schmeeling

Cheers from another appreciative customer as well. Very nicely done!

What a tremendous piece of work this is. A bit advanced for me at this point (which was exactly the point!). Thanks very much.

I've set up a flight from CYVR to CYYC: CYVR-HUH-J534-IWACK-J503-YDC-J504-OPALE . Offline, no Radar Contact.Leaving YVR, all of the available SID's end in "Vectors" (which shows up as "MANUAL" in the FMC). Solved easy enough by a direct to HUH.On the approach however, the OPALE7 STAR itself is discontinuous. For example the approach to RWY16 has a turn to the north after MOGOT, followed by "vectors" (controlling the flight north and the 180deg turn back toward RW160). Within the FMC and on the ND this shows up as a gap in the flightplan.Any suggestions on how "best" to handle this?Would also appreciate any feedback on Radar Contact, given I typically simulate about 1.5 hour flights?Thanks,

...just awesome. Thanks.Looking forward to tutorial no. 2.I've been through the manuals but don't find any info to support flight planning (fuel, reduced thrust). Any thoughts?

Another satisfied customer here!A few more comments:- I've a P4-2.6 with 1GB and a 6600GT (i.e. nothing fancy these days). Frames are 20+, and numbers aside, are perfectly acceptable to my eyes- Cockpit "clickology" is outstanding. Startup tests etc. etc. are fantastic. I would say a definite step up on the LDS (I don't own the PMDG747 so can't comment)- In cockpit visuals are outstanding. Exterior visuals seem great to me, but I don't spend much time out there so...- I love the Coolsky MD, but this is materially better in my view- FMC implementation does not "seem" as polished as the LDS, and requires a bit more fussing with files, but it's plenty well developed and implemented and the necessary utilities are included and work well. There are currently some slightly flaky bits with VNAV DESC, which are under discussion with the developer, but they are not material (in my opinion) to current enjoyment.- The config/load manager is tops, and includes an integrated fuel planner, route planner, livery and config selector etc. It seems you have to start fresh from the desktop each time, and there's a poorly described trick about a "default flight" that you need to use (or there's a different poorly described trick I haven't found yet!), but it works great and is more a case of it being "different" than I'm used to, not "bad" in any way.- I understand there's an issue with FSUICP and calibrating throttle axis' only. I don't have a CH Quadrant thingy (just a single axis throttle) so unchecking a box was all it took for me. This *may* vary for others. - well implemented interaction with flight crew and ground crew, incl. passenger boarding announcements, takeoff announcements, well implemented push-back, etc. Very immersive.- very detailed tutorial.- I make 1-2 hour flights typically. The MD is the "right" size for this (always seemed "wrong" to me to buy the Queen just to hop about).I like having a VC too, but it doesn't come with one. This is very clear to all pre-purchase. I do not understand why folks who do not want to buy a product without a VC are so bent out of shape, and need to keep reminding everyone how bent they are. If a complex add-on that costs $XX is too expensive if FOR YOU it doesn't include a VC then.... don't... buy.... it.... and go spend some time in a thread about an add-on you actually care about! In summary:- what they say is included is included, and is fantastic, and worth the money.- what they say is not included, is not included.My advice: if the described features suit your taste, buy it for those features and enjoy (like me!). If the promised VC comes along later (or sooner)... super. Bonus. Yippee. I paid almost this much for cab fare, a beer and a stale sandwich on my last real flight, all for the privilege of being uncomfortable for 5 hours after a 3 hour delay. I'll have enjoyed my money's worth in 2D long before the VC does (or doesn't) materialize.

Another vote for a separate forum. I, for one, don't intend on jumping ship to FSX right away anyway.

I tried the FS2Crew add-on, but for me it actually lessens my immersion as I spend more thought on managing the sequence of the FS2 and don't find myself as immersed in the flying (too little to do...)This is not a dig at FS2Crew, which seems to be universally enjoyed and is clearly a great piece of work. Just not the thing for me I guess.

Thanks for the early comments. To clarify my request:I own the 767 and the 727 (amongst a bunch of other stuff), and am about ready to cave in to another. Among the 747F, Super80, SSTSIM and perhaps the herc, which would you advise as the "best next" (not next best!) purchase, and why? Thanks

I'm a happy owner of both the LDS and the DF727. I'm thinking about one of the PMDG747F and the Super80 or SSTSIM (for different reasons). It seems clear all of the above are fantastic, so what I'm wondering is, given reasonable limits on FS-time, and given the learning commitments etc., is it "worth" adding another similar complex add-on and spending the time learning it properly?- For those that own the 747 and 767, is there anything about the 747 you enjoy significantly enough over the 767 that you'd advise the purchase? i.e. any particular reason you often choose to fly one over the other?- For those that own the 727, Super 80 and/or SSTSIM, same question? Anything in particular that has you flying the SSTSIM or Super80 as a first choice?- Should I just get the Herc instead?Personally, I'm not too concerned about esoteric system "x". I typically fly offline, but following realistic flight plans, departures, approaches, checklists etc. as closely as possible. With the LDS I get the satisfaction of "being" a virtual pilot using current technology. With the DF727, there's just so much to DO (a good thing) and I'll typically fly 1-2 hr hops, so there's "Never a dull moment".Finally, I'm not planning to flip to FSX in the immediate term so dropping another $50 on FS9 isn't a major concern.Thanks in advance.

I don't mean the following to dispute the enjoyment that FS2Crew brings lots of people. It is a very well written program, works great, and works exactly as advertised. Fantastic manual and tutorial too. I don't dispute any of the comments below.I'm pretty "hard-core": I do flight and fuel planning, fly real routes, follow SIDs, STARs and approaches, etc.However I personally found that in a weird way it actually reduced my experience of "realism". Operating the add-on, especially with the need to maintain the proper button sequencing etc., I found myself following a script and thinking more about the add-on itself, rather than getting deeply immersed in the sim itself.Put another way, I found that the "accuracy" was very high, but the reduction in virtual workload made everything a bit too easy. Without FS2Crew, the need to manage all the work of multiple folks, flip all the switches, program the FMC, and stay ahead of everything during the whole flight is probably less accurate, but for me it keeps the intensity up and keeps my head "in" the sim more.Super product, but not necessarily for everyone (or every "hard-core") perhaps.

Avsim did a great review which finally got me on board: http://www.avsim.com/pages/0106/3scene/3scene.htm The review is educational and spot on in its recommendations.I purchased the LOD8 (153m mesh) for all of North America (link: http://www.fsgenesis.com/Merchant2/merchan...gory_Code=153m), and the LOD10 mesh for the Canadian Cordillera (the rockies and west) (link: http://www.fsgenesis.com/Merchant2/merchan...gory_Code=38DEM ) where I live and do my virtual flying.The difference is astounding and although I've not measured the framerate hit (if any) I've certainly not noticed any. It is certainly nothing like the hit sometimes undergone using addon scenery (airports, etc.).Actually I'm currently using FSG, UT and BEV. My rig is a P4-2600 w/ 1MB and a nVidia 6800GT, locked at 25fps. My vastly improved "terrain" does not appear to have noticeably affected my performance.Cheap too, relatively speaking.

I'm going to try to build a sheet as well, but need to find some time to get the table data inputted.In the meantime, I do the following using the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) charts (charts quoted are for the -200). It's a fair bit of work, but I think the DF727's appeal is the "workload simulation" it offers. And I fly the same route alot, so I don't do this every flight! Warning: I'm not a pilot or a precision fanatic, so don't be using anything I write below in your REAL 727. I've also got to do a few more hauls to tune this up a bit. That said, I'm happy for any comments/advice.Setup1. Using flight planner of choice choose a flight distance and cruise altitude2. Use the 727 Configuration Manager to determine Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW)3. Estimate total fuel using 1000#/25nm ave. (Fuel = dist*1000/25). Add to ZFW to get estimated Take-off Gross Weight (TOGW). Cruise Fuel4. Use "5.6 Enroute Climb" to calc fuel burned and dist in climb.5. Use "5.11 Descent" to calc fuel burned and dist in descent.6. Cruise distance = Total - Climb - Descent. Use "5.8 Max Cruise 0.78" to calc. fuel in cruise (Cruise Dist / Specific Range)Additions7. Alternate: allow Dist/200*1208. APU: allow 20min each end @ 4.8#/min = 200#9. Taxi: allow 10min each end @ 60#/min = 1200#Total10. Sum it all up and add 10% to get total. Add to ZFW to get actual TOGWSpeeds etc. 11. Use "5.1 V-speeds" to get speeds. 12. Use "5.3 TO Power" to get TO EPR . 13. Use "5.5 Climb EPR" to get climb EPR at various altitudes.14. Use "5.15 Manouver Speeds" to get Flap Retraction SpeedsI'd be happy to post an example if anyone's interested.

Well I went and got both.FS2-LDS is an amazing piece of work, but doesn't do it for me. But this post is not meant as a comparison between two great products but as an opportunity to give a huge thumbs up to the DF727. In fact I own everything else I mention below, use them regularly, and wouldn't want to have to rank them in order of preference.The DF727 flies great, and is a switch-flicker's dream! Amazing to see how much effort is now saved by technology. I find that flying it has that great "can't put my finger on it" feel that other top addons pull off somehow (LDS767, B200, ATR) - it's simultaneously fast, slippery and heavy (or something).The workload is huge (in a good way): the radios don't even have standby frequencies, so even crossing a VOR takes a fair bit of thinking. Combine that with trying to stay on top of a Flight Director which does not necessarily match the AP.... A repeated theme in many manuals is "stay ahead of the aircraft" - certainly more true here than anything else I own.I'm babbling, but perhaps can sum up as follows: the immersion, entertainment and feeling that "I've really got a lot to learn before anybody should let me sit in the front seat" is as strong with this as anything else I've owned to date.Any "serious" simmer who finds themselves a bit bored once and a while with how "easy" the more modern machines appear to be to get from place to place REALLY ought to grab this one now. I of course mean no disrespect to the people who fly the real birds!

Actually I've owned the LDS for a while and think it's outstanding. Love taking it fom cold and dark to the air. The flight itself is a bit dull will all the technology helping, so I often hand fly at least the climb out and approach (not that the autoland isn't totally cool!) and try to keep to reasonable length routes.So is it a more complete and authentic 767 experience I want, or a authentic hand-flown (navigated anyway) jet experience? Both of course!From everything I've read, both are outstanding. Time limits me to one or the other for a while anyway...Appreciate any further thoughts.

... can't decide... don't have time to learn both...A choice between more clickology and more realism......doh...I've d/l'd both F1 wrappers, now which to click?