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smartCARS 3

Posted by Monty Roberts on 02/24/2024

 

SmartCARS 3 is now active on our website. 


TFDI will deactivate the old smartCARS 2 on September 18, 2024.  So, I recommend that you switch to smartCARS 3 by then. 


The installation is very simple.  Go to https://tfdidesign.com/index.php/download/category/11/smartCARS.html.  Download the smartCARS 3 Installer, and install the file on your computer.  Search their VA list for AMC Virtual.  Enter your AMCv Pilot ID (just the number), and your AMCv password.  After that, you're good to go. 

 

UPDATE: I just flew PUR1359, KSUU - RJTY with smartCARS 3.  I didn't have any issues with it.  It seems to track the same flight info as smartCARS 2.  The only additional info I noticed was radio frequencies.  And, it will automatically file your PIREP for you, after you kill the engines.  


Monty

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New FlightSim Community Survey

Posted by Monty Roberts on 01/16/2024

I wrote this article a couple of weeks ago, but have been debating whether to post it.  I decided to post it yesterday, after I received an email from one of our pilots who asked some questions about switching to MSFS 2020.  


After the 2023 FlightSim Community Survey results were posted, I wanted to see how they impact our corner of the flight simming world, military cargo.  The survey doesn’t directly address military cargo, but I was able to glean a few nuggets that do apply to us.  


23,736 sim pilots participated in this survey.  MSFS 2020 is now flown by 70.8% of the surveyed pilots, X-Plane is flown by 13.1% of the surveyed pilots, and Prepare3D is flown by 4.6% of the surveyed pilots.  Surprisingly, FSX was not even in the list.  And, the least flown sim in the list was AeroFly FS (flown by 0.1%).  This means that the number of pilots still flying FSX is less than 0.1%, virtually none of the surveyed pilots.  MSFS 2020 is unquestionably the dominate flight sim today.  However, that may not be the case for all military cargo pilots.  


The main problem with MSFS 2020, for us, is that there is only one flyable U.S. military cargo aircraft available, the PMDG 737 C-40.  The only other option we have is to fly CRAF cargo in the Asobo 747-8i.  There are a few European military cargo aircraft, but the Air Mobility Command has never flown them.  But, if you are looking for a flyable C-17, C-5M, C-130, C-141, or even a C-27J, forget it.  As of my last flight in the Delta Simulations C-17, it couldn’t fly IFR, or ILS, and there wasn’t a working FMC.  So, I have been flying the Asobo 747-8I with the Atlas livery, and the PMDG 737-700 BBJ with the C-40 livery.  That is ok, but it would really be nice to have a payware C-17 for MSFS 2020.  


For now, FSX has more military cargo aircraft.  So, that may be a real consideration, if you are thinking about switching to MSFS 2020.  


Something else that caught my eye was the section on virtual airlines.  Roughly one third of the surveyed pilots belong to a virtual airline.  The top two airlines they fly for are vRYR and vEZY (???).  Third and fourth were Southwest Virtual and Delta Virtual Airlines.  Toward the bottom of the list were United Virtual, and Virtual American Airlines.  And, FedEx and UPS weren’t even on the list.  It appears that all of these surveyed pilots who are members of a VA fly for a commercial virtual airline.  


The section on Aircraft that Pilots Enjoy Flying was also revealing:

Narrow-body commercial airliners are enjoyed by 72.5%.

Wide-body commercial airliners are enjoyed by 60.0%.  

Single engine pistons are enjoyed by 51.2%.  

Turbo props are enjoyed by 51.1%.  

Business Jets are enjoyed by 40.6%.  

Multi engine pistons are enjoyed by 40.5%.  

Wide-body freighters were enjoyed by 28.9%.  

Narrow-body freighters are enjoyed by 24.7%.  


None of the surveyed pilots belong to a cargo VA, but 28.9% fly wide-body freighters, and 24.7% fly narrow-body freighters.  So, a little over a fourth of the surveyed pilots enjoy flying cargo.  But, those cargo pilots seem to prefer to fly solo.  


All in all, this survey really helped me to understand why cargo aircraft, specifically U.S. military cargo aircraft, are not a very high priority for MSFS aircraft developers.  There is a pecking order here.  The reason commercial aircraft, general aviation, and business jets are being developed and sold is because more pilots enjoy flying them.  However, if this survey is any indicator of the MSFS aircraft market, about 25% of the market seems to enjoy flying cargo aircraft.  And, military cargo is a smaller subset of that group.  As soon as all the low hanging fruit is gone, I’m sure some of the developers will turn their attention to military cargo.  


One last thing.  If you are still on the fence about MSFS 2020, there is one other thing to consider.  Several months ago, Microsoft announced that they will release a new version of Flight Simulator in 2024, MSFS 2024.  And at this point, it looks like MSFS 2024 will not be free.  


Monty

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Bob Gorman

Posted by Monty Roberts on 01/11/2024

I received the sad news last night that one of our pilots, Bob Gorman, AMC0072, passed away December 27, 2022. 

 

Bob was a lifelong resident of Devon, Canada.  According to his obituary, “Bob discovered simulated aircraft flying where he piloted various aircraft throughout North America without ever leaving the comfort of home.  His keen sense of humor was evidenced by his preference for the newer aircraft claiming they were more ‘fuel efficient’.” 

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s family.

 

Bob’s last flight with us was SCC0072, from CYYZ to CYHZ.  I used this route to create a memorial flight for Bob.  To sign up for it, click on "Memorial: Bob Gorman" in the Fast Track and Events section.

 

Monty

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Happy New Year!

Posted by Monty Roberts on 01/01/2024

Happy New Year to you all! 

 

Monty

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Merry Christmas!

Posted by Monty Roberts on 12/25/2023

Merry Christmas to all of our AMCv Pilots! 

 

Monty

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Activity Feed

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from MUGM to KLAX View Flight Report

AMC0010 Dave Underwood has filed a PIREP from CYYR to EGVA View Flight Report

AMC0025 Tim Knight has filed a PIREP from YSSY to KSFO View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLAX to MUGM View Flight Report

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AMC0042 Bill Eblin has filed a PIREP from RJFZ to RJOI View Flight Report

AMC0001 Monty Roberts has filed a PIREP from KSUU to RJTY View Flight Report

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AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from PAED to RJTY View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KSUU to KMSP View Flight Report

AMC0001 Monty Roberts has filed a PIREP from KSUU to RJTY View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLAX to PGUA View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVCR to VLVT View Flight Report

AMC0025 Tim Knight has filed a PIREP from YSSY to KSFO View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from KBAB to KDYS View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from RODN to VVDN View Flight Report

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AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLAX to KDOV View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from PASY to RJTY View Flight Report

AMC0071 Burt Dykeman has filed a PIREP from KFFO to KWRI View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from SGAS to SVLO View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KOFF to KTIK View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KFLL to KSEA View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from RPLC to PGUA View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KADW to KFLL View Flight Report

AMC0040 Michael Jon has filed a PIREP from EEEI to ETAR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from EGPK to CYOW View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from OAIX to EBLG View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VTUU to VVCR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from CYOW to EGPK View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLCK to KBGR View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVNT to VVCR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KBAB to KVBG View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVDN to VVNT View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from RODN to VVDN View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVCA to VVDN View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from UKBB to ETAR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from ORAA to OJAQ View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from OMDB to OAIX View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLRF to KSKA View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KLAX to PANC View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from EGUN to KLTS View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from RPLC to VVCH View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from ETAR to OMDB View Flight Report

AMC0071 Burt Dykeman has filed a PIREP from CYHZ to CYYT View Flight Report

AMC0031 Nicholas Pallante has filed a PIREP from KLTS to KDOV View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from ETAR to UKBB View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KNMM to KGBN View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from KDOV to ETAR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KTBN to KSSC View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KCHS to KBIX View Flight Report

AMC0031 Nicholas Pallante has filed a PIREP from KSPS to KLTS View Flight Report

AMC0025 Tim Knight has filed a PIREP from KADW to KNLC View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KDFW to LLBG View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from LPLA to KDOV View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVCR to VTUU View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KEND to KMCF View Flight Report

AMC0071 Burt Dykeman has filed a PIREP from CYTR to CYZX View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from LFLL to LPLA View Flight Report

AMC0071 Burt Dykeman has filed a PIREP from CYWG to CYTR View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VTBU to VVCR View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KEND to TGPY View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVPB to VVDN View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVDN to VVPB View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KRCA to KEND View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KVPS to KRCA View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from KHMN to KLRF View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KDMA to KVPS View Flight Report

AMC0040 Michael Jon has filed a PIREP from KLUF to PAED View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from KBFI to KHMN View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from LIRA to LTBJ View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KBNA to KDMA View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KEDW to KBNA View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from PAED to KLMT View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KBAB to KEDW View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from KCHS to KPHX View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from KRCA to KBFI View Flight Report

AMC0010 Dave Underwood has filed a PIREP from KDYS to KSZL View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from RODN to KBFI View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from RPLC to VVTS View Flight Report

AMC0010 Dave Underwood has filed a PIREP from KMIB to KDYS View Flight Report

AMC0071 Burt Dykeman has filed a PIREP from CYZX to CYTR View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from KADW to KEGE View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVPA to VVCR View Flight Report

AMC0009 David Waffler has filed a PIREP from KNXX to KCHS View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVPC to VVPA View Flight Report

AMC0040 Michael Jon has filed a PIREP from ETAR to EEEI View Flight Report

AMC0062 David Kurth has filed a PIREP from VVDN to RODN View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVTH to VVPC View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVCR to VTBU View Flight Report

AMC0007 Bob Mitchell has filed a PIREP from PHNG to KSUU View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from RJTY to RODN View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from CYTR to CYFB View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from PAED to RJTY View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KVBG to PAED View Flight Report

AMC0004 Neil Bonner has filed a PIREP from KTIK to KDOV View Flight Report

AMC0011 Rod Denison has filed a PIREP from UEEE to RKSI View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from KLRF to KRCA View Flight Report

AMC0074 David Lowe has filed a PIREP from KHST to KVBG View Flight Report

AMC0073 Gaston Webb has filed a PIREP from VVNT to VVTH View Flight Report