Avocet

I've been doing VOR and ILS approaches for some time and come across errors which make it harder to fly these approaches. -1. Discrepancies between the VOR course and heading required to stay on course. For example take the VOR B approach at KPAE - to keep on the 160 degree course inbound to the runway a heading of 160 degrees would be required in zero wind conditions, but this does not work. It turns out only a heading of 163 degrees keeps the needle centered. This may not seem like a lot but it does add to the workload and is annoying! -2 Discrepancies between FSX's ILS final approach heading to fly (that you see when you hover the mouse over the ILS feather on the map) and heading required to stay on course, again in zero wind conditions. For example take the ILS or LOC RWY 16R approach at KPAE. FSX says a final approach heading of 159 degrees is required , but to keep the localiser needle centered requires a heading of 162 degrees! Help really appreciated Thanks.

You're right, the "bug" has caught me, I'll look into that!

Hi All, I wanted to learn a bit more about crosswind landings, flying the default A321 and B737. I flew an approach with the AP on and the aircraft was pointed into the wind, the wind being a direct crosswind but only 8 knots. The problem is the wind cut out at about 1,000 feet above MSL. Tried to fix this by pushing Realism sliders to max which kept the wind going, but when I de-crabbed and landed the plane pulled into the wind a lot, ruining the landing! I know about weathercocking / weathervaning, but how could an 70 ton airliner flying at 150 knots (groundspeed) be pushed around by a light wind? The pulling into the wind only happens on the ground. Is there a way of enabling wind below 1,000 feet, with low realism settings? Help really appreciated.

Great to hear there's another one, I went to last year's and having never seen high-end gaming computers before it was a real eye opener. These machines are amazing and need to be seen in the flesh to really appreciate what your money could buy. Plus there's all the simming and aviation related stuff to look at and buy. Don't know yet if I'll go this year, finances are tight.

Are you unable to trim the aircraft in manual flight? Just checked default 737 trim wheel, max trim available is showing as +/- 20 degrees. If Elevator Trim Effectiveness in the .CFG file has been reduced too much from its default value of 1, it may be possible to "run out of trim". In the 737 I have this value reduced to 0.4 but works ok.

It can seem like overload when you have so many addon aircraft to choose from, and they are all obtainable on a reasonable income. You could have three of these aircraft for the price of a real lesson! Personally I'm still flying the default aircraft due to computer limitations, and quite happy. Mostly flying the A321 (modified) 737-800 and Baron 58. To me it's about learning new things, new types of approaches, short runways, etc etc. It seems there is always something new to learn in the world of aviation.

Ha ha! It's working now. Got the professionals to work on it, they re-installed the Win 7 OS then FSX activated OK. I'm just glad to get my "wings" back.

I thought the solution could be to be able to enter letters as well as digits while calling the MS Activation number, got a mate to try on his top-spec phone but it wasn't possible. If there's a phone that can do this then I'd give it a go! Thanks again for the help.

Thanks for the link, but this didn't work. I'll have to buy another FSX.

Hi, Yes the 25 digit Product Key was entered. I was counting on the MS Software Licencing System Reset tool to work, but wasn't really sure about how to use it, do you know how to get it to work?

Hi All. I can't get FSX to activate. I've tried many suggestions eg Compatibility Mode, MS Software Licencing System Reset tool, phone activation, but no luck. UK Activation number wants the Product Key which contains letters, which can't be entered. Also tried US number. MS said they don't support the product anymore and wouldn't activate it. Would anyone know how to get it activated? Help really appreciated.

John, this was disabled, and everything else checked, but strangely plane still is thrown about. :wacko: BTW, to those reading this, I'd recommend taking Rod's Instrument lessons and looking at the Ground School stuff, if you havn't already passed it all!! Rod is good at explaining complex things, and makes some bad jokes along the way. It improves flying skills hugely and makes it more enjoyable, especially the ILS lesson. It's not easy, but well worth the effort. Looking forward to the CPL part of the training.

I checked the joystick calibration etc. including rudder operation, but aircraft still pulls violently to the right on take off, and is still thrown around in the air, as if its affected by turbulence rather than faulty rudder, as altitude is gained/lost when this happens...this is a bit of a tricky one! I hope that it can be fixed soon tho as I'm missing Rod's Instrument lessons...