FlexibleFlier

Looking forward to the -60 Series, which I flew in the RW back in the early '70s.

Reading the small print on the website, I believe the 14-day trial period is free, after that it's payware. I haven't installed it yet so I can't comment, but you never know, it could be worth the $$$.

I tried the Apache first - it was cheaper - but the wiggle got the better of me and I switched to the long nose Aztec, which I learned to like very much. Yes, the trim was strange but she was so stable that it didn't seem to matter too much. Ah, those were the days: the only calculator allowed for the writtens was an E-6B, gas was cheap and there was still some uncontrolled airspace.

I also got my MEL in an Aztec back in the Dark Ages, and then put about 120 hours on one. She was kind of like the girl no-one asked to the Prom: not particularly good looking but really sweet. The blunt nose came off the Apache where it was a cause of some very unpleasant yaw...the thing would wiggle it's way through the air, never holding quite steady. Nothing violent, just very, very annoying. And none of the passengers ever believed it wasn't your fault.

I was a pilot/flight engineer at EAL in the late '60s and early '70s. Although the company clearly had management problems, it was sad to see it go under. It would be great to see that livery flying again. Has anyone else noticed that the airlines from that era that are no longer with us all ordered the L-1011? Pan Am, EAL, TWA... I never flew that airplane but crewmembers did tell me that everything about it seemed better than the DC-10. For example, the 3rd engine was part of the original design, not an afterthought when the airplane didn't meet performance spec; and, as far as I know, it never lost a baggage door in flight. But then, I probably don't know the whole story. There is a group that has fully restored an Eastern DC-7B that occasionally does the airshow circuit. I think it is based in Opa-Locka, FL. (OPF): http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-n836d_jul10_article.htm When the new Eastern starts flying it would be quite special to see a formation fly-by showing off both liveries with a modern jet and N836D. I am still in contact with friends from those good old days that were our version of the Golden Age of Flight. Happily, FS in its various iterations has given me lots of fun reliving those times. I like round motors and tail draggers so I also get to fly great planes of the past that I never had the chance to get my hands on in the RW.

I think it has to do with why you are in FSX: are you trying to learn piloting skills or play a game. There is no right or wrong here, only an understanding of your desired outcome. If you are playing a game, then certainly using all the electronic "goodies" is great fun, and gives you the chance to move outside the airplane, check out the scenery and do some fun, even crazy, things. If you are trying to learn piloting skills, it's a different matter. Before turning on all the electronics, it is crucial to learn how to fly an airplane: hands on, stick and rudder, basic understanding of how the machine works and what the instruments are telling you. As was said above, even when on autopilot, it is your responsibility as Pilot in Command to keep the airplane operation safe. The suggestion to start with the Cessna 172 trainer is right on target in either case. You will learn more and become much more facile with the equipment if you use the building block approach: start small, adding skills and tools incrementally. Whether you are trying to become a pilot or a gamer you will do better and achieve your goal more quickly. Happy Flying / Gaming!

Great update to an already fine program. It's working - with the exceptions noted below - on both default and many 3rd party aircraft. I am having two problems: 1. I cannot use the Numpad Enter key for any input. My first choice was to use the assignments in the manual so I set Enter to parameter 11 with no luck. Assigning param 11 to the "+" key works OK. 2. Vertical Speed: whether I use the single autopilot (cycling) function or the independent functions I have no ability to add the required "+" or "-" and so I get no input to the A/P. I have tried a few different keys, all with the same result. What might I be doing wrong? All the other functions work as advertised. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Correction to my earlier post. The version with autopilot functions is 1.1 by Al Klayton, not the original author dazz. Nonetheless, adding those functions is especially useful.

Great piece of work...I discovered it only last week. The original version had an autopilot function (NpCSetAP.lua) but there is no equivalent in version 1.3. I have tried using the old code but it doesn't work: I get the autopilot in the message line and it cycles through Altitude / Vertical Speed / Heading as per the original instructions but none of the entries will activate. It appears that the old code conflicts with v. 1.3 or am I doing something wrong? If not, would it be possible to re-instate the Autopilot functions? They would be very useful as their entry into the A/P panel is as cumbersome as any other comm/nav equipment. Thanks!

Aharon, thank you for these pix. I was a pilot with Eastern Airlines for a number of years in the late 1960's and early 1970's - too late to fly this fine airplane. I was initially assigned to the Boeing 727 and, sadly, never even got to fly the last of the Constellations. But this does bring back great memories. You've reminded me to install this version so I now have the chance to fly this wonderful machine.

Pretty much any turboprop: Cessna 208, Kodiak Quest (payware), Pilatus TurboPorter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, etc. For piston, the Piper Navajo can fly at that altitude (everyone needs an oxygen mask or cannulas) but only the pressurized version is designed for it. Generally, aircraft.cfg files can be tweaked to perform at that altitude with some experimentation, but then it's obviously not realistic. However, it's kind of fun to cruise the Swiss Alps in a J-3 Cub.

48 years as a professional pilot, fixed- (5000+ hrs.) and rotary-wing (5000+ hrs.) so lots of aircraft. Some of my favorites: Piper Cub!! Cessna 140 Cessna 177RG Stearman PT-19 Piper Aztec Piper Seneca Piper Navajo Douglas DC-3 Boeing 727 Douglas DC-9 Bell 206B, L (very versatile) AS360 Dauphin (fenestron and a tailwheel) AS350/355 (excellent cockpit, sleek, fast) Sikorsky S-58T (big muscular beast, also with a tailwheel) Sikorsky S-76 (cream of the corporate crop) Microsoft Flight Sim (get to fly all those I couldn't in real life) Any interest in aviation is worth pursuing: it's challenging, fun and cathartic all at once. Keep it up. I wish you the best of luck, clear skies and a tail wind (except on landing).

So many components...so many settings...one size can never fit all. For better or worse, all this helps hold the FS(X) community together. Cheers, ~Mike

Good point. As is clear from this thread, there are so many variables that it's almost impossible to pin any one setting down. I can only say that after accepting the http://www.venetubo.com/ configurator's recommendedations AffinityMask=5 worked better than =14 for me. Tweaking can be the most time-consuming part of simming. Much as I'd like the best possible performance, after a while I tend to just fly. Or try to figure how much it would cost to have an array of Cray computers {LOL].

All good ideas and consistent with many forum comments. AffinityMask=14 is probably too high; try =5. You might also run the free configurator at http://www.venetubo.com/ for comparison; many of the results will be like the suggestions already mentioned. As always, back up your fsx.cfg first although the site saves a copy before overwriting. Although the changes are not highlighted in the ,cfg file, a list is provided with some other suggestions as well. I don't have NGX so I don't know how much this could help. But I am a low-and-slow flier and did get about a 5-10FPS boost although I still get the occasional stutter. I guess I have to look elsewhere for that solution. Good luck.