VirtualGAaviator

SimVenture is coming again this year. SimVenture allow simulation enthusiast to enjoy the fast past challenge of getting their airplane in and out of the worlds largest civil aviation event. Moreover, it provides real world pilots with an opportunity to practice the famous Oshkosh arrivals. The event procedures has been noted as nearly identical to the actual procedures. In fact, the sim event uses the same controllers as the real-world event. To participant you will need a PilotEdge subscription or you may use a PE trial membership. For more information visit PilotEdge Website or the EAA Website.

Nevertheless, he was missed (albeit, I wasn't there either). No new things coming down the pipe presents lost opportunity. While there may not have been any new product announcements, I believe there is something in the X-Plane eco-system that can generate buzz. Take a page from Tom; there's already buzz growing around the 717. Just read a blurb at one the flight-sim news outlets on it. The flight sim environment is changing, has changed, at least for the consumer side. As much as devs want to avoid the vaporware and lateware traps,I believe marketing is becoming more and more important. I don't know how many folk are like me, but I want to hear about my horse and all the things my horse need and want, cause in the end, I'm betting on him. Moving on... I've been a subscriber to FF for years. With what Navigraph announced, I think i might be able to soon save $100.00. Hope so. Thanks Navigraph.

I tried to catch as much coverage as I could on Youtube. I watched with bated breath for anything to do with X-Plane. There wasn't a lot said. Some of the post-event comments I heard alluded to Laminar Research having a smaller foot print then they thought it should have had. Also the area didn't seem to be as inviting. Finally, Austin was noticeably missed. It was great to hear that Austin lights up a room, so he should have been there. You have any thoughts on the event, specifically or in general?

FS Expo was such a positive experience and judging from the post-event Youtube vidoes I've seen (I watched most of the product announcements in real-time during the event), I'd say people are still feeling the vibe. This thread turned out to be, IMO, a lost opportunity. I really would have liked to have heard what you guys thought about the event, what surprised you, what you may want in the next event, etc. Anywho, I caught a snippet of the vibe in another thread on these forum, albeit it was a one-liner.

A favor, if I may? It's doubtful I'll see any notices when the final drops. Would you circle back to this thread and let me know? I let to try flying it again. Thanks!

Nevertheless, I found a 105kt direct headwind at FL250 that extended your flight interesting. Can't really say why, 'cause it's what you'd expect, right? Some have complained about the power on the 560XL; you should certainly be able to climb above 250 in that aircraft. I've flown it a few times and posted a video on one of my flights. The dev was unhappy about my comment that I thought the aircraft was a bit overpriced (I think $45US is fair). Nevertheless, he said he'd address some of the things I pointed out in the video, but wasn't really interested in streamlining the POH. I haven't checked lately to see if he's released any updates. I told him that for his first payware aircraft he did an incredible job. I expect his next release to be awesome.

The hidden altitude hold button is just above the AP selector button on the word "Piper". See video: Full Length Video here

The Just Flight Arrow III has a hidden button to enable altitude hold. I know you're out of the Arrow at the moment, but I'll see if I can't locate the click spot if you like.

Goes to show that a lot of folks are interested in VA flying. Keep your windshield pointed toward the sky.

I enjoy reading both your blog and @Rick310's blog. I gotta say, you're lucky that those downdrafts and windshear associated with cumulonimbus clouds didn't break the wings off that Citation jet. Keep up the shenanigans guys - not always 'blue skies' right?

My wife, in the virtual world, is a perfect 10 who hardly ages. She's my best friend, lifts me when I'm down and when I'm happy, she adds to that happiness. She lets me win all arguments, loves my extended family, and don't mind if I spend more time simming than talking with her. Most of all, she loves me with all her heart. But, I'm in the real world. @Rick310 Watch out for those cumulonimbus clouds on your way back. Either go around them or land and wait them out.

Agreed. The questions did not push him. Maybe the next interview, wherever that might be will. BTW: I am impressed with Austin, LR and X-Plane, as well as 3rd party devs who deliver high-end products. I remember when AOL and Yahoo dominated the internet. Sears dominated retail sales. I even remember when Lotus 123 and dBase dominated software sales. The point is, org's domination is not carved in stone. As for Cameron and the X-Pilot.com site, I think he might be open to volunteer help as long as the volunteers is seriously willing to make a commitment and is competent. If all C did was maintain the site it might look different. Turns out C is heavily involved in development, as far as I can tell. I began drafting a letter to LR asking for an interview. However, I decided I might be overstepping.

I am just starting to fly the "big birds", again something I've always said I'll never do. Never say never, right? I have logged quite a few hours in the CL650, though. I can program the FMC, fly SIDs and STARs. It holds the course and sticks nicely to the VNAV profile. Most of my jet flights have originated out of Raleigh-Durham and I've gone to places like Dulles-IAD, Orlando-MCO, Atlanta-ATL, Memphis-MEM, etc. I'm not a long-haul flyer. In piston-driven and turbo GA aircraft, I've limited my flight from 30nm to about 500nm depending on the aircraft, where the MU2 or PC12 might be a 500nm flight. I really don't have many airport recommendations. I downloaded some backcountry freeware airports for Idaho and Alaska. These were mainly for bush-type aircraft. Otherwise, depending on the speed of the aircraft, I'd use Skyvector to pick out an airport. I tend to limit my flights to no more than a couple hours. As for NC airports I particularly like these: Asheville-AVL, Fayetteville-FAY, and Charlotte-CLT.

I hope you'll not completely give up on X-Plane (assuming your issue is with XP12). I might suggest taking a break for the moment while LR roll out more updates. I understand your frustrations. I have had more CTD with XP12 than with any XP11 updates (I came in on XP11.2 I believe). However, since the last XP12 update I can complete more than 90% of the flights, maybe more. I still have occassional CTD's. For some reason I can't fly the CL650 in Non-Persistent mode for CTDs. I had to roll back my Nvidia drivers to a much older version to avoid Windows crashes, which occurred randomly with or without the sim running (ASUS TUF Z690 motherboard). Anyway, I've read through enough flight sim forums to learn that a lot of us have been where you are. Keep an eye out for the next XP12 update and give XP another try then. There's a great deal more satisfaction in TO and Landing in XP, IMO.

No place like home. I admire you for getting out of your home area in low and slow GA aircraft. Unless I'm doing a PE flight I tend to stick really close to home. I've heard that a high percentage of fllght simmer do too. There's a whole world out there. I can say that 90% of my flights are in the US. Canada makes up 9% and the remaining 1% is other countries. I hope you get your mojo back. I've enjoyed your blog.

I just learned that Jim Tweto from Flying Wild Alaska succumbed to an accident in his Cessna 180. I've seen the show so I'm saddened by this news. Tons of love and condolences to the Tweto Family.

Austin always give good interviews. Also, he never seems to wanna end them. He loves taking about X-Plane.

Ohhhh Snap! I guess I'm gonna have to pull down the entire video and redo it. What a snafu, blunder, gaffe, debacle, - I could go on. Actually, the plan is to make this video unlisted and to redo it. Thanks for pointing this out.

Personally, I was hoping the questions would have been more in-depth. One of the things I wish the interviewer would have asked is whether LR plans to add more Avionic suites - G3000, G5000, Honeywell Primus, Honeywell Apex, etc. Nevertheless, I'm always happy to hear or read interviews with Austin or any member of the Laminar Research team. An interview with Ben would be awesome.

Wow.. A regular heat wave there. It's been in the 50's and 60's every night in central North Carolina. That's extremely cool for this time of year. I'm more use to overnight lows in the mid eighties. Stay warm up there and blue skies.

What's the temperature in that neck of the woods?

I erroneously refer to this aircraft as the Diamond DA20NG. It is actually a DA40NG. Apologies. If you've read the title and have any familiarization with this airplane then you know it's all 3. Here's my 3rd time in this aircraft. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the help.

Okay. I see the picture you posted. So show us the X-Plane rendering.