ApolloHoax.net
Off Topic => General Discussion => Topic started by: dwight on June 14, 2012, 11:51:39 AM
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Given that diabetes crushed my dream of achieving my lifelong dream of getting a pilot's license, I moved into the (virtual) world of MS Flight Simulator. That's my chillax escape after or before work.
If any of you are up for VATSIM, let me know. I'm thinking of starting up a virtual airline called "Apollo Airlines" using all the logos from the good old days. Possibly with the fleet named after the respective CSM and LM. Crazy I know, but who cares?
BTW I am slowly migrating to Lockheed Martin's FSX follow-on, Prepar3d so I may have my hands full on the tweak front.
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I used MSFS back on my Apple IIc, then somewhat less often on my various PCs. More recently I've used the Google Earth flight simulator, because the price (free) is right for the little amount of time I use it. Is the MSFS vastly better than the one in Google Earth? It must be a large improvement just to be networked for joint flights. Playing alone gets boring for me but flying with a team would be fun.
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18 months ago I found an old copy of MSFS 95 and I ran it to relive some fondmemories. I then became curious as to how the latest (FSX) version looked and was promptly blown away byhow good it looked. Since February I have been using FSX and have a mini home cockpit using 3 monitors, the Saitek range of instruments panels, yoke and so forth. I also run it in stereoscopic 3D and it is as good as any commercial static cockpit (not official trainers, but the static general public ones).
When my wife flies to the UK on business, I tend to mimic her fligh in the same aircraft flying Köln-Bonn to London Gatwick. I was duly impressed when on a recent flight the aircraft flew the same flight path I had on FSX the day before! Online is cool. I often fly together with my Dad who is in Australia.
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Well I've been telling my wife I need to watch less TV, so maybe I can use this as an excuse to by more video screens? Ya, right!
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Value added tax SIM?
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It's been a while, but I used to use MS Flight Simulator quite a bit. I'll have to install FSX on my new laptop and see how rusty I am. Hopefully I finally have a computer that will give me decent frame rates.
I recently tried MS Flight (http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/), the latest version which is free to download. It is seriously limited... you start out with just one plane and can only fly around Hawaii. If you want more maps or planes you have to buy them separately. Part of the enjoyment of a flight sim is being able to take off in my home town and fly... anywhere. I'd get bored too quickly if I was stuck with just a small area to explore.
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LO jump straight over to Lockheed Martin's "Prepar3d". It is the next gen of FSX as they bought the source code from MS. MS closed the development team down for FS and brought out that arcade game "Flight". Prepar3d is a flight trainer which takes FSX and build and improves on it. It is very early days yet, but I have only heard great reviews about the experience. Long term goals are 64 bit and true multicore compatibility (which FSX never really had).
www.prepar3d.com has the info you need. And the support team is amazing. I had a response within 45 minutes and that's posting something out of hours here in Germany. On top of that apparently all your FSX add-ons should be easily ported to prepar3d. They also allow submarine and spaceflight simming in the same program!!
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VAT-SIM is Virtual Air Traffic Simulation and is the nuts if you are into flight sim. No value added tax necessary :)
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Wow! Prepar3d looks amazing! Thanks, Dwight! I hadn't heard of it before.
I was extremely disappointed when MS closed their Flight Sim team. I had my hopes dashed when I saw what MS Flight turned out to be. But I'm thrilled by Prepar3d. It's a bit expensive for me, but I vow to own it by the end of the year.
I installed FSX and discovered that I can get a steady 30fps frame rate with the graphics set to ultra-high. So that's good. My landings are a little rough, but I'll keep practising.
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I'm pretty active with FS2K4 and my VA, Lynx Airways. I'd love to use FSX but this machine is old and can't handle it very well. Also have been active with VATSIM, controlled with DEN CTR for some years but don't have the "uninterruptable time" for it anymore. The fly-in's are fun as a pilot, the stress during a crowded arrival is very real... have learned much about ATC and instrument procedures with the big iron.
Am an inactive PPL type, Dad had an old C182 decades ago, that we flew a lot, I found it online recently and she's busy flying parachutists now, looking real spiffy with a 3 bladed prop no less!!
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I figure this counts enough.
The Kerbal Space Program so far is downright hilarious.
I got some kerbals stuck orbiting earth indefinitely. Poor guys. I should download a mod for an automated laser defense system to clear "space debris"... though I'd probably forget to land the kerbals...
Man, I'm sadistic.
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It's been ages since I've spent time with a flight sim but DCS A10C sure looks interesting. here's some videos:
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For those interested in World War 1, the Rise of Flight is a pretty nifty flight sim.
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I play Kerbal Space Program and Orbiter 2010.
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The Kerbal Space Program so far is downright hilarious.
I got some kerbals stuck orbiting earth indefinitely. Poor guys. I should download a mod for an automated laser defense system to clear "space debris"... though I'd probably forget to land the kerbals...
It's Kerbin not "Earth" haha.
Did you get the paid version? EVAs are going to be released next update, so our Kerbals can do spacewalks and walk on the Mun and Minmus.
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Kerbin, Earth, fictional planet-side, whatever.
And I have the paid version.
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Kerbin, Earth, fictional planet-side, whatever.
And I have the paid version.
Nice. All of my saved crafts are real NASA ones (with the exception of two of my best creations).
Like this Saturn V carrying the "Kerpollo" spacecrafts.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/484313_10150964689533830_1318015129_n.jpg)
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I call mine the "Too Many Engines", or TME if you will.
TME Mk. 1:
(http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/324/toomanyenginesmk1.jpg)
It's incredibly stable, given its symmetrical design. Four sets of three big boosters, making twelve in total; enough fuel in the second stage to align with where it needs to go. I do not have a third stage for landing, but it's great for crashing on the moon. It would be ridiculously simple to modify for a third stage too, since it's such a simple design.
And I came up with it only on my third try, so I'm kind of proud. My friend, Jetman, was all like "It took me several tries just to break atmo!"
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Any word on when Kerbal Space Program will be adding the ability to dock two spacecraft together? That's the feature I'm looking forward to the most.
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Any word on when Kerbal Space Program will be adding the ability to dock two spacecraft together? That's the feature I'm looking forward to the most.
Docking is going to be implemented, but it's been pushed back. It turns out the devs realized it was much harder than they thought, and they have to change a lot of coding for it to work. It was supposed to be in .16, but EVAs took up so much of their time that we probably won't see it until .17. I'm guessing .17 will be out in a few months or so. .16 is just weeks from being released.
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I call mine the "Too Many Engines", or TME if you will...
That looks pretty stable. I don't use tricouplers, though, as it makes pitching into orbit fairly hard. Your best bet is to radially attach boosters and then use fuel lines to route fuel through all the different tanks for super efficiency. I can put a quick test craft for you to give a try if you'd like. All stock.
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I just successfully installed the Lockheed Martin Prepar3d and I am duly impressed. Considering this is still in development stage it has so much potential it is not funny. It also supports stereoscopic 3d so I can maintain my immersion as I had for FSX. I only heard about this product 2 weeks ago, but the development of it by LM and 3rd parties has spread like wildfire. When the 64bit support kicks in that will be it - LM will have the market edge. It is the logical progression from FSX and the beauty is most of the FSX sceneries and aircraft are compatible for the most part without any tweaking or modification.
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Are they going to have non-Lockheed (ie. Boeing) planes in Prepar3d? I'm assuming they need Boeings permission and that it won't be as forthcoming as it would have been for Microsoft because they aren't a competitor.
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Great thread. I'm definitely going to look Prepar3D over. I'm running FSX on my desktop with a few Saitek "simpit" accessories:
(http://www.peterscreekphoto.com/photos/i-t3pRTnn/0/M/i-t3pRTnn-M.jpg)
Click fo mo bigger (http://www.peterscreekphoto.com/photos/i-t3pRTnn/0/XL/i-t3pRTnn-XL.jpg)
Since this photo was taken, I've added TrackIR (http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/products/trackir5/) and a radio stack (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/radio.html) to the setup and I've got my eye on a few more, like the instrument (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/fip.html) and TPM (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/tpm.html) modules.
I mostly fly GA over Alaskan scenery in the C172, C208, Twin Otter, etc. Since I work in an air traffic facility, I get to rescue expired sectionals and terminal procedures books before they hit the recycle bin and use them to add a little depth to the sim experience.
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OMG! I want that set up!!
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When I'm in the FSX buying mood, I usually do business with Flight Sim Pilot Shop (http://www.fspilotshop.com/). They carry Saitek hardware and others, including panels for heavies, running into thousands of dollars. Many (or most) of their aircraft and other software add ons are available for immediate download after purchase.
While I'm at it, I'll recommend the only flight sim book I own, Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots - Real World Training (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-Pilots-Training/dp/0764588222/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340063508&sr=8-1&keywords=flight+simulator+real+world). It's intended for pilots (or student pilots) looking to use FSX as a learning tool to enhance "Real World" flight training. Conversely, I've found it enjoyably useful in bringing more of the real world into my sim flying.
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LO importing aircraft into P3D is, for the most part, simply copying over the aircraft data folder from FSX to P3D. The forum on the LM site explains how to do it. I have only setup the system to run and I am in the UK for 48 hours, so I cant give anything more than what I have done so far. I concur with PetersCreek's book recommendation.
Here is my setup. Out of shot are the rudder pedals and since it was taken I too have added the radio panel. It is also activated with anaglyph 3d although this photo is of FSX:
(http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq306/Dstevenb/IMG_0449.jpg)
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Oh before I forget, I did one flight on P3D at the default airport using building storms as a weather preset. All I can say is WOW!
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What are the specs of your computers, Dwight and Peter? I've always had low frame rates in FSX. Even now, with a fairly high end laptop built years after FSX was released, I see the frame rate drop to 10-15fps in large cities. And I imagine Prepar3D will be even more demanding.
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What are the specs of your computers, Dwight and Peter? I've always had low frame rates in FSX. Even now, with a fairly high end laptop built years after FSX was released, I see the frame rate drop to 10-15fps in large cities. And I imagine Prepar3D will be even more demanding.
FS hound here also from FS2000 onwards.
Sadly, my ex trashed all my gear and media, so I do not have it on my current PC.
Last version I had was ACOF, and I bought so many add-ons, also sadly lost to she who shall not be named.
Yes I would go for a virtual airline, but my dearly ex-beloved broke up the gear and destroyed the disks.
I very much liked the cold and dark start-ups, where you had to do everything, including the programming of the FMC.
ETA: Right down to smashing the joysticks FFS.
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Man...you just made me realize that I built my current PC almost four years ago! When I first assembled it, the basic specs were:
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield Quad-Core, 2.83GHz, 12MB L2 Cache
- Motherboard: ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Ram: 8GB, DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
- Video: MSI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
- OS: Windows Vista Ultimate, 64-bit
Since then I've upgraded a couple of things:
- Video: MSI Radeon HD 6870 Twin Froz II 1GB GDDR5
- OS: Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit
It ran (and runs) FSX quite respectably at medium-high settings. I can't tell you the last time I checked my FR, though.
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LO I have an AMD Phenom II 1100 6 core. Admittedly FSX only used 4 cores at the most and all sim related calculations were done on Core 0. However, íf you do a search for FSX tipps and tweaks, you will get the frames you need. There is also a program which substitutes the FSX background sceneries for the less detailed FS9 ones giving a near 50% boost in fps. There are quite a few settings to tweak in order for a better fps.
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The most realistic flight simulator by far has to be Battlefield 3:
Jumping out of one jet to jump into another? Oh yeah, standard maneuver. You learn that in the most basic of flight schools, right?
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The most realistic flight simulator by far has to be Battlefield 3:
Jumping out of one jet to jump into another? Oh yeah, standard maneuver. You learn that in the most basic of flight schools, right?
LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
I do that all the time, except in orbit.
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I've only just spotted this thread. I am a regular user if FS9 and FSX. I belong to 3 Virtual Airlines - BAVirtual, Andras Meridian and the vRAF. I have Saitek yoke, quads and pedals, and a radio panel. Twin-screen setup (limited by space to a 17" and a 19") and fly using VATSIM regularly. My ambition when knee-high was to be a pilot - this is about as close as I'm likely to get, but it's fun and you meet nice people online.
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Good to hear ipearse. Check out prepar3d. It is where to future of flight simming lies. It also has the possibility for sub-orbital sim.
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I got around to installing Prepar3d a couple of nights ago but did nothing more than fly for a few minutes with a simple 3-axis joystick. I might have time this weekend to check it out with the full control setup. Dwight...are the Saitek drivers up to date for use with the sim?
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Hi PetersCreek, for the radio panel, multi-panel and switch panel I use the SPAD drivers which are way more stable than anything Saitek brought out. In fact they recommend it for hard-core simmers. You will need FSCUIP in order to run the panels, but that is free for the tasks demanded from them. All my panels are fully functional on both P3D and FSX. All the drivers etc you need you can find here:
http://fstools.weebly.com/
http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html
For the flight yoke and the Flight Instrument Panels, the Saitek drivers work for both programs. Just be sure to install the latest versions from www.saitek.com
Happy flying.
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I'd taken a look at SPAD a few days ago but I'd forgotten to go back and download it. Thanks for the reminder. I already had FSCUIP but it appears they updated it for P3D so I downloaded it again. After sorting out a problem with my brakes...they were mapped for roll...then they were always on...I'm up and flying. I flew from a nearby small airport to Homer, then Seldovia, then back to Homer.
I'm a bit bummed that my TrackIR doesn't work natively. I'll have to buy EZDok to get that working again.
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I've been playing so much Orbiter lately. SpaceX Falcon 9 with Dragon ftw!!
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A little more progress yesterday. I cross loaded a few of my favorite aircraft from FSX to P3D: C172 w/ floats, C185, C208, and the DH-6 Twin Otter. Unfortunately, I couldn't get my Ultimate Alaska scenery package to work and it doesn't look like the publisher is in any hurry to port it.
I'm also going to have to wait for EzDok v2 to release. The current version (1.17) "unofficially" works (with fiddling) but v2 will be a full release only, with no free upgrade for current users. I don't want to pay for it twice, so I'll just have to get along without TrackIR working in P3D for who-knows-how-long. Makes me appreciate how much it spoiled me in FSX.
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Good to hear. I have been so busy I havent had a chance to P3D. I have gone the easy route of FSX for short flights around Miami. Maybe on the weekend. Have you crossed the 737 and Learjet by chance?
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Have you crossed the 737 and Learjet by chance?
No, not yet since I've only flown each a time or two...and it wasn't pretty. I did move the CRJ-700 because I'd like to put a little time into learning that airframe.
If they're setup like the others, the cross should be problem-free. It's just a matter of moving folders/files from FSX's SimObjects/Aircraft, /Effects, and /Gauges folders to their corresponding folders in P3D.
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I really need to get a joy stick for KSP and Orbiter, though.
Something like this:
http://www.adorama.com/LOGWMAT3.html?gclid=CLaBj8_ShrECFQQJRQodaDA8IA
Does anybody know of any well-priced ones that are really good?
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I have a couple of 3-axis joysticks. One is similar to the Logitech model you linked to... the Extreme 3D Pro. The ergonomics are just okay for me. I much prefer the other joystick...the original model of the Saitek Aviator. It has one feature that I think makes it a better general-purpose sim stick...dual throttles. The Saitek site now shows a couple of newer models which are basically the same but with some updated buttons, bells, and whistles.
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A head's up for all Prepar3d folk:
Lockheed Martin will be bringing out V2.0 any tick of the clock.
Major changes include multi core processing, volumetric fog, upgraded shading and scenery rendering, and a whole bunch of modifications to the coding which hasn't really changed in the MS code since inception!
www.prepar3d.com
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I flight sim a bit... in X Plane though.
I did look at Prepar3d not sure I want to migrate to it though. Do they do a trial?
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How accurate are the orbit models in these spaceflight simulators? I want to study some interplanetary gravity-assist trajectories, and that requires a lot of attention to detail.
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FSX, Otbiter 2010, maybe Prepar3D in the future. My son is a Kerble fanatic...
Finally built a new system that could run FSX, belong to a very old VA (Lynx). I hadn't flown a real plane since the 70s, and I'd swear that all the simming kept me "current" to the point that I was handed the keys after 2.1 hrs dual (after about 21 years non-flying)...I opted for another couple hrs dual to get the "comfort factor" back up...
I remember back during a shuttle mission, I downloaded the current orbital numbers (the guys at the Orbiter site updated them a lot), and was looking down at the Earth in Orbiter, with NASA TV going on TV. They had the "look down" view selected during the sleep period, andm aside from a few second delay on the Orbiter display, the views were virtually identical...it was astounding to watch.
Lots and lots of addons, their SpaceX Dragon is great fun. Wish some of the deniers could play with Orbiter, just to see how orbital mechanics work. Great Apollo addons available as well...
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I'm going to revive this old thread because Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is coming out on August 18th and I am super excited for it.
It uses detailed satellite imagery and AI to generate 3D buildings and terrain that closely matches the real world. Depending on where you live, you should even be able to find your own home represented in the simulator. It also has an impressive weather model.
I look forward to doing a virtual tour of major landmarks around the world.
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I still have Flight Sim 2000 but haven't installed it on this PC... and haven't played with it for years (I haven't flown as Pilot-in-Command for years, either!).
I wonder if I should?