FastCargo

This is a non story. FC

We've been watching ST:V as well, catching up on missed eps. Love Netflix streaming, once DS9 hits, it'll be great.... FC

Alright, looks like all points have been aired in this thread, from the intelligent to the asinine. No one's mind is going to be changed. As Cave Johnson would say, "We're done here". This thread is closed. FC

Airplane crashes happen all the time in all phases of flight. Pilots accept the risk that entails. It is not your call to decide how an aircraft is flown (other than regulation compliance) unless you are directly affected by the decision to fly. Also, a lot of these warbirds were in fact rescued from the scrapheap, instead of being left to rot or melted down. As much as I mourn the tragic loss of life and the loss of the aircraft, at least up until the end, it was giving joy to it's owner, pilot, and fellow fans of avaition vs sitting, rusting and forgotten. You want to play boy in the bubble, that's fine...but don't ask the rest of us to. FC

No. Accidents happen. Auto racing kills far more spectators than airshow crashes in the US. In fact, in the almost 50 years that the Reno Air Races have existed, this is the first time there has been an accident that has seriously injured or killed someone on the ground. Every death sucks, period. But I refuse to condemn a whole class of flying because of one accident. Pilots understand and accept the risk. The accident happened in an unexpected manner, where the aircraft paralleled the crowd line. No one expected the P-51 to suddenly pitch up and barrel roll into the crowd. And racers would be happy to go to other prop aircraft if they were competitive. But there has only been one attempt so far: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_Pond_Racer I actually saw this aircraft in person at the 1991 Reno Air Races. It was awesome to see fly and compete with a sound completely different from the other racers. But it wasn't successful unfortunately...and R and D is still very expensive. You want to save warbirds from racing? Develop an alternative unlimited racer. FC

I can understand so called 'bloatware' concerns if the OS is laggy. But considering Win8 cold boots in 7 seconds on an Intel Atom processor, runs just as fast or faster than XP does, any claims about bloated code are premature at best. Also, playing with the interface, you can do traditional or touchscreen. If you have the option for either, why not? For mobile devices, where storage space is at a premium and touch screens rule, maybe you only want the touch interface. But for PCs, where HD space is cheap and plentiful, having either option available is just fine. FC

Short answer...no, not really. There is something I tried some time ago... http://combatace.com/topic/61803-multiple-aircraft-taking-off-from-runway-at-once/page__view__findpost__p__469140 But it has some severe limitations. FC

How many different ways can you f*** this up? Folks who are affected by Austim/Aspergers have been trying for decades to show they can be reliable, functional members of society. And this asshole decides to use it as a defense? Way to go, moron...you've just used the 'I was suffering from PMS' excuse... Secondly, he's now set a precedent for government intervention on free speech in social networking sites (and by extension, the internet). Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, realize it is one thing if we as admins/moderators edit/ban/delete posts, etc. This is a private website, so free speech does not exist here. It is very much another thing if the government takes active steps to do the same thing, including arresting and jailing offenders. I don't agree with what the guy did...I'd of had no problem with a group of folks taking him behind the woodshed and giving him some wall to wall counseling. But realize there are larger ramifications here. FC

I wouldn't get a TM Warthog for the simple reason that it gives you no displacement feedback. Ergonomically, that's a foul. FC

Here's an article about The Asylum by Wired magazine: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/ff_the_asylum/ It's pretty interesting and gives insight on their business model. Basically, you don't have to make a lot of money...but you just have to make enough. FC

1) It's a fake. 2) An 'invisibility suit' would not have to be perfect to be militarily useful. The idea, like stealth technology, is to be able to get close enough to your target to take him out first before he finds you. If you think of the idea as 'active camoflage', it makes a lot more sense. The idea isn't to make it perfect...but 'good enough' to be effective. FC

A science fiction short story...but gives some insight. http://www.webscription.net/chapters/0743498860/0743498860___9.htm FC

You can do some pretty amazing stuff with paper, check this out: The paper model (which did fly) is the second from the top...the grey/white model of the Russian N-1 moon rocket. The only thing not paper on it besides the engine hook is the small fairings on the stages. Yep, even the lattice supports between stages are paper cutouts. FC

http://combatace.com/topic/67422-dark-falcon-released/ Please don't discuss how to obtain the original Falcon 4.0 by other than legal means in the open forum. We tend to frown on that sort of thing here. FC

It's a funny thing...most folks in the US associate earthquakes with the Pacific coast, specifically California. A lot of people don't know the US is riddled with faults. One of the bigger ones is the New Madrid Fault: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_Seismic_Zone If that thing goes, what will happen to Memphis, TN will make what Katrina did to New Orleans look like nothing. And if you want to really see a geologic doomsday bomb, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera It's estimated that an eruption here would have 2500 times the power of Mount St. Helens and thick, choking ash would cover about 1/2 of the US. FC

Stupid article title...the US has had the food stamp program for a long time. When I was a young kid, we were on food stamps for a while after my father retired from the USAF. However, we didn't stay on it very long after he got work and my mom finished school and got a good job. We used the program for it's primary intent...a hand up, not a hand out. FC

I don't know...I've been hearing about this movie from the rocketry side where I hang out...not good. It's kind of hard to make a Saturn V launch secret... FC

File Name: Republic F-103A Thunderwarrior File Submitter: FastCargo File Submitted: 12 February 2011 File Category: SF2 Series Add On Aircraft Republic F-103A Thunderwarrior by FastCargo ********************** Version 1.0 (Initial Release) *********************** SF2 Version for Jan 2011 Patch and later. Aircraft Model - FastCargo Aircraft Textures/Templates - EricJ Decals - Wrench F-106 Cockpit - Kesselbut from Pasko F-106 package Some textures and FM work - FastCargo Weapons - Bunyap, adapted for SF2 by 331KillerBee Any errors are mine... Information on XF-103: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_XF-103 The Republic XF-103 Thunderwarrior was an American project to develop a high speed interceptor aircraft to destroy Soviet bombers. Despite a prolonged development, it never progressed past the mock-up stage. In 1949, the USAF issued a request for an advanced supersonic interceptor to equip the Air Defense Command. Known formally as Weapon System WS-201A, but better known informally as the "1954 Interceptor", it called for a supersonic aircraft with all-weather capability, intercept radar and air-to-air missile armament. Republic was one of six companies to submit proposals. On 2 July 1951, three of the designs were selected for further development, Convair's scaled-up XF-92 that evolved into the F-102 Delta Dagger, a Lockheed design that led to the F-104 Starfighter, and Republic's AP-57. AP-57 was an advanced concept to be built almost entirely of titanium and capable of Mach 3 at altitudes of at least 60,000 ft (24,400 m). A full-scale mock-up of the AP-57 was built and inspected in March 1953. A contract for three prototypes followed in June 1954. Work on the prototypes was delayed by continued problems with the titanium construction, and more notably by continued problems with the proposed Wright J67 engine. The contract was later reduced to a single prototype. In the end, the J67 never entered production and the aircraft it had been chosen for were forced to turn to other engine designs, or were cancelled outright. Republic suggested replacing the J67 with the Wright J65, a much less powerful engine. The project was eventually cancelled on 21 August 1957 with no flying prototypes ever being completed. The design was given a brief reprieve as part of the Long-Range Interceptor - Experimental (LRI-X) project that led to the XF-108 Rapier. Part of this project was the development of the advanced Hughes AN/ASG-18 pulse-doppler radar and the GAR-9 missile. Republic proposed adapting the F-103 as a testbed for these systems, although it wouldn't be able to come close to meeting the range requirements of LRI-X. Some work was carried out adapting the mockup to house the 40 inch antenna, which required the nose section to be scaled up considerably. Nothing ever came of the proposal, and testing of the ASG-18/GAR-9 was carried out on a modified B-58 Hustler instead. Information on F-103A (this release): This aircraft is based heavily on the mockup at the time of cancellation, with 6 of the smaller AIM-4 Falcons and 36 FFAR rockets. Performance is based on reasonable speculations and closely matches what was in the offical USAF proposed Standard Aircraft Characteristics document. Some specific things to note include - This is a point interceptor...designed to give you enough gas for maybe two passes at bomber type targets. It is recommended to be between 250 and 500 knots indicated for your attacks, as your FFARs and AIM-4s will tend to aim exactly at what the nose is pointing at within those speeds (this includes the AI). To activate the front 'viewport', cycle through your radar modes...be advised while you are using the 'viewport', the radar will not work. To extend the periscope on the external model, use the 'Arresting Hook' key. The front missile bays are automatic, the rear missile bays/FFAR pods are manual...you must open them with the 'Bomb Bay' key before you can fire either the rear missiles or FFARs. This model uses the newest ThirdWire exporter, and as such, the LOD files (except for the lowest 2) are not compatible with any version of the sim older than Jan 2011 (Exp 2 with the Jan 2011 patch). You have been warned... This will be a difficult aircraft to fly and be successful on a regular basis in 'Hard' mode. If you want an air-to-air challenge, this aircraft will give you one. Good luck and report any 'serious' issues (ie game crashing or grevious errors) to me at CombatAce. FC 12 Feb 11 Click here to download this file

Alright, knock it off. Anymore more personal sniping and I'll shut this thread down. FC

Yes, if anyone wants to see how I did it, check out the Super Hornet download and look at the data ini for the AI refueler aircraft. The animation is set for speed so the aircraft is completely clean by the time the drogue extends. FC

My assumption is that it is all corrupt. I'd chuck all of it. FC

Sigh.... While I admire her dedication to flying...what she did was irresponsible. Until someone gets eyes on the target, NOBODY knows who or what the target is. I've been in busy ass airspace with a TFR in place when some yahoo who isn't talking to ANYONE, wanders into it and ends up causing a massive jam on the radios while ATC tries to get them to A) leave and B) talk to someone! In this day and age, there is no way that should happen...pilots have resources available everywhere. At the FBO, a toll free phone number, the internet and a radio (which she didn't turn on...WTF). Like the man said...if 2 F-16s are parked within 500 feet off your wing...they ain't there to admire your paint job. These kind of incidents, especially those showing blatent disregard of knowing what the hell is going on, can result in permanent removal of your license to fly. I'm sorry, but I love flying enough to not give the FAA additional opportunities to ground me. FC

Yep, some of the old stuff never goes out of style...I have a WinXP partition just so I can play BattleZone and Jane's F-15. Everything else I've been able to get to work in Win7 x64 with DOSBox/Glidewrapper/GOG games. Love GOG games by the way...awesome company! FC

An aircraft incident due to pilot error doesn't necessarily end a pilot's career...depending on the circumstance. Typically, a career will end due to willful negligence. An example would be the moron who led the way too low flyby of a football game back in November of last year. However, for something where the pilot was attempting to comply with all the rules and accidently put himself in a bad situation, the outcome can be different. An example was a few years ago, during an IFF sortie at the 435th, the T-38C pilot was attempting to check his six by turning himself around in the seat, using his hand to brace on the canopy rail...a good technique normally. The problem was his hand slipped mometarily, and it hit the flap lever without his knowledge. The flaps deployed at 400+ knots, and one 'slipstreamed' almost immediately, causing a vicious, out of control condition. The pilot, not knowing what had happened, ejected and the aircraft was lost. Post incident, the investigation revealed what happened. A pilot error, but certainly not an intentional or forseen one. The commander of AETC basically said: "Cost of doing business, press on." and the pilot went back to work (after being medically cleared of course). We all got the brief, but it was one of those things...it had never happened before in the 50+ years the aircraft has been around, and probably won't happen again before the aircraft retires. It wasn't his day...but he lived to tell about it. Looking at the pictures of the F-16 incident, it looks like a wheel brake failure. The reason I think that is that the aircraft is not nose down prior to leaving the runway. If he landed long, and was hot coming to the end of the runway, he'd be stomping on the brakes. The anti-skid would be working hard, and you'd probably see dust coming up from the rear wheels. The main thing is that the nose gear strut would be compressed, with the aircraft in a nose down cant. You don't see any of that. The aircraft looks like it's just coasting...no cant at all until it hits the grass. I'd be curious to hear what happened...but I'm leaning toward hydraulic/brake failure. FC

Dude! I first read about this guy in Cracked: http://www.cracked.com/article_18429_6-soldiers-who-survived-s**t-that-would-kill-terminator_p2.html Some of these quotes are awesome: FC