Need-To-Know

I may have to thank them for not taking paypal. For the last few days I was trying to use my credit card to buy $230 worth of Orby addons but my bank blocks it because of the overseas sales (got me why on that). If they had left an alternative at say another online business I would have bought from them. I did submit a friendly ticket but they did not reply. Since this is the only time of year I get enough time off to really sim I have to move on things quickly since installing usually takes jumping through a few hoops = many hours of configs. Any hoo - tired of waiting tonight I went ahead and made the X-plane jump (10 and 11 for the price of one) and bought the amazing looking PMDG DC-6 I have watched for so long. Very exciting. BTW while Orbx/bank declined my card Xplane and PMDG took it right away....just saying Ehh I would be flying Orby land right now but ran out of options. I do understand the reasons for sure they had Paypal problems. Just wish they had left me another purchase option.....or maybe I don't will see after the Xplane install finishes but PMDG J41 is my fav of favorites so doubt I will be disappointed.

Hi Guys, So been away for a while - Pre "Operations Center".... So I do not have any of the other PMDG AC so no OpCenter. I was trying to add a livery and it said I needed the OpCenter to install it. How would I get this mysterious and allusive OpCenter :smile: ? Reinstall the JS41? Rob Hollis

I figured it out by emailing GoFlight. They gave me a quick answer that has worked great. I have been using my GF panels for everything in DCS....and a few other apps. They have software called: "GF-Keys" https://www.dropbox.com/s/n56phs4eg3w1lst/GFKeys%201.5%20Build%2073.zip?dl=0 There is no install so what you need to do is create a folder and run from there. After you start GF-Keys and program it close it to your taskbar then left click on the GF-Icon to enable GF-Keys you will need to do this each time you use it.

I have several GoFlight Modules. GF-T8 GF-T8-2 GF-P8 GF-RP48 (Mostly just buttons) I want to use my modules in DCS combat simulator. I have asked on their forum but got no answer. I have read from searching several post that people have gotten GoFlight modules to work in DCS. I suppose just as key emulators - which is all I need. But no one says How they did it. Problem I have is the GoFlight software only runs when FSX or P3d is running. How do you get it to run when DCS is running?

Ahhh roger that, I had not ever thought of that. Not really a feature I would use but understand why people would.

I have seen you guys say no historic weather in Opus. Maybe I have misinterpreted what you mean but it does do historical weather: http://www.simforums.com/forums/saving-dynamic-weather-historic-weather-themes_topic42840.html

Hi tkellogg, I understand your frustration. And sometimes looking for solutions can be very aggravating. I do believe people are here trying to offer solutions and I will offer one also. It could be your routers firewall settings. Mind you not your virus/firewall software. You could try logging into you router and looking up these settings. I know Comcast (A big cable internet provider here in the USA) installs a router firewall with their new routers. These firewalls (yes 2) can have limits set in them. It can be frustrating trying to figure out what was causing these problems as there is no report - just a failure to upload or download certain amounts. Login into your router will depend on which router you have. Google search will help. Then look for any firewall and disable it - at least when downloading or uploading. Download managers, now a days, are not really needed unless you have a lot of disconnects. Try FireFox for a modern, secure browser.

Hi Ron, If you want to get a nice browser setup I suggest Firefox with a few addons. IE (Internet Explorer) was one of the worst browsers ever made. Firefox latest: Addon: AdBlocker - Will put those popups in check. Addon: Ghostery - Will block tracking (somewhat) such as social junk, Google tracers and other non beneficial (to you) stuff. I recommend ESET fo virus and firewall security (less evasive and not processor intensive). Of coarse there will be people here who differ. I work with online technologies everyday as part of my job and have done so over 12 years.

There are no stupid questions - EZDOK and Opus cameras allow you to quickly zoom in on something without having to try and hold your head in the perfect position. I use Opus. I can zoom in on say the overhead while going through my flows. I can also disable (via Opus) the TIR while zoomed in or just have my head pointing at an area while letting me pan just that area.. Kinda helps like when looking at something off screen to keep the tracking from jumping around. Lots of times something is too far to one side and the tracking drops when I turn my head too far (I have 4 screens). EZDOK or Opus lets me pan my head to that far point. A BIG Advantage is setting limits. So if you pan your head too far to one side you are not poking through the fuselage - Flying along at 400 knots with your head sticking up above the cockpit - makes for a virtual bad hair day.

The Pro Clip has a rep for breaking pretty easy. Mine did - but it took 4+ years before it broke for good. 2 for plastic 4 for wires. I did have it taped and twist tied on before the final break - which was the super skinny wire broke inside the attachment coupling. Try as I might I could not splice it back in. I immediately ordered a new pro clip. But in the interim used the reflective hat clip. I have now had the pro clip for a couple of months and not used it - sticking to the reflectors. Mainly due to the PIA wires going up the head phones and the very fragile clip plastic. (hint use a headphone stand when not wearing headphones and treat the proclip with kid gloves) Since I only get time to fly at night the reflectors work pretty good. Recently -during the day- I tried TrackIR with only the reflectors and with my office facing the water, large windows, and the bright Florida sun reflectors did not work so good- got kinda jumpy. With the ProClip I used to adjust Light Filter and IR Brightness to compensate for day time use. Hope this helps. You will LOVE your new head tracking!!! EZDOK and Opus require a little text editing, but nothing too complicated. Ask here if you need help.

Hehe - Wait until you go multiplayer against the Flaming Cliffs guys. Luckily my best friend flies in a real world Navy Adversary Squadron in F5s (our Mig 21 counterpart) and gave me lots of good pointers. Just fly low and get in behind their radar before committing.

Just a lil FYI to add to actual fun talk part of this thread.... GTA5 is the most expensive game ever produced - $265 million - that's wild!

You gave me a good laugh on that! Sooo right.

My install did not come with English option - but it is a really simple plane. Looks like lots of switches most you just turn on at startup on forget - compared to the A-10 it is very easy. A couple of flights and you will not think about it. Edit: There is a "Custom Cockpit Livery" i believe that reads your language and may change it - Just never used it. Here is the English Mod too: http://www.476vfightergroup.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=339 Edit 2: graphically it is the best DCS module - IMO

Awesomeness - with a side of gravy! Haha. Stearmandriver big thanks for the offer and time! This is what makes simming/Avsim great. An actual Alaska pilot helping out. Pinch me I must be dreaming. I am just a simmer but only fly Alaska. I have tried to fly Alaska routes as much as possible. Making it as real as possible too (weather, charts, planning, blah blah). I am a prop guy - recently started the DASH 8 but have been in the j4100 a lot (J4100 not realistic to Alaska airlines but I like the extra workload). After flying realtime weather in Alaska all winter I have grown a huge respect for you guys that fly it for real. I salute you Mr. StearmanD! And thanks again. You are living the dream of many guys here. Rob Hollis

Nice review! I bought P3d back when it went to version 2 so I could still install it to 2.5. But sadly where I fly to many things are not supported: Orbx Alaska APs = PAKT, PAJN, PAEN, PAGS, CZST, CYBD, J4100. And the thought of having to buy the J4 again..... With Steves DX10 thingy I am pretty happy. I do pretty good flying into FSDT Vancouver (I installed it with all textures at their lowest). Will change over one day when (if) my area is supported or I change to a different area. Will probably buy a different plane then instead of the J4 over again.

Thanks ScotFlieger. Appreciate the response. Good to know...I can stop searching. Have a good weekend.

1st Thanks for Linda! 2nd does this module work with the 146 (non Avro)? Mine does not seem to - only detects the Avros when selected in FSX. I select 146-100 it defaults back to "FSX Default". Thanks PS - Is there a way to make the little green lights on the actual GoFlight panels (GF-T8, P8s, etc.) work with Linda?

Nice one Lewis - That is how I - relearned - to fly. Once long ago I was in one of the commercial jobbies and got dropped off by Radar Contact in the middle of no where. Then I discovered without real world knowledge of navigation I was totally lost. Then I decided to go back to basics and studied. I soon discovered that I really enjoyed navigation. 1st went to WW2 technology - Dead reckoning, use of timers, nav. ref. points. It really saved me (virtually) when I ran into a white out heading from PAKT to PAJN. I was able to just use a stop watch, headings all adjusted for wind (no VORs or DME). Brought me right into the PAJN airspace while in a non IFR AC (in real world would have been illegal with my VFR flight plan). That is where the satisfaction comes in for me. When I did my reinstall I only installed the J4100. It is fun to have something that bites back if not used properly. I now spend an hour planning, setting up paper charts and plates, checking FAA cameras and weather. The fun comes in from the execution of the flight more than the plane systems. Admittedly I am OCD. I only fly one area, one plane. 1-2 hour flights each night. I shoot arrivals and approaches until perfected. Most of the time not even using the FMC.

Not only am I happy for the plane I am also happy to read here that there are other virt. pilots that enjoy the same process I do. I remember reading about a guy that spent no time flight planning, jumps into his T7 takes off, pressed a button and then goes to do something else until time to land. Personally I could not see the fun in it but understand we are all different. Basically you are just there to taxi and program an FMC. I look forward to an AC I have to study (more than a week) to fly. I look forward to not using the included GPS and planning a flight. While flying I want to stay busy, monitoring systems, reading charts, using timers, dialing in the radios, watching for weather and traffic, understanding airspace and procedures. Ashamed that we are a niche and not a stronger force that more planes of this complexity are a valuable investment for developers. I think if people would spend more time learning they would appreciate what they have and not worry so much about getting more and more addons since they are taking time to be a better pilot. Rob Hollis

Ok here I come XPlane As a proud prop flyer this is the pinnacle. Just to offer feedback (happy however you do it). I wish there would be an option to remove the GPS on the panels. (I am not lost without it ) Another damn purest I am.

Or just buy paper charts. I have Navigraph and EFB - also have tried many others - but now I use real paper charts setup correctly before the flight on 2 clip boards. I use sectionals, low and hi charts. Also the the terminal procedures book. Only cost about $5 a chart or for the book. Gotta use your brain while flying though - or you will get lost. I personally don't use GPS. Not trying to sound like a tight a. Love it - but I can be an overly purest most of the time. Drives other people nuts. I understand the other point of view. This just keeps me occupied while flying.

I just got back into FSX in Dec. I own FSX SE and P3D but not installed (yet). I chose vanilla FSX because of where I fly and what I fly in. Alaska Orby, and PMDG J4100 - both not fully compatible with either SE or P3D. I'll tell ya, after spending all of the time getting everything up and working- and working really good now. I am good to wait until the dust settles every where. My frame counter is off, and no OOMs - it all looks great outside of my cockpit window. And I fly in the soup all of the time in Alaska's Fjords with real time weather OpusFSI, sexy Rexy, Orby into FSDT Vancouver & Aerosoft's PANC (a heavy hitter but working fine). Honorable mention - Steve's great Dx Fix. Now I fly and don't worry about latest greatest. Well I did just get 3 new GoFlight panels in the mail today....so a bit more work. PS: It is great to not be into big tubes (777) and all of that crazy new stuff. The song that comes to mind is "Damn it feels good to be a gangsta"

Operations from 1200m (4000ft) runways Just to chime in here if/for a pre-purchase. Just be ready to leave your 737 behind. The J4 is great and gives the feeling of real (outside of GA) aviation. I have several other paywares but nothing is close. The big boys with the fancy FMCs and click to fly will seem boring after you spend time to learn to properly fly the J4. I have added about every known addon to it: FsCrew, Reality Wx Radar, 3D lights. It is great for short hops and you get to fly low enough to see that new scenery you bought - with flight levels around 16000 and 20000. Rob Hollis

Hey I had the same ground sticky with the Twotter. I bought Frictionality and it works GREAT!! It is pretty cheap too. I think cost me under $13. What I like about it is you can tweak a lot of perimeters on each one of your AC separately. Fixed my Twotter and used it on other AC I was having problems with too. FYI for the Twotter I used it to remove ALL friction down to Zero.