Flight Sim Adventures!!

[heeshung]

Well, if you were picturing an African safari or something in a bush plane, it isn't quite that. Just some screenshots, if you will.

The following flight, however was an adventure...sort of...

This was a charter flight from KDTW (Detroit) to TNCM (St. Maarten). I recently downloaded Project Opensky's new NWA CRJ-900 ('Soaring Eagle'), so I took her for a flight. I loaded up with 85% of fuel at DTW for the flight, where I had to reduce the payloads so I wouldn't go over the Max. Gross Weight. Around the time of the 70& point of the flight, I did a calculation, and I realized that we were running low on fuel for my location. I then upped the altitude 2000 feet, from FL390 to FL410. I could've diverted before I left the U.S. mainland or to a closer island like Puerto Rico, but pressed ahead, knowing that the chartered tour group was eager to get to their destination.

I purposely cut the approach paper thin, locking onto the ILS for runway 09 about 5 NM out. With a hard left bank, I finally touched down with the softest landing I had ever done on that plane.

At the point of touchdown, there was roughly 80 seconds of flight time in terms of fuel left in the tanks. During shutdown at the gate, only about 55 seconds was left.

(Wow, that story was much longer than I had planned...)

I finished this flight about 15 minutes before this post. This is on the same computer as all my other screenshots were taken from. Enjoy!


Turning final.
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/59284eaca882bef940cb792e96f34a695a9b52d7.png

Over the famous Maho Beach. (Look closely; Miller Lite anyone?)
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/cebd6c6cba97c10a59f7d8e931bd61dc2547c95b.png

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/05204bce9eca0a2e8be5ea1e8da70c0077f98c11.png

About to touch down
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/dde2e23d410c0990f7d3f2d49244b300616110da.png

Touchdown!
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/a7714927996d85568248b9e82d41f4b157efd7cf.png

More to come.

[MarkLawrence]

NICE!!!!...is that FS9 or FSX???

[flyboy 28]

Since when does SXM have an ILS? :wink:

That's the FlyTampa SXM right? I absolutely adore that pack. With TFFJ and SABA, it should really be worth triple what it is.

[heeshung]

Oops, lol I guess they don't. Didn't notice when I typed out my post.

I love FlyTampa's SXM as well.
And yes, this is FS9.

Here are some more: Enjoy.

Over the beach from another perspective
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/ded0187b018dae4c7e55ab1b89dc3ebbde56d9e0.png

Lovin' the centerline!
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/5627f4881fb0a89c0695213a4dc0f1f26277852a.png

A view of the Sunset Beach Bar
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/3513f513ef4fa6a4415b49282d6b3e88c8533a8b.png

Last second adjustments
http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/223cd45eea98955d0cd756c80a439759cf440804.png

[MarkLawrence]

Just downloaded this puppy...I have to take a little run this evening! :)

[T-Bird76]

Nice graphics! I haven't used FS in ages.... I wish my PC could run FSX the way it should be run but the PC is three years old.

[nwafan20]

Hey... so you were the pilot for my charter???? Very cool!

:D

[heeshung]

Heh, did you have fun when we climbed to 10,000 feet in about 2 minutes and 45 seconds where I put the 300th episode of MADTv on? :borat:

(So now you know what I watched during the flight on my second monitor.)

[kc2aqg]

Question for you guys - I'm not a frequent FS'er, but I have FS2004 with a bunch of custom sound packs I both downloaded and tried to create for myself from some of my recorded movies (don't ask, some of them are disasterous like my MD-80 one - don't say a word Kenny LOL j/k). Anyway, how is FS2004 compared to FSX? Worth the investment? How about availability of freeware models and soundpacks, and are they significantly better on FSX than FS2004? Very curious about your opinions. Also, anybody else a real sound buff when it comes to FS?

I just did a few runs this weekend with my DL 763ER model and custom PW4000 soundpack which is pretty sweet, running JFK-CDG-JFK-TLV-JFK.

[Matt Molnar]

Question for you guys - I'm not a frequent FS'er, but I have FS2004 with a bunch of custom sound packs I both downloaded and tried to create for myself from some of my recorded movies (don't ask, some of them are disasterous like my MD-80 one - don't say a word Kenny LOL j/k). Anyway, how is FS2004 compared to FSX? Worth the investment? How about availability of freeware models and soundpacks, and are they significantly better on FSX than FS2004? Very curious about your opinions. Also, anybody else a real sound buff when it comes to FS?
The latest FS is very disappointing, IMO. I was hoping for more realistic ATC in particular, but no such luck. The game play, unfortunately, is pretty much identical, with maybe a few more inconsequential buttons to play with in the cockpit. The graphics are a bit better, but you need some serious hardware in order to see them. You have more planes and adventures out of the box, but of course that takes up space, I think my install is well over 2 gigs. I installed one freeware plane and it was just as buggy as many from previous versions.

Bottom line: if you have a powerful rig and some torrent software, get it. :)

[Lezam]

I was hoping for more realistic ATC in particular, but no such luck.

Vatsim :twisted:

[SengaB]

Awsome shots heeshung,
I agree with Gotham.
I have been using MSFS since like 1989 and find this latest version to be extreamly disappointing for all the reasons gotham mentioned.
There is not much change in FSX that FS9 had. The only thing they really did in this version was beef up the graphics (A LITTLE). I mean why is it when I am above a solid cloud deck can I still see the ground? When I am in IMC and on short final the runway is still visible when you are inside the cloud layer. They added loads of bells and whistles and adventures witch has little use to me and failed to addres the core issues that needed to be addressed. The ATC is even worst that previous and fairly buggy. The performance was so bad that they had to come out witch a batch that addressed the issue. The patch increased performance of FSX greatly but the prodect as a whole still falls short. Very buggy and unpolished game. Its almost like a beta. They never evnen bother to address the AI aircraft flow control. They STILL fly on top each other and you cna have liek 10 billion planes going missed afetr once another.
I'll stop now before I rant for hours. If you have FS9....stay with it. Its just as good and better than FSX in MANY ways. I have both installed. Since I got FSX I need to get my moneys worth out of it.
Its raining and its foggy...why is there a lightsource and a strong shadow under my plane! When it was cloudy or foggy in FS5.0 they killed the lightsource! and the shadow. Somehtign so basic as this can't be resolved?
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/fsxsucks02.jpg
Senga

[flyboy 28]

They never evnen bother to address the AI aircraft flow control. They STILL fly on top each other and you cna have liek 10 billion planes going missed afetr once another.

Senga,

http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DL ... CatID=root (http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=&Name=&FileName=aismooth_v111a.zip&Author=&CatID=root)

-James

[heeshung]

I also have wondered about the shadows in FS9, but I always assumed it was something I would have to live with. All other screenshots I've seen from FS9 have it. There may be a way around it, but as far as I know, it's normal in FS9, meaning it's not just you.

[cancidas]

senga, you really do like those Yak-42s don't you. good old eastern metal!

[wunaladreamin]

heesung, what no topless sunbathers at TNCM? It's been ages since I've dabbled with FS9. I don't have patience for my s****y landings.

[SengaB]

flyboy 28,
I have downloaded AISmooth before. But MSFS needs to address this problem. We shouldn't have to download a program as MS should have addressed this issue a few versions ago. AISmooth is a good alternative until MS does something about it.

heeshung,
About the Sun and shadows in Raining cloudy weather. I usually turn off the aircraft and building shadows when the weather is bad in FS unfortunately the lightsource is still there. Maybe the next FS will ahve this issue.

Matt,
Yes I LOVE the russian stuff :) Really anything old but particularly the old russian stuff.

Even in FSworld Russian aircraft are STILL have the occational "Problem"
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/gear.jpg

Senga

[DHG750R]

I also have wondered about the shadows in FS9, but I always assumed it was something I would have to live with. All other screenshots I've seen from FS9 have it. There may be a way around it, but as far as I know, it's normal in FS9, meaning it's not just you.

There is a way to turn off the shadows but like the rest of it . Its a compromise. Its either on or off

I couldnt agree with you guys more about the ATC , the lack of a proper cloud deck . Ive flown FS online with VATSIM and while it's more reliable , there isnt always coverage where you are and not always traffic. ( I like seeing other aircraft around )

[SengaB]

Thats true,
Once you turn off the shadows you will want to turn it back on once you are in "sunny" conditions. Scenery shadows and aircraft shadows.

Heres a good example I have of being above a cloud deck and being able to see the ground. This is just silly. You will see the ground and the runway untill your aircraft is actually below the cloud desk and then u are thrust into IMC.
The first shots shows a AI aircraft above the cloud deck.
The second shot shows me in the cloud deck. Its really annoying how you can see the outline of the airport fence no matter the conditions. The only time you cant see it is when you are below the cloud. Inj IMC and cant see the runway yet?..just follow the fence!
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/wx02.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/wx01.jpg
Senga

[heeshung]

VATSIM Report:

Stayed up until 1:30AM waiting for CAL395 to arrive. Finally did, and I will proudly say I greased that landing.

Touched the tip of North Korea; good thing they didn't notice! :P

http://vataware.com/flight.cfm?id=1743155

Some shots:

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/270e2a2108ac4bb3c6b5cbf032376646901eb9da.png

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/9533f2f008a1a710ffe219c6c330cc1d597e5710.png


Gosh dang, these look horrible on a 1024x768 screen.

[SengaB]

Wow nice shot there. You flew over where I lived South Korea, Seoul :)
Was that an AI plane or was that actually you flying. You said you stayed up to 3am to watch 1:30AM waiting for CAL395 to land.

I flew to North Korea in the Sim one time. The main airport has a really strange set up to it.

You can always resize them down to 1024. Thats what I do when I run at a higher res. Plus it would help us see the whole image without having to scroll.

Oh SHNAP!!! I think I broke the plane!!!
Check out those skid marks int he 3rd shot :) I take my planes to the limit without makig the sim detect a crash.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/nks01.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/nks02.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/nks03.jpg

Senga

[heeshung]

Whooaaaa!!! I love those angles! But, where did you left wheel go? :P

That was my plane. I was doing a VATSIM flight and I wanted to have that in the logs, so I decided to wait it out for it to reach Tokyo.

[Lezam]

Yeah dude, you broke that plane :)

[SengaB]

heeshung,
Witch shot are you talking about the YAK or the A319? Thats pretty cool you can use Vatsim for tracking your flight. If I wnated to would I be able to see it as you are flying?


Lezam,
Yea I know how to give them a good work out! My passengers got rocked on that one.

I hope in the next Sim than they have more defined structural damage. Like hard landings, better wing damage flap , gear etc. It be nice to see some animated failures too.
Check out these shots that we had in a photo thread.
http://nycaviation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8956&hilit=flightsim
Senga

[heeshung]

I was talking about the Spirit, but that applies to the Yak as well.

And yes, you would be able to see the flight in real-time on that site. It constantly updates, and shows speed, altitude, etc.

[SengaB]

Oh ok,
Yea the YAK had a "Hard" landing. I took off again the left main gear would not go retract back into the wheel well. It wouldn't be much fun to land with the other 2 extended so I went around again and landed with on the one Main down :) Of course after I landed and the nose hit the runway and the right win diped the aircraft swung off the runway and went though the fence and ended up on the forest :)

If you have anymore shots post them in that thread I put up. Id like to see.

Senga

[DHG750R]

I also have wondered about the shadows in FS9, but I always assumed it was something I would have to live with. All other screenshots I've seen from FS9 have it. There may be a way around it, but as far as I know, it's normal in FS9, meaning it's not just you.

I had AI smooth for a while , It's not perfect but it works to a certain degree. I noticed in heavy traffic areas some aircaft slowing down unrealistically. I guess my biggest pain when it comes to AI is the Intelligence isnt always apparent. Like when you follow FS ATC's absurd vectoring onto final and in the end they still stick another aircraft in close proximity to me . If youre using something like Active Sky , and have the wake turbulence effect on. You can get turned upside down pretty quickly.

[Lezam]

Senga, have you ever tried out fspassengers? Its pretty cool, gives you a passenger opinion and also tells you your feet per second on landing. Lots of fun!

[PHL Approach]

I've been having fun flying the new Feelthere E-Jet - I've been having problems with my video card looking like crap ever since I updated my drivers. So to salvage the photos I've been using watercolors on my photos which I have always thought adds a cool touch.

RPA3205/ CLT-CMH - http://www.vataware.com/flight.cfm?id=1708823

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3862/rpae175fs7.jpg

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4165/rpae175midairox2.jpg

RPA3347/ BOS-PIT - http://www.vataware.com/flight.cfm?id=1709450

Didn't want to imbed these since they are 1280 not 1024
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2266 ... undil9.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2266/stare170bosgroundil9.jpg)

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7531 ... psdiz6.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7531/starbospsdiz6.jpg)

This one is probably 2 years old but still cool to look at.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2866/songedi****ercolorkl0.jpg

[DHG750R]

Senga,
There is a real time flight tracker ( sort of ) its called Servinfo Version 2.02 is the current one http://avsim.com/hangar/utils/servinfo/home.htm

[heeshung]

I absolutely love that watercolor on the Song. I didn't think it would make a big difference in appeal with the first two, but the last one is amazing.

[Lezam]

Yeah, the song picture looks great!

[SengaB]

yea I thought those were real at first and then I had to take a second look. :)
Senga

[SengaB]

Check out this close call I had yestrday ona flight form EWR to HTS (Huntington, WV)
It happned so fast that ATC didn't even get to issue a warning.
That was a US Airways A319 that I almost collided with. It was moving from right to left.

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/closecall01.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/closecall02.jpg

Senga

[Lezam]

What model is that A320? Does it have a working FMC?

[SengaB]

Lezam,
Its iFDG (international Flightsim Design Group)
A319 I got it from flightsim.com Model and textures were together.
There was no panel with it and I just used the defualt MSFS A321 panel for the A319.
It flies very well and is stable. Its a bit of a system hog though.

[Lezam]

Lezam,
Its iFDG (international Flightsim Design Group)
A319 I got it from flightsim.com Model and textures were together.
There was no panel with it and I just used the defualt MSFS A321 panel for the A319.
It flies very well and is stable. Its a bit of a system hog though.

Oh, I didn't realize that FSX came with an A320. Thats pretty cool.

[SengaB]

Lezam,
It doesn't. it comes with the A321. I downloaded the Spirit A319 and am using the Default A321 panel that is in FSX.
Senga

[Lezam]

Lezam,
It doesn't. it comes with the A321. I downloaded the Spirit A319 and am using the Default A321 panel that is in FSX.
Senga

hehe, shows how clueless I am. Thanks for the info

[SengaB]

No Problem,
I probably wasn't clear.


DHG750R,
I just saw your post about te flight tracking. I will check it out. Thanks for posting it.
Senga

[heeshung]

I'll let these shots speak for themselves.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/143e313ec0395d738f82c4ee44f27b16f63a6aa7.png

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/3ebe5384e821a472960bfb372e3ee0c160263807.png

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/f6b2fd6342f403f9315f98feb37a794c6d3f498f.png

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/5ac08d51d1cfc7085013ec7fa083f2be9560f2c1.png

[SengaB]

heeshung,
How did you do that with the images?
Heres a shot flying ROA to ROA.
Testing to see how well FSX handles vectors and approaches in mountainous areas and frequent changes in wind directions with storms that were in the area.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/roa01.jpg

Senga