Christopher Low 63 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 My first ever flightsim show, and I loved every minute of it! I arrived a bit earlier than expected, and I was at the entrance to Hangar 1 by 9:30 AM. There was another person in the foyer between the two sets of automatic doors, and very soon we were deep in conversation about various aspects of flight simulation. Several others arrived at the entrance soon after that, and I started talking to one of these new guys aswell. It was really interesting to hear what other flightsim enthusiasts had to say about the subject, and this was in fact one of the highlights of the show for me. Nobody in my family or circle of friends is involved with flight simulation, so I have never been able to talk to other like minded people until yesterday. It was a very enjoyable experience, and I will certainly be back for more next year! Anyway, as I was talking to these two people, a queue started to form behind us. The first set of automatic doors was permanently open because of this, and I eventually noticed that plenty of other people were listening intently to our three way conversation. It was clear that others were also interested in what we had to say! I was talking about my recent "conversion" to P3D, the first guy that I met mentioned that his new PC was built by a group who had a stand at the show (Wired2Fire), and the second guy was talking about his very positive and amazingly realistic experiences with VATSIM. Very interesting stuff. I wish that I had taken down the names of these two gentlemen, so I can only hope that they are members of this forum! So, we gained entrance to the hangar at last, and I decided to wander off to the right for a brief tour of the "outlying" stands (by that, I mean those that were not in the large open area to the left). I stopped to admire the view of P3D/FSX/X-Plane spread across huge display screens at various stands, and wandered past the second Just Flight stand where the new Tornado GR1 was going to be demonstrated. I suspected that the young looking guy sitting in front of one of the displays was Martyn Northall, but I wanted confirmation from someone else before I introduced myself I stopped at the second PC Pilot stand, and started talking to a guy about a 727 that was in flight on one of the screens. I had noticed that the heat exhaust from the engines was being displayed, which was something that I had never seen before. He told me that this was X-Plane, and he subsequently showed me a high quality 757 with active weather radar. He also made a note of the raindrops on the windscreen, and that actually brought a smile to my face. The reason for that is because (IMO) nobody has yet matched Looking Glass Studios' depiction of raindrops on the windscreen (and side windows) in Flight Unlimited 3. Quite why this is the case is anyone's guess. Flight Unlimited 3 was released 15 years ago! In fact, I was so impressed with Flight Unlimited 3 (and also the FU2 San Francisco scenery that I used with it), that I gave up using MSFS for something like 8 years. I had been disappointed with MSFS ever since FS5 was released, but that is a story for another day! Then I decided that it was time to go and introduce myself to a few people. I made my way to the Mutley's Hangar stand, but Joe was rather busy at the time, so I turned and made my way across to the Just Flight stall to see if I could finally meet Mark Embleton. I wrote a couple of articles (Flight Unlimited 2, and Flight Unlimited 3 freeware) for PC Pilot magazine back in August 2002 and October 2003 respectively when Mark was Assistant Editor of the magazine, and I had always wanted to meet him. He was so helpful to me at the time, and I had spoken to him several times on the phone, but never in person. I had an idea which of the guys Mark was, and this was confirmed when I heard him talking to another customer. I witnessed the same enthusiastic and helpful manner that I remembered from those phone calls over a decade ago I eventually introduced myself, and the long wait was finally over! It was a pleasure and an honour to finally meet you, Mark I then wandered across to the Alpine Systems stand, and the rather impressive setup of three 40" widescreen monitors displaying P3D v2.3 and UK photographic scenery. I was at that stand for quite some time, and spoke to a couple of other guys (in addition to the person at the controls). In fact. this was yet another highlight of the show for me. I love being able to pass on my knowledge and information of various aspects of flight simulation, and that was the case here as I passed on information regarding my experience with P3D. The person to my left was interested in how well P3D was running on my system, and if I had managed to get all of my FSX addons working with it. That is indeed the case as far as scenery packages are concerned (with the help of the Estonia Migration Tool), although I am waiting for the ORBx triple installers before I install the individual FTX airfields that I use with my UK photographic scenery. Sadly, a couple of my favourite planes are currently not licensed for use in P3D, although PMDG are apparently developing a P3D version of the 737NGX. My only problem with this concerns the cost. In a perfect world, I would get a discount for the P3D version (since I will no longer be using the FSX version; I don't have FSX installed anymore), but I consider that to be highly unlikely! I am also concerned that the price could be significantly higher than the FSX version (unless they release an "Academic" version) Unfortunately, the Flight1 Cessna Citation Mustang is another story. Most people are probably aware that Flight1 have a strict "prohibited for use in P3D" policy as far as their addon planes are concerned, and the installer for the Mustang has been deliberately "sabotaged" so that the plane does not work properly. I think it's best that I do not comment any further about this, otherwise I am likely to "go off on one" After spending a fair bit of time at the Alpine Systems stand (including trying to work out how my pathetic single 19" LCD screen would compare to the triple screen monster that I was looking at), I decided to have another look at the Mutley's Hangar stand. Eventually, I got the chance to introduce myself to Joe, although he was always very busy. Don't worry about that though, Joe. We should know each other on sight next time, so I may get a chance to talk with you a bit more next year! You had a nice little setup there with those three monitors, and the yoke/throttle assembly. Whilst I am unlikely to ever run FS across three screens, it has made me think about whether I should upgrade to a widescreen monitor. In addition, it is worth noting that I only have a VGA (analog) connection between the graphics card and the monitor. I noted the really crisp and clear visuals on most of the screens at the show, and I suspect that this is because they were all using digital connections. I will have to remember that if I decide to upgrade. It would also be nice to have a proper yoke and throttle set (instead of my current CH Flightstick joystick), but I have a racing wheel and gear shifter clamped to my desk, so there is currently no room for anything else! After a brief pause to go and get a jumbo hotdog for lunch, I returned to the main Just Flight stand to ask Mark Embleton where I could find Richard (JFRich) and Martyn Northall. Mark told me that Rich was wandering around all over the place, but that Martyn was over at the other Just Flight stand (and not far away from that impressive looking Rolls Royce RB211 engine). He confirmed that Martyn was Peter Pan's brother So, I made my way across the hall, and finally introduced myself to Martyn. Another person came up to ask for advice, and we all had a short but interesting conversation about Oculus Rift, possible extra versions of the JF Canberra product, and future possibilities for Just Flight products in this series. Then Richard appeared, so I got to meet him aswell I then moved across to the second PC Pilot stand, and watched Jessica at work as she demonstrated P3D v2.4 and Austria Professional to an interested "punter". I then introduced myself to her, so that was another Mutley's Hangar member ticked on my list! Another wander brought me back to the Mutley's Hangar stand, and this time I was able to meet a handful of additional members. I watched Tim Arnot land his Cessna at Los Angeles International on his laptop, and then witnessed a couple of kids take control for a minute or so, after which they rapidly departed....leaving the poor Cessna to trundle rather aimlessly across the Californian countryside! I don't know what the situation was regarding "hands on" permission at the show, but I really do think that they should have asked Tim first before taking (admittedly brief) control I then moved around to the other side of the stand, and met John Guest and (I think) Patrick Horan? That was quickly followed by Brian Buckley and Adrian Spence (and his wife). A pleasure and an honour to meet you all At one point, I was at the main Just Flight stand for another brief talk with Mark Embleton. Someone asked him about P3D, and Mark actually handed him over to me, since he knew that I had recently switched to P3D from FSX. This guy was asking about a specific landmark near Gloucestershire airport that he used for real world VFR flights in the area. He was disappointed that this landmark (which he told me was an important one in the area for GA pilots) was not included in any flightsim that he had tested. This was a collection of three "golf ball" radomes. He didn't know the name of this facility, but maybe some member of this forum can identify it? I told him about Ray's FSX Power Project freeware package, but that I didn't know if this landmark was included in the package. I directed him to the Mutley's Hangar stand, and also to this forum. I really hope that he posts about it here, because it may be possible to help him out if a freeware model is available..... It was then time for me to make my way across to the auditorium in the main hall for the Quality Wings presentation. There were only a handful of people there when I arrived, so I thought that it was going to be a quiet affair. However, I think Joe's clock must have been running fast, and by the time that 2:30 PM arrived, the auditorium was packed! This seemed to please Cory and the rest of the Quality Wings team, which was nice after they had made what were undoubtedly long journeys just to visit our little show! It was nice to see the team that built one of my favourite planes in FSX/P3D (the 146), and I will be thanking them on their own forum in due course. The presentation itself was very interesting, although it is unlikely that I will actually purchase the 787. It's a bit too large and complex for me The presentation finished after 3:30 PM, so I just had time to make my way back to Hangar 1 to say goodbye to the new friends that I had made before I made the 150 mile journey home. I actually met someone else (in the toilets would you believe; don't worry, it was all above board) before I left, but I can't remember which company (or flightsim association) he was representing If you are reading these words, then please let me know! I suspect that I identified one or two other members of this forum at the show, because their faces seemed familiar. However, I never got the chance to introduce myself to them. A job for next time, me thinks Thank you all very much for taking the time to speak to me, and making my first ever flightsim show a very special experience. I will certainly never forget it. My only disappointment concerns the people who were not there (or I didn't meet). This includes my fellow beta testers at SIM720 (particularly Kevin Firth) and UK2000 (I do not know if any other UK2000 members visited), and also several developers (again SIM720 and UK2000, but also Darren and Vikki from Earth Simulations). I sincerely hope that I will be able to meet these guys at next year's event (or even before if any other "get togethers" can be organised). My very best wishes to you all 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 943 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 The domes could be the Dome Garden near Gloucestershire, a unique collection of geodesic domes or ecopods in the Forest of Dean, but there are more than three domes. Or it could be the visitor centre at a stately home which consists of three large "golf ball" size domes. Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 A very interesting journey of your wander around the show Chris. I was disappointed that I was not able to attend due to some very bad weather conditions and by the time it had cleared it was too late to attend. Never mind I will travel the night before next year and look for the same hotel as Joe (to play him up) Again thank you for producing an excellent report.. Link to post Share on other sites
adrians69 159 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 It was a pleasure to meet you also Chris, and I thought it was a fantastic show. I will definitely be there again next year and possibly stay on the Friday night ourselves. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Hi Chris, thanks for coming and introducing yourself. I am so sorry I couldn't give you more of my time. I had P3D running on my 3 screens for a while as JG was interested to se what it looked like but it was mostly FSX. My 3 x 23" screens were using the DVI connection from the graphics card. Thanks for a great show report I will retweet it on our Twitter page. Cheers.. Joe Link to post Share on other sites
patrico 8 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Hi Chris yes you got my name right Patrick Horan aka Patrico. A great review well done! I was disappointed I only got to meet yourself, Joe and John Guest despite many members indicating on this forum that they were coming! While it might be difficult for me to put a name to a face, I am easily identifiable by my wheelchair. I missed finding Jessica as I wanted to talk to her about an article she wrote in PC PILOT called flyipad. Joe their was me thinking that the reason you were constantly flying your sim, was to keep unsupervised children from wrecking it lol Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I need to go next year! Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Low 63 Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Wow, I have just been promoted to the front page on the AVSIM forum after posting a slightly modified version of this report in the Hangar Chat section. I know that some of you guys have mixed feelings about AVSIM, but I am well chuffed! Link to post Share on other sites
Tim_A 997 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I'm sure I saw your wheelchair - at least I saw several wheelchairs even if I didn't get a chance to speak (I was the fat one in red, as opposed to the shiny headed one in red!) My 210 definitely came home with a lot more dents in it! Whenever I turned around to talk to someone there was a kid on the controls within seconds, and shortly after, the plane was in the ground or some unusual attitude that needed recovering from (being at a show is good "unusual attitude recovery" training - anyone who's done a PPL will know what that's about!). But if I left the plane on autopilot, the kids would thrash the joystick until the blue lights started blinking in disgust. Then of course the little tykes would just walk off! Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Low 63 Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I wasn't the person in the wheelchair, Tim. That was Patrick. Link to post Share on other sites
Tim_A 997 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Yeah sorry - you snuck a reply in while I was writing my comment, so it got disjointed. Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Low 63 Posted October 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 I have been looking for any YouTube videos or photos of the show today, but (hopefully) people just haven't had a chance to upload them yet. Did any of you guys get the chance to take some pictures? Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 I was glued to the stand Chris so never got a chance Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Nor did I. Mags took some but will have to wait until we get home to sort them out. Link to post Share on other sites
Jess-b 420 Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 There were other stands! Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Were there? Link to post Share on other sites
patrico 8 Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 yes Jess, regretfully I never got to sample them mainly due to the crowds and the fact I was in a wheelchair and could not get in, I wanted to get some advice from yourself re a FlyIIpad article you wrote for PC Pilo Link to post Share on other sites
Jess-b 420 Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Ask away Patrick. Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Low 63 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 I have just had a scan through the photos that have been added to the Cosford 2014 website, and yours truly is visible in the fourth to last screenshot. If any of you want to know what I look like, then I am the half bald guy in the lower left wearing a dark blue jumper, and with his hands behind his back http://www.flightsimulatorshow.com/photos.html Link to post Share on other sites
adrians69 159 Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 I have just had a scan through the photos that have been added to the Cosford 2014 website, and yours truly is visible in the fourth to last screenshot. If any of you want to know what I look like, then I am the half bald guy in the lower left wearing a dark blue jumper, and with his hands behind his back http://www.flightsimulatorshow.com/photos.html And I'm in the same picture, just in front of the Comet in the blue coat bending over talking to my wife who is in the wheelchair!! Adrian Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Low 63 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 We're famous at last, Adrian Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,315 Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Hi guys Link to post Share on other sites
adrians69 159 Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 We're famous at last, Adrian I know Chris, I can almost taste my Beverly Hills mansion now!! Link to post Share on other sites
Onward79 54 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I'm looking forward to my first Flight Sim show visit as well. i would like to ask for some advice about those triple monitor layouts. I've had a chat with Wired2Fire but my problem is with my desk and the mounting arm. There's not enough room for a clamp at the back edge and wondered if anyone had overcome this somehow. I recall seeing a fixture that involved drilling through the desk and a stout fastening underneath but am still trying to find that again. Any thoughts, folks? Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 943 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 James, It would be best to start a new thread in the Hardware section of the Forum to get an answer to your question. This is an old thread specifically about the 2014 Cosford show. There are number of members who have triple screen setups and will be able to provide advice. Cheers Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
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