Software that fell off a back of a lorry?

Right Blacksheep, thats a blatant link to an unauthorised software site prepare to be banned, moderator do your stuff.
Blacksheep 2, we look forward to meeting you.
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/FarSMadProf.gif
Pengineer

PS Do they have a website?

People interested in UK scenery for FS2002 might be interested in this link: http://www.uk2000scenery.com/puplic/index.htm
There's UK scenery and UK airports. I would imagine that any of the scenery is more accurate than the out-of-the-box MS stuff. The problem is that you might need a beefy PC to run it on to get decent framerates, but worth looking at the demo perhaps.

Concerning aircraft and flight models, you may want to look at the file libraries avsim.com and flightsim.com. There are a few really good general aviation free add-ons out there with vastly superior flight models to the standard MS ones. There's a really nice DC-3 out there too, and sadly flight sim is probably the closest I'll get to flying one of those. For jets, www.projectopensky.com, www.phoenix-simulation.co.uk and www.dreamfleet2000.com are all good sources. The last two cost money but have new panels and attempt systems simulation. As a private pilot, I'd be really interested to know how "good" these airliner models are from real drivers.
Remember that everything has to be done within the constraints of the flight modeling of FS2002 so I would imagine that some things just aren't possible.
Finally, I'm hoping we'll see some nice add-ons once MS releases the developer's kit for FS2002. I'd love to see improved ATC for example.

For UK readers it is retailing at £35 inc VAT at all branches of Costco. Truckloads in stock.

I've bought Microsoft flight sims before and been dismayed at the graphics and just utter dullness of them so hadn't touched it since '98. I thought i'd take the plunge and buy 2002 and so far i've been very impressed with it. The graphics are quite a step forward on the older games and the adding of ATC makes it far more realisitc and interesting.
It was good fun unearthing my US maps and reliving my first cross country solo from Kissimee Municipal to Avon Park to a quite staggering degree of accuracy.

It's plucky and I like it. 8.5/10. Room for improvement and WHY NO PIPER AIRCRAFT AT ALL INCLUDED WITH THE GAME? :mad: We didn't all train on Cessnas Bill old chum!

[ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: bow5 ]

The lack of Pipers may just be down to sponsorship. Check the bottom of this page for all their icons. King Schools are also heavily into Cessnas, and they did a lot of the lesson stuff in FS2002.

You are coming pretty close to getting banned with your continuous hints of how to obtain pirated software. How YOU get your software is your affair. When you put it on this website it OUR affair. I hope that is clear enough for you?

PPRuNe Pop
Administrator
[email protected]

You'll be asking for an e-mail address for ****** next :D :D :D

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Through Difficulites to the cinema

[ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: PPRuNe Pop ]

diplomat - no it is not Mac compatible. I am not sure whether it would work well with a PC emulator on a Mac.
You might want to try Fly! by TRI, which is both Mac and PC.

ISTR that there is a Mac version of X-plane too.

Got my FS2K2 Pro version last week and firstly was amazed that it nearly takes 2gb worth of h/disk space when fully installed.

Did my first flight using the 737 and this thing reacts like a fighter jet, even fully loaded with JetA1 it climbs and climbs and climbs. :(

ATC feature is, sorry for that expression, too "americanized!" - since when do you get a clearance for straight climb out in Europe?! :D If they offer a world scenery then Mr.B. should also consider there are others parts then Estados Unidos when it comes to flying... :cool:

The graphics are great - provided you have a good card inside your PC.. ;)

Still tyring to load the Phoenix-Simulation B744 and B777 into this new thinggi, but still consider this, as the web-page still says "We are currently testing the patches for FS2K2" and that's dated 13/11/01. Like the planes and especially the panels and associated functionality :D :) :D
This is one of the better "add-on's" you can get for your MS-FS; pretty acurate with the FMS setup and good handling of the planes.

Just my 0,02 Euro Cents worth of opinion. ;)

Cheers

Evo7 - oops yes forgot about X-plane. It is actually developed on a Mac!

Cargo - check out the support forum on the Phoenix site for instructions on how to move your PSS planes over to FS2002. They do work however, I believe the nav database for the FMS has problems.
Agreed about ATC - I'd love to see a nice ATC add-on and I'd like airlines and voices to be customisable (am I sad or what?) Also, I've noticed that when approaching an uncontrolled field, you cannot call out "on the 45" or similar, which is how I was taught to do it.

Aw come on lighten up! It was just a joke. The originator of the thread asked where he could find the cheapest - that was just begging for a tongue-in-cheek answer.
Is there anyone on the planet who doesn't know that the cheapest place to get software is off the back of a lorry. Or that such software tends to play havoc with your PC?

So, to all those who booked tickets costing several thousand dollars to buy cheap software from a dodgy market stall in a dirty Asian back street on my recommendation, I urge you to cancel your trip and spend your money on genuine software, real Rolex watches, pukka Louis Vuitton luggage and original Gucci handbags. Its illegal to buy pirated copies in case you didn't know...

Its also illegal to have naked ladies sitting on your knee pouring beer down your throat even though everyone knows about it and the police take no action. But who am I to tell you in which side street of what city you will find them? :D

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Through difficulties to the cinema

...are there any of these bars near the dodgy software stall? just wondering.

Anyway ripping off Microsoft is not really a crime. MS are convicted felons in the US courts (remember) responsible for the demise of hundreds of smaller software developers through its anti-trust dealings, windows was ripped of from Apple, etc etc.
As a youth I bought Win 95, the flawed Win98, to correect the flaws they brought out Win98SE which again I had to buy, and tried to buy a PC without windows but was told I would have to pay for windows even if I didn't want it installed!!!

Now I'm a bit older and wiser I've

** SNIP **

Contrary to popular belief if it wasn't for Bill and his boys most of us would have computers with operating systems which worked as advertised.
http://www.stopstart.btinternet.co.uk/nc/comp2.gif

Buttons: That's a YELLOW

[ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: What_does_this_button_do? ]

Sheep on Parole
Penguin on Parole

but which will come first?

I hope neither!!!!

My post did not give any hints on how to obtain pirated software, nor did it encourage anyone else to do so. The fact that I prefer not to contribute any more to Bill's personal fortune is merely a 'lifestyle choice' and surely not a valid reason to expel me. I've bought his products more than once, now I've just stopped paying for the upgrades.
On a recent thread I was asked for a link and I didn't provide it as I knew it was against the rules.

PS Penguin????
I like it I might come back as Penguineer when you ban me.

Hi All,

You maybe interested in the latest release of Hong Kong scenery. It's Kai Tak and to be released very shortly.

Click Here

Ill give you an update as soon as I get it.

Buttons: Hope you don't mind but I fixed your link.

[ 02 December 2001: Message edited by: What_does_this_button_do? ]

Ah yes, the infamous scenery add-ons business.

Now, when it comes to pirated software, what is the moderator's' opinion on software companies pirating freeware from hobbyists websites, incorporating it into their own software packages and selling it for gain? I'm not suggesting that any part of the scenery mentioned above is pirated but there was a huge row about freeware piracy among simulator enthusiasts a couple of years ago. There used to be a plethora of websites where enthusiasts swapped amateur Flight Sim scenery add-ons, produced for fun but incorporating copyright clauses. The numbers of such sites have now dwindled as a direct result of piracy by commercial firms.

When it comes to pirate software, as in other matters there is no black and white, only shades of grey. Just because software comes in a pretty box with loads of licences doesn't necessarily mean its clean.

To answer your question Pengineer, the naked ladies are in a different city. The side street where they operate has huge stocks of dodgy watches but I've not noticed any software. Then again, who would be looking? :D

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Through difficulties to the cinema

[ 03 December 2001: Message edited by: Blacksheep ]

this thread is entitled "Flight Sim '02" - if you want to discuss Pirate Software why don't you start a new thread?

Getting concerned that we're losing direction on this one......

To get it back on track....

as I said, i'm reasonably new to the whole flt sim game and have seen shedloads of add-ons for 2000. My question is, are there any out yet for 2002 (mainly UK scenery and airports) and what are the best ones. Also, will these add-ons mean that you fly around with real airlines in the sky instead of 'pacifica airlines'.

Lastly, any tips on multiplayer flying. How do you do it etc. I've never actually played a game online before but reckon it could be quite interesting. Still no substitute for actually flying though eh?

Cheers.

See my earlier post about UK scenery - I believe that it has been (or is in the process of being) updated for FS2002.

Concerning multiplayer flight, it is good fun. My friend and I fly this way frequently (yes we are that sad). We set up a flight in The Zone and usually limit it to 10 players or so and let everyone know which are we'll be flying in. So far, other participants have been pretty good and following real life procedures.
What is strange is that other players aircraft will lack their undercarriage (from your perspective) and if they are flying a non-standard aircraft then they'll appear as one of the standard ones often with amusing results: I flew a large jet and it appeared to others as a Cessna floating several feet above the ground when taxiing :)

Multiplayer is good fun and easy to do, I spent an hour or so this afternoon flying circuits around Bermuda, then tonight we (about 8 of us) were going over Niagra falls in our amphibious Cessnas.
FS2002 is very enjoyable, just like being a real pilot without the drop in living standards and you get to go home at night.


......I'll get my coat!

Nicer airplanes than I get to fly in real life too ;)

Leaving me in the left seat of a 747, with the engines running, lined up and ready to go? Are they quite mad?

[ 03 December 2001: Message edited by: BayAreaLondoner ]

Cheers bayarealondoner. I tried the avsim.com website and found some good stuff on there last night.

Have I missed something or is it impossible to start the game anywhere other than the active runway? It seems a bit daft being lined up to go and then asking taxi permission to be told to 'hold short'.

bow5 - you should be able to select another area of the airport (this may depend on the airport). For example, if you choose KSFO, you're given the choice of the runways but also various gates. You do this from the airport selection screen.
Hope that helps.

David.

BAL, thats ok with powered aircraft but try selecting a glider flight and you are lined up at some point on the airfield or runway without a tug infront ! or have I missed something ?

It must be only on specific airports then. Apparently Heathrow doesn't qualify to be big enough to be able to start anywhere other than the active runway. Same with Gatwick. I guess you must have to buy more add ons for the priveledge.

Would it really have been that hard to place the aircraft somewhere else on the field?

FS2002 just doesn't cut it. Still very much on the lines of an arcade game. For the 'real' flying experience try PS1.3a (www.aerowinx.com). Fly online with ATC as well. There's just too much to say in this post, so spend some time & check out the site in detail.
"Keep the blue side up chaps".

Microsoft Flight Simulator Pro 2002
 

I bought it a couple weeks ago and it makes good practice for me, seeing as how I'm still working on my PPL.

I was just curious what all your opinions are on the product.

Thanks!

I think it is an amazing piece of computer technology. Much better than 2002! What will they come up with for MS Flight Sim 2004??? <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

Eff Oh.

Great ha?

Although, many users (especially those with top end graphics cards) are experiencing this blurry texture problem where the ground beneath looks like its been smudged, kind of yucky! I love the chrome effects though! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Me thinks that the flightmodels are not all that realistic... But you cant get it all now can you.
Especially the rudder does not seem to work like in the real thing or produce same aerodynamical reactions as in an airplane.

I have recently started to use it with CH Yoke and rudders. This has introduced a new level of realism and while it still in no way matches the real thing, it is helping both as both a training aid and a method of aiding currency. I definately think its good for instrument flying and would have been a great help before my IMC rating.

FS2002 is a great scenery viewer, but the aircraft dynamics leave a little to be desired!!

Once some decent 3rd party planes come out it should be the DB's <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Some of the "big planes" are already out: Dreamfleet and PSS 747 and 777 (well you can hack it to work).
The Project Open Sky stuff works.
I think there's a Canuck or Beaver out too, and the DC-3 project associated with a museum is available on CD.
Maybe someone will address GA aircraft soon?

Overall, is it a lot better than the 2000 PRO edition, and is it worth the money ?

The Jepp database is renewed, a lot of fixes are there now and real weather allows you to download upper winds, not only sfc.

Still has some bugs but thinks all in all is as good as the price say it is. You can't really expect a "real" characteristic from the sim but very good in general.

AB

"Overall, is it a lot better than the 2000 PRO edition, and is it worth the money ?"

Not if you have to buy a new computer to run it. The only reason why I bought FS2002 was because I heard that the scenery was much better and, importantly, smoother (I wasn't getting very good framerates in FS2000, so I was hoping for a slight improvement in this regard). However, it refused to run at all on my laptop (I only have a 4Mb Video chip).

Rgds.
Q

Flight Simulator
 

Ok, so being a student, a LOT of people have recommended MS Flight Simulator, good idea or save my money?

If so, what is the difference between MSFS2002 and MSFS2002 Pro?

About $20 :)

Thats about it really!

I would always recommend anyone interested in flying to have a copy of MSFS as it is very versatile. Unlike anything else in aviation it is cheap. You can for example practice Instrument Procedures but do it at virtually any airport you choose and have the benefit of breaking through cloud at decision height and doing a landing. Never done a back-course approach? Pick Varadero and have a shot.

If I were buying, I'd go for the Pro version. It has more planes and better customisation features.