Microsoft Flight Sim 2020

[Mtnbiker1998]

The summer sale started on the same day I got paid (Pretty sure the same thing happened with the Spring sale earlier this year,) so needless to say some poor financial decisions were made once again. Enjoying my new JustFlight Turbo Arrows and flying around the payware Queenstown Airport. Gorgeous!!

 

Also Picked up some STOL toys, the New DoubleEnder and FreedomFox, and a few other toys. Remind me not to spend any more money this paycheck...

[LukeFF]

8 minutes ago, Mtnbiker1998 said:

The summer sale started on the same day I got paid (Pretty sure the same thing happened with the Spring sale earlier this year,) so needless to say some poor financial decisions were made once again. Enjoying my new JustFlight Turbo Arrows and flying around the payware Queenstown Airport. Gorgeous!!

 

Also Picked up some STOL toys, the New DoubleEnder and FreedomFox, and a few other toys. Remind me not to spend any more money this paycheck...

 

Hehe, yeah, I see me picking up a few things as well. ? 

[LukeFF]

Here's one I just picked up - it'll be one of my destinations on my round-the-world tour: CAK3 Delta Heritage Airpark:

 

https://orbxdirect.com/product/cfss-cak3-msfs

 

For just under 9 bucks it was a no-brainer.

 

 

[Lusekofte]

Is there any information about msfs2024 about all things bought for 2020. 
will it work on 2024?

 

[BOO]

5 minutes ago, Lusekofte said:

Is there any information about msfs2024 about all things bought for 2020. 
will it work on 2024?

 

They are saying it will

[ZachariasX]

Some more flying in Africa,  Lisala (FZGA), DRC, to Bujumbura International (HBBA), Burundi, 659 nm as the crow flies. Some useless knowledge here: Lisala is the birth place of Mobuto Sese Seko.

 

This one will really stretch it and it goes across the rain forest to Lisala next to Congo River. Still, tried my best skipping the darkness after I, you know, nosedived on the last leg. With the aircraft patched together again, I was ready for the next flight.

 

As the distance really stratches it and requires permissive winds in order to make it in one go. I already think of preparing alternates.

 

 

As I took off, the weather was nice as usuall here in Africa. (Thanks to the MSFS live wather system...)

 

 

I rarely had any big cloud formations. It may have something to do with early morning takeoffs, but I think the live weather could be a bit better modelled, same as the ground textures that do need some love.

 

 

The flight mainly passes along Congo river, a mighty landmark and in a flat world and green a good reference. This is welcome, as radio beacons are not always redily received. there are some cloud formations, but the  thermals are monumental.

 

 

Despite being on AP and set altitude hold, it often lifts me from 5'000 ft to 6'000+ ft with the autopilot not able to compensate. Below me is the town of Basoko and on the other bank of the Congo is Yata with Lokutu airfield (FZIZ) next to it. Along the river, navigation is rather easy with this kind of visibility.

 

 

As expected, i needed to make a stop to get on some more fuel. There are several airports along the route and I chose Bangoka International (FZIC), as it has a nice VOR that helps to both find it do an approach.

 

 

That was easy for a change.

 

Time: 2 h 52 min

 

Another  ~370 nm to go. I am just about halfway to my destination. I plan on using Bangokas VOR and hopefolly I can tune in to Bujumbura soon after losing Bangoka.

 

 

Weather seemingly doesn't change in Africa, still slight headwinds but with enough fuel this is not a worry.

 

 

As I am losing recepition of the VOR as well as losing Congo river as reference, one can do little but watching the alignment of the gyro compas and chewing fingernails. Before, there were various settlemnts and even airstrips. Here.. is just no place to land.

 

 

At some point, what was a sea of green gets hilly and it prompts me to climb. I am aproaching the east African Rift. I didn't give it much thought, but the environment starts to change drastically.

 

 

Now the ground rises as fast as I can climb, despite having bruned a good portion of my fuel already.

 

 

At 10'000 ft., I scrape along the the rige of the mountain pass. This is exactly the same altitudes like when crossing the Alps!

 

 

There, lake Tanganyika and the border between Congo and Burundi.

 

 

I conviniently use the ILS to land at Bujumbura International (HBBA). It is at 2570 ft. altitude.

 

Flight time: 3 h 42. Making a grand total of 6 h 34 min plus 10 min fuel penalty, hence 6 h 44 min:

 

Leg 1: 4 h 18 min, 427 nm

Leg 2: 5 h 21 min, 556 nm

Leg 3: 6 h 41 min, 550 nm

Leg 4: 7 h 11 min, ~575 nm

Leg 5: 6 h 15 min., 595 nm

Leg 6: 6 h 5 min, 574 nm

Leg 7: 6 h 44 min, ~690 nm

 

I couldn't imagine that crossing into Burundi required me flying as high as crossing the Alps...

[ZachariasX]

Then on from Bujumbura International (HBBA) to Mzuzu (FWUU), the capital of Malawi's northern region.

 

 

There 648 nm also require some favorable winds in order to make it one leg. But so far, African weather was mainly characterrized by headwinds and I set Karonga (FWKA) as alternate for a fuel stop.

 

 

After departure, I get greeted by the mountan ridge to the east of Lake Tanganyika. This lake is actually not only the second larges and second deepest fresh water lake, but also the second oldest! Lots of seconds for one lake. 16% of the worlds fresh water is here.

 

 

I climb as fast as I can to 10'000 ft, an altitude that I really need to make it across the ridge.

 

 

I maintain altitude to conserve fuel. The local elevation is much lower here and very flat. I pass Kasulu (HTKU). There are several airstips here. By now it is clear that I will have to use the alternate for a fuel stop.

 

 

Towards Karonga on lake malawi, it is getting hilly again. Good I kept my altitude. But the hills are not as high as before.

 

 

On approach to Karonga (FWKA). I'll make it there in 5 h 15 min.

 

 

Departing from Karonga (FWKA). I took a look at the map and it showed that again I will have mountains ahead of me if I go direct route cutting a slight detour along the shore. I opt for this more interesting route and immediately climb to 10'000 ft.

 

This will bring me across Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest national park. They say Nyika means "where the water comes from". Only after I get there, I become fully aware of what that really implies.

 

 

Turns out 10'000 ft. is actually a very close call for this mountain range. The Cessna doesn't really like to climb higher with given loadout and I figure I play this game by trying to find a way across the mountain passes by just driving the plane by steering with the heading knob.

 

 

As the entire terrain is up near 10'000 ft, finding something that resembles a mountain pass is far from trivial.

 

 

The altitude is enough to cross the range anywhere between slightly below treetop altitude and slightly above treetop height.

 

 

I finally made it in 50 minutes plus 10 min fuel stop penalty.

 

Leg 1: 4 h 18 min, 427 nm

Leg 2: 5 h 21 min, 556 nm

Leg 3: 6 h 41 min, 550 nm

Leg 4: 7 h 11 min, ~575 nm

Leg 5: 6 h 15 min., 595 nm

Leg 6: 6 h 5 min, 574 nm

Leg 7: 6 h 44 min, ~690 nm

Leg 7: 6 h 15 min, 648 nm

 

Easy but entertaining flights. I have the impression that live weather is slightly sub par in these parts of the world...

[Bremspropeller]

We're continuing towards OZ today.

A rainy day at Apia, Samoa.

Up and away!

Leaving Samoa towards Fiji. Savaii, the western main island of Samoa presents itself under much better weather than Upolu, from where we took off.

Starting our descent into Taveuni, the third-largest Fiji islands, which is bisected by the 180° meridian.

Coming in for a high entry into an extended downwind into the 990m long runway. That runway is normally too short for the F28, but we're just doing an additional ~100NM hop out of here, tankering fuel and only loading off stuff over here.

We're drawing closer to sunset, just before turning base.

Gear, flaps and boards halfway out. No turf to spare on touchdown, so better not do a floater!

A good lucky bit of headwind (there's no weather info on this airfield) helps a good deal, slowing down in time.

After a quick turnaround, the doors are closed again and it's time to start up.

We managed to take off in time. Turning 270° upon departure.

Climbing towards the southwest towards Fiji's largest island (Viti Levu) and it's capital, Suva. Taveuni on the leftern side.

Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island, on the right.

Night landing at Suva, Fiji.

[LukeFF]

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74675

 

That level of detail!

 

Accu-Sim Comanche 250 for Microsoft Flight Simulator | Features List

• A brand new external aerodynamics engine built with Accu-Sim 2.0 ‘Merlin’ technology.
• Remarkable performance accuracy based on operating A2A’s own Comanche 250, N6229P, over many years.
• Unparalleled aircraft feel, handling characteristics and trim behaviour based on extensive flight testing.
• A complete physics-based per-cylinder simulation of the Lycoming O-540-A internal combustion engine.
• Dynamic ground physics featuring true weight on wheels simulation, tyre side-loading and response to different surface types.
• Advanced turbulence system and subtle wing flex simulation which responds based on turbulence strength, ground bumps and fuel load.
• Sophisticated airframe vibration physics with unique ground roll and engine vibration-based effects.
• Authentic fuel system simulates fuel lines, primer, strainers and fuel contamination.
• Custom oil system with dynamic viscosity and contaminants that degrade and change the color of the oil.
• Advanced engine starter simulation that physically turns the engine through its compression cycle.
• Physics-driven sound environment featuring well over a thousand dynamic sound effects.
• Beautifully-rendered external and internal modelling and texturing with subtle wear effects, dynamic aircraft registration decals and advanced animations.
• Detailed JPI EDM 830 engine monitor with authentic displays and leaning procedures.
• Custom-coded Narco avionics stack with NCS812 COM/NAV/DME unit, Mark12E COM/NAV, AT150 transponder, CP 136 audio panel and 841 ADF receiver.
• Customisable integration of MSFS default/Working Title GNS 430W and 530W GPS units and support for PMS GTN 750 and TDS GTN 750Xi if installed.
• Century NSD-360A HSI with custom needle-smoothing physics.
• Advanced simulation of the S-TEC System 30 two axis autopilot.
• Beautiful night lighting implementation featuring multi-purpose dimmable and directable Type C-4A cockpit light, dimmable emissive indicator lamps and white and red lighting options.
• Pilot’s tablet for intuitive interaction with, and management of your airplane.
• Interactive walkaround with many moving parts that can be grabbed, manipulated and inspected.
• Customisable persistent airplane with failure and wear simulation which can be adjusted and deactivated if desired.
• Graphical tablet engine analyzer provides a detailed insight into the piston engine operation.
• Real time load manager with dynamic weight and balance indicator.
• Electrical system analyzer and circuit breaker functionality.
• Two naturally animated rear seat passengers and support for native MSFS avatars in the front seats.
• Fluid in-sim performance comparable with default aircraft of the same class.

 

 

Quote

As we push the the Accu-Sim Comanche for MSFS ever closer to the hangar door, we'd thought it's time to share a selection of 4k screenshots. If you scroll down a bit, you'll find the feature list too. Hang on in there, shouldn't be too much longer!

[Lusekofte]

I am going to buy this. If this going to be the closest we get to the real thing , it will be mine. 
 

[ZachariasX]

Three years of silence and now getting run over by the hype train…

[BOO]

56 minutes ago, ZachariasX said:

Three years of silence and now getting run over by the hype train…

I dont know A2A or their products but am assuming the hype is likely to be worth it?  MSFS has done odd things to me. Ive even gone and bought another DCS warbird (something I said to myself I'd never do and even though I cant even play at present) cos......props!  If nothing else im now a keyboard only whizz at starting the P47. I suspect i'll be doing the same in the Comanche and possibly the DC6. 

[ZachariasX]

2 hours ago, BOO said:

I dont know A2A or their products but am assuming the hype is likely to be worth it?

Back then, they put FSX on a whole new level technically. Accusim redefined what the sim could do.

 

MSFS redefined the sim world as well as gave us technically contemporary but slightly meh default sim modules. I am certain that Accusim 2 will redefine what MSFS can do in terms of aerodynamics and systems simulation.

[Lusekofte]

Due to lack of time. F 28 seems to be a module taking too much time to learn. This Comanche might be my way into realistic and serious flight sim exercise. 
the dc3 , clipper, and all those vintage planes I get simply do not give me too much of that feeling. Luke’s 310 do look nice but this Comanche looks like a winner. 

[LukeFF]

4 hours ago, Lusekofte said:

Luke’s 310 do look nice but this Comanche looks like a winner. 

 

Yes, from what people have said, the 310 is as good as it gets systems-wise right now when it comes to General Aviation planes, but that's only because A2A hasn't released the Comanche yet. I've no prior history with A2A, but from what I've read we're all in for another great experience with the Comanche. 

 

Side note: they are also the developers behind Battle of Britain: Wings of Victory II. So, they definitely know what they are doing.

 

LOL, and on that note: 

 

[CUJO_1970]

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

 

[LukeFF]

31 minutes ago, CUJO_1970 said:

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

 

Always ?

[Mtnbiker1998]

44 minutes ago, CUJO_1970 said:

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

 

I also fly in real time only, but I'm a bit less hardcore than some of these other guys. Most of my flights are around half an hour, with the longest one I've ever done being maybe an hour and half. Granted, I also fly in VR for whatever thats worth. Now that I figured out how to get movies in VR I may try for some longer hauls but thats still not really my style. If I'm flying I'd rather be FLYING and looking out the window enjoying the pretty scenery.

 

Speaking of pretty scenery, I went exploring the Austrian Alps after some Inspiration from the book I'm reading, "Parachute Infantry" by David Webster. One of the Band of Brothers guys, pretty good book. I had a nice big writeup for these, but accidently Ctrl+W'ed it into oblivion so heres just the pictures. Quite the country!! Flew from St Wolfgang to Berchtesgaden to Vell am See, landing in lakes and weaving around some (Rather tall) mountains along the way.

 

[CUJO_1970]

I can usually only have an hour or so of continuous time - my longest flight in MSFS has been just over an hour haha.

 

I'll have to set aside time to do a 2+ hour flight.

[Lusekofte]

3 hours ago, CUJO_1970 said:

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

 

Yes this is why I only fly short legs

Edited July 17, 2023 by Lusekofte

[Bremspropeller]

4 hours ago, CUJO_1970 said:

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

 

If the flight is longer than ~1FH, I'll use simrate 2 or 4 in cruise. Unless *doing* things, like crossing navaids when the aircraft isn't LNAV-capable.

[ZachariasX]

11 hours ago, CUJO_1970 said:

Are you guys doing your flights in real time? Like 2-4 hour flights in one sitting?

I do that usually. But with my latest African trips, I speed up occasionally, as the flights would be too long and the scenery (and live weather) not really up to par in that part of the world. My first round the world trip I made all real time though. It gives a sense of distance and I find a good GA aircraft at 4500 ft has just the right speed to experience the world, like a pickup on a record. You can speed it up, but then it is not really the same anymore. What I do more than speed up is just Alt-Tab and do other things on the side. MSFS makes for a great wallpaper if you are bridging longer stints.

 

I am somewhat hesitant to speed up much, especially with the DC-6 module. Sometimes during the flight, things can go south there and if you are at 8x simrate, you better have A LOT of altitude getting the engines running and the plane established again.

 

I really liked how A2A implemented sim rate control in Accusim for FSX. There, you could set simrate for a given real world time (like you calculate a certain time for reaching a waypoint and set this time for simrate back to 1x) or until an event ("reaching altitude", "emergency", "set time reached", etc.) is occurring. An extremely practical arrangement if you fly longer hauls in the B-17 or the B377. It would also be an extremely practical arragement that the PTO would require in the upcoming "other" sim to keep missions as they were for real in a playable format.

[ZachariasX]

Some more African flying. From Mzuzu (FWUU) to Prince Said Ibrahim (FMCH) on the Comoros. It was an easy flight and yet one of those where I nearly killed myself.

 

As the weather was fine, it was only the lenght of the stint that may pose an issue. As there are several airports along the way, I decided to make an adhoc decision along the route.

 

 

Again, crossing the easternmontain ridge next to lake Malawi required me to go to 10'000 ft. It is way too high to be fast and retaining the economy in this crate, but since I might have to stop anyway, it doesn't really matter.

 

 

I maintained the altitude at 7000 ft., as there was less headwinds up here than at lower altitudes. Flatlands all the way to the coast, now visible at the horizon. I am about to pass Lago Nguri. Even though there are only few anddd small settlements here, it is rather easy to find your location on the map in such good weather. I just passed Mueda (FQMD) airfield and decide to take a more scenic airport, the last before I have to cross the sea: Medjumbe (FQMO) airport. The airport is on Medjumbe Island and seems popular for vacation, it has a nice resort on it. That is what I call a pitstop!

 

Just opting for Medjumbe instead of Mueda without further ado could well have been a fatal decision.

 

 

There, it is, the island to the left.

 

 

I had some headwinds along the route going east, and the runway is oriented from west to east, that is how I will land.

 

 

Going the way of the Stuka for a final on RWY09. I cut the power and glide in with a lot of speed and all is just right, I timed it just such that in the short final airspeed and altitude matches. But as soon as the plane is at suitable speed, crossing controls to compensate some side wind is not enough. Full slip and still I see the runway through my left side window. Going crabwise like that makes my flightpath point toward the sea instead of the runway and I immediately power up, it is enough to just make the threshold of the runway where I touch ground and bounce off, just to rise again some 20 ft. and get blown toward the row of parked aircraft to the left of the runway. Then the gust eases and I again power up to compensate the fall, and now I go sideways such that the side window is definitely my windscreen.

 

Now the decision, go around or plant her? The airspeed indicator suddenly goes back below the green arc and I decide to plant her. Again I power up momentarily and cut it as soon as I touch the end of the runway. Full brakes and she noses over as I cut the engine.

 

 

Had I stayed at full power, I would have fallen a little farther out into the sea, I was just flying from wind gust to wind gust. As I would have fallen from higher altitude, I might even have been fish food. The windsock is an indication of the situation. LittleNavMap showed me fluctuating winds between 10 and 30 knots from the south.

 

And that is what I really love about MSFS, how the weather is changing over distance and time and completely transform the situation. At my flight altitude, there was hardly any wind component from the south. And whatever wind there was, my flight speed masked that. Never again shall I just land at an airfield without passing over to check the windsocks! Having different weather in different places and at different times makes all the difference in the world for a flight sim.

 

 

Cleaning her with some expensive napkins from the hotel restaurant and duct tape I wisely brought along with me, I take off after getting plenty of fuel to cross the see to the Comoros. Wind is as it was, hence I took off sideways. Even at this angle, I am getting pushed back over to the left side of the runway, but now I am fast enough and it is not really a whorry anymore.

 

 

Arriving at the Comoros, I use the ILS just for an overflight from the south and indeed, also here, I have almost 20 knots tailwind. The ATC doesn't want to kill me this time and makes me take the approach from the north. Like that, all went smooth.

 

 

Total flight time was 6 h 14 min plus 24 hours penalty for repairing the plane.

 

Leg 1: 4 h 18 min, 427 nm

Leg 2: 5 h 21 min, 556 nm

Leg 3: 6 h 41 min, 550 nm

Leg 4: 7 h 11 min, ~575 nm

Leg 5: 6 h 15 min., 595 nm

Leg 6: 6 h 5 min, 574 nm

Leg 7: 6 h 44 min, ~690 nm

Leg 8: 6 h 15 min, 648 nm

Leg 9: 6 h 14 min, ~640 nm (30 h 14 min)

[[CPT]Pike*HarryM]

A2A Comanche is released...

[Deacon352nd]

I’ve bought the sim and it installed but every time I try to start it, it looks for updates and just stays on the blue screen with the arrow continually circling. Last time was 2 hours before I got fed up and shut it down. My rig is plenty powerful enough for it and it’s on a M2 drive so no problem there. Any suggestions before I delete and ask for a refund?

[[CPT]Pike*HarryM]

When I bought it it took a LONG time to download, install, and update (the Steam part was pretty quick by comparison). Something like 12 plus hours. I just left it on overnight...

[Lusekofte]

1 hour ago, Deacon352nd said:

I’ve bought the sim and it installed but every time I try to start it, it looks for updates and just stays on the blue screen with the arrow continually circling. Last time was 2 hours before I got fed up and shut it down. My rig is plenty powerful enough for it and it’s on a M2 drive so no problem there. Any suggestions before I delete and ask for a refund?

I had this twice. I think I deleted some files / folders in official folder to get it running and update once more. Google msfs stuck on update. And there are several tips

2 hours ago, [CPT]Pike*HarryM said:

A2A Comanche is released...

Just wonderful, and I won’t be home for weeks

[Mtnbiker1998]

If I hadn't already spent waaayy too much money this month I'd be grabbing that Commanche without a second thought. The responsible choice would be to wait a bit before adding her to the hangar. Those who do pick it up make sure to let us all know how she flies!! 

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, [CPT]Pike*HarryM said:

A2A Comanche is released...

 

And of course, it would happen right before I had to leave the house. ? Ah well, at Ieast I have the manual with me on my phone.

[ZachariasX]

3 hours ago, [CPT]Pike*HarryM said:

A2A Comanche is released...

Here's the manual:

https://www.a2asimulations.com/Manuals/MSFS/Comanche_Pilots_Manual_MSFS.pdf

[LukeFF]

29 minutes ago, ZachariasX said:

Here's the manual:

https://www.a2asimulations.com/Manuals/MSFS/Comanche_Pilots_Manual_MSFS.pdf

 

And the FAQ: https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=74691

[ZachariasX]

Just before driving off to vacation...

 

 

 

And it spins... as it should... and the sounds... and the shaking of the aircraft, cockpit, instruments...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be sitting at the beach, silent. Missus be asking, "what??" - "Uhm.. nothing".

[Hanu]

On 7/14/2023 at 4:21 AM, AnPetrovich said:

Not sure this video was posted here,

a pretty interesting review:

 

 

It tested this quickly yesterday (Damn Jagged Alliance 3 takes my time now). I was not too happy with the feeling... It feels like the developers have misunderstood the torque effect; Bf-109 just weirdly tries to suddenly drop the wing; not sway to the left in the start. On all accounts from Finnish veterans none of them tells to wank the stick to the right; on the contrary "center the stick, lock tail-wheel, push the right pedal and keep the tail-wheel on the ground until you gain speed. No problems after you learn that." was the common way for veterans to describe the start. IL-2 does MUCH better work with this regarding handling.

Also those bird-****-planks (slats) pop open even 300+ speed but do not help against stall too much (at all?)

Sure this was just a quick test, but it felt weird to me.

[BOO]

Do what with the stick???? ?

[kestrel79]

Way back before MSFS2020 came out I said I wasn't going to buy any DLC aircraft until A2A releases something...well here we are 3 years later time to buy something finally! Looks awesome. 

[[CPT]Pike*HarryM]

Just had a nice little 20 minute flight. Honest handling, no surprises, feels right. Engine analyzer is very cool, did notice at odd times 2 pairs of plugs were not blinking for some reason (EDIT: think this is to do with the glass cockpit refresh rate being set to medium)... did some stalls and that also felt good in that depending on how straight or not you are holding it will behave somewhat unpredictably, especially with power on can flip you right over.    Now time to read that manual...

Edited July 18, 2023 by [CPT]Pike*HarryM

[LukeFF]

19 minutes ago, [CPT]Pike*HarryM said:

Now time to read that manual...

 

On that note, the manual is by far the best I've seen for any MSFS plane I've bought so far.

[Lusekofte]

43 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

 

On that note, the manual is by far the best I've seen for any MSFS plane I've bought so far.

It is the only manual I read for any msfs plane. 
they managed to hype this one up enough for me to bother

[LukeFF]

 

Geeze ?

[AndyJWest]

2 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

 

Geeze ?

 

Given that the only realistic alternative (for these flight-sim-obsessive weirdo's ?) would be to have to leave the computer running, we should probably than the developers for showing such concern for the environment...