Do you have any idea when it it will be out of beta?

Hi!
Well, the idea is to keep developing it and to always have a stable version (currently 0.1.2) and a beta version with newer features but maybe somewhat less testing.
The current beta version is 0.1.3 beta 2. It has proven to be stable so I can recommend it for download. It has quite a large number of added features since the last version I announced here. Among which:
[ul][*] Support for add-on aircraft, including a full-function aircraft editor to modify or create your own.[*] Support for glider towing[*] Much improved weather & wind model that allows for slope soaring[*] New aircraft including retractable landing gear and flaps[*] Possibility to change the time-of-day/sky
[/ul]
You can download the latest beta [link=http://rcdeskpilot.com/beta]here[/link].
You can already find a couple of dozen add-on aircraft on [link=http://gunnerson.homestead.com/files/rcdp_models.htm]ggunners page[/link] or on [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1102829]RCGroups[/link].

I haven't made a trailer yet to showcase these features, but here are some videos from during the development:
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myIRFY8Pag4[/link] (slope soaring)
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX8Wg-bNy2s[/link] (glider towing)
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHy73xujk3A[/link] (aircraft editor)
And a screenshot:

Cheers,
Davy

Looking good!
Editor is great, as is the slope soaring. I am confused however with the ground handling of the Cessna - it swerves all over the place.
It isn't my controller, because it was fine on the last version.

Keep up the great work!

Graeme

thanks

Thanks for the comments Graeme. I reworked the ground interaction (bounces, landing etc), and I think I improved most of it, except maybe the ground steering. I've put it on the todo list.

Cheers,
Davy

Hi everybody,
The new version is finally finished: RCDP version 0.1.3 is available for download on the [link=http://rcdeskpilot.com/download]RCDP website[/link].

Some of the new features:
[ul][*]dramatically improved wind/thermal model[*]improved flight model[*]a user manual[*]updated editor (+manual) to support the new flight model[*]a few extra versions of the included aircraft
[/ul]

Happy flying!
Davy
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_dPi0oIlvw[/youtube]

awesome program! I was planning on purchasing real flight but you produced an equally satisfying product!
I am using the keyboard right now, which is sometimes difficult, so do you know of a USB connecter for a spektrum dx5e to windows 7?
that would be awesome
thanks for the program, good work!

Hi Davy,

Just downloaded RC Desk Pilot and it's great. Using it with Vista and a Dynam 4-channel controller that Ipurchased with a Hawk Sky from Nitro.
How do you add the zip file of Gary Gunnerson's Hawk Fly to the RC Desk Pilot planes menu? I've already downloaded the zip file, or I can do it again if needed.

Thanks in advance. Alan

Thanks. Just Google for "USB cable spektrum dx5e", anyone of these will probably work:
http://www.allerc.com/product_info.p...oducts_id=2989
http://shop.tomsrc.com/product_info....roducts_id=261
http://www.amazon.com/RS232-Flight-S...1899868&sr=8-5
http://milehighwings.com/product_inf...roducts_id=124

I haven't got personal experience with any of them though, so can't guarantee anything.

You need to extract the zip file. The zip will contain a folder with the aircraft. Copy this folder inside the \(My) Documents\RC Desk Pilot\Aircraft folder. So the \My Documents\RC Desk Pilot\Aircraft folder will contain a subfolder for each add-on aircraft you've got installed.

Cheers,
Davy

Hi Davy,

Thanks so much for your directions. I followed them and got the Hawk Sky into the RCDP folder for aircraft types and presto, there it was in the listwhen Iwent to Menu. Works likea charm.

Cheers,
Alan (audiolofft)

Great to see some high quality add-on aircraft for download!

Played around with this sim using my FSOne Adaptor and JR 9303.

I really like it, however the elevator on the 3D Extra seems to have too much throw and the rudder doesn't have enough. Also I don't know if its just me but I can't get a stable hover on it but this might be because the throws.

Also just wondering did you program this using some sort of C++ ?
I am in computer software development and love the fact you programmed this sim and made it available for free.

Thanks. You could alter the effect of the control surfaces of the extra 3D using the included aircraft editor.

The sim is written in C#. I find it a very clean and simple language that gives you fast results. Probably the biggest concern for game developers is the execution speed in comparison to C++. But as you can see in the sim, C# is more than adequate for my purposes. The biggest plus for me is that it has probably saved me weeks in terms of debugging hard to find memory related bugs that are more easy to make in C++.

Cheers,
Davy

I installed it, and I'm using Windows 7 and it has Direct X 11 on it. Is it not compatible with Windows 7 Pro?

Please let me know


Thanks

Mody

Hi Mody,

Windows 7 Pro is not a problem, but it needs DirectX 9. The installer should have asked to install it. I suggest running the installer again and click 'yes' when asked to. DirectX11 is not backwards compatible with DirectX9, but you can install both without a problem.

Hope this helps,
Davy

I would really like to get this installed to try it out, but I'm wondering if it's really compatible with Windows 7. I have Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, and I get an error when trying to install DirectX 9.0c. I clicked "Yes" to allow the program to install, I accept the license agreement and continue with the installation, until I get an error.

The error is "An internal system error occurred. Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your Windows folder to determine problem." I looked the up the errors in the log file on support.microsoft.com and they indicate that DirectX 9.0c is not backward compatible on Windows 7, only DirectX 11. See link.

Has anyone else been able to run this on Windows 7 successfully? Can someone help please?

I can't even get it to download all the way on 2 different computers. I get 4.4Mb down and then it stops could be the internet here though.

edit: tried the next day and got 12.3Mb, will keep trying till I can get it all the way, hah.

I have RCDP installed on my netbook - Windows 7 Starter Edition with a 1.6 Ghz processor : Pretty minimalistic, but it runs fine with the graphics all set up on "High"

In fact, it runs better than most of my other programs - FMS would not even install, not that I would really use it with RCDP running so well!  
One thing that I found that really transformed the program from a sim to "actually flying" was plugging my netbook into my television. With a large screen tv taking up your immediate forward view plus the fact you are standing up, I found myself flying as if I was at the field without the "it's on a computer" over confidence.

With all of the new aircraft added with the program, and GGunnersons addons, it really is a great sim. It would be nice to see some average sized glow models similar to what you would find a the field on any given day: 60-70 inch wingspan low wing sportsters and the like.

Keep up the great work!

RCDP runs fine on my W7 pro 64bit install. Not a single hitch since first installed. I do have DX 9 and 10, and seem to remember reading that most sims need DX9 installed regardless of what the OS installed with.

One thing I would like to see is a selection of sceneries, realizing of course how difficult that is, but still...

Thanks for your efforts Davy, they are appreciated.

Stew

@mike_m2 : I've replied you on that other forum. I hope you've got it working now.

@Brainanator : I sent you a PM with an alternate download location.

@GraemeEllis, @FreeFlier: thanks! I'm working on something that might bring a little bit more variation into the current scenery...

Cheers!
Davy

Thanks for the 2nd link RCdeskpilot. Gotta working well. Don't have a transmitter at the moment, so I hooked it up to an Xbox 360 controller, hahahah.....weirder thing is that it works....

Hi

I have downloaded the exec files but when Itry to run them I get the message that the files are corrupt - download another copy. I have done that but still get the corrupt set up files message when I try and install the programme.

Is anyone able to help please

Regards

Ian

Hi Ian,
I've PM'ed you an alternative link. I've had a few complaints about this the last few weeks. I think my hosting provider has changed some setting preventing big downloads for some people. I've asked them for an explanation. I hope the alternative link worked.

Cheers,
Davy

Thanks davy

Programme downloaded OK but now Ihave problems running it - I'll try again in about a week as Iam expecting a new PC & software.

Regards

ian

Great sim!

I play it so long I completely drained my my tx battery..

Has anyone created any Classic Pattern Planes 1970's to-1980's? I just touched on the plane editor but not sure how to go about designing a plane do need another type of software?

Thanks for any and all answers.

Bryan