Classic British Flight Sim

I've just been for my daily visit to the Orbx forum. There seem to be interesting developments every day. Today there is a new plan and a U-turn.

The new plan is for FTX Global, the replacement texture for FSX/P3D default scenery. Plan A was for a AU$199 one-off payment for a product that would be continually updated and upgraded for as long as ORBX exists as a Company. Plan B is a bit more flexible and involves a Basic package for AU$99 which won't be upgraded and at a later date there will be an optional Plus pack at the same price which will be continually upgraded with more detailed features and improved airports etc. The Basic pack to be released before the end of June 2013.

The U-turn is on their stated policy of concentrating on GA airports and not attempting any more larger international hubs. After releasing Cardiff they've now announced that Auckland Intl is halfway through development (Peter will be pleased), Queenstown isn't far off and we can expect more larger airports during 2013.

Finally, an update on their first WWII historical airfield. There's an ongoing poll as to what sort of airfield people want and there's been a lot of debate. At the moment a USAAF bomber field is ahead in the poll followed by a RAF fighter field then a RAF bomber field and a USAAF fighter base bringing up the rear. The most heavily requested is Bassingbourn. What's swinging the vote this way is the popularity of the A2A Wings of Power series of aircraft, particularly the B-17 with the Mustang as a fighter escort.

Tangmere as a fighter base was rejected because it is too close to Goodwood and overlaps with the scenery they've already done for the present day airfield. So I suspect that this is the reason they couldn't do anything for Pete's Lightning sim.

Ian

Bassingborne would be excellent. I have the A2A B17 (also excellent). Just need Memphis Belle colours and the A2A P51. I have the P47

speedbird591 wrote:Tangmere as a fighter base was rejected because it is too close to Goodwood and overlaps with the scenery they've already done for the present day airfield. So I suspect that this is the reason they couldn't do anything for Pete's Lightning sim.

It could well be, Ian, but I wasn't asking them to develop a super-detailed Tangmere airfield add-on; all I wanted was a little help in solving the texture problem that occurred when using John McKeon's Tangmere add-on with FTX England which I didn't think was an unreasonable request. Unfortunately, according to Mr Venema, this was asking for support for third party software which they didn't do and that - apart from being contacted privately (but with no result) by a member of the FTX team - that was the end of the matter. He was, of course, technically correct but I can't help thinking a little flexibility in the circumstances wouldn't have gone amiss and his attitude is in marked contrast to that of others I've contacted on similar matters.

Steve Beeny (nazca_steve on this forum) of Flying Stations, for example, was incredibly helpful and very generous when I approached him for permission to use his Canberra B2 WE113 on our "Red" simulators - WE113 was Tangmere-based with 245 Squadron and we now have its cockpit on display at the museum - even offering to repaint it in its Tangmere colours for me. I got a similar response from the CEO of AH a couple of years ago whom I approached about using one of their Spitfires; again an instant positive response with offers of further help should I need it and there have been many other examples none of them with any fuss and and bother about having to make special arrangements to cover use in a commercial situation. Just shows it can be done but, I guess, it depends very much on the attitude of the man at the top.

The Lightning sim is now running with just the base P3D scenery (and JM's Tangmere!) while I investigate other possibilities. Sorry for the the thread creep but, as it was mentioned, I thought I'd take the opportunity to update everyone.

Now back to our regular programmes!
Pete

Thought it worth it to provide an update on developments re ORBX FTX Global. Scheduled for release on June 15th and with a different pricing model from that originally stated. There is now to be just the one version, which is to include a demo area of the soon to be available FTX Global OpenLC Land Class based on OSM. The updates that were to be "built in" to a pricier but constantly updated version are instead to be offered at a low price point for each one. Rather than repeat all the details here, if you want to know more go to... http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/ ... -may-2013/

FTX Global does look promising and is less expensive overall than similar, region based, products so could be worth a look. There are lots of screen shots from various corners of the world of the product in it's current form. If you want to see more got to... http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/forum/ ... nd-videos/

Incidentally if you like to fly in france FTX Global looks very good when used with the new France TRUELandclass from France VFR.

Regards,
Chris

Thanks, Chris. I'll go and check it out.

Ian

FTX Global released this morning £55 approx. for full set of new global textures, autogen and new night lighting. Worth looking at over at FTX. I'll be getting this soon when I get this chance to sit down and fly for a bit.

It is impressive stuff!

Regards,
Chris

It looks fantastic, Chris. I'd have it like a shot if I could still use the joystick and mouse. I'm pretty certain my simming days are over but I'll have a trial run over the weekend. If I'm still physically able to manouvre the old joystick without too much pain I reckon I'll go for that.

We've waited a long time but the final product looks even better than anticipated.

Ian

Good luck with the trial Ian - sincerely hope you can enjoy a bit more time in the sim with this new scenery! Orbx have spent quite a bit of time and effort in improving the final texture product over the last few months and when the new Open land classes come in it'll be better than ever. Really looking forward to this.

I know that FTX isn't to everyone's liking but I really like their ethos of if it's broke fix it!

Regards,
Chris

Got FTX Global yesterday and after a quick 5 min flight I can see immediate improvements over stock P3D. First impressions - very positive!

Regards,
Chris