Jacoba

This is a slight change of subject, but with all the advances you are making with the CRJ would you consider, after it is released in making a CL-604 a Business jet which shares a good bit in common with the CRJ, avionics wise? The CRJ uses the General Electric CF34-3B1 The Cl604 and CL605 uses the same General Electric CF34-3B1 turbofans and they both have the Collin Six Tube EFIS avionics suite. It would be a very nice project, one that would not stray too far from the CRJ. Please consider this one! ;D ;D ;D

:D

Will the INS be a full custom house deal, or will X-Plane even allow such a critter? Which unit are you going to model, Delco, Litton or Honeywell?

Beautiful work as usual AB :o

From the size of that thing, it could very well be in the baggage compartment... flying around!

:o

Get a bigger hammer! ;D

:o

Just south of Wheeling West Virginia

Agreed! Something simple and sleek for the occasional role of the corporate shuttle you find more and more of these jets performing. http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1123433

I don't know how detailed Airbus plans to make this one but personally I'd love to see him program up a proper set of EFIS displays as well as a proper FMS. The FMS on the Starship was a unique little critter, not a true FMS in todays sense of the vernacular. It was manufactured by Collins Avionics and designated the CMA-764. The "box" you see in the cockpit was nothing more than a universal control head. Navigation was not via GPS but by VLF/Omega Long Range NAV System and scanning DME. This would make a wonderful high end add on for XP!

Possible paint scheme candidate? ;D

:o Amazing! Man I can't wait to fly this beauty!

The Beech Starship is by far the most elegant looking creation built by man to ever fly. So sad they are all but gone. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to fly one, right seat on a trip from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale and back in 1996. At times it was almost surreal to be pacing and in one case overtaking a Cessna Citation at a lower altitude. .58 to .60 Mach @ FL410 in a turboprop is something else!

I haven't tried the MU-2 SIM, but I have some time in the King Air SIM and the PC-12 SIM and he's correct. They look much better than they fly.

First one is the main sim, cockpit and panel. http://www.simulator.com/images/MU2_2641.jpg Second one is of just the graphics, out the window view of the MU-2 SIM evening with an approaching thunderstorm. http://www.simulator.com/images/MU-2-Thunderstorm-Scene.jpg Last one is the same airport as above, farther out on the approach, daylight VFR. http://www.simulator.com/images/MU-2-Airport-Day-Scene.jpg Gives you some idea of the visual capabilities these SIM's have.

Breaking out of some cold, rainy clouds over the Tennessee Valley on her way to South Carolina.

I think the real problem with the MU-2 is not its fault or the fault of its designers. It has more to do with many, many years of people being told by both other payware developers and freeware developers that a certain flight model is as real as the real thing, or as real as it gets, or was tested and verified by real pilots, etc... This creates a certain "belief" and in this case a misconception within the ranks of users, so when they finally come along and discover one that behaves with real characteristics it floors them. In all my years of simming and all my years of flying real planes I have never encountered a plane, pay or freeware that flies or feels like the real thing. You occasionally come across one's that "behave" like their real world counterparts. But with the MU-2, its a very unique plane in real life, requiring lots of time and training to master. From what I've seen, the XS MU-2 is about as close to the actual flight characteristics as one can get. This comes from both the talent of the planes designers as well as the unique abilities that X-Plane gives the plane designers to work with. No sim will ever be able to fully create the experience and feel of the real plane, but I think with X-Plane we are getting closer to one that will behave like the real one.

This one is just a compilation of scenes, has some really nice lowpass shots. This one is of an MU-2 landing at Mountain Air NC and if you ever had any doubt about the work needed to maintain control of the MU-2, this video proves it!

Thanks! Hows that Fire Breathing Piper coming alone? ;D

Are these shadows being cast on the ground by the clouds? Flying at 7,000 feet, SE bound over southern GA.

Sounds like some exciting times ahead for X-Plane! Hopefully 2010 will bring about many new and enticing add on's for XP and we will start to see the true abilities of XP along with many diehard MSFS fans beginning to cross over and support these developers by purchasing their wares, encouraging them to continue on, pushing the design envelope as they do in FSX.

Your welcome! I'm just glad to see groups such as yours taking this hobby to the next level. maybe there should be a fund set up to supply you guys with coffee during those long days and nights!

I think its safe to say that you are about to set the standard by which X-Plane payware products will be judged from here on out.

With respect to the updates you give us. It instills more patience upon those, your potential customers when you take time out of your busy schedules to post a quick update and occasionally post a pic when appropriate. In all my years of simming, SubLogics ATP and FS98 to the present I've discovered that developers who allow a open forum of communications as opposed to those who hide behind a product website tend to have a more loyal following and a following who is more forgiving when deadlines are missed and patience is asked for. I for one am slobbering to be my hands on those Hawkers and while have little interest in regional airliners will purchase this one simply to support you and the endeavors that are fond to me. Although I'm sure I'll enjoy the fruits of your labor and the logging time in the Saab, my purchase is mostly symbolic and supportive in nature due to the quality and selection of what we have seen that you are currently developing and because of the way you communicate with us.