Skip pre-load of the default flight in FSX

Thanks much to Adam for this helpful tid-bit of information. When you open FSX, it automatically begins to load the default flight in the background as it assumes that is what you are going to fly. I, like many other flight simmers, don't like to load the default flight every time I enter FSX. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I did fly the default flight! So, to turn this "feature" off, Adam gives us this code to use:

[Main] section of FSX.cfg:
DisablePreload=1

Those who don't know where to locate the FSX.cfg file, have a look here.

Mike Shore Photography

I recently made the acquaintance of Mike Shore, a professional photographer from Austin, Texas. Mike's specialties are climbing/outdoor, landscapes, medical and aviation. Just have a look at his gallery to see some examples of the incredible shots he has taken over the past year. His Red Bull Air Race images will take your breath!

Rotorwash Christmas Giveaway!

Rotorwash e-magazine has just announced a Christmas Giveaway for one lucky simmer. In order to be eligle, you must have already registered or register by the 17th of December. Registration is free. Over $250 in gifts will be awarded:

• Flight Simulator X Deluxe (courtesy of Microsoft)
• Traffic 2005 (courtesy of Just Flight)
• Active Sky 6.5 (courtesy of HiFi Simulations)
• Sikorsky S-76 (courtesy of Nemeth Designs)
• Ultimate Night Environment 2007 (courtesy of Zinertek)
• Ground Environment Pro (courtesy of Flight1)
• 1-Year Subscription of PC Pilot (courtesy of PC Pilot)
  

TrackIR + FSX = Awesome!

I spoke of the dramatic immersion effect that TrackIR^TM 4 gave FS 2004 in December of last year. You haven't seen anything yet until you give TrackIR^TM a go in FSX! It's unbelievable! It works seamlessly with the new camera system - gone is my need for the top-hat on my joystick! I said this last year, and I'll say it again - this has to be the single best hardware add-on for FS. I continue to see people rave about it on the public forums, and you can't go wrong with testimonials. If you're looking for something as a stocking stuffer for your favorite simmer, this would be it!

More animations completed on Columbia 400

I've completed a new assortment of animations on the Columbia 400, and I decided to take a short flight in Asheville, NC to try them out in FSX. Click each for a larger shot.

Precise Flight speed brakes deployed to prevent shock cooling while in the descent.

KAVL is in sight.

Flaps full & red over white - looking good.

Switch to ground and taxi to the ramp. Nosewheel animation looks great.

Parked next to a beautiful Beechcraft Baron. Success!

Start a saved flight in FSX via desktop icon!

From a public newsgroup contributor Peter Greenstein, we now have a way of opening a saved flight via an icon saved to the desktop, or anywhere you choose. Here's Peter's post:

Unless I'm wrong, the last time this was possible was FS98.

FSX has restored the ability to load a saved flight via an icon on the desktop.

In a subfolder of My Documents are my "Saved Flights." I can double-click on one of these, tell Win XP to associate this file with FSX. Then FSX will start, and then load the file, returning me to a flight in progress. In FS2004 all this accomplished was loading the default flight.

This is great, considering how long everything now takes on my system. Double-click on a desktop shortcut, walk away, go to the bathroom, get a cup of coffee, return to the cockpit!

Very good information, Peter, and thanks for sharing with the public!

MS Flight Simulator as a training aid

Former PM for the ACES flight simulator team Bruce Williams has a new book due out mid-December entitled Microsoft® Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators published by ASA. It has a foreward written by aviation author Rod Machado. The book also includes a bonus CD-ROM that includes over 150 VFR and IFR practice flights that will work in both FS 2004 and FSX.

Here's a small snippet of the details found on the ASA product page:

Applicable to both Flight Simulator 2004 and Version X, this new book merges the “virtual world” of flight simulation with “real life” flight training. It is the only book of its kind because it provides specific advice and tools for pilots, flight instructors, and students who want to use the world's most popular PC-based flight simulation as an effective, easy-to-use training aid.

This sure looks to be a "must-have" for anyone wanting to maximize their enjoyment of the virtual skies.

New screens of the Columbia 400 in FSX

Here is what I have been working on the past couple of weeks. She's shaping up very nicely! Click each picture for a larger version.

FSX from the Cab

Mike Singer, experience architect for FSX, has just written an interesting article describing how the team put the multi-player experience of FSX to the test by inviting several real air traffic controllers from KSEA (SeaTac) and KPAE (Payne Field). I'll let the article speak for itself, but I believe that ther are three new FSX fans out there. Great article, Mike!

Cirrus SR-22 for FSX!

Here's a shot from this morning's flight of the SR-22 in FSX just released today. She sure is a joy to fly in FSX!

Eaglesoft Development Group incorporates digital signing!

After weeks of research, Eaglesoft Development Group is pleased to announce with the release of the Cirrus SR22 for FSX that digitally signed gauges have arrived! When the aircraft is loaded for the first time in FSX, this window will appear:


Select the more options tab.


Tick the "Always run software from 'Eaglesoft Development Group'" and then...


Click on Run. You will never have to approve any other gauges from Eaglesoft Development Group. How cool is that? I'd like to commend Ron and Bill for implementation of this!

A fresh face from ACES speaks...

A relatively new member of the ACES studios has made a post in the AVSIM FSX forums that explains things a bit from the graphics side of ACES development. Phil Taylor, who is Senior PM for Graphics and Terrain, gives a very detailed explaination (in fact, a lot of it is lingo that is above my understanding - and I'm a dev!) of what should be reasonable expectations for today and what to expect for tomorrow when DX10 appears.

If you are interested in reading about their plans forward, give it a go. It might not all make sense, but at least it lets us, the FS enthusiasts, know that they are taking note of the discussions as of late in the forums. He mentions that constructive criticisms are most effective in gaining favorable response, and that the "bashing" should be toned down. It's about time one of 'em said "enough is enough."

[EDIT] I found this post by yet another ACES dev Sebby regarding modifying shaders for FSX - some good info here as well!