Thunderbird8

I fly with an online group and we use our own dedicated server for the flights. (We also fly on VATSIM too) Almost all members use either FS9 / FSX and when it's their turn to control they get on pretty well using one of the existing packages on the PC, such as FSNav or FS Commander. Question is, is there an equivalent 'moving map' type system for Mac OS? I'm using X Squawk Box to connect to our server which works fine, and in the visual world of X-Plane can see all the other pilots without difficulty. The problems arise when it is my turn to control, as I can't find a reliable way of gaining the picture and perspective to control effectively.

The 777 might be ok then. Could be a good shout too for going transatlantic as well.

Thanks for that reply Longranger. It had worried me a bit that my kit may not have enough oomph. But then I'm not after super-duper FPS. Wish list is: - Boeing airliner - LNAV and VNAV - Correct to type FMC that can (ideally) be updated with latest SIDS/STARS etc - Compatible with a yoke - Ability to fly on VATSIM

Hi to all, first post in this forum. I'm an experienced flight sim 'heavy' pilot having gained most of my knowledge using the level D767 and PMDG 737 and 747, all on FSX. I used to do a lot of flying on both VATSIM and private online FS groups in the UK. Having fully converted to Mac OS I want to start with X plane. I have sold all my FSX software and hardware and I'm basically starting from scratch. I will probably be using x-plane mostly for flying heavies with a view to going online. Hardware wise I have got an iMac 2.7 GHz Intel core i5, with 8 GB of RAM and 512 MB video RAM. (NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512 MB). I also have an iPad and also an iPhone, so any apps which can sync with X plane would be fine too. Is there a way of using the iPad as an FMC? That would be awesome. I would like some recommendations if at all possible on how best to proceed, including what hardware to get and also what decent payware airliners there are (with FMCs). I'm thinking of getting a yoke with an incorporated throttle. It appears that the CH products one is recommended by Austin Meyer. Anyway, any and all help, advice and opinions appreciated.

That's weird, I find I get a better FPS in windowed mode, as long as I almost (but not quite) fill the screen with the window. Hmm.

Vatsim has some weekend events too which are sometimes pretty good.

Agree with this. Vatsim isn't scary at all and the controllers are on the whole very patient. After all, where would they be with no traffic??!!

You still are one, you brainless moron. OK this thread has been hijacked by deranged pedants and has served its purpose and should be locked. As the OP I demand it!!!!!!;)

I totally agree. I don't think that occasional acceleration in the cruise in any way diminishes one's FS experience and doesn't devalue the planning etc involved in a flight. In fact if someone felt that way I'd feel quite sorry for him to be honest. It's not a real aeroplane after all.

I like realism as much as the next man but I maintain that forcing oneself to either spend extended periods of time starting at ocean, or restrict oneself to very short hops is likely to rob you of some fun FS experiences. As I said above flying online I would never dream if accelerating time but I just recently did a 3100 mile hop as part of a RTW flight and there was no way I was going to spend part of my hard-earned Xmas holiday glued to the sim for 7 hours. But each to their own.

I'd never accelerate time on Vatsim!!!!!!!

You don't fly an airliner VFR. The FMC by default uses IFR (airways, SIDS, STARS etc), what you mean us flying without ATC. Definitely join an online flying group such as Vatsim. You'll enjoy it I expect.

Appreciate the tongue in cheek comments guys, very welcome. The thing I do feel though is that certain people on this forum need to remember is the very fact that they are NOT real pilots! Any fool can sit for eight hours at four in the morning secure in the righteous knowledge they 'aren't cheating'. Sad.

Don't do it for heaven's sake. Slewing isn't for flying.

Just in case people are interested completed a 'no weather' flight and used x4 in the cruise with zero issues. Pleased about this because it does expand the world for me a bit. I fly a lot on Vatsim where obviously you can't do it but it's nice to do other things too.

Yep

Outside air temperature too high? Just a thought. FL240 is the pivot point for the FSInn / VATSIM / others(?) temperature inversion issue.Next time it does it, I bet your TAT will read something like +25 when it should be -25.

As part of my round the world flight I am probably going to have to use warp factor for some legs due to literally not having the time to complete the legs before bedtime. Has anyone successfully done it and at X what speed?

Yes. Under Perf in the FMC.

Sorry Alan, it is. My mistake.

I've had the problem without ever using AI

Vref 40 + 70 is faaast for flap extension. Can't see any need for that.

Well as far as I'm concerned - and this is with no weather, no nothing - I do not trust the VNAV descent as far as I could throw it, and I'm a very experienced Boeing simmer.What's beginning to irritate me a little is that as this aircraft was designed to use FSX (and nothing else) as a flying platform why were tweaks not put in place to compensate for this, such as dealing with FSX weather?It's all very well the people at PMDG making ironic comments like "welcome to FSX" when faced with a shortcoming supposedly of the NGX, but citing 'high fidelity' and faithful systems seems a little hollow when they knew the platform was not entirely compatible. We all know you can't change FSX - so why not change the sim??I have recently been told that in order to get weather anything like realistic (not the weather you understand, but the way the NGX reacts to it) I have to spend between £60-80 on buying the full version of FSUIPC and a weather program, I forget which, is it Active Sky? In any case it's more money than the NGX cost in the first place!And before the legions of people who will not hear a bad word said about PMDG leap on and batter me - I believe in this sim and the company that made it, and I salute any firm who makes such good quality add-ons for it. However I also believe that free speech and honest debate should not be stifled.

And if you have it, what do you do? Please can someone tell us! :(

Yes especially as I don't use CI above 40.