michelair

# 6 wins for me too...!

Thanks for the update, and yes I would rather wait in the terminal, then be in the plane on the ramp holding because of a warning light went off at the last minute.... :-) Have a great weekend, hope to hear more next week.

I like the idea of someone making a simple tutorial on how to create and define the Aircraft Profile, most of all show where to get the information such as the different weights of the aircraft, engines, people, cargo, fuel, ect....... Just me asking this question, shows that I am just getting into the nuts and bolts of this new add-on hobby of creating a load dispatch plan and flight plan in a real as it gets setting... Yes I know that most of the info can be validated via the FMC...., I guess I was thinking that this program would give us the information from the PFPX plan so we can input that information in the FMC, not the other way around.... I hope I said that right? I am sure this is a great program, I was hoping that the learning curve wasn't so steep... I am sure for the advanced sim flyers the program is Great... I am just hoping I can say that sooner than later....I know this old man is spoiled, I want my cake and eat it toooooooooooooo. :-) Anyway I second the idea of some making a tutorial for us lame ducks..... :-)

I agree with MarkW, the Aircraft Database should have a had a Database Aircraft wizard that would scan all of your aircraft cfg files. Then it should ask you to select from a list that it compiled from the CFG scan which aircraft you want to build a profile for? Then it should walk you through the Data Profile input form asking you to provide the missing information for that specific profile that it didn't find in the scan of the aircraft cfg file. This would make it a lot easier and a lot less time consuming for the user. It would also reduce data entry errors in the process. and yes what is the best way to properly determine the correct weight for the aircraft profiles? Hopefully that will be done for the next version. hint.. hint...

Well, I have tried them all, and the same story goes for all of them, the better looking mipped AI aircraft kills performance period.....I have to admit using top of the line AI repaints look great. I use UT2 and its a FPS killer for the average machine, but if you have a high end CPU and card makes the FSX world come alive. I guess their is no easy answer, UT2 has its downfalls but when looking for the best repaints and easy interface to add schedules and repaints it gets a 10 but when it comes to frames its scores a 5 at best.. So no matter which AI program you use keep the traffic density to a min 20 or lower. But if you have a High End Machine UT2 is a good choice, especially if you have the time to search for the best AI repaints and models, one example go check the fruit stand for Airbus AI aircraft. However, I will admit UT2 is behind in releasing the updated schedules and customer support is subpar, however Flight1 has a wonderful money back policy if you don't like the product... just my 2 cents worth.....

In today's market and economy, I realize that all of us are trying to save their hard earned dollars. However, when it comes to PMDG products, whether it is the NGX or other aircraft that they have produced,... I believe that there pricing as been spot on. I rarely pipe up on these forums but when us FSX users find a developer,like PMDG we better support them 100%. This company is setting the standard for the rest of all FSX flight developers. AND WE are benefiting from that. just look at the FSX enviroment compared to 4 years ago. So, tell all your friends buy from PMDG directly... I would also mention a very select few other fsx developers that I would suggest buying directly but that might be against the rules, but I am sure we all know who they are.... So yes, I will give up my favorite beer for the month, spend less money at the movie theater, and give up a few extra dollars to buy the 777 directly from their site. This hobby can be expensive, but when I calculate hours spent flying PMDG products its pennies on the hour.... That's entertainment We all can afford.

Actually pre 911.. UPS employees jump seated all the time, that's where I got the bug in the late 80's. I can remember my first time in the jump seat of a new 757 flying from Billings Montana to Denver, Colorado. After that I was hooked., however post 911 there is a lot of red tape to get proper authorization even if one is a non-pilot employee. Again,...sad day for us all.

Sad event in UPS History, being a UPS retiree after 20 plus years. I have several hundred hours in the jump seat of UPS aircraft. It's hard for me to believe that these types of crashes still occur with modern technology, however even with all the technology that exists today, we still depend on our pilots to be 100% all the time. Just a thought for my follow avsim followers, next time you see your UPS driver or pilot on the ramp or at your door step delivering your next computer part. Take the time and say thanks. My thoughts and prayers are with my UPS family....

Being a Flight Simulator fan from the late 1980's, I have seen many developers come and go, Many developers made sub par products and their products failed, the few developers such as PMDG and others are making great add ons for FSX, I am not sure how they are doing it, when there is no growth in the FSX platform....Many developers of FSX add-on developers have second jobs because this sector of the market is relatively small compared to the large game franchises.... Those programmers that are top in their game of programming are working for companies that make games for XBOX, PSP and WII platforms. This makes it very hard for FSX third party developers and XPlane developers compete to get the best talant in the industry to develop a new Platform that us FSX users will quickly migrate too and grow the hobby. However, from a investors stand point of view, I would be hard pressed to invest in a product or idea were software piracy is so rampant. I would love to invest monies into a new flight sim project that had the ability to take advantage of todays technoligies, BUT why? Everytime I look at torrents that provide gamers to stealing developers profits why would I invest money in a sector that can't control it. Sure Developers like ORBX, PMDG try hard to produce great products hoping that many of us users will buy the product and alot of us do, but as of today the were 64 torrents on one site alone....letting people steal products from developers. Bottom line to all this, it keeps investors like me from wanting to invest in this hobby.when I know that my return on my money is being raped by piracy..Don't get me wrong I have supported many companies like aerosoft and Flight1 by buying their products over the years, but simply buying a product is not good enough,....the market must grow and attract new customers. FSX platform growth is flat if not negative, that alone has scared many investors away....With Microsoft closing down Flight so quickly is concerning. For now, I will continue to support those developers that make great products for FSX, but in the long run, it does't look good. As more developers make products for the xplane platform I will make the jump but in tell then....FSX is still my main Flight sim... Trust me if there was money to be made investors would come running, but in reality its just not there...To many of todays investors want a quick return on their money, just look at Microsoft and Flight it didn't even make it six months....I agree with others it might take 2 to 5 years before we see a serious new Flight simulation platform that meets the requirements of us hard core FSX flight simulation fans.. Personally I hope the people at Xplane prove me wrong soon, and I will have Xplane on my system, to replace FSX......

I use a ELO touch 15" Monitor - Its a great monitor uses USB and SVGA input. Works great, you should be able to pickup a used one on ebay for $100.00...I bought mine off of craigslist from a Dentist office that upgraded his equipment for $75.For A video card I have the Sapphire 5870 ATI (6) Eyefinity 2MB card to drive all my Screens.

I have 2 SSD's one for OS and one for FSX, I also have 2 SATA Drives that I keep everything else, I use a external Drive to Backup my FSX drive, just in case I need to re-build my FSX. This configuration has worked well for me. Depending on your system, you should see a better performing FSX, not so much frame rates but everything else it makes a big difference. Simple advice, if you can afford it go SSD.

3 Monitor SetupI also use 2 Hanns-G 28" Monitors at 1920 x 1200 for the 2 side view screens and then I bought a TLC 40" monitor HD display for the middle screen, Everything looks great don't need IR track, but I still use it with ezdok. Its a great visual experience, Bought Hanns monitors for $269 a piece from Newegg, and bought the 40" TLC TV for $399.00 on Amazon. Thats 96 inches of Visual screen for under $950.00.This is a great Low cost option, been using this setup for almost 1 year no problems thus far... See signature for system specs...

+1

+2 Thank you for following up on the PMDG!!! Bravo... :-)

Was wondering if anybody has heard when PMDG will release the SDK to the public?

+1I agree the faster the SDK is released alot of us will be able to enjoy our third party Instrument add-ons.. Once again, Thanks to all for trying to make the NGX work with the MCP-Combo.... John

yes, I have heard the Linda Program is a good option for the MCP-Combo, however it doesn't work 100% as it was designed. I hope soon that the SDK is released soon. I agree if the Linda option... is all we have then yes, then use it. But it might keep me from buying it knowing that there are issues with the unit and the NGX...I would want to know.... I bought mine MCP-Combo second hand and love it, but I paid less then half the retail price. I would not buy it for full retail price knwoing that it doesn't work 100% with the NGX and other third party Aircraft.. But like I said its great with the LevelD sim... However, I don't like giving advice to a prospective buyer that vrinsight works as it should with the NGX when it doesn't. Just being honest.. And yes, thank you to all those people that are trying to get Linda working 100% with the NGX and MCP-Combo... John

HI, Phil I own the MCP-Combo unit and its a great device, if you only fly the default FSX planes or the LevelD 767 Sim, HOWEVER vrinsight requires the SDK of third party aircraft to make compatible drivers to make sure their devices work with the Third party aircraft. As of now,.... us MCP-Combo users are waiting for PMDG to release the SDK to vrinsight so they can complete the profile and driver so the MCP-Combo will work with the NGX. If you are considering buying this equipment you might want to visit the vrinsight website and leave them email stating your concerns. As many of us already have. Using the MCP-Combo with the LevelD is a great experience, however for now I am flying the NGX without the MCP-Combo. There is also software called Linda that people are working on to get the MCP-Combo working with the NGX, however its not 100% working they too need the SDK from PMDG. Lets hope PMDG releases the SDK soon so we can start asking Vrinsight for the NGX Driver and Profiles so we can start enjoying the MCP-Combo with the NGX as we currently do with the LevelD 767... John.

Pre 9/11/2001, I was fortunate to fly in the jump seat of UPS's Boeing 757 twice aweek, I lived in Montana and worked at the Commerce City Package Hub just outside Denver Colorado, (KBIL-KDEN) it was a great experience. However post 9/11 all the rules changed, it is expensive for companies in the US to get thier employees CAS certified, so the jumpseats are no longer full with non Air operations managers that needed a ride as I did.. But wow, it was a great experience, If I had to do it all over again, Aviation School here I come.... John.

+1 Please release the SDK so vrinsight can start to make Profiles and drivers for their products. John

Chris, Since the begininng, Flight Simulator has always been software that requires alot of system resources, again its one of the reasons why Microsoft stopped working on the FSX brand, I believe that PMDG went out on a limb to provide us with a solid aircraft, and it looks like they have. I think we here can agree that the FSX coding is from the dark ages, not PMDG's fault if anything you need to look at the source of the programming "Microsoft", PMDG should get credit in pushing the limits in providing a aircraft that pushes FSX to its limits with somewhat fair expectations. I am happy with the performance that the NGX gets on my system, but I also realize that the only way it is going to get better is having a company create a new flight simulation program from scratch. Maybe the new Microsoft Flight will do this.... who knows? but intell then we have to enjoy what we have. Yes, you have your opinion but at this stage in the game, I think it's alittle late. I can see you are a seasoned flight simmer, I hope you write microsoft and push your dis-appointment and hopefully they will make sure MS FLight does not follow the same steps as the FSX brand has. We all know that FSX environment is not designed with preformance in mind, its a fatal flaw in FSX from the start. No third party add-on has control of this. If anything we all need to thank PMDG for not stopping all future programming and wait for MSFLIGHT to create new aircraft. Instead they took a chance went ahead the a new design within the FSX environment and provided us current users with a aircraft that is second to none. PMDG has done nothing but promote our hobby and provide good quality aircraft for FSX users, I think you are not looking at the big picture, I may be wrong but again this is just my opinion. I do not know one serious flight simmer that is happy with Microsoft Flight simulations but we all have learned to deal with its flaws. John.

This is what I do for the CDU for all my third party add-ons, If you are using a card that supports multiple monitors, then I would buy a used ELo techsystems touch 15" monitor. These are dependable and you can pickup one on ebay for $100 to $200 dollars, even if you are building a Boeing cockpit it is a better option. But if you have the cash vrinsight is a good choice but limited to what you can use it for. The touch screen can be used for garmin systems as well, for me it was a better choice. Just a idea...John

I would contact Vrinsight first, you might want to post a comment of the vrinsight forum, I have the MCP-Combo and I am waiting for the techs at vrinsight to get ahold of the NDX SDK library to program a working profile so that Ican use the MCP-Combo with all of its functions. I was told that they are woking on it and should be ready soon. John.

I bought the Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) from Newegg, on sale...I agree with everyone that commented above, But you will notice a improvement. Especially in load times...If you make videos of your flights its a good improvement over traditional HHD drives in recording and editing. I only have FSX and its add-ons on this SSD. The autogen is faster and helps reduce the blurs, and the shutters are less, but it still depends on your overall system Good luck... John

Dazz, and Crum Thanks for your hard work, I thought that Linda Module for the vrinsight MCP-Combo still has problems with the AP functions and that it does sync correctly? And Yes you are correct, I would like Vrinsight to start making profiles, Like the LevelD profile that works 100% with the MCP-Combo. I realize the Vrinsight can't make a profile if Aircraft developers don't provide a open SDK Library, but PMDG does, so I am just asking VR to followup and make a profile so that 100% of the MCP-Combo functions correctly, Nothing more flustrating then have this instrument add-on only working with a few third party add-on Aircraft. Again this MCP-Combo is great when Vrinsight provides a working Profile.... And even better yet ....I have offered to pay for it....:-) John.