I’d like to apologize for the changes in this article, it was originally supposed to be a transcontinental flight from KPVD (Providence RI) to KLAX (Los Angeles) but with certain add-on issues and driver problems, I was unable to do it for this one, so it will have to start off our new year for the January article.

With the previously mentioned graphic driver issues, how many of us have downloaded the current drivers only to get worse performance then we did before? I don’t know what it was, but I had downloaded the latest drivers for my nVidia GeforceFX 5200 and low and behold, what happens? I go into 1024 x 768 graphic mode and the airplane view disappears from the Create a Flight Menu. Next thing, I go back to 800 x 600, it’s there again, but with a black line across the bottom. This can not be allowed, no, no, no! I called nVidia after the problem was posted on the forums and found out a lot of us seem to have that issue, and they gave the typical work around, saying it could be the computers manufacturer’s of the video cards, that it’s not really an nVidia card yadda, yadda, yadda. If you don’t know, just say so! Maybe they’d be able to come up with one that states in the release “Better performance for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004”. Is that too much to ask?

Anyway, before I rant and rave too much on this one subject, let me give you a hint. If you have found a driver that you liked but don’t still have it on your computer, (I’ve learned - I’m starting to keep an archive of drivers my self so that I’m able to go back and try which ones are best…simply go here and that will take you to the XP-2000 archive page. Those of us who are using the Windows ME edition, you’re in luck - they have an archive page for you too, http://www.nvidia.com/object/win9x_archive.html.

Now the second point of my article is a kind of fun activity for us flight simmers out there. How many of you fly online with Vatsim, only to have an assumed registration number? Well, here’s a fun activity, you can come up with your own air charter business, or some other form of airline. Here’s one that I came up with, and I do have a lot of repaints remaining for it. Not to worry, it will be completed soon - I had some issues with getting clear text for the fuselages, but think that is all behind me now. Anyway, I did this for me, so unfortunately it won’t be available in the download library out there on FlightSim.Com. I wish to remain in compliance with rules and regulations of Vatsim and that way I can also keep track of the flight numbers. Yes, they do go up each time I do go online, currently on Charter John 004 right now, which is what was supposed to be for the article. But anyway, here is a shot of Eaglesoft’s Citation X in my new livery:

Our newly repainted Citation in Charter John

Performance on computer systems will vary so please don’t email me about my FPS too slow if I mention them on mine. Computer system for this article and all others of Flap’s Flap is the following: Dell Dimension 4600 2.66 GHz Pentium 4 Processor 512MB RAM 128MB Nvidia GeforceFX 5200 AGP 8X Graphic Card 19" Flat Screen Monitor Altec Lansing Surround Sound Speakers Go-Flight Cockpit Control System

You can be as creative as you want with this process, so next time you’re on Vatsim, and you see the call sign John00x - (unknown flight number will be next) feel free to say hello! Maybe I’ll be able to get that intercontinental flight completed some time soon. I’ll try again for next month. In the meantime, happy flying and keep the blue side up and have a great Holiday! Remember, I always enjoy hearing from my readers, so if you have any flight ideas, please email them to me. I’d love to try them out - always looking for new destinations to go to in our virtual skies.

Now, for some light legal stuff:

Flap’s Flap does not accept any responsibility for varied performance in systems. Please note my system specs and the display properties work fine with MY system. Set your display properties accordingly to your computer. Also, with any How To items that are given in these articles, please use at your own risk! I will hold no responsibility to any damage done to your system. And, as always, remember: Back up your files before changing them!

John J. Thuot II
ragtopjohnny01@aol.com