Jarn just sent word that he had published this review/interview article on the Twin Comanche. I'm speechless...

Some of the biggest news out of the aviation community in quite some time comes out of Bend, Oregon with the announcement that Cessna has won the auction of Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing by default for 26.9 Million. This comes as great news to fans and owners of current Columbia aircraft. Cessna made it clear from the beginning that they intended to maintain status quo by continuing production of new 350s and 400s and also upholding warranties of current aircraft. Check out Aero-News for more information...

[EDIT]It appears that Cessna has released an official Public Release regarding the acquisition of CAM. What I find most interesting is the fact that the Columbia 400 and 350 will now become Cessna 350 and Cessna 400.

Using a utility I will not name, the Twin Comanche has been analyzed for draw calls within FSX, and it "goes up to eleven!" That's it. Using the very same utility, the default FSX Maule results in TEN draw calls. It doesn't get much better than this folks. Optimization of both texture counts and draw calls is the answer for well performing aircraft in Flight Simulator, period! It can be done - the FSX Twin Comanche proves that. (Thanks Bill!)

Bjørn has been a busy bee since the release of our FSX Twin Comanche. Nick has been actively posting images of some brand-new paint schemes for the Twin Comanche that are (IMHO) Bjørn's the best yet! I'll post download information for the new bottom two as soon as it is available!

D-GALX for FS9- download here. D-GALX for FSX- download here.

 

Eaglesoft PA-30 Twin Comanche TFFJ

I was sorting through some paper near my desk this morning, and I stumbled upon some of the drawings and images I used as production references for the Twin Comanche. I thought that it would be fun to share these images with you and give a glimpse at the method to my madness.

Here is a top view and appropriate notes. Believe it or not, all of this made perfect sense to me at the time. I took measurements using a carpenter's measuring tape that only had inches and feet. All of these figures had to be converted to meters, as that is the measurement unit used in GMax or Max for an FS model.

More measurements, this time on the underneath of the aircraft. I guess Algebra does come in handy in the real world! :)

This time I'm measuring the dimensions of the windows, tires, and anything else that has a dimension from the left or right. And yes, I do my homework to determine what the airfoil of the wing is shaped. ;)

Measurements of the door and hinges. It appears that I forgot to get the dimensions of the rear tie-down. I'm sure that was retrieved on another sheet that has been misplaced.

If you happen to find your subject aircraft in annual inspection, you'll have a golden opportunity to take pictures of the seats while they are outside of the aircraft. Even better, it allows for easier measurements without having to contort through a cramp cabin.

And finally here is the panel with appropriate dimensions noted. When modeling an aircraft, you can never get too many measurements of the real aircraft. That sure saves some headaches when things do not fit together well from poor estimation of size. I hope that this has been an interesting look at the behind-the-scenes of aircraft model development!

Courtesy of the fine folks at SimPilot Magazine, a 2008 calendar is now available for order just in time for the holidays! From SimPilot:

Would you like to start 2008 with a set of 12 stunning flight sim pictures on your wall? We've created a high quality calendar containing 12 product shots of the best FS add-ons on the market. Celebrate the New Year in true flight sim style!

What's in this calendar?

• 12 high quality pictures of stunning flight sim aircraft and scenery
• Shots from companies including Captain Sim, Carenado, Eaglesoft, Flight 1/Scenery Solutions, FS Addon, Just Flight, Orbx, and Sim Pilot Experience
• Professionally printed in A3 format
• Three languages: English, French and German
• Public holidays for UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Germany.

The calendar includes these pictures:

January	February
March	April
May	June
July	August
September	October
November	December

Microsoft Game Studios recently launched TSInsider.com as the Train Simulator 2 web site, much like FSInsider.com is the home to Flight Simulator X. While the site is in its infancy, there is some pretty good information to wet the appetite on the product information page. This is definitely a site to bookmark!

The FSX Twin Comanche has been on the market for less than 48 hours, and already the public is giving rave reviews:

From the AVSIM forums:

"...This is my new DEFAULT aircraft! I just cannot believe how FSX, SP1, SP2, and Acceleration MIXED with UTX, FEX, Cloud 9, FS Genesis, and FURTHER MIXED with this wonderful Comanche make for one of the most pleasureable experiences I've ever had in this hobby."

"...For 20 bucks and change it's an amazing deal with an excellent VC, well placed clickspots, removable yoke (love that feature), smooth gauges, flight model seem very well done, it works in DX10 preview and I'm seeing little FPS hit. This is my first Eaglesoft aircraft, I'll now look forward to owning more, very, very impressed."

"...I see ZERO frame hits and unbelievable cockpit and spot realism. I don't know how you did it, but other developers need to take a lesson here. There's nothing worse than spending money on an aircraft only to have it "hiccup" its way through a sim. This Comanche is seamless on my system, and gives 100% enjoyment. Thanks again."

From the Sim-Outhouse forums:

"...Just got it and flew it--wonderful aircraft. One of the ONLY FSX add-ons I have that don't have at least one little glitch in Acceleration. The best 21 bucks I"ve ever spent on an add-on. BRAVO!!!!!"

"...Yours feels really close to my admitedly poor memory, but the thing that hit me when I flew it the first time last night was when I turned downwind and the view of the runway totally went away as I panned to the left. Those engine nacelles totally block the view and I instantly remembered that from the real plane. Good stuff."

After 23 days from the FS9 release, the Twin Comanche is finally available for FSX! Features include (Exclusive FSX features highlighted in Gold):

Aircraft Feature List

• Accurate and Finest Quality FSX Model using the latest 3D Studio Max techniques
• Separate model for exterior and interior
• Specular Maps, Reflective DXT5 Textures
• 5.1 Surround sound package experience based on real world PA-30 sounds
• Six High Quality PA-30 liveries included!
• Accurate and Finest Quality Virtual Cockpit with Full Animations
• Accurate and extremely realistic Flight Dynamics
• Accurate systems modeling
• Accurate animated control surfaces
• Accurate reflective textures, dynamic shine, luxurious night lighting
• Accurate wing views from the luxurious Cockpit
• Easy to use PA-30 Repaint Kit to create your own favorite livery, with specular map templates (Coming Soon!) 
• Requires FSX SP1!

Cockpit Feature List

• Exclusive! 16:9 Widescreen Monitor 2D Panel supported!
• Improved Photo Realistic 2D and VC Panel
• Bendix King KI825 · J.P. Instruments EDM 760 · S-Tec 55X Autopilot
• SimFlyer Garmin GNS480, MX20, and PMA8000 Audio Panel
• Eaglesoft Garmin GTX 330 Transponder, Vatsim Compatible
• Extensive System Documentation including real world information

....And much more!

Visit the Eaglesoft website to obtain your copy now!

Bruce just posted a review of the new Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System and Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant on his Web site. Be sure to check it out!

Stay tuned!

Here is a quick video I shot today demonstrating my custom sound cones I've implemented in the FSX version of the Twin Comanche.

   
Video: Twin Comanche X Sound cone Demo