NZFF

After lots of fun and games deciding on something that I didn't already own, CS kindly deferred my prize until the B737-200/100 came out (thank you, Tanya!) ... so without further ado ... here it is!











Which makes my CS "hangar" look something like this! -



That's nine aircraft: C-130H, B707-300, B727-100, B737-100, B737-200, B757-200, B767-300, B777-200 and a slightly dwarfed B-52!

As always - thanks to Captain Sim for an amazing prize, for their "behind the scenes" help, and to Doug for being the "go-between". There's a fair bit of work involved with these comps and the best of showing our thanks and appreciation is by *taking part in the next one*!

It's interesting how much two 'takes' on the 737 differ. Downloaded and took a look at the JF 737 'demo' - not even close. Still waiting for a look at the Milviz version though.

Wow! You sure like CS, personally i can't stand them, find them very heavy on frames for not a lot of systems etc.

Whats the ole saying ... I'm not going if its not Boeing .... or Lockheed Nice Screens .. hows your flights into Queenstown .. guess we had better land now

Wynthorpe wrote:

QUOTE (Wynthorpe @ Mar 17 2012,7:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow! You sure like CS, personally i can't stand them, find them very heavy on frames for not a lot of systems etc.

Wash Your Mouth out!

Wow that's a nice looking 737, enjoy it! Thanks Capt Sim for supporting kiwi simming!

Olderndirt wrote:

QUOTE (Olderndirt @ Mar 17 2012,6:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's interesting how much two 'takes' on the 737 differ. Downloaded and took a look at the JF 737 'demo' - not even close. Still waiting for a look at the Milviz version though.

Not sure about the early variants, but if you like the later ones, the PMDG 737 NGX is a stunning piece of programming. Incredible what they achieved and without killing the framerates.

The two CS 737's are still "work in progress", but they compare favourably with other slightly older jetliners that I have - the 707 and 727. Anything older than that, and I'll wax lyrical about the Comet

@Wynthorpe - I have a fairly reasonable system [now] and haven't found CS aircraft too bad in framerates at all. Certainly their older products (like the C-130 and 757) were fine, even on my old system.

The products I *do* have a problem with are the "light" variations - which fall in between two stools for me. They may have a certain market niche - but not for me.

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 17 2012,6:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure about the early variants, but if you like the later ones, the PMDG 737 NGX is a stunning piece of programming. Incredible what they achieved and without killing the framerates.

The two CS 737's are still "work in progress", but they compare favourably with other slightly older jetliners that I have - the 707 and 727. Anything older than that, and I'll wax lyrical about the Comet

@Wynthorpe - I have a fairly reasonable system [now] and haven't found CS aircraft too bad in framerates at all. Certainly their older products (like the C-130 and 757) were fine, even on my old system.

The products I *do* have a problem with are the "light" variations - which fall in between two stools for me. They may have a certain market niche - but not for me.

I have their 757 and 767 and im running a 2500k@5Hz and a HD6970 and still find frames are poor, not sure why that is for me. Models are nice and the textures, but i think i have been spoilt with the NGX these days.

Wynthorpe wrote:

QUOTE (Wynthorpe @ Mar 17 2012,10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have their 757 and 767 and im running a 2500k@5Hz and a HD6970 and still find frames are poor, not sure why that is for me. Models are nice and the textures, but i think i have been spoilt with the NGX these days.

Hmmm ... you shouldn't be having a problem with those specs. Mine's an i7 2600k @3.4 GHz - GTX580.

I do agree on the NGX, though. As with the latest A2A prop sims, these add-ons have become benchmarks.

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 17 2012,9:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm ... you shouldn't be having a problem with those specs. Mine's an i7 2600k @3.4 GHz - GTX580.

I do agree on the NGX, though. As with the latest A2A prop sims, these add-ons have become benchmarks.

Ive done a full format recently, will have to try them out again for some cross continent stuff with the 767

The 737 Captain (737-200) version 0.5 is available and includes the following new features and enhancements:

- Authentic sound set (JT8D engines)
- No Smoking switch animation and sound fix
- Fasten Seatbelts switch animation and sound fix
- Taxi and Runway Turnoff lights visibility on the ground fix
- Parking brake light fix
- Stab trim light fix
- Parking brake light and stab trim light tooltips fix
- Windshield heat lights and switches fix
- Anti-collision light switch fix
- Navigation light switch three positions fix
- Emergency light switch cover fix
- The Pitot-Static switches labels fix
- Yaw Damper light fix
- APU bleed air to packs fix
- APPROACH PROGRESS DISPLAY green lights fix
- Config errors warning horn fix
- Glaresheild warning annunciator lights fix
- APU switch fix
- Right engine generator switch with APU ON fix
- Auto brake switch RTO position fix
- One click hide/show the yoke column feature
- Wipers and wipers switch switch fix
- High nose up pitch on approach fix
- Equipment sounds when generator connected fix
- The Go Around buttons intersection with the Fuel Cutoff Levers fix
- Go Around buttons the yoke backs fix
- Minor gaps fix
- Fuel Cutoff switches labels fix
- 'Vertical Gyro' typo fix
- COWL VALVE OPEN typo fix
- HSI scale fix
- Minor textures fixes
- Leading Edge Annunciator panel fix
- The outboard landing lights position fix
- Fuel Cutoff switches fix
- Left side Rain Repellent button fix
- Wing Anti Ice switch fix
- Engine Anti Ice lights fix
- RMI scales fix
- Improved VC lightmaps
- Minor exterior lightmap fixes
- Weights and fuel tanks fix
- Total fuel indicator LBS to KGS fix
- A/P controls animations fix
- Pitch control fix
- ILS Glide Slope capture fix

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Mar 17 2012,2:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 737 Captain (737-200) version 0.5 is available and includes the following new features and enhancements:

- Authentic sound set (JT8D engines)
- No Smoking switch animation and sound fix
- Fasten Seatbelts switch animation and sound fix
- Taxi and Runway Turnoff lights visibility on the ground fix
- Parking brake light fix
- Stab trim light fix
- Parking brake light and stab trim light tooltips fix
- Windshield heat lights and switches fix
- Anti-collision light switch fix
- Navigation light switch three positions fix
- Emergency light switch cover fix
- The Pitot-Static switches labels fix
- Yaw Damper light fix
- APU bleed air to packs fix
- APPROACH PROGRESS DISPLAY green lights fix
- Config errors warning horn fix
- Glaresheild warning annunciator lights fix
- APU switch fix
- Right engine generator switch with APU ON fix
- Auto brake switch RTO position fix
- One click hide/show the yoke column feature
- Wipers and wipers switch switch fix
- High nose up pitch on approach fix
- Equipment sounds when generator connected fix
- The Go Around buttons intersection with the Fuel Cutoff Levers fix
- Go Around buttons the yoke backs fix
- Minor gaps fix
- Fuel Cutoff switches labels fix
- 'Vertical Gyro' typo fix
- COWL VALVE OPEN typo fix
- HSI scale fix
- Minor textures fixes
- Leading Edge Annunciator panel fix
- The outboard landing lights position fix
- Fuel Cutoff switches fix
- Left side Rain Repellent button fix
- Wing Anti Ice switch fix
- Engine Anti Ice lights fix
- RMI scales fix
- Improved VC lightmaps
- Minor exterior lightmap fixes
- Weights and fuel tanks fix
- Total fuel indicator LBS to KGS fix
- A/P controls animations fix
- Pitch control fix
- ILS Glide Slope capture fix

Did anything on the previous version work?

Olderndirt wrote:

QUOTE (Olderndirt @ Mar 18 2012,1:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did anything on the previous version work?

, It gave me wings , real stick and rudder man going into Queenstown ...

Olderndirt wrote:

QUOTE (Olderndirt @ Mar 18 2012,1:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did anything on the previous version work?

Hahaha ... it looks bad, doesn't it? Most stuff worked, but a lot of the VC animations (buttons etc.) were W.I.P.

The "Community Programme" method of development CS have adopted is a hard one to get your head around. Basically, it's OPEN beta-testing - except the testers have [part] paid for the product. I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's a reduced price from the (eventual) final price.

The problem is that all these bugs get aired in public and can create bad publicity if misinterpreted. Also, the tendency is (even if you only pay $1) to expect a fully working product. That's why many developers give their work away for free.

It's hard for me, as I've beta tested a few combat flight sims in the past - where everything was very strictly NDA'd and the "finished" product didn't hit the consumer until a reasonable proportion of bugs had been dealt with. Whatever "negative" publicity followed, was then (quite rightly) a result of the scale of bugs that got past beta-testing.

I suspect it's all about money. FS add-on development must be a huge investment in time and resources, with a *long* development time - and (these days) precious little money "up front" to finance the developers. This way, I suppose CS can get a bit of a cash injection to move on.

I think it's also to do with piracy. Quite often, late beta products (before they get copy protected) get leaked. With the Community Programme, all the "beta" releases are fully copy-protected.

One of these days, I'll write a *short* reply

Looks real good, this is my favorite of the 737's. Loved the first shot.