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VirtualGAaviator

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Posts posted by VirtualGAaviator

  1. Let's talk about flying airplanes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 5/22/2023 at 8:23 AM, Rick310 said:

    VirtualGAaviator, You have stick to one plane to get the hours in that plane. Just saying, Dude.

    Agreed. Back in 2016-18 I flew basically two airplanes exclusively: the C172 and the Piper Arrow III/IV. I have a bunch of video on my YT channel in the Piper. At the time, I was trying to stick to aircraft I might actually fly IRL. Once I decided I am not going to finish pursuing my PPL, I decided I would fly whatever suits my fancy. Then I fell in love with the PC-12. Since the Citation X and the Challenger I've been transitioning to biz jets, which has segue to airliners. However, I always return to my pistons and turbo props for the love of those planes.

     

    23 hours ago, Blueb said:

    I'm embarrassed to tell you how many planes I have.

    Same here @Blueb.  I tend to let my curiosity get in front of my wallet. I'll buy a GA airplane, usually around $25US, fly it a few times and  move on. Those I mark as a favorite, I'll return to for more flights.

    BTW: I flew the PC-12 from the Congo to RDU (Raleigh-Durham International) similar to the way @Rick310 is flying through AK. If y'all haven't tried FSEconomy, then it worth a look. To move an aircraft from one location to another you have to fly it there. No teleporting.

    • Like 1

  4. I've tried to like the other sim

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 5/16/2023 at 5:02 PM, Rick310 said:

    As an Electrician, I made good money

    Interesting... Today, I'm semi-retired, not receiving any governmental money, however. I run 3 businesses, all really small. My main source of income has been a home repair business - (I turn down more jobs than I take). I also take jobs as a professional photographer, and finally I run a website hosting company.  Anyway, when you said you wanted to sue developers, I thought you were talking about flight sim developers. Now I think you are referring to real estate developers. Am I right?

    • Like 1

  5. MU-2 for X-Plane 12 status.

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by VirtualGAaviator
    Grammar corrections

    2 hours ago, tkyler said:

    I'm thinking about doing a video

    How about a video of your regular work? I've found that watching the sorcery that goes on behind the scenes is somewhat interesting, if you tend to talk out loud about what you're doing. I've spent some time watching Totoritko code/test his stuff even though I have no idea what he's doing. Go figure, right? :huh:

  6. I've tried to like the other sim

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Rick310 said:

    I do not give a F!@# how good MSFS is. I am x-plane forever!

    Ditto. Plus, I have a ton of $$$ invested in both XP11 & now, XP12.

     

    1 hour ago, Rick310 said:

    In the 23 years I have been flight simming, I have spent close to a half million dollars on computers, simulators, add on, aircraft, and the big one, Internet speed($75 to $120 a month today

    Whoa! That's a lot. Hobbies can be really expensive, though. Still cheaper that real-world GA flying, IMO. And yes, I spend a ton for internet too. $1080 per year to be exact, barring any equipment purchases.

    You know, there are a couple things I wish people would keep in mind, the resources behind each sim. Years ago, I opened a retail store to sell computers and all the trappings that go with them. I was able to pay my bills and take a vacation, occasionally. Then, along come CompUSA and my business plummeted (I had to pivot to cell phones - Cricket and Boost).  A few years later CompUSA went out of business. Point is, I know how hard it is to compete with entities that has deeper pockets. LR will be OK, no doubt, but imagine where XP would be if they had 1/4 of MSFS's resources. To be fair, they did get a little complacent after XP11 stabilized, IMO.

    • Upvote 1

  7. I've tried to like the other sim

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Maybe I should be posting this in the Rants forum, and I don't want to start another debate/argument about X-Plane versus MSFS. I sim with 3 other guys who enjoy the multiplayer environment of MSFS. I tend to watch their Discord streams and fly the same routes in X-Plane 12. I get to share my streams too.  They have gotten pass the "which is better" debate and have developed respect for XP12 (I'd like to think that's because of me ;)). Nevertheless, these guys spend, IMO, as much time trouble shooting issues with addons as they do flying. OK - I admit I'm exaggerating but the point is they have a lot of issues... particularly when MS forces and update on the sim. I've seen a couple of times when at least one of them couldn't fly b/c MS's server was spassing.

    I've tried to like MSFS. Really I have. Maybe I'm just an old dog who can't be taught a new trick. The first issue I encounter when in that sim is views. Using my hat switch to control my views had become ingrained. With the other sim, I seem to have to use my mouse by right-clicking and holding, ahhh. The few views I've set-up with the hat switch seem limited. Then there's configuring my peripherals for aircraft - not intuitive at all. Also, If I accidentally spawn in on a runway, I have back half way out of the sim and restart the flight from scratch. As for immersion - yes, the graphics are amazing - but in the distance I can see them populating and that's distracting. The aircraft has come a long way in terms of fidelity, but landing them is too easy. I don't think landings are even close to realistic.

    On the other hand, there are some things, aside from the graphics, that I really like. I like that the other sim has more support for the Garmin avionics systems. It has the G3000 and G5000. I like that the Working Title Group has worked independently to add more capability to the G430, G530 and that the G1000 is upgraded to the NXI variant. Additionally, I like that the 3rd party GTN750s (there are 2 of them: a freeware version and a payware version), offers more capability than the $50 Reality XP GTN-750. I purchased the  Reality XP GTN750 3 or 4 years ago and have not seen any new features. I believe I paid ~$80 then. I'm honestly not sure about how I feel about the multiplayer environment om MSFS. It's OK to mess around in but for realistic flights - forget about it. My friends seem to love it. I don't quite get the appeal of a bunch of folks flying airliners, as a group, from place to place.  However, I do it with my friends anyway - albeit I usually fly a biz jet.

    Anyhoo, I appreciate both sims. I am a little frustrated at the pace of progress in XP12. I don't believe LR is sitting on their laurels and just watching Goliath take over the sim market. I gotta believe that they intend to ensure XP will more that just 'be there', that they will fight tooth and nail to retain their position as the most realistic flight sim.

  9. Making the Challenger more accessible and usable

    in Technical Support

    Posted

    I seem to recall that one of the goals of this aircraft is to give virtual pilots an idea of what the Challenger pilots actually do.  I think they did a great job from arriving at an FBO to returning to the FBO after a flight.  Admittedly, I don't tend to do a proper walk-around but I do remove the covers and pins. The save state feature is awesome. It allow for quick flights, if used, giving us the ability to skip C&D starts (you'll be required to do a C&D start at least once then you can save it).

    For newbies, Reflected Reality Simulations and Foxtrot Alpha Aviation YouTube channels are great resources for getting started.

    Thanks to everyone who had a hand in bringing the CL650 to virtual life!!!
     

    • Like 2

  13. X-plane 12

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    51 minutes ago, scooke7 said:

    LR has confirmed that XP12 crashes when loading non-stock payware or freeware aircraft. The ZIBO 737 & upcoming X-Crafts E-Jets E175 are 2 that I know about. And the official advise from LR to both end-users & 3rd party aircraft developers is load up the Cessna C172 & switch to the desired aircraft. Maybe other non-stock aircraft also have this problem.

    Thanks for the update.

  16. Let's talk about flying airplanes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In my latest escapades, I've acquired a new aircraft and have been getting checked out in it. it is the Maule M7 by VFlyteAir.  I've also been working on renewing my type-rating for the King Air 350 and the Cirrus SR22 Integra, which were recently release for XP12. Finally, I been working on getting type-rated in the ZIBO. I've acquired the 737-300 a few days ago. I've yet to install it in XP11. It sounds like the XP12 version will come online soon. Fingers crossed.

    Since I've recently expanded my flying to include charter and airline operations, I'm looking at what else might be dropping for regional jets for XP12. Kinda keeping an eye out for what's coming.

  17. Study Level?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by VirtualGAaviator

    I bought the SR22 Entegra for its avionics. Too many devs stuff LR's G1000 into their planes. Some even tweak it. I've come to realize that emulating an full avionics suite is such a heavy lift and, that it improbable that many devs will step up to the challenge.  Perhaps somebody will began developing h-fidelity drop-in avionics. Then devs could drop it into their offerings. The PC-12 uses the Honeywell Apex Primus Suite. No one has stepped up to modeling it. By extension, there are no PC-12NGs or PC24s or any aircraft that uses that suite exclusively.

    Your thoughts on "study-level" reminds me of JRR Toiken's thoughts on Good morning in the book, The Hobbit.

    On 4/29/2023 at 2:31 PM, daemotron said:

    you can use the model for studying how to fly the real thing

    I'm hoping study level means your third option.  As long as you disclose that the intent is for simulation only I don't think you'll have any problems with legality. Of course, that's wishful thinking, albeit the Hot Start Challenger fits. Foxtrot Alpha, a real-world veteran Challenger pilot says he personally knows of pilots who've used the Hot Start 650 as a supplement to help get their type-rating for that aircraft. Perhaps one day, more simulation aircraft will be as thorough. Can you imagine paying $100 to $300 for true [quote] study-level [unquote] add-ons?

    I agree whole-heartedly with your sentiment on the Moo. It's really a different beast. I can hardly wait to get my paws on the XP12 version.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 1

  19. Let's talk about flying airplanes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    5 hours ago, mjrhealth said:

    but since the 560XL was updated to 12 being flying that, helping ironing out bugs.

    I recently dropped a video on the Citation 560XL. I pulled no punches. I think it's a great airplane and the developer did a great job. He simply over priced it. I get why: that's his baby. Perhaps, in his mind this aircraft is the best biz jet, (barring the CL650) ever made. He may even have thought that at the cost it's under priced.  I like the developer. He's respectful, even in the face of harsh criticism. What I don't like is that he respectfully dismisses criticism rather than learning from feedback. Nevertheless, I do enjoy the plane - even if it is over priced, IMO.

     

    • Like 1

  20. Airfield challenges

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by VirtualGAaviator
    clarity

    On 2/8/2023 at 5:15 AM, Simonrob said:

    particularly interesting/difficult/challenging airfields

    VNKT - Kathmandu, Nepal and VQPR - Paro, Bhutan both checks the interesting box. Neither is particularly a challenge for piston and turboprops but can pose real challenges for major airlines; I believe only 8 pilots in the world are authorized to fly large airliners into Paro. The shear beauty of the scenery makes these airports worth the trip, imo.

    In the US, The IFR approach to (KASE) Aspen, Co. is considered medium challenging.  KTEX - Telluride, Co. at over 9000' MSL is just plain fun.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 1

  21. X-plane 12

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I suppose I'll upgrade or change over to the Gizmo64.plugin pair once my XP12 aircraft are converted. I suspect there will be an installer that will deprecate and replace Gizmo (the current version)? If not, manually changing is straightforward. It may not be straightforward for all X-Plane users, however.

    • Like 1

  22. Let's talk about flying airplanes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I've seen the TV series. There was a time when I was obsessed with AK. I still love that state.

    I've never had an interest in airliners -- I'm trying to develop an interest now. When I started back simming in 2017 my reasoning and goal was to resume training for my PPL. For the first 16 months or so I would only fly aircraft I thought I might fly IRL. That was basically the C152, C172, and the PA28 series or Pipers. Due to medical issues - a back that requires strong pain meds - I am grounded as PIC. So now I fly whatever suits my fancy. I want to fly IXEG's 737 so I've been learning to fly the ZIBO. I realize IXEG's offering is more analog than the ZIBO.

    FWIW, I like your realism plan. Hopefully, PropStrike Studio (or someone) will convert his Canada and AK scenery to XP12. I'd love to revisit Machmell and Quamtum River.

    • Like 1

  25. X-plane 12

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I run add-ons. However, I restrict them to those that have been tested and rated for XP12. There simply no way I could enjoy a vanilla sim. I enjoy my aircraft addons so I run Gizmo and other scripting add-ons as needed. I love my ortho, X-Camera, Traffic Global, Real Sim Gear 500, and other add-ons like the PilotEdge plugin and Xpilot for Vatsim. If any of these are causing an occasional CTD than the inconvenience is worth it. The only plugin that I know has caused CTDs so far is TG or Traffic Global. Then there's Spad.neXt for my external hardware. Making X-Plane as immersive as possible is almost a hobby within the hobby. For me, I couldn't imagine running XP12 out of the box with only the default aircraft. So I say, live and let live. We all have our own expectations for simming and mine doesn't invalidate anyone's expectations and vice-versa.

    I enjoy simming so much that I hang out in these forums and look for opportunities to share and give back.

    • Like 1
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