for transferring the baton to the wingman.In the future, if flights occur that are clearly outside the bounds of a realism, we ask teams to be proactive in transferring the baton at the time, if possible. This said, we applaud the approach SOH took in bringing this issue to our attention rather than waiting for us to investigate.Flightsim.com VHHX-RPLL-RPMRFlightsim.com appealed to have the embargo on the P-51H for Andy lifted, on the grounds that the flight was voluntarily aborted and was not the result of a computer or aircraft crash.Flightsim.com's assumption that Andy received the baton on the flight from VHHX-RPLL is in error. The forum posts #52 shows that Andy abandoned his wingman flight before forum post #53 where the baton was released for the flight. Therefore Andy did not "crash" the P-51 because he did not have the Baton.Teams are cautioned - the baton can only be transferred via the forum. The transfer of the baton does not occur on the RTW Race Tracker.Andy's subsequent flight RPLL-RPMR in the P-51 was valid and he is not embargoed from flying the P-51. The FlightSim team decision to abandon the enroute flight from RPMR and return and refly the RPLL-RPMR leg was unnecessary. Since it resulted in a two hour penalty to Flightsim.com's team, that is determined to be sufficient penalty for the use of an ineligible aircraft - the P-47N by Wings of Power.However, had Andy actually received the baton on the forums, we could not uphold an appeal: we must have a consistent standard in assessing the embargo. Because there is no way to absolutely verify what happened when a flight was aborted, we have to assume the worst. This standard is applied to all teams in all cases. We believe consistency in ruling here is of paramount importance.Though in the case of Maple_One whose RPMR-WAPP flight was abandoned to allow the team to return to RPLL to rectify the perceived invalid flight, he is not embargoed from flying the P-51.Best Wishes,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Please begin the actual race legs when ready. I was told you were waiting for an official post. Do not wait.

This post officially begins the 2008 RTW Race.Best of luck to all the teams.Go!Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Yes. You just say "authentication uploaded to official server" or something similar.Note that it certainly isn't a bad idea to save authentication files on your computer in case there's a problem later.MattRTWR Executive Committee

Attached are text versions of the rules and FAQ. The tables may be a little hard to read, but it's difficult to render them in .txt.Best,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Yes. We heard that teams were scrambling to plan with only 24 hours, and with the race starting fairly early on Saturday this year (Friday being a workday in the US and Europe) we wanted to be sure everyone had plenty of time to game things out.Best,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Hi all,The Special Rules and Routing for 2008 have been posted on the RTWR website (www.fsrtwrace.com/rules.htm).I'm just formatting the FAQ now (easier said than done for an HTML novice). It will be up in a few hours.I'll also reply to this thread with text versions of the rules.Best of luck on preparations!Cheers,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee

Hi all,In a collaborative effort from two people to whom the Race community owes a great debt of gratitude, the RTW Duenna has been updated for the 2008 Race. John Muller and Jared Smith, who have both been indispensable in orchestrating the technical aspects of the race in the past, have once again outdone themselves for the benefit of everyone involved with the race. This latest update brings several refinements to the Duenna's ability to verify flights, and will give each leg of this year's race a redoubtable mantle of credibility and verifiability. Our hope, as it has ever been with the Duenna, is to enable competitors and spectators alike to focus on the race itself, rather than the mechanics behind it.Perhaps the most exciting news to come from our two technical wizards, however, is that a system for automatically tracking race pilots as they fly around the world has been put into place, and is currently in testing. Although the bugs are still very much in the process of being worked out, it is our hope that when the race begins in a few days' time, we will have the most robust and capable system for following the race that we have ever had in place on the "Follow the Race" page of our website (http://www.fsrtwrace.com/follow.htm).At this time, we would like to invite pilots to download the latest testing version of the Duenna (http://johannesmueller.com/fs/web/duenna/). We encourage everyone to put their computers, the Duenna, and our tracking system through their respective paces. The greater the number of practice legs flown with the Duenna, the greater the chance that bugs will be caught before the race. (To say nothing of the racing benefit to practicing!)Thanks again for your time, and for your testing. We'll see you on race day!Best Regards,Matt SmithRTWR Executive Committee