Sledge

Well, I just gotta pile on this one with my two cents worth. " Read my lips....no new aircraft!" Hey, I love all the new stuff for all the reasons that make them the incredible "leading edge of technology" machines that they are. However, the reason this sim exists is to give us an opportunity to fly the early stuff, in context with the time period. LOMAC is gonna rock our world with all the "new tech" stuff that can be crammed into a sim. Why try to turn SF into LOMAC? Shoot, we got Falcon SP3 out there, along with a host of F-18 related sims that already do a great job modelling the modern era of air combat. LOMAC will be the new state of the art of the modern-era sims, so why try to make SF anything other than what it was meant to be? I LOVE the old stuff! I still remember when IT was the leading edge of technology! So, return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear...... - Sledge

Just had to post a pic of my former steed. May she rest in peace. I flew as flight engineer on this particular aircraft back in 1990. The paint job was the "white with blue, red, and orange cheat lines" of the 1980's and early 90's, but I've always loved the delivery paint scheme. This aircraft was donated to the Seattle museum of flight but not before it was repainted in the original paint as you see here, and all the bare aluminum polished till it gleamed. I was able to get myself, my wife and my baby(at the time) son aboard for its last flight. I later spent 7 years as co-pilot on the 727-200ADV. I thoroughly enjoyed flying this wonderful aircraft, and miss it greatly. Incidentally, this is the addon aircraft from Captainsim. Absolutely beautiful visual models and panels!

I am impressed! This sim just keeps on gettin better and better. I have all the graphics and other options maxed out and I still get nice fluid motion. I'm runnin a P4 2.8Ghz with 512meg of ram and a Radeon 9700 card. The only annoying thing is the intro screen flashes several times when I start the sim and the "end flight" options box does the same thing when I end a flight. Those are the only glitches I've found thus far. I would love to see some scenery options that allow you to chose an era of flight and see airports and other scenery based on the year you chose. It just seems kinda strange to be flyin around a Ford Tri-Motor with 747-400s in the air, and jetways at the airports. Would'nt it be great to land at an airport in a DC-3 and taxi up to the original terminal and see other DC-3s, and Boeing 247s, and DC-4s and the like sittin on the ramp? I'm sure someone could figure out how to do that. - Sledge out.

OK! I finally got my simped F-16 pedals today. Problem: I can't figure out how to get the toe brakes to function in any games. The toe brake axes are showing up and they are operational in the Cougar control panel, but I can't get 'em to work in any games. I think I must be missin something really basic. Anybody out there got yours yet? Skater? Did you get yours yet? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks y'all! - Sledge out.

OK, I got 'em workin now with FS2002 and FS2004. I love bein able to stop the airplane with my feet instead of a button on my stick. It took a bit of tweakin on the sensitivity and null sliders to get 'em to cooperate. I set the sensitivity slider to about 3/4 up and the null sliders way down, almost off completely. They work like they should now.

Yeah, I hear ya Seawolf. I certainly have had my problems with my Cougar, but I must say, I have never flown an aircraft with stick forces as light as the CH. (I have the CH F-16 fighterstick and pro throttle) It just feels too "fake". The Cougar on the other hand more closely approximates the stick forces I'm used to in the aircraft that I fly. This really adds to the realism factor for me. Also, every aircraft I have flown has a definite "dead band" in the center of travel of the controls, both in pitch and roll. When the aircraft is trimmed, a little "slop" helps to make flying the aircraft a little easier, because minute movements of the controls dont cause immediate changes in aircraft attitude. Flying without an autopilot for a long period of time would be very tedious without that dead band. So, that is why I'm goin for the simpler, and cheaper hall sensor pot replacement as opposed to a complete guts rework. To me the feel is realistic, and the look is definitely closer to the real thing than the CH. Those are my thoughts on the matter. - Sledge out.

Ext makes mention of the fact that this sim takes place in the 60's, and that is the best reason I can think of for modders and players alike sticking with it. There just is'nt anything else out there that lets you fly THESE aircraft with THESE weapons. I love the modern stuff as much as the next guy, but if you grew up with visions of Phantoms, Starfighters, Skyhawks, Crusaders, and Corsairs dancing through your head like I did, there simply is no other choice but SF. Thats why I think that LOMAC, for all its detail and visual appeal, will not be the death of SF. They are two completely different critters. Am I gonna get LOMAC? Darn straight I am! Got mine pre-ordered already. Will I abandon SF when I get LOMAC? Nope. Shoot, I still fly CFS2 and Falcon 4 because they are still FUN! And thats what this is really all about, eh?! - Sledge out.

Hey Bacardi, I just ordered the hall sensors to replace the pots in my Cougar. I've already replaced two pots in my Cougar, so I figured this was a worthy investment. I'll let you know how it goes. - Sledge out.

This range is an absolute HOOT! Deuces comes through again! Thanks for the great mods, 'n keep up the good work! - Sledge out.

Thats perty nice lookin.... aint skeert though. - Sledge out

I've had my Cougar for a while now and the problems I have had are as follows: Had to replace x-axis pot, had to replace throttle pot, and my spd brk switch quit working so here's how I fixed it, I opened up the throttle, and found that the housing for the switch was made of plastic and that the plastic had cracked. I found the smallest zip-ties I could find and tightened them around the switch housing. This fixed the switch without even having to remove it from the throttle handle. I still love my Cougar and would not want to go back to the CH F-16 stick I had before, as I really like the higher stick forces of the Cougar, and of course theres no substitue for the feel of cold, heavy metal in your hands! - Sledge out.

Praisin' God with ya PC! A big welcome home and THANK YOU to your son for serving!! God bless ya'll!! - Sledge

It is definitely annoying to know that you can make a toilet fly like a Lear jet, an F-4, or a Lincoln Town Car. I love X-Plane for the "true to life" characteristics of the craft, but that scenery is hurt'n fer certain! I ordered the new photo-realistic scenery comin out for the southern California area. I cant remember what the name of the outfit is now but they're going to release more areas as time goes on. One thing I loved about USAF was the photo terrain used in the Las Vegas area! I fly over that area frequently, so it was great to see the same thing on the computer screen as I see out the windshield. Satellite scenery is definitely the best for the realism factor. - Sledge out.

Roger that MJ. Sorry if I got a little warmed up there. You certainly are entitled to your opinion Aragorn, and I respect that. I also think everyone is entitled to my opinion too! :D I for one intend to get the new offering from Micro$oft. Shoot, I have all the rest of their stuff, I might as well grab this one too! I think you're right MJ. I'll bet they're counting on all the addicts out there like me to buy LOTS OF PRODUCT! So buy them we will! I'll be happy to contribute to the tax base of Washington state now that they've given Boeing 3.2 billion dollars in tax breaks! I guess they hope to get that money from Micro$oft now! - Sledge out.

Geeeeeez, some people just cant let it go. Technically, Nikola Tessla invented radio, but Marconi gets the credit. I dont feel a need to run around trying to correct everybody's misunderstanding of the history of those two men and their inventions. Why do some people have to come to a site they know is operated by, and mostly frequented by Americans, and try to stir people up with that kind of stuff? What the heck makes you tick? The Wrights get the credit! DEAL WITH IT! I could care less if they did'nt show up to some competition in France. Whats next? Do you try to knock Otto Lilienthal out of history too? How about Leonardo DaVinci? I suppose you don't believe Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon either, eh? There was'nt any publicity about Chuck Yeager's Mach breaking flight in 1947 until two years after the event, but as far as I know, the history of that flight is unchallenged. I happen to believe the Wrights did it just as history records. It was'nt that long ago, the records were'nt made on cave walls and animal hides, and conspiracy theorys manufactured to revise history are as bizarre as those who fabricate them. But, I really have no opinion on the subject. he he. - Sledge out.

That would be a great scenario! The satellite photos in Janes USAF are great to fly over, and I would love to see something like that in SFP1. We'll have to have some new skins with our old high school colors and mascots painted on though.

I am helping a friend design and build an F-18 Hornet cockpit. We want it to be as close to the real thing as possible, but we're having a heck of a time finding a good resource for the interior cockpit dimensions! Is there anyone out there who has info on where I can find this data? Theres gotta be someone out there as crazy as we are! Thanks yall! - Sledge

Or how about "Muskrat Love" by The Captain and Tenille! That song makes me want to hurl just typing the title out...... :? :shock: 'scuse me... I'll.. be RIGHT BACK!!! (He power pukes like Linda Blair) Sorry about that. - Sledge ....out

I do play this game online and will of course, continue to play once the 2nd patch is out. HL and GS seem to have a few guys hangin around in the evenings, even into the early mornings for those on the east coast. Its frustrating at times, and some nights seem to be better than others, but we stay with it even with all the boot-outs and CTDs because this game is a BLAST! Heres looking forward to the patch that will iron out all that! - Sledge out.

Congrats yall! Job well done to all grads. My Dad told me the friends that would last the rest of my life would be the ones I made in college. He was right! I graduated in '81 and have'nt seen hide nor hair of anyone from high school since '82. However, I'm still in regular contact with my room mates from my first year in college to this day. Funny how life goes. I'm now actually related to my best friend from college 'cause we married sisters! Your off to a good start, so keep the momentum goin, find what you love to do, and make it your life's work! - Sledge out.

Well. I might as well pile on too! At the risk of making your heads grow, I have to give a hearty here here! to all the above. It's great to find a site that is so well run, with so many folks who just wanna help everyone enjoy the hobby even more. MJ, YOU DA MAN! Keep it up, we all appreciate the time, effort, dedication, and personal expense you and the other moderators devote to this! I'm afraid I don't have much to offer as far as computer expertise like most of the folks here do, so please accept my thanks to all yall who answer the myriad questions from guys like me! - Sledge out.

Using Radeon 9700, Pentium4 2.8g. No problems to report here. - Sledge

Howdy Mig! Welcome aboard, good to have ya! The more the merrier! Only requirement is boat loads of patience as we all wait for the second patch to come out. This is a great game though. Stand by to stand by.... - Sledge

Add another vote for the Thrustmaster Hotas Cougar here! Ive had mine since they first came out and have had two other Thrustmaster products over the years including the Cougar's predecessor the F-16 TQS/FLCS. I have found their products and support to be outstanding. My F-16 TQS/FLCS are still in use with the digital mod as my son's primary controllers on his computer and I've had that setup for years! I plan to add the simped F-16 pedals to the Cougar setup soon, but right now I am using PFC's rudders which are great! Good luck!-Sledge

Just wondering if anyone out there has done any work in the area of extracting data from SF for the purposes of running a motion platform and analog guages? Thanks!- Sledge