Hope this is the right section to post this in - as I'm particularly concerned with the Maltby Mouthwaterers (the ones I can use for the time being that is...

John replied in a previous post regarding the flight dynamics differing between 02 and 04, which is something I have looked into previously, although I have not managed to find and answer that is 'satisfactory' - probably too much info out there!
What puzzles me (and I am easily puzzled.. STUPID ) is the apparent randomness of aircraft handling - in the sense that I accept that David's wonderful machines are optimised for FS2004, and thus I do expect there to be some degree of handling issues - but the thing that gets me is that they fly SO WELL in FS02 - I have downloaded some machines for 04 which are the same (IE they handle pretty well) while others are like trying to lift a breezeblock off the runway, with no handling to speak of at all... and I find all this confusing and slightly off-putting.
Another aspect seems to be using ILS and navaids in particular. Sticking with ILS and autoland, in the VC10, if I use approach equivalent (usually EGPH, my local airfield in real life), the VC10 flies like a drunken lunatic is at the controls with lots of pitching and rolling, although it will find the spot eventually (usually insanely close to the runway) - although I usually switch to manual. Conversely, the Tridents are superb in that they fly in on ILS like they are on rails, onto the centre line every time - including choppy weather!
I do have payware with aircraft equipped with autoland which works well, although (possibly my incorrect use) whenever I try it on the Trident, the result is ploughing long before I get to the runway.
As to overall handling in the landing phase, I've found that coming in a little nose up solves the 'ground suction' problem with the VCs - the only issue this raises is a prolonged rollout with nose-up (it takes a little too long to go down of it's own accord).
I'd be obliged if anyone could add any comments to my theories on all this below.. (I know I have said this before but here we go... I do intend to get a copy of FS04, but as per usual when you look for something none of the usual stockist have it for the time being, so perhaps an online order is about to go in)
Anywway, here are my (Correct or incorrect?) assumptions in using 04 A/C in 02.
a: Total pot luck in handling. It would appear that a well programmed airfile/etc will however produce good results (ala DMs machines)
b: ILS/autoland - again pot luck, but should be OK for 'approach hold' - autoland perhaps not
c: does any of the above matter if I'm upgrading?
(although I still like to get the best out of what I have at the time)

Sorry to go on and on.....
Jim