I suspect the truth of the matter (fidelity to the real handling characteristics) probably lies somewhere between the two simulators. I seem to end up over controlling with XP, it could be a matter of getting sensitivities set up correctly. I also struggle getting a comfortable view to fly from, my unfamiliarity with the view system capabilities, or confusion with FSX the obvious reason. I'll need to spend a lot more time figuring this out and I'll need a lot more spare time than I have before delving into "tuning" flight handling characteristics.
(Too bad I can't find a way to do this for a living, LOL)
Also haven't found a source of info like the Learning Center in MSFS in XP so that's gonna slow down my learning curve.
In last months Comp Pilot mag I did see over a dozen Piper variants being offered at
www.c74.net/xplane/ for $1.00 US per plane. That's pretty cost effective! I haven't looked into it more at this point as installing planes looks like another learning situation with files and folders instead of an installer (?) but I could be wrong. At this point I just want to get flying the Cessna that comes with XP down cold before going any further. But it's nice to have an option like XP. Who knows, in time it may surpass the MSFS line in those areas that matter most to me.
Thanks for the input.
Hey F1,
Jim is on it. Just drop the plane into the folder of your choice. I imagine you could make a new folder, like 'Piper Payware' and drop the new ones in there.
Here are some tips for looking around.
* Set "Lateral Field of View" to something like 60 or 70 degrees. This will be like moving back in your seat (keeping your nose away from the panel), and enable you to see more. Its also more similar to the angle in FS. (The setting is located in Settings/Rendering Options). It will not take effect till you reboot the sim.
Set up your VC view, spot plane view, and 2D panel view to keys you can remember. I have Spot Plane as A key, VC as S key, and W as 2D panel key. (This way they are quite similar to FS, easier for me at least to remember). I also have a seperate VC view that is for TrackIR, key is Control/O or 'control oh' (letter o).
Then note that in VC view, you can move up or down with the up and down arrow keys. I also linked my hud switch on the Saitek 45 so I can scan around in VC mode. You can move sideways in there also with the left/right arrow keys.
In exterior Spot Plane mode, you can use the right left up down keys to look around the plane. Use -+ keys to zoom in and out. Use Shift key with arrows to increase pan speed rate.
2D Panel mode helps you to locate switches that are hidden by the control yoke.
Also, for selecting auto pilot, in XP9, they use 'Flight Director' as AP on/off. So if you want Auto to fly for a bit while you study the controls, turn on FD, and click on Alt and HDG. If you just want Auto to hold ALT, just click on ALT only. Wing Leveler will not be on automatically, so you can turn and explore without having to hold your altitude manually.
I also assigned Heading adjustment to the secondary HUD switch (right left) for adjusting heading in flights. Easier then the keyboard. I also assigned trim up-down to that same HUD switch on the Saitek.
Hope that helps.
The Cessna is a real blast. I was flying it last night again. Couldnt sleep and ended up flying around Phoenix.
Bill