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Jim Robinson

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  1. Jim Robinson
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]180581[/ATTACH]


     
     
    The filename you'll be working with is tds_b737max8_base_package.zip which can be downloaded here:
     
    https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=search&fname=tds_b737max8_base_package.zip
     
     
    When I refer to "the download" I'm talking about tds_b737max8_base_package.zip and I'm talking about accessing it in it's extracted state so extract the download to a temporary folder now keeping the folder structure intact. You'll be instructed to get things out of this package throughout the assembly into FSX so just leave the temporary folder in place until you're done.
     
    Start by moving the inner TDS 737 MAX 8 folder from the download into SimObjects/Airplanes
     
     
     
    <-- Panel -->
     
    Delete the panel folder and copy over the panel folder from the default B737-800 instead.
     
     
     
    Copy the 4 TDS supplied gauge folders from the FSX\panel folder in the download into the new panel folder.
     
    EXT_TEXTURE_ANIM
    FDEHelper
    Tds737ADVCONTROL
    Tds_util
     
     
     
    DO NOT copy the TDS supplied panel.cfg, you'll use the one from the default B737-800 instead but you'll need to add stuff to it from the TDS supplied panel.cfg:
     
    Add the 3 Posky_Debug, Utility, and FDEHelper windows to the panel.cfg. Move them up so they're between the Trim panel window and the MFD, PFD, and EICAS windows, re-number them accordingly (then you can use Shift+8 to open the utility window, you don't need a shift+n option for the MFD, PFD, or EICAS, you can just click the panel gauges to open them) .
     
    [Window Titles]
    window00=Main Panel
    window01=Radio Stack
    Window02=GPS
    Window03=Throttle Panel
    Window04=Overhead Panel
    Window05=Trim Panel
    Window06=Posky_Debug
    Window07=Utility
    Window08=FDEHelper
    Window09=PFD
    Window10=MFD
    Window11=EICAS
    Window12=Mini Panel
     
     
    Add the windows themselves down below pay attention to the numbers you gave them:
     
    [Window05]
    size_mm=194,154
    position=1
    visible=0
    BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
    ident=MISC_POPUP_1
     
    gauge00=B737_800!trim_popup, 0, 0
     
    [Window06]
    VISIBLE=0
    position=2
    size_mm=450,200
    child_3d=0
    background_color=0,0,0
    ident=TDSDEBUG
    gauge00=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tdsdebug, 0, 0
    gauge01=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tdsdebug2, 0, 50
    gauge02=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tdsdebug3, 0, 100
     
    [Window07]
    VISIBLE=0
    position=2
    size_mm=298,104
    child_3d=0
    background_color=0,0,0
    ident=Utility
    gauge00=Tds_util!Tds_Init, 0, 0
    gauge01=Tds_util!Tds_Timer, 0, 0
    gauge02=Tds_util!Tds_Util, 0, 0
     
    [Window08]
    VISIBLE=0
    position=2
    size_mm=450,200
    child_3d=0
    background_color=0,0,0
    ident=FDEHelper
    gauge00=FDEHelper!FDEInfo, 0, 0
     
     
    //--------------------------------------------------------
    // Full Size PFD
    [Window09]
    Background_color=0,0,0
    size_mm=341,341
    position=6
    visible=0
    ident=500
    gauge01=B737_800!pfd_screen, 0,0, 341,341
    gauge02=B737_800!pfd, 30,27, 280,280
     
    //--------------------------------------------------------
    // Full Size MFD
    [Window10]
    Background_color=0,0,0
    size_mm=341,341
    position=7
    visible=0
    ident=501
    gauge01=B737_800!mfd_screen, 0,0, 341,341
    gauge02=B737_800!mfd, 30,27, 280,280
     
    //--------------------------------------------------------
    // Full Size EICAS
    [Window11]
    Background_color=0,0,0
    size_mm=341,341
    position=8
    visible=0
    ident=502
    gauge01=B737_800!eicas_screen, 0,0, 341,341
    gauge02=B737_800!eicas, 30,27, 280,280
     
    [Window12]
    position=6
    size_mm=221,211
    child_3d=1
    background_color=0,0,0
    ident=MINIPANEL
    gauge00=B737_800!pfd_screen, 0, 0
    gauge01=B737_800!pfd, 21,19,179,179
     
     
    You'll need to add the 2 extra [VCockpit0X] sections that have all the Tds737ADVCONTROL gauges in it, those control the gear animations. Re-number them as well (I added them after the default B737-800 VC entry and used [VCockpit02] and [VCockpit03]):
     
    [VCockpit01]
    size_mm=1024,1024
    pixel_size=1024,1024
    texture=$737_1
    background_color=23,17,52
     
    gauge01=B737_800!overhead_popup, 4,4,581,529
    gauge02=B737_800!pfd, 6,536,260,260
    gauge03=B737_800!trim_popup, 6,801,194,154
    ...
    ...
    ...
    gauge27=B737_800!alti_and_asi_backup, 641,909,103,103
    gauge28=B737_800!efis_control_panel, 672,815,143,76
     
     
    [VCockpit02]
    size_mm=512,512
    pixel_size=512,512
    texture=$Posky_ACU
    background_color=0,0,0
     
    gauge00=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tds_AdvInit, 140,80,140,80
    gauge01=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsAUX, 140,80,140,80
    gauge02=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsRudder_Elev, 140,80,140,80
    gauge03=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsEngRev, 140,80,140,80
    gauge04=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsWingflex, 140,80,140,80
    gauge05=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsNosegearsteerling, 140,80,140,80
    gauge06=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tds_Spoiler, 140,80,140,80
    gauge07=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tdsflasher, 140,80,140,80
    gauge08=Tds737ADVCONTROL!TdsSEA, 140,80,140,80
    gauge09=Tds737ADVCONTROL!Tdsgearheight, 140,80,140,80
     
     
    [VCockpit03]
    size_mm=512,512
    pixel_size=512,512
    texture=$EXTANIMBASE
    background_color=0,0,0
     
    gauge00=EXT_TEXTURE_ANIM!EXTTEST, 0, 0, 512, 512
     
    [Default View]
    X=0
    Y=0
    SIZE_X=8192
    SIZE_Y=3600
     
     
     
    <-- Model -->
     
    Delete everything from the model folder and copy the default B737-800 interior model into it (B737_800_interior.mdl). Add the supplied FSX model from FSX\model folder in the download (TDSX738MAX_LEAPX1B--P2WM.mdl). Make sure you're using the supplied FSX model, the FS9 model won't work.
     
     
    Make a model.cfg that looks like this:
     
    [models]
    normal=TDSX738MAX_LEAPX1B--P2WM
    interior=B737_800_interior
     
     
     
    <-- Textures -->
     
    Make an additional Texture folder, copy the default B737-800 files listed below into it, these are your VC textures:
     
    737_Refection.dds
    B737_800_1_C.dds
    B737_800_1_night_C.dds
    B737_800_2_C.dds
    B737_800_2_night_C.dds
    B737_800_3_C.dds
    B737_800_3_night_C.dds
    B737_800_4_C.dds
    B737_800_4_night_C.dds
    B737_800_5_C.dds
    B737_800_5_night_C.dds
    Fresnel_Ramp.dds
     
    Copy the texture.cfg from one of the default B737-800 texture folders into Texture.BOE and also add a copy to any other TDS livery folders you may add later. Find "Max8.jpg" in the download, copy it into the Texture.BOE folder, rename the copy "thumbnail.jpg".
     
     
     
    <-- Sound -->
     
    Delete the Sound folder and replace it with the TDS supplied one from the FSX folder in the download. If you plan to use this in P3D replace it with a copy of the entire default B737-800 Sound folder because P3D doesn't have a B737-800 to alias the sounds from.
     
     
    (continued in part 2)
     
     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2. Jim Robinson
    (continued from part 1)
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]180575[/ATTACH]


     
     
     
     
    <-- Effects -->
     
    Copy TDSB3_wing_light.fx and tdsnose_gearwell.fx from the effects folder in the download to your Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Effects folder (and/or your Prepar3D v2\effects folder if you're using this in P3D)
     
     
     
    <-- aircraft.cfg -->
     
    Make the following changes to the aircraft.cfg:
     
    Mandatory:
    [Views]
    //eyepoint = -12.29, -1.31, 3.7
    eyepoint = -18.6, -1.55, 1.9
     
    Optional:
    Add these cameras if desired, they don't exist in the supplied aircraft.cfg, paste them in after the [General] section:
     
    [General]
    // VERSION = 1 //
    atc_type=BOEING
    atc_model=B737
    performance=Modeled by - Hiroshi Igami \nMaster Textures - Kyle Schurb \nFlight Dynamics - Nick Wilkinson and David Biggar
    editable=0
    Category=airplane
     
    [CameraDefinition.0]
    Title = "Right Side Window"
    Guid = {54F54B8A-3EC2-2D4E-8D10-B8F9D0F16ACC}
    Description = View of the right wing from the passenger cabin
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = 3.0985424518585205, 1.3969770669937134, -4.3183584213256836
    InitialPbh = 8.0804443359375, 0, 50.504150390625
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect=TRUE
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.1]
    Title = "Left Side Window"
    Guid = {0ae3f864-da10-4e5a-977c-b9bba47d6f7a}
    Description = View of the left wing from the passenger cabin
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = -3.1987440586090088, 1.2915873527526855, 11.497860908508301
    InitialPbh = 9.99755859375, 0, -135.94482421875
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect=TRUE
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.2]
    Title = "Landing Gear"
    Guid = {96873AAD-621B-4C45-8A58-DEF7B7FCB051}
    Description = View of the landing gear and left wing inboard flaps
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = .3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = -4.3621077537536621, -1.5655726194381714, -2.6092593669891357
    InitialPbh = -1.34033203125, 0, 38.968505859375
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect=TRUE
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.3]
    Title = "Tail"
    Guid = {5c1df273-034b-4e7f-953a-9d5e26f1646c}
    Description = Looking forward from behind the aircraft
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = .3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = 0, 14.5, -35.0
    InitialPbh = 18.8, 0, 0
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect=TRUE
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.4]
    Title = "Right Wing"
    Guid = {C690EAFD-223A-42d0-99E0-681ADF93BB59}
    Description = View from the right wing tip looking at the cockpit
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = 27.927286148071289, 1.5295473337173462, 7.5544476509094238
    InitialPbh = 0, 0, -102.56955718994141
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect = FALSE
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.5]
    Title = "Left Wing"
    Guid = {f25dfa2e-fd2e-4b89-81e2-0575cbcb60de}
    Description = View from the left wing tip looking at the cockpit
    Origin = Center
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = FALSE
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.3
    ShowWeather = Yes
    InitialXyz = -27.927286148071289, 1.5295473337173462, 7.5544476509094238
    InitialPbh = 0, 0, 102.56955718994141
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    Category=Aircraft
    MomentumEffect = No
    ClipMode=Minimum
     
    [CameraDefinition.001]
    Title = "Right Seat"
    Guid = {8ff6c134-098d-409f-baec-caba3f683f98}
    Origin = Virtual Cockpit
    MomentumEffect = YES
    SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
    SnapPbhReturn = False
    PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
    PanPbhReturn = False
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = YES
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = .3
    SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
    ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
    ShowWeather = Yes
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    ShowLensFlare=FALSE
    Category = Cockpit
    PitchPanRate=20
    HeadingPanRate=60
    InitialXyz= 0.95, 0, 0
    InitialPbh= 6.0149836540222168, 0, 0
     
    [CameraDefinition.002]
    Title = "Center Console"
    Guid = {195EAB58-9E4A-2E2A-A34C-A8D9D948F078}
    Origin = Virtual Cockpit
    MomentumEffect = No
    SnapPbhAdjust = None
    SnapPbhReturn = False
    PanPbhAdjust = None
    PanPbhReturn = False
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.52
    SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
    ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
    ShowWeather = Yes
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    ShowLensFlare=FALSE
    Category = Cockpit
    PitchPanRate=20
    HeadingPanRate=60
    InitialXyz= 0.4798395037651062, 0, -0.06682615727186203
    InitialPbh= 84.011070251464844, 0, 0
     
    [CameraDefinition.003]
    Title = "Engine Controls"
    Guid = {a5741a54-ea6d-4580-9709-c99161e38a83}
    Origin = Virtual Cockpit
    MomentumEffect = No
    SnapPbhAdjust = None
    SnapPbhReturn = False
    PanPbhAdjust = None
    PanPbhReturn = False
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.5
    SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
    ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
    ShowWeather = Yes
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    ShowLensFlare=FALSE
    Category = Cockpit
    PitchPanRate=20
    HeadingPanRate=60
    InitialXyz= 0.46779, -0.117649, 0.193287
    InitialPbh= 60.8, 0, 0
     
    [CameraDefinition.004]
    Title = "Overhead Panel"
    Guid = {4ca337db-ae88-4c5f-96ea-ddebbd2a86fe}
    Origin = Virtual Cockpit
    MomentumEffect = No
    SnapPbhAdjust = None
    SnapPbhReturn = False
    PanPbhAdjust = None
    PanPbhReturn = False
    Track = None
    ShowAxis = FALSE
    AllowZoom = TRUE
    InitialZoom = 0.3
    SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
    ZoomPanScalar = 1.15
    ShowWeather = Yes
    XyzAdjust = TRUE
    ShowLensFlare=FALSE
    Category = Cockpit
    PitchPanRate=20
    HeadingPanRate=60
    InitialXyz= 0.48388, -0.2251097, 0
    InitialPbh= -63.22159, 0, 0
     
     
     
    Optional (if you want a VC light):
     
    [lights]
    light.0 = 8, -47.59, -15.500, 6.5000, TDSB3_wing_light
    light.1 = 8, -47.59, 15.500, 6.5000, TDSB3_wing_light
    light.2 = 6, -13.39, 0, -1.96, tdsnose_gearwell
    light.3 = 4, -18.00, 0.00, 3.00, fx_vclight
     
     
    Optional:
    Allows jetways to connect to main door, replace the entire [exits] section with the one below:
     
    [exits]
    number_of_exits =4
    exit.0 = 0.3, -16.5, -5.5, 3.0, 0
    exit.1 = 0.3
    exit.2 = 0.3
    exit.3 = 0.3
     
     
     
    <-- Baked GSU textures -->
     
    Optional:
    I rendered some ambient occlusion for the GSU equipment and updated the textures. Download the .zip file linked below and extract the 5 included textures into your Texture.BOE folder allowing them to overwrite the existing files.
     
    gsu_textures_AO_baked.zip
     
     
    At this point the MAX 8 should be flyable, you may delete the temporary folder where you extracted the download now, you won't be needing it anymore. Enjoy the MAX 8, if you need help ask in the FSX forum as I won't be regularly monitoring this blog entry.
     
     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3. Jim Robinson
    This must have some value! The odds have got to be astronomical! When I checked "New posts" this morning I was awarded this amazing searchid! (and then I was kindly allowed to read the new posts)
     
    https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/search.php?searchid=4100000
     
    Shouldn't I win a prize or something? :)
  4. Jim Robinson
    I recently had the pleasure of reinstalling the FSX SDKs from my FSX Gold disks on Windows 7, and unfortunately ran into some problems while doing so. I found a workaround and eventually got the job done, so I thought I'd post my solution here in the event that others may be encountering the same problems I did.
     
    For whatever reason, I am unable to browse the FSX install disks in Windows Explorer, I think this probably has something to do with the copy protection on the disks and possibly also something to do with my cheap DVD drive. Installing the SDKs should be as simple as double-clicking the installers provided on the install DVDs, but if you can't browse the disks, that of course is impossible. I successfully did an MSDOS "dir" on the disks from a command window and located the installers, after which I attempted to run them directly from the install DVDs both from the command window and from the Windows "Run" box with only partial success. Actually the FSX RTM SDK located on FSX disk #1 ran fine, but when I tried to run the SP1a SDK installer located on the Acceleration disk, for some reason the installer hung and would not install. Again I suspect this has something to do with copy protection on the disk.
     
    My solution, which ultimately worked, was to copy the installers to a temporary folder on my C:\ drive with a DOS command and run the installers from there. Here's a rundown of my workflow, and I'm not messing around with trying to run any installers from the install disks in this example, I'm just copying all three of them to the temporary folder so I can run each from there:
     
     
     
    Put the FSX disk #1 in your DVD drive, cancel out of the FSX install program that autoruns when you insert the disk. In Windows Explorer, make a new folder somewhere on your hard drive, I made one named "C:\Temp" but it really doesn't matter where or what you name it. Right click the new folder while holding the Shift key down and choose "Open command window here", a small black window should appear on screen. Right click the command window and paste the following command, substitute the actual drive letter of your DVD drive for [drive letter], then press "Enter":
     
     
    copy [drive letter]:\SDK\*.*
     
     
     
    It'll take a few seconds to copy the necessary files, wait patiently while it finishes. Once finished, the command window should report "6 file(s) copied." and return to the prompt ready for your next command. With the copy job complete you should have the six files listed below in your temporary folder. The actual installer, "setup.exe", is dependant on the remaining 5 files although you need not concern yourself with them, just make sure they are there so setup.exe can find them as it needs them.
     
     
    Defaul~1.cab
    EULA.RTF
    Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK.msi
    eula.dll
    setup.exe
    setup.isn
     
     
     
    Remove disk #1 from the DVD drive and put the Acceleration disk in, once again cancel out of the Acceleration installer that autoruns when you insert the disk. You need to get 2 SDK installers from the Acceleration disk, unlike the RTM SDK installer you copied above, these two are both stand-alone installers so you only need to copy two files in this case. Get the SP1a installer first with the following command (paste the command into the command window as you did above):
     
     
    copy [drive letter]:\SDK\SP1a\fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe
     
     
    When that one finishes copying, go after the Acceleration SDK installer next with the following:
     
     
    copy [drive letter]:\SDK\sdk.msi
     
     
     
    When finished copying you should have three main installers in your temporary folder, "setup.exe", "fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe", and "sdk.msi". They need to be run in that order. You can now remove the Acceleration disk from the drive and put it away, you're finished with it at this point. Close the command window, you're done with it as well.
     
    Run "setup.exe" first and work through the install process. To be on the safe side, run it with right click, "Run as administrator". By default the SDK will want to install into your "Program Files (x86)" folder which I don't recommend due to Win7 permission issues, it's up to you but I would put it in the same folder you have FSX installed into. My FSX is installed in "C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X" so I installed the SDK into "C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK" for example.
     
    Once you've worked through the first installation process, move on to the SP1a SDK by running "fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe" (again right click, "Run as administrator"). The installer will find the previous installation so you don't need to worry about directing it away from "Program Files (x86)" this time around. You will be warned that the installer will need to remove previous versions of the SDK which is fine, it seems silly that you just finished installing the first version and now it wants to remove it again, but that's the way it works and if you don't install the previous version first the SP1a installer will complain about not finding it. Just roll with it and let it do it's thing.
     
    Finally, once SP1a has been installed, install the Acceleration SDK by running "sdk.msi". This one won't give you an option to "Run as administrator" so just double-click it. Same as before, it'll find the previous version and warn you about removing it, let it do it's thing.
     
    That should do it, you may delete the temporary folder now or maybe it'd be a good idea to burn it to a CD or copy it to an external drive so you don't have to go through this the next time you need to install the SDKs, it's up to you.
     
     
     
    Good luck,
    Jim
  5. Jim Robinson
    Today is the completely insignificant 32nd anniversary of the great Mt. St. Helens eruption. I'd hold off on posting this for another eight years to make it an even 40, and therefore possibly significant, but I'm afraid I won't live that long, and If I do, I'm sure I won't remember it anyway, so here goes:
     
    I was 17 yrs old and getting my first look at a real live P-51D at an airshow in Sandpoint, ID (KSZT) that day, "Cottonmouth" to be exact. (there were some other airplanes at the airshow too if I remember correctly) I was completely in awe, the crowd was allowed up close and I inspected every square inch of that puppy. It had those diamond tread tires like Robart made for R/C airplanes, I'd seen them in the Tower Hobbies catalog. The guy that owned it even did a couple high speed passes for us! I'll never forget the sound!
     
    There was no internet, no live news feeds, nor any cell phones back then - we saw some "black clouds" moving in from the west and everyone just assumed it was building thunderstorms. Later in the afternoon some of the attending aircraft left the airshow early to get a jump on the thunderstorm - pretty soon a few of them returned. Apparently they'd been in contact with FSS and learned of the eruption. The airshow announcer finally came over the intercom and told us what had happened, that the airshow would end early, and everyone should go home because the ash cloud was heading our way. I was with my family, we drove the 35 miles or so back to Bonners Ferry in our barf-green '72 Ford Country Sedan without incident.
     
    Woke up the next morning to what looked like a scene from a low-budget sci-fi movie, we got a very light dusting comparatively, yet some parts of my hometown were covered by as much as 3/4" of the stuff. I believe every pair of panty-hose in the county were pressed into service as a pre-filter of some sort, the local auto parts stores sold out of those white paper dust masks by 9:00 AM that day. My Dad owned a body shop, dust masks were not a problem for us, and he supplied several of our neighbors with masks as well. The schools were closed for several days, much to my dismay (not). There wasn't much traffic on the local roadways, most had sense enough not to drive anywhere unless absolutely necessary. Some vehicles lacking adequate filtration were abandoned alongside roadways after the abrasive dust destroyed their engines. Everything had an orange cast from the dust in the air similar to the orange cast associated with forest fire smoke. I remember vividly the dust clouds any passing vehicle would churn up, it was strange though because the ash was heavy and dissipated quickly.
     
    Several days later we finally got a good rainstorm which sort of stuck the dust to the ground, rinsed everything off, and life returned to normal. I think there is still a baby food jar full of the ash on the mantle at my Mom's house. Mom always did that sort of thing...
  6. Jim Robinson
    A few years back Project Airbus released an A320 for FS9, I downloaded it, tried it out, etc. I thought it was quite nice at the time, but couldn't see any real advantage over the good ole' iFDG Airbus for which I had amassed dozens of repaints, panels, etc. For that reason, plus the fact that I fly tubes only about once every 3 months, I never really followed the development of the PA Airbus beyond initial release. On a whim I downloaded the latest "Airbus A318 V2 Special Version" for FSX a few days ago, and finally last evening I loaded it up and did a flight. WOW is all I can say! It's completely amazing what several years of refinement can do for a project!
     
    I loaded at KGEG Spokane, really just to check the airplane out. Always a Frontier fan, I loaded up the Frontier livery with the cougar on the tail. I was expecting that I'd switch to a Carenado GA bird to do some actual flying after checking out the 'bus for a few minutes. I fired up ASEvo which injected some nice cloud layers and favorable winds. Next thing I knew I had the 'bus fired up and taxiing towards the active. I took off rwy 21 at KGEG and hand flew the little beast all the way up to FL290, where I finally turned on the autopilot after a feeble attempt to level off and maintain cruise altitude. The only VOR frequency that popped into my head was 116.2 DNJ located near McCall, ID so I tuned that and flew directly to it. From there I tuned BOI on 113.3 and descended southward towards Boise. I turned otto off at about 12,000' and hand-flew the entire approach, pattern, and landing onto 28R at Boise. Really impressed with the feel of this aircraft in the stick, 30 seconds after takeoff I knew I was flying a winnner!
     
    I thought about closing the sim at that point but I was just having too much fun so I took off again, this time kinda-sorta heading for Seattle. Seattle VOR was out of range, and Kimberly (IMB) was the only VOR I could think of in the general direction of Seattle so I flew to Kimberly. By the time I got there I realized I was getting low on fuel and closer to KPDX than Seattle, so I decided to go into Portland instead. I tuned Battle Ground (BTG) VOR and flew direct. I haven't tuned an ILS frequency in 3 years, but I was "Joe airline pilot" by the time I reached Battle Ground and I didn't want to spoil the flight by screwing up the landing, so I got the frequency for 10L and flew the ILS into Portland in all it's ORBX glory just as the last light of day was vanishing. In a word, surreal :) .
     
    I know, I know, some of you are cringing because I didn't have a flight plan before takeoff, and I didn't follow any approach or departure procedures, and what's up with the VOR navigation, we haven't used those in years... I guess you had to be there, but it turned out to be one of those flights that happen every couple months for no good reason... you know, and then you spend the next 2 months trying to recreate it, but it just isn't possible to plan such a flight?
     
    Anyway, big kudos to Project Airbus, this one is a permanent addition to my hangar, and thanks for a very enjoyable flight :)
     
    Jim
  7. Jim Robinson
    It's a beatiful Sunday morning here in N. Idaho, bluebird sky, and a balmy 15° F at 8:15 AM. Life is good this morning as I swill my first cup of cowboy coffee, I've got a rip-roaring fire going in the woodstove, a whole day to kill in front of the computer, the nearest human being is at least 1/4 mile away, AND I have some new payware to play with. Yes, I am rubbing all of your honey-doing noses in it :) .
     
    Last week I crawled out from under my rock and purchased the Carenado U206 Stationair II package as well as the newer 172N Skyhawk II. So far a short flight in the 206 is about all I've had time for so today's the day and I'm very much looking forward to it.
     

    http://www.cat-tamer.com/flightsim/atchmnts/c206_65s00.jpg

     
    ---------------------------------------
     
    So there you have my first ever blog entry. I was checking out the forums this morning and found myself reading some user's blogs and for whatever reason decided to start my own. I already have a website that I don't maintain and have no reason to believe that this will be any different, but we'll see.
     
    Have a great day.

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