The International FlightSim Convention (IFC) NEC Birmingham 2006
The real spirit of flight simulation
By Fred ‘mulletman’ Clark

On the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of December 2,611 people gathered to express their interest, passion, and curiosity about the Flight Sim hobby. People came from all over the country, to join others who had travelled from all around the globe, and engage in conversations about the latest products, buy some products that were being sold at superb show prices and meet friends, who they had only known through internet forums.

And don’t just think that everyone there was 100% related to FS. A few others came along to show what they did. One company that is not directly related to FS, but finds itself being bundled with some top notch products displayed its range of DVD’s, along with offering the chance to meet one of its ambassadors, David Rowland, and many of the staff. Behind Intelligent Television and Video (ITVV). So every aspect of not just flight simulation, but aviation on the whole, was covered, which in my mind really shows the divide between what is real, and what is simulated, getting ever closer.
 

Arriving at Hall 3a we see the banners for the IFC2006.
Small crowds were gathering here before the doors opened.

A lot of visitors to the show were interested in seeing the new sim, FSX, and unfortunately it seems that a lot of people went away disappointed. The stands that Microsoft had set up did show the looks of FSX very well. And it also showed the improvements of FSX over the new sim. However MS seemly did not spend too much tome sorting out frame rates, and stutters were numerous.

Thankfully though, there were some stands that showed FSX running at much higher frame rates. This included Just Flight, Horizon Simulations, and Alpine Systems. The latter of those 3, Alpine systems create special gaming systems for Flight Simulation. Not only did they demonstrate the excellent frame rates you can get in FSX using one of their setups, but also the Matrox TripleHead2Go, which spread the image of the FSX landscape over 3 40 inch screens. The effect was incredible.

Part of Just Flights stand. 2 Plasma TV’s blared out videos,
mainly Adrian Musto’s excellent VFR video.

Another stand which had people getting up and saying “Where do I sign” was the Shaker centre. You will now find a message on their website: “Due to an overwhelming response at the IFC 2006, we have unfortunately sold out of ButtKicker Gamers.” And that is for a very good reason. Many have heard of the device, but haven’t been convinced by the concept behind it. At the Show, everyone had the opportunity to try one out, and they were incredible. Yet again, the people manning the stand were knowledgeable and passionate about the product.

I spoke to Andy Sexton and Dave Perkis, 2 members of the Shaker centre staff who were there. There wasn’t a question they couldn’t answer. When asked about whether there would be problems using it upstairs, they answered with an acoustic rubber mat solution. Very rarely, the ButtKicker Gamer will "cut- out" and so they explained that it was a thermal cut-out - to stop the unit overheating and breaking. Not once did you hear an “errrm” from them. Both agreed that although the ButtKicker was originally designed for things like bass players, drummers, and home theatre systems, it's found a real home in gaming, particularly FS. Best of all, this version is very affordable.



Andy Sexton, from the Shaker Centre. Everyone who was
supervising a stand was extremely knowledgeable, and passionate
about their area of Flight Simulation.

Naturally these folks were not the only people selling hardware. Engravity had a phenomenal main panel setup, along with separate displays of their CDU and overhead panel, all for the 737NG series. Of course the cost was extremely high. More hardware on show included 2 movement bases, one based on an air cushion, form Cyber Seat and one as a pneumatic setup, from Cockpit in Motion. Again, like the 737 not cheap, but adding untold amounts of realism.

But there want just full, ready made cockpits and seats. It was also possible to buy just gauges, or setup a different kind of flight deck, which is an excellent idea for the enthusiast rather than those using FS as a training tool. The concept involves putting screens behind a panel, to display the gauges, and then overlaying the screen with a cover, to hide the areas where there are no gauges. This way allows you to build a realistic flight deck layout, at a lower cost.

There was no shortage of projectors on show, being used by lots of stands, most noticeably Microsoft. Just Projectors were there, offering some for sale, and they looked like a piece of hardware that is becoming more and more common, especially in gaming. One thing that will remain the same in FS, however is that gauges and landscape displays are kept separate. If you are going to use a projector, you are either going to have to move your desk back to use your screen for a panel, or invest in some panel hardware

 Wandering round I also bumped into the 2 major ATC organisations in FS, VATSIM and IVAO. Both had many users logging in to fly planes about in the virtual skies and show the difference it makes, having open skies with other, real aircraft around you.

These were not the only organisations at the show offering multiplayer skies.

The 2 main Virtual ATC groups were on display.
This is IVAO, the other was VATSIM.

Virtual Airlines were there in large numbers, and large, well known organisations, such as British Airways Virtual, Fly UK and Euroharmony VA, as well as some other VA’s that were getting their name out – and some that certainly I had not heard of, Malaysia Virtual, and Britannic Virtual among others. Another organisation that I had not heard of before was also there, and they were offering a seemingly interesting concept. These people were the FS Pilots Club and they were promoting a concept that was certainly new to me. Basically you sign up for membership, at a small cost and that gives you discounts on big name products available through their store. As it says in thier name, it is a ‘Club’ and although it does have a multiplayer server, which requires a mandatory visit form all members.

Flight 1 was on display and wandering round in a green flight suit was Flight 1 Europe Managing Director Mungo Amyatt-Leir. After getting into flight sim through publishing computer games (and an add-on for FS5), he relieved his love for flight from when he was in the cadets. He also now has a real pilots licence. He hopes that FSX brings a lot more people into Flight Sim. Especially through the more interactive elements, such as looking for lost elephants. Like everyone else Flight 1 is planning to update the majority of their current products early 2007, however an all new version of Ground Environment, Ultimate Terrain and Ultimate Traffic all for FSX were mentioned, along with a new ATR package and, working closely with Airbus, an A400M. One version just for the chap’s at Airbus, and a Commercial version, for us humble folk.

Flight 1’s staff were numerous. I spoke to
Mungo Amyatt-Leir, who is pictured on the right.

Although FSX was the biggest release there, add-ons for FSX were being displayed. It was very clear that the most predominant of these was the VFR sceneries. Both Horizon Simulations and Just Flight have their products on display, although only Horizon’s was actually for sale. Just Flight were taking pre-orders of their series. It was interesting to be able to compare and contrast the 2 products, and see the views that the developers have of their rival.

I spoke with Paul Chaney form Horizon simulations about their product, and what makes VFR scenery so popular, even though it is flat. He pointed out that from height it doesn’t look flat due to the shadows from the photos, and then continues to add that they have in development for release mid 2007, that 3D objects are being developed. He was also keen to note that there is no bigger thrill than to fly over your own home, and after doing this I couldn’t agree more. Another thing that I didn’t notice until I tried it is the perception of speed that the scenery introduces. When you fly over your home you know how big it is, how big fields are, and how wide roads should be. With the FS default textures you have to assume everything is the right size, and often it is not. He also pointed out that the data being used by Horizon is not just for FS. Although they have been working with the data for over 5 years, it is also used by Lockheed,
Adrian Musto was doing the filming, with event organiser,          NASA,  and that the mesh data is being used so to establish flood
Mark Silcock doing the interviewing.                                     warning per home in the UK.

Horizon had plenty to say about the future of this product, and they were not the only one with definite long term plans. Some staff from Aerosoft had flown over from their base in Germany. It was interesting to hear of their future plans, including their own VFR scenery covering Germany, with autogen, and also their major objectives in regards to FSX updates. Winfried Diekmann pointed out that there is a big problem with aircraft gauges and two big problems in scenery design. However when those problems are overcome then we should see some interesting developments – and I look forward, especially to their scenery, in the near future.

Gary Summons was running a stand, offering excellent prices for existing products. The most attention that he was getting though was for the highly anticipated Stansted Xtreme. It has now been released for both FS9 and FSX and can only be described as superb. Next up for Gary is Heathrow and Bristol, which will be developed simultaneously. Horizon Simulations and UK2000 are working very closely together, and plans for a UK2000 ‘Lite’ have been released, which exactly fit the photographic textures that Horizon have introduced into FSX. For now though, all Gary’s future releases, including Stansted fit the ground textures perfectly.

UK2000 Scenery displayed, offering very good prices.
Stansted Xtreme received a lot of attention.
Gary Summons is behind the desk, on the right.

Just Planes came along with their huge range of DVD’s, as did ITVV. What I particularly like about DVD’s is that it offers you the chance to see inside the aircraft during flight. I always try to speak to pilots when I fly commercially, and so when I saw the opportunity to speak to David Rowland, I took it. After a brief chat about my Canon EOS400D Camera (which the he had just bought same model), I asked him about his status as an ITVV celebrity. He said that: “It’s the aircraft that’s the celebrity”, and it couldn’t be truer. I also asked him about how he got into it, to which it was interesting. ITVV approached BA as they wanted to make a video about Concorde. As David Rowland was the Concorde line manager, it was him who was asked to present it.

Not only were FS developers on display. Here Mark Silcock interviews ITVV about their informative DVD’s

Just Flight has used the ITVV DVD when bundled with their Concorde product. I took the opportunity to speak with Richard Slater, one of the Technical support team at Just Flight. I always imagined that most people involved in FS’ing got into it through passion for the sim and developing their own add-ons, and in some cases this was true. However there are other lines that people found themselves travelling along to get where they are. Richard got into Just Flight through The Producers, a company based in Huntingdon, doing Just Flight's work through them. After about a year he moved into one Just Flight office when they decided that they would do everything in house.

One thing that we spoke about was the amount of time the developers actually spend within FS using it for leisure flying. Although I never looked at it as anything other than entertainment simulation, Richard pointed out that: “I cannot remember the last time I opened flight sim where it wasn’t to fix something” And it made me respect, more than ever the work that goes into every single one of these add-ons. Just Flight has some interesting products in development for FS9 and FSX. This included the Mosquito, the newly released Tiger Moth, and the most anticipated release, their VFR scenery. Just Flight have actually pushed their release way back to January, as they wanted to make sure it was perfect. Unlike Horizon they decided to release it complete, with night lighting and water. From looking at both products I think it comes down to what you perceive to feel more real, and I look forward to seeing Just
Left to Right: Simon Martin, Richard Slater,                            Flights finished product later next year.

Scott Phillips and Paul Hyslop

At every show, since the first one in Blackpool, 2004, a DVD about it has been made. This year the camera man was Adrian Musto. His name, or rather nickname, Arkitekture, has become regularly mentioned in FS halls of fame because of his stunning videos. I was lucky enough to shake hands with the man, and spoke to him about them. His whole family has had links with film for a long time, and it wasn’t until one day when he saw the few videos that were kicking around and thought that he could combine his knowledge of video making with FS that he produced a video for fun. The feedback for it was overwhelming and it wasn’t long before he found himself making videos for commercial vendors such as Just Flight and Flight 1. The show DVD is set to be released in the very near future.

The person actually doing the interviews on the DVD is show manager, and Managing Director of IFC, Mark Silcock. He was the last person I spoke to and said that he was extremely pleased with how the show went. He was also quick to mention that the next IFC Europe will be held at the NEC on the 7th & 8th of December 2007, after the second IFC Denver, and before a newcomer to the convention map, Melbourne. My thanks go out to him, and all of the show staff for organising and running the entire event, and best of luck in the future of IFC (if anyone wants to buy me a flight to Denver and/or Melbourne feel free).

The software test engineer for the ACES (FSX) development team, Hal Bryan was on hand, and after the inevitable patches for FSX I asked him what his plans were with FS, in particular CFS(4). He said that there were no immediate plans, but would love to do it. Right now though FSX is the main aim, and understandably. Microsoft and the ACES team are very proud of what they have produced, and if you just sit back and look at FSX you will see that it is some of the best visuals you will see in a game. Just wait and see what happens when 3rd Party developers start getting clever.

One thing I did ask was his opinion of the community. Without question FS has bought together some of the funniest, interesting, clever and downright awesome people on the web. And it’s all thanks to that dreaded name, Microsoft. The people I talk to, almost every day, although through forums, have become people that I would consider friends. And so, I believe that these conventions do not just offer commercial vendors the chance to say “look at us” but also the opportunity to meet the people behind the scenes.

And so, all I can say is thank you to Microsoft first, for creating this community, and then to the 3rd party vendors for making what FS what it is today and then finally to the people who support the add-ons. They are unquestionably the ‘spirit’ of flight simulation.

 

Mulletman's IFC Photo Gallery - Click on thumbnail for full size picture
My Journey was made with Virgin Trains. The Train Station at the NEC (B’Ham Intl) was less than a 5 min walk to the display hall.	Arriving at Hall 3a we see the banners for the IFC2006. Small crowds were gathering here before the doors opened.	Part of Just Flight's stand. 2 Plasma TV’s blared out videos, mainly Adrian Musto’s excellent VFR video.	Horizon Simulations stand got a LOT of attention over the weekend.
Aerosoft (this is Winfried Diekmann) flew over from Germany to display, and sell products at incredibly low prices.	Adrian Musto was doing the filming, with event organiser, Mark Silcock doing the interviewing.	Flight 1’s stand. Displaying some of their excellent models, and offering excellent prices on GA aircraft.	Flight 1’s staff were numerous. I spoke to Mungo Amyatt-Leir, who is pictured on the right.
The Amazing Butt kicker Gamer on display. Almost all of the Boxes you see displayed had been sold by the end of the show.	Andy Sexton, from the Shaker Centre. Everyone who was supervising a stand was extremely knowledgeable, and passionate about their area of Flight Simulation.	Adrian Musto, on a tea break.	RC Simulation's 2 main products for retail were VOXATC and Track IR4, both of which were on display.
Engravity bought some very impressive hardware over. Including this 737 FMC/CDU..	…and this 737NG Captain and F/O main panel and Glare shield.	Not everyone at the show could actually fly in FS. Here Scott Phillips tries to fly the Tiger moth, with Richard Slater as his instructor. (Both Just Flight)	The 2 main Virtual ATC groups were on display. This is IVAO, the other was VATSim.
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Microsoft took up the biggest area. Lots of terminals displaying the new FSX.	Hal Bryan, Software Test Engineer on the ACES team. Some Microsoft staff were hovering about.	Not only were FS developers on display. Here Mark Silcock interviews ITVV about their informative DVD’s	The Just Flight team pose for a photo. Left to Right: Simon Martin, Richard Slater, Scott Phillips and Paul Hyslop.
PC Pilot and Key Publishing were there, along with a big Alien ware system. Derek Davis (editor) was definitely there on the Saturday, although I didn’t see him on the Sunday.	One of Microsoft’s big projector screens. Later in the weekend, Saitek equipped the 2 screens with their new X52 Pro stick.	Cab air training and the relaxation stand. Probably mainly used my wives and girlfriends who had been dragged along.	UBISoft was at the show and a number of systems showed of the excellent combat software that Oleg Maddox and his team developed.
UK2000 Scenery displayed, offering very good prices. Stansted Xtreme received a lot of attention. Gary Summons is behind the desk, on the right	Cockpit setups varied in how complex they were. The majority were similar this, from Plugnfly.	Captain Dave Rowland (Retired Concorde Captain) was there both days with ITVV, and signing the excellent Concorde DVD which he stars in.	Alpine Systems were there, and really showed off what you can do with 3 huge monitors. The result was outstanding.
	Simkits bought along a trailer with Cessna and Helicopter setups inside.	The Flightstore packing away after a very successful weekend.

Links:
IFC Organisers: http://www.ifcglobalnetwork.com
Adrian Musto: http://www.arkitekture.net
Aerosoft: http://www.aerosoft.com
Flight 1: http://www.flight1.com
Horizon Simulation: http://www.horizonsimulation.com
ITVV: http://www.itvv.com
Just Flight: http://www.justflight.com
PC Pilot: http://www.pcpilot.net
Shaker Centre (Butt kicker): http://www.shakercentre.com
UK2000 Scenery: http://www.uk2000scenery.org.uk
Flightstore: http://www.flightstore.co.uk

More links to those displaying at the show, including the numerous virtual airlines can be found on the IFC website.