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skyguy04

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  1. Ok ok! ;D Then i will disappear back into the masses of those waiting anxiously to see what Laminar delivers. Regardless of what we all think, in the end, money talks. :-)
  2. Ben, I didn't say iOS was a really bad marketing move. I expressed concern that it introduced some serious scope creep. Scope creep is a result of lack of focus. If you lack focus, you can bet that others will pass you by. I am well aware of the value of social media, viral marketing, and word of mouth. They are THE BEST forms of marketing. However... If creating an iOS app delays the release of your core product so much that when it's released, it's not even a competitor in the market, then you should be worried. I hope that's not the case here.
  3. Ok, well I can admit when i'm wrong. It appears that i may be wrong. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really do appreciate it. If all of what you (all) say is true, then I have nothing to worry about. I hope that's the case! I look forward to flying in X-plane for many years to come! Take care.
  4. You do realize he works for Laminar...don't you? I didn't, but i do now. Nice to meet you Tom. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. That doesn't change what i posted. IMHO, in order for X-plane to be #1, this whole attitude you've got to know everyone's userID, have 1000+ posts, and be the most "in-the-know" person, has got to change. That, in it self, is a problem. I'm glad that Laminar is no longer the mom and pop shop. I know that several developers have been hired recently. I've followed Ben's blog when he introduced the new ATC developer that was brought on. I thought that was great! The only reason i knew that was because i'm a regular reader of Ben's blog. Why was that not marketed? What is currently being done for marketing is sub-par, when is should be top notch. Release a freaking video or something about the "coming of X-plane 10". Don't make people dig for information. The average person does not have time for that. BTW, I appreciate those keeping this topic on the subject of bringing more awareness to X-plane. I realize this topic may be controversial, but i am truly after trying to address the topic of making sure x-plane succeeds as the #1 simulator on the market.
  5. +1. Kind of important considering he's on the development team for Laminar. Given all you have said, I'm going to give myself the "okay" to say you have no idea as to what really is going on at Laminar. At the same time, I don't fault you entirely for it. I suppose as someone who is heavy on the development side and "in bed" with more of the Laminar people, I would be more educated in the matter. AND, with that said...I'm not sure Austin cares that everyone know his financial situation when it comes to the sim... Marketing was the task of previous firms who published. The contract was always for them to do it. Whether they did the job, I have no idea, but I do know that the sim ended up in many, many more stores than it ever used to. Wal Mart being one, but from what I gather that's probably the last time that will ever happen again. I don't want to be the one that lets out "all the bits," but the Laminar team is now very large from what it ever used to be. It's not the mom and pop development firm anymore, and Austin isn't the only one at the core. There's now numerous programmers, numerous tasks, and a plethora of 3D designers, texture artists, etc. If you only knew the costs involved to produce what is soon to be "X-Plane 10" then I'm sure you'd change your tune a bit. Over and onward... Thank you for the reply. This is exactly the type of information i am looking for. You are probably right. I may not know what is going at Laminar Research. But that is exactly my point. I have been a user of X-plane for a very long time. I read x-plane.org, x-pilot.com, and Ben Supnik's blog just about every morning when i get to work. I am constantly looking for information regarding improvements to my favorite sim. So, you could say I'm way more "in-tune" than the average user. However, if you think that everyone should invest the same amount of time that i do in reading all of these forums, blog posts, news articles, etc., then I am 100% dead on with my original concern! I am a 29 year old private pilot who also happens to be a project manager in charge of a small team of web developers, programmers, marketing people, content writers, etc. The only reason i'm as engaged as i am is because i'm in front of a computer every day, all day. 85% of the guys in my flying club are not. However, 50% of them are semi-tech savvy and would be interested in having a home flight simulator. If they were aware of even an ounce of hype about X-plane (TV ad, article in PC mag, article in PC Gamer, coverage on G4 TV, ANYTHING!), they would all go out and buy it. Just like i'm sure they will all go buy MS Flight as soon as it comes out. And just an FYI, they are all familiar with that title's up-coming release. So... to those that say i'm an idiot and I don't know what i'm talking about, what do you have to say about those who are familiar with MS Flight and not X-plane? Keep in mind that MS was not even in the game for the past 3 years! IMHO, they have done minimal as well.... Just wait until they start ramping up....
  6. You make some accusations without backing them up with any real information. Your whole post is 1 sentance.... I'm simply concerned that Laminar Research is not investing enough in marketing and development. Unless you are already a user of X-plane, can you honestly say that they are investing money in marketing the coming of X-plane 10? A) They give the impression that their development team is very small. Can you argue that? Their marketing is minimal. Can you argue that? C) They give the impression that their focus is all over the place. Patching 9.xx, iphone apps, android apps, etc. What is their real market? If I was a scenery developer or an aircraft developer, i'd be really concerned about building anything for X-plane because they have no focus. In fact, given all of the points above, i wouldn't want to risk my company on a product that appears to be all over the place. For example: They have to support their product. In x-plane, they would be fielding questions like, "This Bonanza V35 i just bought works on my PC but not on my android phone". See the dilemma? So although i welcome your comments, i would like a serious response and not a 1 sentance accusation that i'm an idiot. Thanks!
  7. Thanks for the reply Keith. I guess what i meant by Iphone/Android apps being a niche market, is they don't really address the primary users. I see X-plane as a simulator for real pilots, flight schools etc. They sell keys that enable flight schools to build an FAA certified simulator. The iphone/android apps allow you to fly an airplane on your phone. Hardly the same market.... You could argue that Laminar Research is trying to market to ALL people that will pay money to use their product. Ie. Be all things to all people. Well, if that's the case, common sense would tell you that you have a real possibility of being mediocre in all markets. The only way any company could pull that off is to invest some SERIOUS resources to development and marketing. I don't see that. Ask the average person if they have ever heard of X-plane and they will tell you no. Ask them if they have heard of MSFS, and they will say yep! If X-plane is trying to be all things to all people, shouldn't the average person know of it's existence?
  8. Let me first start out by saying that i am a huge fan of X-plane. I want to see X-plane shine above all others! What concerns me is that not enough money is being invested in it. It seems that Austin, i mean Laminar Research, is afraid of taking the risks necessary to be #1. Over the last few years, they have had a VERY RARE opportunity to take X-plane and run with it. MS shut down their FSX development team and left X-plane pretty much the only contender on the market with any potential. Why not take out a huge loan and RUN with it?!?! Hire lots of developers, invest in marketing, invest in everything else necessary to be #1. Step up X-plane 10 development and truly make leaps and bounds towards being THE next generation flight simulator. Instead, it appears to me that Austin and those involved are content filling small niche markets like android apps, ipad apps, and riding on the coat tails of their simulated wind tunnel technology. Let me ask one question... What happens if MS Flight includes a similar (maybe better) wind tunnel simulator on top of all the other stuff: Persistent world MMO style Usage of the "cloud" idea (ie. more server resources and less client-side requirements) Amazing graphics Amazing weather Amazing tools for aircraft and scenery developers etc. How hard do you think it would be for them to make apps for android, ipad, etc. Would they even bother? Does Laminar Research really consider X-plane the best simulator on the market? Do they even want to compete with MS? It just concerns me when i see statements like: "Just some TEENY little tweaks and enhancements to make v9.xx perfect:" I don't consider X-plane to be "perfect". Honestly, I see x-plane stuck in neutral and a very weak contender for MS to snuff out. There is NO sign of Laminar Research making strides to be THE best simulator on the market. IMHO, a HUGE opportunity has been missed. At the very least, INVEST in some heavy marketing. It will help on all fronts including bringing in some much needed revenue on all existing products. Just my 2-cents. EDIT: Let me just say one more thing… Austin, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but let’s just say I am a project manager and also a developer. I know all too well the challenges associated with relinquishing control of a delopment project that you consider “your baby”. I may be completely wrong about this, but as an outsider looking in, it appears that you are afraid of relinquishing control. In order for “your baby” to soar, you have to surround yourself with good people and let them work. Stand back and let them surprise you. It’s the only way to succeed. Good luck my friend. I truly want to see X-plane soar above all others!
  9. Piper Comanche 250 or Bonanza V35 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-24_Comanche http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Bonanza The piper is one of the fastest and most fuel efficient GA aircraft ever made. It's speed, distance, and pay load make it a wonderful GA bird to travel with. Same goes for the Bonanza. It's just a little faster and a LOT more expensive. Mooney falls into this same category, but those are cramped.
  10. Thanks Airbus! I'm very anxious to see the new version. If you need someone to test for accuracy, just let me know. I'd be happy to test and give you some constructive feedback.
  11. More of my 2-cents. The dirt on the windshield is interesting for about 30 seconds. I would never take-off with a windshield that dirty. I live in South Carolina though, not the desert. Maybe that's common out west? No clue. Pretty annoying though when most people i know take pride in keeping their plane clean. Bugs on the other hand... now those things are unavoidable... I use them when lining up on the runway. lol
  12. I thought i might chime in here. I recently purchased this 152 to help with my real world training. I've got about 30 hours logged in a Cessna 152 towards my PPL. About to finish up in January. Hopefully the following information will help with the new revision for the flight model... In real life, i'm working on performance take-offs and landings. For a soft-field take off, you set 10 degrees of flaps and hold full aft elevator while taxiing on to the runway and at the start of the take-off roll (keep it moving, don't stop). At about 15-20kts or so, the nose wheel pops up and you ride down the runway doing a wheely to reduce drag and risk of hitting a pot hole. Apply just enough back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the ground while you accelerate. At around 45-50 kts the mains leave the ground as the plane is in ground effect. You push the nose over and keep the plane in ground affect (1/2 the width of the wing or about 15ft. is most effective). As the plane accelerates (free of drag from the ground) in ground effect to Vy (65kts-70kts) you pull into a normal climb attitude to hold that airspeed for the best climb rate. Edit - This is straight from the POH as standard operating procedure for a soft field take off. Right now, version 1.1 of this plane does not come close to accomplishing this maneuver accurately. For starters, just hold full aft elevator and give it about 1/4 throttle and see what happens. Nose comes flying up and the tail smacks the runway, immediately. It feels like there is no weight in the nose (ie. the engine). I put the CG very far forward to get it closer, but i don't think that's a good solution. Maybe the designer can come up with a better solution for how to balance the plane. I also noticed this issue while on extended downwind, base, and final. When applying flaps, the nose tends to fly up way more than it should. Generally, if the nose is down when you apply flaps, it doesn't really come up that much. Could just be my trim though. It would help if others would test this and see if they come up with the same verdict. Hope this helps!
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