Friday, March 20, 2009

T-45C comments and suggestions for future updates

Goshawk in flight (current version v1.25)

I am relatively happy with the overall quality of the Goshawk. I hope you all like it, too, and have fun flying it. Still, there are some things that are far from being perfect. While I am fully committed to deliver the Tomcat in a reasonable time (i.e.possibly before Easter) - I will try also to improve the Goshawk. At present, version 1.25 being the current release, I have the following points in my agenda:

- Slightly incorrect dimensions. The Goshawk is slightly longer and taller than it should be . Wingspan is correct. This is an annoying defect for me but it is not easy to fix. Current dimensional error is less than 30cm....so it is not really a big problem.
-AoA indexer lights are not completely visible for the pilot. It is usable, but I can surely improve its placement.
-The lower surface of the wing does not blend smoothly into the fuselage. Again, this is not much visible (or better, it is not noticeable if you don't know what the lower side of the wing should look like) but still...
- HUD transparency: while it is more or less as transparent as the Acceleration F/A-18, it is not clear enough for night operations. Again, not a big issue.
- Add models with baggage pod / training bomb racks. As the T-45C load configurations are few, it would be nice to add them.
Now, what I'd really like to have is a proper "carrier qualification" mission - with voices, awards and everything...but I've never designed a mission nor I have the time to do so. Also, a custom sound set would be great...but this is another thing I never did...
Well, if you do have other suggestions or constructive criticism, please leave a comment or email me.

8 comments:

SpazSinbad said...

Dino, All modifications so far have been as good as your excellent Goshawk overall. It would be nice to have a truly transparent HUD for night landings, particularly when FCLP (Field Carrier Landing Practice) is done at night mostly.
Another change would be to the actual IAS speed for usual landing configuration of FULL FLAP according to the table seen in the PDF in the previous release of the Goshawk. ALL IAS starting from 11,000 lbs AUW in 500 lb increments to finish at 13,000 lbs are as follows:
114 Knots at 11,000 lbs AUW
116
119
121
124 Knots at 13,000 lbs AUW

Diagram with these figures here:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l261/SpazSinbad/GoshawkTOlandIASweight.gif

At present when at Optimum Angle of Attack the IAS is lower by about ten knots in FSX.

SpazSinbad said...

URL is to a NATOPS Goshawk deck landing pattern diagram:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l261/SpazSinbad/DLpatternGoshawkCarQualNEWforum.gif

David said...

I know you said the model would be too big, but I would still like an instructor virtual cockpit :O.
The funny thing is that the Goshawk runs better on my pc than almost all other non-FSX planes I have :P.

Besides that I think you've said all that I can come up with. It's an awesome plane :D

SpazSinbad said...

Agree with comments about Goshawk. It is the best. I'm always surprised about how well the internet does NOT work particularly when IE 8 is now available. Testing the LONG URLs in previous post I see that the .GIF extension is dropped. So here is the TINY URL for the NATOPS carrier landing diagram (GIF): http://tiny.cc/wqXjO

Here is the Landing Weight / Speed Tiny URL for the GIF graphic:
http://tiny.cc/ZwoQw

ScimmiaSpaziale said...

Thanks a lot for your appreciation. As for your suggestions:
- HUD transparency...I'll give it a try. I think it can be made with a different transparency tecnique I am not used to do.
- Approach speeds...I hope I will have the time for that:this usually requires a long "try and error" testing campaign
- Instructor VC - it is likely that a full instructor VC would be too big. It would be worth a try if I had more time...

Other comments I have received by e-mail:
- turn indicator behaviour is weird. This depends on the variable I am using to animate it...which is not correct. Not sure if I can fix it easily
- Launch bar disengages after 19 seconds: not a big deal but I have already fixed it.

tutmeister said...

Would just like to mention that we are using your model at usecforce.com as a part of our training course for our jet pilots on VATSIM. Many thanks for your time and effort in making such a truly wonderful aircraft!

poppy said...

I appreciate you for writing this post. Points are stated thoroughly.

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