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Screen shots by Delivery Guys |
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Although today's home flight simulators are very realistic in almost all regards, a few functions aren't simulated as realistically as we might like, and some that simulated at all. Among the more obvious of these shortcomings is the servicing of aircraft airports. Getting fueled, loading passengers and cargo, and receiving other ground services are simply absent.
A new program from Delivery Guy addresses this weaknesses. When you pull up to gates with this add-on, your aircraft gets guided in, catered, fueled, loaded with baggage and cargo, and other ramp attentions.
Fly Sim Server is a online community for Flight Simulator, says developer 'Delivery Guy'. "As a creator of FS Top Gun," says 'Delivery Guy', "I have been an owner, game developer and pilot online for the last six years. Fly Sim has been open for two years. 'Delivery Guy' is my nickname." He never told me his real name, and it doesn't appear anywhere.
'Delivery Guy' said he made this add-on software because: "Members want something that has a one-time setup, that allows more relish when using FS Passengers or others. This project allowed me to finally build a really nice gate."
The following features of Animated Gates are heralded by its developer:
The Animated Gates I reviewed is called "West Coast 2010." It's for FS2004, and it includes the following ten airports in the western United States:
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PURCHASE FEATURES |
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Instant download from the Pilot Shop |
YES | |
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Installation program |
YES | |
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License key required |
YES | |
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Copyright acknowledgment required |
YES | |
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Manual included |
YES | |
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Uninstall program included |
YES | |
Beyond what 'Deliver Guy' says about the product, here's what I found:
Basic installation is easy enough. The installation program deposits all necessary files into the correct add-on scenery folders. All ten airport sceneries must be manually added to the scenery library, and the simulator must be restarted for the program to work. This is how new sceneries are normally added to FS2004, so it isn't a weakness of Animated Gates. Also, users must manually copy an important DLL file from the archive file into the FS2004 modules folder. If you already have this file, you can leave it as is or overwrite it, the developer explained in response to my question. "Most people won't have it," he said.
Three gates at each airport are enhanced. The program adds jetways and airport equipment at those gates only. The three gates are numbered 00, 01, and 02 because they are the same at all ten airports. As a result, there's no correlation between them and the actual gate numbers at those airports. Because nothing tells us which gates are affected at each airport, I had to skew around each until I found the enhanced gates. Once there, I found that the number signs on the gates don't match the Animated Gates gate numbers.
When you finally find the gates, they are impressive. The gate areas look more realistic with their jetways, equipment, and personnel. You're guided in by a lighted sign and a human ramp marshal. Then the jetway comes toward you from one side and the catering truck from the other side.
The animated servicing system is activated by tuning specific frequencies on the Nav-1 radio. One frequency activates minimal servicing, and another activates full servicing. ("Servicing" means the catering truck and baggage cart comes to the aircraft.) When I tuned in these frequencies the first time, nothing happened. Then I saw that the documentation says to wait up to 55 seconds for the animation to begin. If you've ever been first in line at a red traffic light, you know how long 55 seconds can seem like, and waiting 55 seconds for something to happen in a flight simulator can really try your patience. Well, if you wait long enough, which isn't always 55 seconds, you will see a cool animated operation right before your eyes.
The animation is visible from numerous viewpoints: inside the cockpit, spot view, and tower view. You might think that would be obvious, but I have seen animations in some programs that cannot be seen from all viewpoints.
The gates are the same at all ten airports in the package. They are positioned differently at each. As examples, they are added to the concourse at Los Angeles, and they are placed on the ramp as free-standing buildings at Las Vegas and Seattle.
When I arrived at gates sometimes, some aircraft were already parked there. I saw a 737, an MD-80, and a Dash 8. The developer says those are AI aircraft that the simulator puts there because it recognizes the gates.
The developer states in the documentation that Animated Gates does not work well with add-on airport sceneries. "I would have to remove bgl's from payware addons," he says. "This would look horrible and be wrong to do." Accordingly, users are advised to disengage any add-on sceneries they might have for these airports.
Given the steps required to install and activate this add-on program, I don't see how "no setup" is required as claimed. But I wouldn't let that deter me from recommending or buying it.
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ANIMATED GATES IN ACTION |
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| Screen shots by Bill Stack | ||
The product description doesn't tell us about how many aircraft and types are serviceable at these gates. The documentation included with the program identifies more than 40 aircraft of various sizes, from commuters to jumbos.
An ActiGate editor enables users to add to the large list of compatible aircraft by editing the ActiGate.dll file.
When you taxi to the gate, a ramp marshal guides you in and tells you when to stop. There's also a sign on the concourse that provides this information. The Animated Gates identifies your aircraft type, guides you to the correct position, and moves the jetway and vehicles to your doors. Then your aircraft can be serviced properly by the jetway, catering trucks, and so forth.
Users can apply their airline name or logo, or any other signage to the concourse building. The archive file includes simple instructions.
An animated American flag lights up.
Versions for the U.S.A. east coast and other worldly places are planned.
The developer responded to my questions quickly, which bodes well for users needing technical assistance.
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VIEWS OF THE GATES |
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Los Angeles |
Las Vegas |
Seattle-Tacoma |
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| Screen shots by Bill Stack | ||
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NIGHT EFFECTS |
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Las Vegas |
Seattle-Tacoma |
Seattle-Tacoma |
| Screen shots by Bill Stack | ||
Delivery Guy's Animated Gates 2010 West Coast is a cool program that does everything it says it will and more. While I wouldn't call the installation "no setup," it's not hard to do. The program has more than meets the eye because of the large number of compatible aircraft that were not mentioned in the product description. Once you learn how to use it, it's very easy. Would I sit there and watch all the animations every time? Probably not, but having those typical activities going on around you while you're preparing the aircraft for departure and shutting down after arrival enhances the experience. The price for this unusual and fascinating program is very reasonable.
Bill Stack
Learn More About Delivery Guy's Animated Gates
More Reviews By Bill Stack:
Fighter Leader X
SBD Dauntless From Vertigo Studios
FScene For FSX
Bill Stack is author of several books about flight simulation, a regular author in flight-sim magazines, and a contributor to Flight Sim Com. His website is www.topskills.com
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