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Otavio Bonomi Developer Interview Conducted by Dominic Smith Development Otavio, when did you start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it? Hi Dominic, and thank you for the opportunity to talk to your readers. My own scenery development began about two years ago after talking to some friends on VATSIM Brazil and TeamSpeak. However, my interest in creating my own sceneries started long before that, mainly because many airports in South America (freeware and payware) were unfortunately missing. Could you tell us a bit more about your South American sceneries? All my projects are designed to look as realistic as possible (within my own limitations). Where possible I use my own custom made objects. This makes everything look a lot more personalized; something default X-Plane objects can't achieve. Out of all the sceneries you have completed, what do you consider your best or most popular work? Like many developers, I would say my last scenery created is always my best work. Every day is a learning experience for me, and due to this, my skills are always improving. As I learn, I put into practice these new techniques, and update my sceneries accordingly, which I feel, makes all the difference. My most popular work however, is my SAA South American Airports project. Otavio, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of a project? In my opinion, the most challenging aspect of a project has to be the modeling. Not only is it the most challenging, but it's also the most essential, especially if the appearance of the simulated scenery is going to match that of its real world location. So far, what have been your favorite sceneries? Good question! Here I would say that my favorite scenery for FSX/P3D is Carriel Sur International Airport, located in Chile. This was because I had great feedback for it, including people from the actual airport! For X-Plane, it has to be be the Boituva Skydiving Center located in Brazil. I know this airport well, so I could include many detailed objects, including my very first animated one; a parachutist (perfect for representing what goes on there). When creating your sceneries, what software packages and tools do you use? For developing my sceneries on different platforms, I use between 6 to 10 programs. These enable me to create objects and textures at a good level. These range from: modeling, creating animations, texturing, image editing, converting, applying decals, plus capturing satellite images and transformations. Used in the right way, they can really help improve a project. Otavio, who would you consider to be your mentors or inspiration regarding your scenery development? When I first started out, I had a lot of friends help me (they know who they are). These I consider my mentors, and I will always be grateful to them! Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why? My sceneries are of course freeware, but I do accept donations. This encourages me to produce more sceneries as it shows my work is appreciated. Creating freeware sceneries has a great feel good factor, but if in the future the likes of Orbx or Aerosoft (the true greats) feel like hiring me; I'm free. The Team Do you work alone, or do you have people help you with your sceneries? There is no team, just me. However, my friends are always ready to help when a problem arises. Many of my sceneries also use objects and libraries from other developers (with permission of course), and these are always credited. Real Life Otavio, do you have any experience in real aviation? Since 1993 I have been practicing civil sports parachuting, and have been an instructor for more than 20 years. I have also been a 1/4 partner of a Cessna 180 (1999/203). Could you tell us how your interest in aviation began? I think it was with hot air balloons, as I was part of the rescue team at 15. A year later, I started jumping from airplanes, and the passion only increased! Do you have any memorable flights in real life that you'd like to share with us? I have quite a few, but to keep things short, I'll just mention the two best ones! Number one, was attempting a record (which we gained), by jumping from a C130 at 22,000 feet! This was at Florianopolis 2005, and I was one of the event's camera fliers. I managed to capture some incredible images, and is something I will always remember! Number two was at the World Air games 2001 (held in Spain) and I was part of the Brazilian team. Again, a truly memorable event, and something I am very proud of. Would you like to share what you do in real life? I am a partner with my wife at an English School, and a physical education (PE) teacher by profession. Otavio, what other hobbies or things do you do for enjoyment? I am a senior instructor at VATSIM, and when I'm not creating my sceneries; I'm flying in the virtual world! Being Brazilian, and living by the coast, I also enjoy taking my children to the beach - two pleasures in one! Future How do you choose your next new scenery? The first is by research. If an airport or heliport hasn't been created, and it looks like it might be a popular destination, I'll have a look at it. The second is by friends and also forums informing me of something which might be of interest. They are always ready to point me in a new direction! Otavio, what simulators do you design for now and which ones do you plan to develop for in the future? I develop for all three major platforms: FSX, P3D and X-Plane; which I started just a year ago. Even though I love FSX, I can see myself developing more for X-Plane, due to the fact that it's popularity is increasing, not decreasing. In what ways do you see development changing in the future? With the rate at which technology is progressing, it's hard to see what direction it will take us. One thing I do know however, and that is, it will be increasingly more realistic! Your Thoughts What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better? I've always been a fan of FlightSim.Com, and have always found everything I was looking for, so don't change anything! As a developer; knowing that my material will be available for the wider community to download is an honor and dream come true! Simply sharing my work with others, is the best reward of all. Lastly Otavio, what would you like people to know about you and your work? To know that my projects are based around a lot of dedication, hard work, research and many hours without sleep. I could choose to spend this time with my loving family, but because I also love to share, I'm happy to dedicate part of my life to this amazing hobby! From the team at FlightSim.Com, many thanks Otavio! Flightsim Videos: Skydiving Videos: Tandem jump filmed by Otavio Helicopter jump filmed by Otavio