Goshawk version 2.55 out...

Just a quick note to let you know that I have released yet another small update to the T-45C... actually this isn't much of a change - and then the user base of the Goshawk is relatively low... so I will not be uploading to avsim and flightsim as I usually do.

VERSION 2.55
- Fixed FLAP Advisory light bug (lights were showing only when landing gear was down)
- Fixed MFDs Power bug (displays kept on working even if battery was switched off)
- Added (minimal and always caged) HUD page to all MFDs. Page has the CAGE command for main HUD
- Added higher brightness variants of the HUD. BRT knob now actually controls the brightness of the HUD (2 settings for each color)
- CAGE/UNCAGE control is (as in reality) available in the MFD->HUD page
- Minimal graphic improvement to a couple of VC textures
- Solved geometry issue with instructor VC
- Minor adjustments to bounding box

Download links on this blog (and on the previous release post) have been updated - and you may also download it from my Google Drive by clicking HERE.
Apologies for the inconvenience of releasing so many updated in such a short period of time.

T-45C Goshawk project release 2.55

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...and yet another update...

VERSION 2.55
- Fixed FLAP Advisory light bug (lights were showing only when landing gear was down)
- Fixed MFDs Power bug (displays kept on working even if battery was switched off)
- Added (minimal and always caged) HUD page to all MFDs. Page has the CAGE command for main HUD
- Added higher brightness variants of the HUD. BRT knob now actually controls the brightness of the HUD (2 settings for each color)
- CAGE/UNCAGE control is (as in reality) available in the MFD->HUD page
- Minimal graphic improvement to a couple of VC textures
- Solved geometry issue with instructor VC
- Minor adjustments to bounding box

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FURTHER UPDATE TO V2.52.... SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!

Getting rid of the dependency on the F/A-18 code was a little bit trickier than I thought... it turns out that it was driving also some of the advisory lights trigger I was using... so here we go with a further, and hopefully last for a while, update to the T-45C.

VERSION 2.52
- Fixed AoA indexer logic (now compliant to the real deal)
- Fixed bug preventing FLAPS advisory light to show

Download links have been amended, and file is being sent to avsim and flightsim as I write.

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IMPORTANT! UPDATED TO V2.51!
If you have downloaded version 2.50 you should download again the file - sorry for the inconvenience!

VERSION 2.51
- Fixed bug preventing AoA indexer to work properly (note: AoA indexer is currently reporting the Angle of Incidence rather than the real AoA... therefore its optimal values are different from the AoA dials, but are now consistent with the HUD indications).
- Added Hook Bypass functionality (clicking the Bypass switch turns on the AoA indexer even if the tailhook is not deployed)
- Fixed minor bug in panel.cfg showing debug data rather than GPS

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I took the chance of the release of Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v2 to create and release a (much needed) update to the T-45C Goshawk project. The major feature of this update is that there is a fresh new MFD system, written for scratch to both get rid of the dependence from fa-18.dll library AND have MFDs which are MUCH closer to the real deal (actually some pages are 100% compliant to the NATOPS).

A couple of important notes:
- I have slightly modified the HSI page so that some soft keys are assigned to basic AUTOPILOT functions (rather than Waypoint management)
- Some pages are non-functional - sorry you have to live with that. Some will show "INOP", while some others like the DATA page will show authentic, but inoperative, layout (this is just to show what would be the pilot interface in reality).
- You can make MK76 training bombs appear by clicking the STRS -> A/G -> BOMB buttons. These bombs are cosmetic only and are non-droppable
- The files are signed for Tacpack multiplayer... but there are no weapons whatsoever. The only working Tacpack functions is support for Tacpack Carrier Navaids: you have to enter the Tacpack "VOR equivalent" frequency into NAV1: if Tacan is detected, NAV2 will be automatically scanned for Tacpack Carrier ILS frequency. Tacpack navaids will show ONLY in the HUD (will not show in the MFDs HSI or anywhere else)
- To install the aicraft in P3D you should follow the same procedure as for FSX (with the obvious changes... unzip in the Prepar3d main folder rather than the FSX main folder... I hope this goes without saying, but you never know!)

Detail of the changes are as follows:

VERSION 2.50
- Full compatibility with Prepar3d v1.X and v2.0!
- Completely redone MFD system, now features an (almost) complete and (partially) true to NATOPS bespoke MFD system.
  Acceleration F/A-18 files are not require anymore.
- Changed pilot figures with professionally made models
- Minor tweaks to glass representation, both in exterior models and interior models
- Aircraft has now 3 Master Modes (NAV, A-A, A-G) selectable from the STRS page
- User can make (non functional) MK76 training bombs to appear by selecting BOMB in the STRS page 
- Added proper A/G DEPression controls, will show in the HUD A/G mode
- Autopilot now routed through the HSI page
- Minor tweaks to the VC geometry
- Support for TacPack Carrier NAVAIDS (only through HUD - Tune NAV1 to Carrier TACAN, ILS will be tuned automatically on NAV2)
- Files are now signed for TacPack multiplayer (although the plane is completely disarmed)
- Minor tweaks to AoA inidcations (still not 100% correct, but should be better)
- Removed voice alerts
- Fixed minor bug in instructor MFDs
NOTE: FLIGHT MANUAL NOT UPDATED

Well... I believe that is all. The file, for the moment, will be hosted only on this blog to limit its diffusion in case of major bugs. It will be uploaded to the usual repositories as soon as it is verified it works as intended.

You can download the file by clicking HERE , or by clicking on the side bar.
Have fun!

Project updates and miscellaneous information

The past few weeks have been very busy for me - especially for my real world job. This has caused a significant slowdown in my flight simulation projects, and I need to refocus my priorities and objectives in that field, given that, most likely, I will not have much more time in future than what I had in the past months.
Also, as many of you are aware of, I have been invited to the Beta stage of Prepare3d v2 - which is awesome. I was really impessed by the work Lockheed Martin did on this product and, finally, it is a huge step forward from Flight Simulator X.

So, here is a the list of projects I am working on, and the scopes I'd like to achieve for each one. Feedback is, as always, welcome.

BOEING T-45C GOSHAWK

The fact that P3D does not feature the FA-18.dll (that is the library that draws the Acceleration F/A-18 HUD and MFDs) makes it so that you cannot rely on its presence to devop add-ons... so I decided to create new, bespoke MFDs for the T-45C. So an update is on the way - it will also feature some minor graphic improvements along with very minor fixes. The update will alwaHere is how it looks in P3Dv2:

GRUMMAN F-14D TOMCAT

For the very same reasons of the T-45C update, a further improvement to the F-14D is planned. Bespoke MFDs will be created and there will minor graphical enhancements along with other minor fixes.
This update will also possibly bring some minor fixes to the Tacpack functionalities... still TBD.

LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 LIGHTNING II
I have also been working on a F-35 update to fix some bugs and enhance Tacpack functionalities (including Head Mounted Display and AIM-9X off-boresight firing)... then during the Beta stage of Prepar3D I have identified some minor incompatibilities which I'd like to fix.
Aside, a limited, CTOL only version of the F-35 will be present in the default installation of Prepar3D 2.0.

LOCKHEED S-3B VIKING
With all the things above, I believe it's no surprise that the S-3B development is suffering some delays... at the moment, the external model is 99% done (it just misses the lights, the squadron marking and some minor texturing tweaks) and I have started working on the VC. Beta by the end of the year is probably an unrealistic target.

So, this is the situation. Too much stuff for me to handle simultaneously so I'll go one-by-one, starting from the T-45C udpate.
One last note is the fact that you may have noticed that I am not updating this blog as often as I did in the past... Well, I do not have time to do so - I will mostly use Facebook in future, just beacause it is faster. But this does not mean this blog will be terminated: it will still be used for major updates and will provide the official links to the latest versions of my projects.

F-14D Tomcat version 2.11

As discussed on my facebook page, here is a minor update to the F-14D which fixes some minor inaccuracies that were both annoying and easy to fix - also, I've been working with VRS to solve the Tacpack carrier navaids issue. There are still some annoying bugs here and there, but this release should be good for a more widespread distribution. Release notes are as follows:

VERSION 2.11
October 27th, 2013

- fixed the AIM-7 mounting position for STA1B and 8B
- fixed the taileron animation
- improved the Lantirn pod material rendering
- fix the main landing gear animation speed
- added HUD indications for Tacpack-generated Tacans (the boat and the refueling tanker)
- added HUD indications for Tacpack-generated Carrier ILS (note ILS fequency is automatically tuned once the Tacan is tuned with NAV1 Radio)

Just to clarify the note on the carrier navaids, carriers in Tacpack are spawned with specifc, Tacpack driven Navaids (although they may have their own "embedded" in their mdl files). In the Tacpack "generic" implementation works as follows: the NAV1 active frequency should be tuned to the Tacpack Carriers TACAN equivalent frequency (MHz), while NAV2 should be tuned to the ILS frequency of the boat.
To make things a little easier in my implementation, you should tune NAV1 to the Tacpack Carrier TACAN, and then, if you are within 20 miles for the boat, NAV2 is automatically adjusted to the ILS frequency of the boat. Tacpack specific navaids will ONLY show in the HUD.

Download link to version 2.11 is HERE.

F-14D Tomcat Version 2.10 (Limited Introduction)

Given that I will not have much time for FSX in the next few weeks, I have decided to pack the latest build as it is and release the F-14D version 2.10 right away.
This version has not been tested as long as it should have been...and I am sure it is plenty of bugs. On the other hand, I simply will not have much time for the next month or so... so here we are with version 2.10.
The big thing, as you are probably are aware of, is the Tacpack support - which is more or less on par with what I provided for the F-35 (hopefully!).
Please note, however, that the F-14D has MUCH less automation than the Superbug and the Lightning II... hence it requires you to switch to the Rio cockpit from time to time.
Also, please HAVE A LOOK AT THE MANUAL. At least the Weapon Systems Reference Guide - some switches need manual operation for some systems to work!

Change log is as follows:

-added weapon models: AIM-9, AIM-7, AIM-54, GBU-31, GBU-10, GBU-12, Mk.82, Mk.83, Mk.84 (weight dependant, see manual)
-added Lantirn Pod model
-fixed tailhook design 
-fixed taileron pivot position
-fixed miscellaneous texturing errors
-changed RIO-cockpit 3D model geometry (now correctly mimics a typical F-14D Rio Station)
-fixed wheel anti-skid function
-revised RIO displays functionalities and graphics
-addeed landing gear kneel animation when launch bar retracts
-fixed RIO station fuel indicators
-Added limited integration with Vertical Reality Simulations Tacpack package version 1.4.0.9 or above (see below)
-Added Weapons Systems Reference Document for Tacpack Functionalities
-Added Weapons Configurator for Tacpack weapons
-Partial rework of sound cues
-Reworked engine performance in attept to achive a more realistic behavior
-Improved special effects (a/B, heat shimmer)
-Minor changes to roll rate and general handling for realism
-Added Miscellaneous Repaints courtesy of Jiri Soukup and Groom Lake Simulations.

For the moment, please DO NOT upload this file anywhere else. I'd like to be sure it is free from major bugs before it spreads too much over the internet...

Download link is HERE 

F-35 Lightning II Version 2.30 (Limited Introduction)

Here is the much awaited F-35 update for FSX:Acceleration which also supports the Tacpack (version 1.4.0.8 or later required).
For the moment, it will only be available on this blog - in order to check it works correctly. Most likely there will be bandwith issues with Google Drive... anyway, as soon as it is confirmed that it works as it should, it will be uploaded at the usual repositories too.

Download from Google Drive by clicking HERE

REVISION HISTORY
Version 2.30
October 4th 2013
Added basic Tacpack Support (requires Vertical Reality Simulation's Tacpack module)
Added Tacpack compatible weapons (Cannon, AIM-9X, AIM-120C, GBU-31, GBU-10, GBU-12, JSOW, MK-84, Mk-83, MK82)
Added Tacpack A/A functions: Az/El search and L&S designation, Gun (Gun Director and Funnel modes), Sidewinders launch (Visual Boresight and Radar Slaved), Slammer launch (Visual Boresight and Radar Slaved).
Added Tacpack A/G functions: TOO mode, AUTO release, MANual release, CCIP mode.
Added Miscellaneous Tacpack functions: NVGs, Working RWR, Chaffs, Flares, In-flight Refuel.
Added Weapons Configurator
Added miscellaneous custom keystrokes
Added sonic-boom effects
Added anti-skid for wheels
Minor tweaks to very low speeds
Minor tweaks to roll rate
Added AF-01 and BF-01 textures
Minor improvements to -B and -C versions texture sets
Added Warlords tail art
Fixed weapon loads token weights mistakes
Added test flight nose probe (triggered by pilot weight – set it to 201 lbs and it will show)
Improved afterburner effects
Added heat shimmer effects

NOTE: FROM THIS RELEASE (2.30) A LIMITED INTEGRATION WITH VERTICAL REALITY SIMULATION IS PROVIDED. VRS TACPACK VERSION 1.4.0.8 OR LATER IS REQUIRED FOR FULL FUNCTIONALITY, BUT IT IS NOT MANDATORY FOR AICRAFT OPERATION.

Yet another progress report for my projects...

Unfortunately, the public release of the VRS Tacpack update has been delayed once again... and its release date has been changed from "imminent" to "it is done when it is done"... This is a little inconvenience for me, as it pretty much screws up my release plan and schedule, but knowing the VRS guys a little you can rest assured this is done for good reasons and the Tacpack will only get better.
So, here is where I am with my projects:

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

This is pretty much done and ready for release. Actually has been sitting on my HD without further modifications for few weeks now. The only thing that I would like to add would be some sort of pre-planned Air-to-Surface targeting, which is missing at the moment (only TOO targets are supported), but it is good to go IMHO.

This is the change log for this release:

Version 2.30

• Added basic Tacpack Support (requires Vertical Reality Simulation's Tacpack module)
• Added Tacpack compatible weapons (Cannon, AIM-9X, AIM-120C, GBU-31, GBU-10, GBU-12, JSOW, MK-84, Mk-83, MK82)
• Added Tacpack A/A functions: Az/El search and L&S designation, Gun (Gun Director and Funnel modes), Sidewinders launch (Visual Boresight and Radar Slaved), Slammer launch (Visual Boresight and Radar Slaved).
• Added Tacpack A/G functions: TOO mode, AUTO release, MANual release, CCIP mode.
• Added Miscellaneous Tacpack functions: NVGs, Working RWR, Chaffs, Flares, In-flight Refuel.
• Added Weapons Configurator
• Added miscellaneous custom keystrokes
• Added sonic-boom effects
• Added anti-skid for wheels
• Minor tweaks to very low speeds
• Minor tweaks to roll rate
• Added AF-01 and BF-01 textures
• Minor improvements to -B and -C versions texture sets
• Added Warlords tail art
• Fixed weapon loads token weights mistakes
• Added test flight nose probe (triggered by pilot weight – set it to 201 lbs and it will show)
• Improved afterburner effects and added heat shimmer fx
  
  

Grumman F-14D Tomcat
This is the project I have been working on for the most part, lately. I planned to provide a very basic Tacpack support...and I am still adding stuff. The updates to the 3D models are done, but I need to write some code for the new RIO switches and functions. And the HUD Air-to-Ground modes has some bugs. Not sure how long it will take to complete it.

Lockheed S-3B Viking

Slow, but steady, progress on this one. The external model is almost done (basically it missing just some texturing), while the cockpit modeling is not started yet. Still looking promising. Here is how it looks right now...

Boeing T-45C Goshawk

Just a quick note in reply to a frequently asked question: there is NO update planned on this one for two reasons: the first is that there is little to be fixed, IMHO, and the second one is that I do not have time. *BUT* I am still taking notes and listening to feedback - and may be in future I will modify it once again.