NZFF

by **JonARNZ** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:30 pm

This is the first in a series of posts that will go into more detail of how things will run on the day, and the kinds of things you will see. Its also an opportunity to show off some of the 'special features' of Forum Field.

Trolly's comment about not having FSX so relying on screenies and videos provides the basis for this first post. While each of us will I am sure take snaps and video, there is already in place a plan to record the day. One of the ways we will do this is with the NZFF Helicam.

user posted image

The Helicam is a very basic model I built as a proof of concept model for the Airways 'Total Control' ATC training simulator when we first discussed helicopters. Like all AI type aircraft, it has a minimum amount of polygons, in this case 869, but still retains full animated rotors etc. Naturally it makes an ideal and stable Camera ship for recording the events of the day from the air, and doing so efficiently.

user posted image

So, expect to see this baby buzzing your displays (but not getting in the way of course B) ) and remember to wave it it hovers close by while your in the crowd.

That takes me nicely onto post number 2, the crowd, and how you'll appear as a spectator to enjoy the displays and explore Forum Field.

Jon

:plane:

by **Ian Warren** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:45 pm

JonARNZ wrote:
Ian Warren wrote:Put me in as a HARVARD DRIVER Jon , CD good plan but how to return payment/package and posting ? maybe to help send a PM to people with B/band , possible? mainly for the off shore chappies

Will wait and see who our final pilot list is Ian re overseas guys (let Nik know about the Harvard), broadband may be an option however 255MB is a hell of a file to host, hence CD easier all round. I will be down in chch again the week after Easter so will catch up and bring some CD's with me so you can distribute to the local guys (Jimmy, Hamish etc) and a few spare.

As the web page said, any donations to help cover our postage costs are gratefully received, internet banking makes such arrangements pretty straight forward.

AUCKLAND - I will be in Auckland next weekend, if someone is prepared to be a CD Distributor I will provide as many as we need so they can be distributed locally face to face, how u do that is up to you. If anyones up for it PM me and we can make arrangements, it will save me a few $$'s in postage etc. ( Shhhh, I work for New Zealand Post so you didn't hear me say that)

Be happy to help Distrubute CD

Hanger door always open

by **Ian Warren** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:48 pm

Trolly wrote:A huge thank you to Jon and the team putting this together, I think it's gonna be a really great event!

Unfortunately I don't have FSX, so I am going to be relying on all of you to post screenies and videos here at NZFF for the fs2004-only junkies to see

Hey Andrew , I believe this maybe a WORLD FIRST :clap:

by **Timmo** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:05 pm

Hey Jon
Ive PM'd Nik bust had a question about the helicopter/Jet Ranger (im really keen to a Helicopter display

There doesnt appear to be a panel avaliable for the choppers? (need to keep that RRPM under control otherwise ill do an impression of flying cobblestone

If that hasnt been created yet, is it possible to allow view panning for it? with choppers especially, you need to be looking around for visual references in order to keep a good hover etc

Cheers
Tim

by **ZK-TJL** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:34 pm

Timmo.....Please check your PM ASAP.

by **scon** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:19 pm

So wiht the CD Delivery will we just Pm someone with our addresses. (p.s. can you send to a P.O. Box)

by **Jimmy** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:32 pm

I believe this maybe a WORLD FIRST

Don't think so

I attended a "virtual airshow" almost two years ago, was set in france, I jsut saw the anoucment in the flightsim.com news page and thought id go along, was races, compatitions, hops and all sorts, ran for 24 hours, teamspeak server and all, they had costom built scenery and special charts for everyone so they knew were the races would be going etc.. Was proably a little more laid back than the nzff one, it was just a turn up on the day thing, It was great fun B)

So not a world first, a New Zealand first thow

by **JonARNZ** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:12 pm

scon wrote: So wiht the CD Delivery will we just Pm someone with our addresses. (p.s. can you send to a P.O. Box)

Possibly and yes P.O. boxes are fine.

Charl has very kindly come back and offered his services as a CD repository in Auckland, he also had the excellent idea that a good way to distribute CD's is for EVERYONE to send me a prepaid self adrressed bubble pack. Fastpost ones are only a few dollars and this way it would save me all the drama (and expense) of sending them out.

Am still happy for people to pick them up from Ian and Charl in person, but this would solve the distribution problem. So, what say you?

by **ZK-Brock** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:14 pm

I'd be happy to send a fast-post pack, if you post exactly what you want, and how to do it (I don't use the postal service much).

EDIT: Added to that, with the whole donation thing (which I'm keen on giving), should that go in the mail as well? (I have no internet banking, nor a chequebook)?

by **JonARNZ** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:51 am

Time for post number 2, and picking up from where we left off last time, spectators at Forum Field 2007 .

Like any good Airshow, without spectators there really isn't allot of point in bothering. Forum Field 2007 is no different. To address this we have created a new concept which we believe is a first of its kind at a multiplayer flightsim Airshow. I present the Spectator...

user posted image

The Spectator is designed to achieve a number of tasks. First and foremost this is the model you will spend your time in when not flying the displays.

Why? Like any Airshow its fun to hang out with you mates, but its also because the spectator is a low polygon model which means we can have plenty of them wandering around and you wont get a big hit in system performance, if everyone is in their aircraft the chances are many machines will come to a grinding halt, and Forum Field 2007 will be a slideshow rather than an airshow.

The other big advantage is in VC mode you can select the aircraft flying the display, and FSX will automatically track the aircraft for you, saving you getting OOS trying to keep up. :wub:

The Spectator also comes with a name tag, so fill this in so we know who you are, just make sure you keep the file as an 8 bit (if you need help let me know, its an easy job so will only take a moment to do it for you if you are having problems) The Spectator also has its own panel, so you can listen to the commentary and keep track of time.

user posted image

The Spectator also means you can wander around Forum Field 2007 at your leisure, and explore the tents, static displays and other things you might find if you bother to look. Just be careful over by the military parking area, they are a jumpy bunch who tend to shoot first and ask questions later :ph43r:

Before each display begins you will have the chance to view the aircraft on the ground before they depart for their display, while we will need to keep things moving, it will provide photo ops, so bring your camera!!

Now, what I want to know is where do I get one of those T-Shirts!! :drool:

Next Time . . . Pilot roster and draft display schedule.

by **Alex** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:15 am

Looks good Jon, just a little heads up, Field is spelt incorrectly on their back.

Alex

by **ZK-TJL** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:04 pm

Jon and I had a look over Forum field today.......firmed up the pilot roster, Should be out by monday (all going well)

. Using spectator mode we walked around the aerodrome checking everything was in order.......Its looking good team!!!! I'm sure you'll love it.

user posted image

See you at Forum Field :clap:

by **JonARNZ** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:13 pm

Hmm, any chance your my long lost twin Nik?

by **JonARNZ** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:04 pm

FORUM FIELD 2007 - DATE AND TIME

I am pleased to announce that Saturday April 28th is the date Forum Field 2007 will take to the skies. Gates open at 6pm with the first display crossing the fenceline at 7pm.

I will post the display program Monday, which will show times and displays for all the aircraft and pilots featured. The displays have been thought through and the order settled on that works from a practical perspective, but also ensures pilots involved in team and solo displays are not under pressure to swap aircraft et.

Please note that the Tiger moth team display has been canceled due to a lack of interest, the Tigermoth solo display remains unchanged. This leaves the Harvard roaring 40's and Kiwiblue parachute teams left. 2 spots are still open for Kiwiblue, so get in now while you can as the jump will be AWESOME!!

The event will be split into 3 sessions allowing me to switch from Spectator to aircraft etc, and give people a toilet/food break.

Its going to be a great event, I hope people have started planning and practicing their displays. The initial scenery file will be provided Monday with the program so you can get a feel for the location, the remaining cosmetic files will be supplied a few days before the show. (we don't want to reveal all our cards just yet

) I will also provide a display area map so you know where the crowd is located, this way you can ensure your display is in an area people will see it, rather than some grand all over the place thing miles away.

I am also asking pilots to record their display using the free utility fs-recorder. This utility, as many of you know already, allows you to record aircraft movements and then play them back as either traffic files or as your flying aircraft so you can watch what you did. By recording your practice session and then watching it as a spectator in the area they will be, you will know if it works or not. I am asking pilots to send me their display file so I can review it, and also capture video footage I would not normally be able to do for the official FF07 video.

As for file delivery. CD's are coming online now, but I am also prepared to send files electronically in packets over MSN. Total file size is 190MB, so if you want delivery this way send me your email address and we can organize a time to meet on MSN to transfer the files. Obviously this is for Broadband only. Yes you can still get them on CD if you want, no problem.

PM me if you have issues or questions.

Big thanks to Nik for working through the pilot roster, poor guy, it's been like herding cats organizing you lot

by **Ian Warren** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 1:06 am

Brilliant effort Jon :thumbup:

, Lookin like a good Airshow , 3 in one month ..has to be a winner

by **ZK-TJL** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:50 am

JonARNZ wrote: Big thanks to Nik for working through the pilot roster, poor guy, it's been like herding cats organizing you lot

Herding Cats you say????? yeah right.........more like herding hungry lions :thumbup:

by **G-HEVN** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:32 am

Ian Warren wrote:I believe this maybe a WORLD FIRST

Vatsim has run a virtual airshow at Sywell in the UK each July for the last few years. We get the Virtual Red Arrows, Concorde, Chipmunk and Tiger Moth aerobatic display teams, Spitfires and other fun stuff. It's normally a cracking good show, and generally coincides with the real Sywell airshow.

by **Ian Warren** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:41 am

G-HEVN wrote:
Ian Warren wrote:I believe this maybe a WORLD FIRST

Vatsim has run a virtual airshow at Sywell in the UK each July for the last few years. We get the Virtual Red Arrows, Concorde, Chipmunk and Tiger Moth aerobatic display teams, Spitfires and other fun stuff. It's normally a cracking good show, and generally coincides with the real Sywell airshow.

Jezz I was way off course , Sounds like another air great show to see! B) Thanx for the Heads Up G-HEVN :thumbup:

, Maybe Southern Hemisphere :unsure: