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Flight Simulator

It seems to me that by now there must be Microsoft FlightSimulator add-in modules for the various RV aircraft. Sure, the panel will never be quite right but the flying characteristics unique to RV's need to be properly programmed. Anybody know anywhere to start in trying to find modules for RV's?
 
RVs for FSX

Flight Factory Simulation has been defunct for quite some time now and the FS9 RV-7 virtual cockpit won't work with FSX. There are seveal models out there at various levels of quality.

Danny Maher at Baytower just released a great RV-7 which is really worth checking out if you have FSX.. http://www.baytower.ca/. I'd probably say it's the highest quality RV model out there available at this time.

This one is upcoming...http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/. Look for the May screen shots.
 
Thanks Jim and Gib. I found FSX to be a nice practice tool for many aspects of learning when I was getting my private. I would like to use it as prep & practice for my -7A. But why bother if you can't get an accurate module. I would think that some familiarization with a simulator would be a natural for those supporting transition training. Can fly a lot more hours on a sim than in the real deal for a lot less money with gas the price it is these days.
 
I think you'll find Danny's RV-7/ -7A from Baytower is about as accurate as possible in FSX, but it will never substitute for seat of the pants flying. It will however give you a good feel for patterns, approaches and timings so you can at least see how fast things happen. FSX isn't a great VFR tool, but does work well with IFR. Here's a better link for Baytower RV-7 details: http://www.baytower.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=134
 
I am waiting to hear some feedback from real pilots on this model for FSX. I like realistic flying models in the sim so I can learn these various planes until I finally get my license. It does not look like it's been released yet. http://www.baytower.ca/bts_downloads.htm

A few things I hope will be added. Single click integration of the Garmin GNS WAAS 530 from Reality XP as the panel looks to have a spot for it. The RXP WAAS 530 is the real deal and based on Garmins trainer. It's NAVDATA is updateable with current AIRAC and independant of FSX so you get all current approaches and a flightplaner than can be modified in midflight unlike the crippled (frozen in time 2006) GPS in FSX. It can also fly WAAS coupled approaches including the vertical! I hope of there is integration they keep it 3D in the cockpit like Real Air did with the Duke line...

http://www.reality-xp.com/flightsim/gns530/index.html

Best integration so far for the RXP GNS530 in a sim model plane...

http://www.realairsimulations.com/content1.php?page=duket10_rxp

Secondly I would like to point out that VFR in FSX has greatly improved but at a price... About $40 per region. They started with Pacific Northwest and now have done Northern Rockies and Southern Rockies. Up into Pacific fjords and Tongass Fjords in Alaska. A massive Pacific region chunk including Southern BC and Alberta in Canada and in the US Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana and they are working on Northern California region.

http://youtu.be/xhApzPe9YrA
http://fullterrain.com/

Also the best companion to ORBX scenery is Real Environement Extreme. Real looking water, clouds and sky for FSX. Also better real world weather download than default FSX. WX engine runs in the background and when the flight loads it pulls from nearest real world METAR and loads accordingly.

http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/

I'll continue to lurk here hoping someone gives a nice review from a real RV driver on this soon to be released RV!

Charles.
 
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I’m always excited to see some interest in the BayTower project here on VAF, and I’m actually a daily visitor here. But I’m not one of Doug’s commercial sponsors yet – I fully intend to be :) So for now I avoid commenting because it’s promotion. Although, I don’t want to ever appear unengaged either ;) I’m always available on my site if you have some questions.
Danny
 
It seems to me that Van's would promote / encourage / (even create) Add-ons for some of their airplanes as an easy way to promote safer flying by their builder / users.

If they don't want to get involved seriously, there are enough computerniks in the ranks, I'm sure, with the requisite talents to create the product. Vans could provide any needed ops data and maybe even provide the Add-on free on their website for both operators and potential buyers.

I'm currently using a -7 sim but would much prefer a -7A - and my real interests are in the -9A and the -12.

Just my two cents.

Bob Bogash
 
It isn't easy!

Don't underestimate the effort required to build a high quality digital model! They can almost take as many hours to build as a real RV and take skills that the average computer user just doesn't posess. Most of the engineering data to make a digital model fly can be found in the Preview plans, from there, a strong understanding of 3D modeling is needed, then apply graphics talents for creating UVs sheets, specular, diffuse, and normal maps for interior and exterior. You'll need animation experience for everything that moves, from wheels and props, flaps, flight controls, canopy, and everything in the cockpit. then once you kind of have that together, start in on flight tuning (and that is a huge balancing act), and you're not done until you get the audio and visual effects.

For the $, I'd just go get the Baytower model! :D
 
RV-8 Add-On Now Available for FSX

A great RV-8 add-on is now available for FSX. I have been flying it in FSX and it is a very good model when used on a computer capable of running FSX. If used along with some other enhancing add-ons (e.g., 'Shade' and Orbx sceneries) you will almost feel like you are flying. I have used and will continue to use FSX for pre-flying of unfamiliar routes, etc., so that I know what to look (and look out) for when actually flying that route.

The add-on come from an outfit call Vertigo Studios - http://www.vertigostudios.co.uk/ .

It is worth a look.
 
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