alsummers

Activesky is something that I'd heard people rave about, and took the plunge to buy it simply on spec (and on peoples views). It is without a doubt one of, if not THE, best things I have ever bought for FS. Your FS skies will no longer look like a computer simulation/game. The difference it makes to cloud formations and weather is breathtaking. It will alter the 'weather themes' in FS and make them look far better than they do by default, but where it really excels is in 'real world' weather. Turbulence, and wind shear are amazing with Activesky control.A must have addon in my opinion. The only negative is that it does eat framerates...my P4 3.0/1 gig RAM/128mb Radeon 9800 Pro rig struggled to keep the frames up in the more intensive weather formations. However I did have EVERYTHING within Activesky maxed out so it was little suprise. But I've just upgraded to a Radeon X800 XT Platinum, which tears through FS2004 like a knife through hot butter - with Activesky maxed out and providing breathtaking weather for my pure enjoyment.Regards,Al Summers.

Depends entirely on what I'm in the mood for flying. If I do any long haul flights, I tend to choose routes that would be done overnight. I get into the cruise late in the evening, and then go to bed. Wake up next morning, and if I've timed it right I am approx 300 miles from destination.But recently I have really only been doing short haul around Europe. Most recently all my flights have been in the FSD Avanti, buzzing about Europe, so most flights are only a couple of hours.Real time all the way!

Rudder is used to 'balance' a turn, and is used in conjunction with the ailerons. Assume you are turning an aircraft to the left WITHOUT rudder - i.e. you remove you feet from the rudder pedals - the aircraft will turn, but is not 'balanced', and will be somewhat sluggish. Applying left rudder, encourages a moment about the aircrafts vertical axis, to help the aicraft maintain a smooth change of direction throughout the turn. And yes, in all aircraft you need constant rudder during turns. During a turn, apply relevant rudder to keep the 'ball' in the centre of the turn and slip indicator, and you are undertaking a 'balanced' turn.As a real life pilot, I must concede that I use auto rudder when flying in Flight Sim, simply because I have no rudder pedals, and using the joystick rudder is unrealistic and difficult to control. Of course I will switch it off when operating in heavy cross winds, and the need for a boot full of rudder is increased!Al.P.S. I've noticed that you are confusing 'ailerons' and 'elevator'. The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis (climb, descend), and the ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis (bank left and right), the rudder controls movement about the vertical axis (slip).

The wing spoilers are assigned to the 'wing-fold' action, so assign a key (although I'm sure everyone has already!), and you'll see them.No word on what happened to what looked like an awesome VC then? I shouldn't keep asking - after all its an outstanding package with or without a VC.

One of my favorite packages for FS2002, so am very glad that V2 has finally been released!A great shame however, that I see no mention of the VC that was being worked on for this release. I have some screenshots of it kicking about somewhere, and it looked absolutely brilliant. But I guess they have had to dispense with it for whatever reason. Perhaps we may see it in an update. One can only hope!Looking forward to getting her airborne later today!Al.

Superb scenery, and thanks for the heads up!BUT, has anyone successfully got his GA AI flight plans installed correctly? I'm damned if I can get it to appear. I got TrafficTools 2.02 (haven't done much with AI via TrafficTools in FS2004, but used it in FS2002 with no probs), and tried installing the AI flight plans supplied in the scenery download, but with no success. Endless error messages, missing airports etc. When I finally got it to install with no error messages from TrafficTools, the GA AI isn't present? Very strange?Help would be appreciated!Al.

The Arrow may look identical to the Cherokee/Warrior...but its a different bird at touchdown! Way heavier! Shes a real 'power on' at touchdown aircraft. Especially the T-tail variants.I loved flying the Arrow during my CPL. Great fun. Feels like your going like sh1t of a shovel too, after flying the Warrior...even if you are actually only about 20 knots faster!I do indeed wish that FSD or Carenado (or indeed a superb freeware designer!) would bring us a brilliant one for FS2004.Al.

Many thanks for that Ed. It certainly solved the problem. I can't hear the click sound in the VC, but I can live with that! Can't think for the life of me why it would have been making that noise in the first place though?!Thanks again.

Hi.I was wondering if anyone could offer help with regard to a particularly annoying problem that I have.When using Marcel Kuhnt's wonderful BN-2 Islander, I get two sounds simultaneously occuring when I click on switches on the 2D panel, or in the VC. A 'normal' click, and a ridiculous 'windows warning' type 'dungk'...(dungk is the the only way I can describe it!). I have played EVERY sound in the sound folder, and this 'dungk' sound is not any of them (the normal click is there though). I replaced Marcel's panel with an FS2002 one, which works very well, and in doing so discovered something interesting pertaining to this annoying sound. I hadn't copied Marcel's VC cfg entries into the new panel.cfg, so when I loaded up the Islander for the first time with the new panel, the VC gauges were missing. When I clicked on switches on the 2D panel, I just go the normal click, not the horrible 'dungk' sound. In VC (albeit with no gauges!), I could click on switches that were present, and got no sound...not the click, nor the 'dungk'. I was confused, but copied the VC gauge entries into the new panel.cfg, and loaded up. The normal click of course remained, but the dungk was back in 2D mode, and when clicking on switches in the VC (which now had the gauges present), I got just the dungk sound.What gives?! Can anyone help? (If you can even make sense of my post!)Best regards,Al.

A superb offer indeed that FSD are offering. Not one I've taken advantage of yet though! First FSD aircraft I bought was the Cheyenne. An incredible aircraft...great fun to fly (and benefiting from a great looking upgrade in the not to distant future).I also own the Porter, Navajo and the Aerostar. So, I guess that leaves only the Seneca and Commander for me!

For everyone's information, up until a few days ago, there was a message in bold red letters at the top of the Captain Sim homepage stating that the Captainsim.info server, on which the support forums are located, had been having serious problems, hence why they were not accessable. The online store was also located on this server and was not working. I presume that as people must still be buying the products, that Captain Sim prioritised the online shop, and moved that to a new server, but have yet to bring the forums back online.I myself have always enjoyed Captain Sim products, and have NEVER experienced the problems that a lot of people talk about. Captain Sim are fortunate to benefit from very resourceful and knowledgable customers, many of whom frequent their support forums, and offer product support that matches anything that the Captain Sim guys themself could offer. Granted, customers are unable to answer Captain Sim emails etc! But basically I think that Captain Sim takes on too much. They have around 10 projects in full swing. I am sorry if others have had a bad time with Captain Sim...a shame as I believe their products to be outstanding.A word of advice regards the upcoming C-130...I would be EXREMELY suprised if it has any bugs, as it is not simply a Captain Sim product. It is being released in cooperation with Just Flight Ltd, and for this reason a buggy product is a no-no. I for one will be first in line with my credit card when it finally hits the flight sim skies.Regards,Al.

Hi.I would suggest you head over to the 'Classic British Flight Sim' forum, and ask your question there. It is moderated by Dave Maltby, and even if he's not around there are scores of VC-10 fans just waiting to answer your question. One of the moderators is a current RAF VC-10 pilot himself, so you'll get the definitive answer I'm sure!Heres the link... http://www.classic-sky.co.uk/cbfsimV3/view...645b45a46b6e79aBest regards,Al.

Brilliant news! I really did think that this update had gone the way of the Dodo....and there certainly was a VC to be included. It looked stunning. There were some screenshots on the aforementioned site.

Sounds are reasonable. Not one of Carenado's strong points I don't think. I own their Cessna Centurion, which I really love flying, but its sounds don't do the superb model and VC any justice at all. Similar story here with the Cherokee. They are a little 'tame'. BUT, still doesn't detract from another BRILLIANT model, and lovely VC. And she flies beautifully!Really enjoying her!And as has already been mentioned....the pilot/passenger animations are absolutely amazing! Very realistic! Really adds to the experience of 'pottering' about in this fine little puddle jumper!

I just visited the Carenado site, and their new Piper Cherokee was released today!I'm downloading now. Can't wait to check her out!Regards,Al.

Captain Sim C130, new POSky 767, Carenado's Piper Cherokee, Owen Hewitt's new Gmax C-17.Oh, and the 'probably never going to be released' models....Project Fokker 70/100 V2, Pilots L1011, and that Saab 340 (which MIGHT have gone over to Aeroworx?).Ones I'm most looking forward to? Definately the CS C130, and Owen's C-17.Al Summers.

I sincerely doubt Microsoft will ever make flight models to the same level of detail and reaslism, as the fantastic freeware designers do. Microsoft are well aware that the freeware aircraft available are far better than the default aircraft. They actively encourage and promote the freeware/payware addon's for FS. Basically, Microsoft are providing the 'platform', in the form of FS, and other designers (both freeware, and payware) provide the more detailed aspects for the platform (aircraft models, scenery, and programmes that enhance the realism of FS).I fail to see the point in encouraging Microsoft to make better aicraft models, when there are literally hundreds of AMAZING quality freeware aircraft and addons available.

Hi William.POSky and IFDG airliners make use of the default panels, but obviously its possible to download specific and more complex panels from places like the Avsim library.Are we to assume from your question that you have no other addon aircraft installed? i.e. you have use only the default aircraft and thats all you have installed? If thats really all you use, I must URGE you to download and try out some of the utterly FANTASTIC freeware aircraft that are available.Comparing FS2004 with just its default airliners (747/777/737 I mean, as I accept that the cessnas/vintage a/c are pretty good), to FS2004 populated with POSky (747's/757's/Airbus's) and IFDG (MD-11/Airbus's) aircraft is like comparing a ZX Spectrum game to the very latest gaming software...a world apart!Regards,Al.

I received my copy of FS Global 2005 this morning. Installed it very quickly, despite the warnings that it could take some hours to copy the 12 gigs of info!I am very impressed, having already 'jumped' around some of my favorite VFR areas, the world over.Many thanks for a superb product! In closing I will say one thing...ROLL ON the Tristar!Regards,Al.

Sure thing Dan, I'd be happy to help if you ever tackle the Islander air file.Al.

Interesting topic. I don't fly Marcel's Trislander a great deal, although it is on my HD. I do however fly his Islanders on a regular basis, and although his models are SUPERB (LOVE the VC/Vcabin, and the great soundset), the Islander also suffers from an inaccurate air file. I have flown in Islanders ALL my life, and hope to end up flying them myself within a couple of years. Marcel's Islander air file lacks the three MAJOR characteristics of Islanders - 1. The acceleration. My experience is only with 2 blade engined Islanders, but even with just the 2 blades, these beauties accelerate VERY quickly...which leads to the next point. 2. Takeoff run to long. Takeoff SPEED seems pretty accurate. Its just the inaccuracy of the acceleration, leads to an unrealistic takeoff run. 3. Many Islander pilots will tell you, they had an interesting experience during their type rating! Come across the threshold at 10 feet and cut the power as you might in a lot of twins, and you'll be in for a shock. She will drop like a stone! Catches a lot of pilots out during their first time behind the controls of the Islander! They should definately be landed 'power on'.The 3rd point IS present in the air file, although perhaps not as prominently as it should be. But the 1st point, the acceleration, needs fixing.So congrats to Marcel on his SUPERB models of the Islander and Trislander, but it seems the air files need some touching up.Best regards,Al.

Hi everyone.I bought Just Flight's Traffic 2004 recently, which is absolutely excellent. But like most 'prepared' AI traffic programmes, the aircraft models included are somewhat lacking. So I have set about replacing them all with AI Aardvark, FSPainter etc models. Its been a long and tiring task, but worth it! However, I am suprised to find no British Airways repaints of the FSPainter Boeing 777! I did find one, a superb set of several tail repaints, by Raul Gonzalez, but when I try to use any of these, the textures are all messed up on the starboard side of the aircraft fuselage and tail, and on the port side of the tail. I can find no fix for this anywhere.Does anyone know of any British Airways repaints for the FSPainter 777? I've searched hard, but can find nothing. Alternatively, if anyone uses Raul Gonzalez's repaints and knows of a fix for the texture issue, perhaps they could let me know!Best regards,Al.

'Heading', is the compass direction that your aircraft nose is pointing. 'Course', can be considered to be the direction that your aircraft is actually 'tracking'. For instance, lets say an aircraft is flying from point A, to point B - point B is directly west of point A, there is no wind to affect the aircraft so its course, and its heading are both 270 degrees (so as not to complicate matters lets say that point A and point B are only a few miles apart). However, assume the same example, except that now there is a cross wind from the north...lets say 30 kts. The aircraft will now be 'tracking' a course of 270 degrees, but its 'heading' (the direction the nose is pointing) will be slightly to the north, to compensate for the wind factor.Hope this helps!Regards,Al.

I'm sure Dan means that you WON'T see a VC. Small mistype there.Costas, virtual cockpits are designed with an aircraft, and as Dan mentioned, are included in the model file. So only the designers can design and add a virtual cockpit if they wish. So again, as Dan has stated, what panel you use has no affect on whether you will, or will not, see a virtual cockpit. IFDG simply choose not to design virtual cockpits for their aircraft, as it is a particularly difficult and time consuming process.Regards,Al.

Hi.I just wanted to mention a couple of annoying bugs that I suffer from with FS2004, just to see if anybody has ever encountered them.Firstly, I have always, (ever since I purchased FS2004 upon its release), had the annoying problem whereby the fs9.cfg won't close properly each time you exit FS2004. I have heard people mention this before saying "oh, just leave it and eventually they will close themselves down". Well, if I used FS2004 perhaps 6 times in one day, when I come shut my computer off late at night, I am presented with 6 fs9.cfg entries in the task manager 'processes' window. I can either shut them down manually from this window, or the alternative is when I shut off the computer, I am presented with the 'fs9.cfg: program not responding' window, and have to choose 'end now', this I have to do for however many entries appear in the processes window. After that the computer will finally shut down.However, things have changed recently. For the last couple of weeks, each time I exit FS2004, the hard drive goes into overdrive, and all processes are a bit slow on desktop, until after about 30 seconds or more, I am presented with the 'Flight Simulator blah blah....encountered a problem and had to close blah blah....' window. However, since this has been happening, I have not had the fs9.cfg entries remaining in the processes window, so at least the program is fully closed.Second problem! This is a rare one, but when it happens it annoys the hell out of me. I have no idea what triggers it, nor how to fix it, aside from exiting and restarting FS2004. VERY occasionally, if I am switching between views fairly rapidly (using the 's' key), all of a sudden I have only got panel and spot views! The tower/flyby, and VC views just disappear! Press the s key repeatedly and the view simply moves panel - spot - panel - spot etc. Because this problem doesn't occur very often I can live with it, but it is annoying nonetheless, particularly in a case such as this morning where I had exectuted a very long and technically perfect startup with the Aeroworx Beach 200, taxied to the runway, and at the hold this problem all of sudden occured! I didn't want to carry on my flight without VC and tower/flyby view, so had to exit. Oh, and I have tried using the menu bar to change views, but if you click on the VC selection from the view menu, you are simply moved to spot view (if in panel view), or vice versa.Anyway, I really just wanted to run these problems by the community, to see if anyone had experienced them? The first problem would no doubt be solved (for a while!) by reinstalling, but frankly I have far to many addon's to be bothered with a complete reinstallation! So I guess I'll have to live with it!All comments welcome!Regards,Al Summers.P.S. POSky A340 being released today! Wooohooo!