I am a satisfied buyer of the 757 4.3 for FSX.  At AVSIM I can't believe the Captain Sim hatred.  Too bad, because people are being discouraged from trying a very nice 757.  I'm doing what I can.

I have two questions about the rabbits.  One, what's up with that?  And, two, how do you change the poster in FSX?  The directions in the manual seem to be for FS9, at least I cannot make sense of them for FSX.  Is it possible to change in FSX?

Not that I have anything against rabbits, but that one is rather creepy.  He watches me the entire flight.

this is what you will need to do to get the rabbit out

1. Rename the files:
- cs757_C_30_T_transp.dds to cs757_C_30_T.dds
- cs757_C_30_T.dds to cs757_C_30_T_transp.dds
2. Delete or rename anyway you like the file cs757_C_30_LM.dds

this has worked for me in FSX, but you may stil want to back these up.
hope that helps.

Tim Capps wrote on May 29^th, 2009 at 1:07am:

At AVSIM I can't believe the Captain Sim hatred.  Too bad, because people are being discouraged from trying a very nice 757. I'm doing what I can.

Could you please explain yourself?

Hello David!  :)

I believe it is inaccurate to single out Avsim with reference to negitive feelings directed toward Captain Sim as a developer.
Those who are angry with CS have vented on many different open forums and it has nothing to do with the folks who run the forum.

Captain Sim has made some outstanding sims with this 757 (especially now with the 4.3 upgrade), the C130 X and the 727.

But there is no denying that there is some poor feelings toward this developer out there, but I think it is more due to the misunderstanding that is related to the different way that they handle support problems.

I have always received good support from Captain Sim, but if something is in the manual or FAQs, they don't make any bones about it.  Their response is short and sweet.

I think a lot of people may find this offensive and go to other forums venting their anger.  It has nothing at all to do with Avsim.

Customers can get some product support in this forum, but most issues have to be handled by making a "ticket" in the customer account profile and your answer may just consist of "This has been previously answered in FAQ #14528.  We will not address questions that have been previously answered" or "Read the manual"

I don't believe there is any intention to be rude, it is just having to deal with thousands of support questions that mostly have been addressed at an earlier time.

This 4.3 upgrade has darn near made this a perfect 757 simulation.
I know that Cpt. Mike Ray used to fly a 757 for United Airlines and he loves this 757 from Captain Sim.


There are many that also dislike the method of releasing simulations in "Blocks".  
My view on this is that building and releasing an airline simulation with very complex glass systems can take years and there is no way for a developer to cover the costs involved with this unless he can get a little creative.
The "Block" system is taking advantage of those simmers who don't want to wait the full term for the completed release, but want to start flying what the developer has available now.
Selling the partial simulation helps the developer complete the project and gives the simmer some insight to what is being developed and what it will look like completed.
Also it helps the developer locate bugs in the work by so many people using the sim.
In theory, it is something that should benefit everyone.
The down side is that those customers who purchased the partial product, may get upset when they see the finished product sold for a lower cost than what they have invested in all of the "Blocks".
I believe this has also been a reason for some hard feelings toward CS.  
But no one forced anyone to buy the "Blocks" or made any claims that they were more than what was being sold, so although it may not be a great "PR" practice in the long run, it is honest.

Of course, David, I'm not saying all this because I think I need to educate you  :) , I just want to give some food for thought for people who may not understand the perspective from Captain Sim's view.

david roch wrote on May 30^th, 2009 at 12:31pm:

Tim Capps wrote on May 29th, 2009 at 1:07am: At AVSIM I can't believe the Captain Sim hatred.  Too bad, because people are being discouraged from trying a very nice 757. I'm doing what I can. Could you please explain yourself?

I mean I have tried to counter some misinformation and general discontent that seems to have overwhelmed a balanced view of the product. particularly in the Unofficial support forum.  I don't mean that Avsim has an official anti-Captain Sim stance or anything, just that some have used that forum to express anger toward the company in the same way another company and Ariane comes in for knee-jerk criticism.  

I have tried to point out that this is a nice aircraft at 4.3.  I have addressed specific misinformation, such as you cannot update navadata.  I have even written a very lengthy reader view that gives my honest impression of the product, including those areas that disappoint.

When you have so many people posting (inevitably in CAPITAL LETTERS) CAPTAIN SIM STOLE MY MONEY!!!! AND DO NOT BUY CAPTAIN SIM!!! I think a response is warranted on behalf of a decent product that simmers might otherwise miss if they believe the ALL CAPS GUYS.

Post anything about a product from Captain Sim, another company or Ariane and you can reliably generate unthinking negative responses from people who may or may not be familiar with the product, but are sure they don't like the company.

I do not doubt there are similar negative posts on other forums; I just don't happen to visit those to see them.

Did I sufficiently explain myself?  That is what I meanty by I am doing what I can.  I am posting to correct misinformation.  Have I violated some taboo?

I know you have given due praise to the 757, too.  I am very surprised if you have not noticed a level of hostility toward Captain Sim.  I am also, honestly, surprised to be ordered to explain myself about "doing what I can" as if I am involved in some sort of conspiracy.  What, in heaven's name, requires explaining if you have seen my posts at Avsim?  I would reallly be interested in what alarming perception my activities have created so I can avoid doing it in the future!

Peace, friend.

If I may put the drama behind me and return to my rabbit question, I do not understand the instructions.  Perhaps a fuller explanation would help, if that is convenient.

rupesh wrote on May 29^th, 2009 at 1:30pm:

this is what you will need to do to get the rabbit out 1. Rename the files: - cs757_C_30_T_transp.dds to cs757_C_30_T.dds - cs757_C_30_T.dds to cs757_C_30_T_transp.dds 2. Delete or rename anyway you like the file cs757_C_30_LM.dds this has worked for me in FSX, but you may stil want to back these up. hope that helps.

Thanks rupesh, I've thought of loosing that poster too  ;)

Tim Capps wrote on May 30^th, 2009 at 9:13pm:

If I may put the drama behind me and return to my rabbit question, I do not understand the instructions.  Perhaps a fuller explanation would help, if that is convenient.

Hello Tim,
I agree with you 100% on this.  I am the same way when I enjoy a simulation from a company like Captain Sim or Ariane Designs, then I see people bashing the product with unsubstantiated comments, I feel obligated to jump in and just say "Hay, wait a minute now!"

If these people had their way, they would blackball these companies out of business and I would be the one to suffer!  Then they ask "Why do you bother defending them, let them defend themselves..."  so I should sit quietly with my tail between my legs and watch my favorite sim developers bashed out of business, just so I don't rub people the wrong way.

David Roch is a moderator for the Avsim forums, so it is very understandable that he wants to be careful that Avsim is not being categorized as supporting everything that is said by its members posting on the forums.

Really you said "At AVSIM I can't believe the Captain Sim hatred..." and not "I can't believe the hatred for Captain Sim by Avsim" so it is clear that you did not intend to accuse Avsim of any wrong doing or opinions, just that it happens to be the forum where people post this kind of nonsense.  Of course, it would be difficult for Avsim to micro-manage every post.

I have seen this same sort of thing on the FlightSim World forums and others.  Usually it just starts off with one person posting "Has anyone tried the Captain Sim 757?  I've been thinking of buying it..."
Then you get the geniuses that don't even own the product jumping in right away with.."I wouldn't touch it with a barge poll because I heard this or I heard that...yady...yady...yady"

Of course these opinions or posts have nothing to do with the opinions of Avsim or FlightSim World or any other forum host.


About the files that he is talking about, they are texture files. They are in your Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\CS_B757-200\texture
folder.
Just do a search in the "Airplanes" file for "cs757*.dds" and they will all come up.
Make backup copies of them before changing them.

David has been very friendly to the 757 personally.  There have been some really gross examples of pure CS hate at Avsim lately, though.  (If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself.)  I guess part of my motivation in posting that comment here was so someone else knowledgable about the product would take a look and challenge some of the statements.  Right now in the reader reviews there's something with over a thousand views that is one short paragraph saying it is unflyable.  It will be a very long time before my detailed and accurate review gets that many views.  Now personally, I believe the remedy to bad speech is good speech, not getting rid of the bad speech.  So I have been trying to politely address misconceptions and point out the groupthink.  (Certain companies = perfect, other companies = evil.)

I guess the abruptness of "explain yourself" caught me by surprise.  Maybe he took "I'm doing what I can" in a threatening way after what happened to the site.  Anyway, I also feel vaguely insulted when people say something I enjoy is complete garbage.  The implication is I'm a drooling idiot who is too far gone to know the difference :-)

So anyone who reads this and is offended on Avsim's behalf, please accept my apology.  I was merely identifying the venue, not attributing ill will to forum mangement.

ABOUT THE RABBITS:  I can find those files, there just doesn't appear to be anything that looks like an image I can edit or replace.  Also am I really supposed to just switch names on files, like the intstructions appear to call for?  The FS9 referenced a bmp, I believe.  Ithe Avianca repaint, a poster of a girl has been put up.  Looks the same in the texture file to me, and other than the thumbnail, there's nothing that looks like I can open it with Paint.

Tim Capps wrote on May 31^st, 2009 at 1:07am:

David has been very friendly to the 757 personally.  There have been some really gross examples of pure CS hate at Avsim lately, though.  (If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself.)  I guess part of my motivation in posting that comment here was so someone else knowledgable about the product would take a look and challenge some of the statements.  Right now in the reader reviews there's something with over a thousand views that is one short paragraph saying it is unflyable.  It will be a very long time before my detailed and accurate review gets that many views.  Now personally, I believe the remedy to bad speech is good speech, not getting rid of the bad speech.  So I have been trying to politely address misconceptions and point out the groupthink.  (Certain companies = perfect, other companies = evil.) I guess the abruptness of "explain yourself" caught me by surprise.  Maybe he took "I'm doing what I can" in a threatening way after what happened to the site.  Anyway, I also feel vaguely insulted when people say something I enjoy is complete garbage.  The implication is I'm a drooling idiot who is too far gone to know the difference :-) So anyone who reads this and is offended on Avsim's behalf, please accept my apology.  I was merely identifying the venue, not attributing ill will to forum mangement.

I'm right there with you on this Tim.  If I see it I will speak good of the Captain Sim's products that I have, because I like them a lot.



Tim Capps wrote on May 31^st, 2009 at 1:07am:

ABOUT THE RABBITS:  I can find those files, there just doesn't appear to be anything that looks like an image I can edit or replace.  Also am I really supposed to just switch names on files, like the intstructions appear to call for?  The FS9 referenced a bmp, I believe.  Ithe Avianca repaint, a poster of a girl has been put up.  Looks the same in the texture file to me, and other than the thumbnail, there's nothing that looks like I can open it with Paint.

Tim, this worked perfect for me.  My rabbit poster is gone :) forever..

Are you running Vista or WXP?

If you are using Vista, if you look at the top of the window when you are in windows explorer, you will see a search box.  Just navigate to your airplane folder and type in "cs757*.dds" (without the quotes).  The search will find these files and pull them up out of your Texture folder.
With Windows XP, you can hold the Windows (flag) key and hit the (F) key and you will get a search box.
Navigate to the Airplane folder and put "cs757*.dds" (without the quotes) and all the .dds files will come up.  Just look for the two files.
Just find these two files and make backups, then exchange the names like he said.  It will work great.  I couldn't believe it when I seen the rabbit poster gone ;D

About the files that he is talking about, they are texture files. They are in your Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\CS_B757-200\texture
folder.
Just do a search in the "Airplanes" file for "cs757*.dds" and they will all come up.
Make backup copies of them before changing them.

Begone wascawy wabbit!  Thanks!

Now, is there anyway to put a picture of my own choosing there?  I know there must be, because the Avianca paint has a different poster.  I don't have any graphics software other than paint, though.

Tim, I am sorry you felt like "ordered to explain yourself"!
That was not my purpose at all, I just didn't understand what you meant by "doing what you can". As you probably know English is not my native language and for me "doing what I can" means that there is a blatant will bashing CS in Avsim forums which is not true.
Avsim is a free forum and if some morons write "CS stole my money" or "Don't buy the 757" you can easily understand that we can't avoid it. I won't speak of "pure CS hate at Avsim" but of few idiots that make a lot of noise.
Fortunately a bunch of guys do love their products and I am proud being one of them. I don't need to do "what I can" to express my opinion, I just show it.
That's all and believe me, I am a very peaceful person!! :--))
Best regards,

No problem, David.  "Explain yourself" has a definite connotation in English that a non-native speaker would not know.  I appreciate all the work you continue to do at Avsim, and am glad the site itself is back.  I really missed it.

And, now you know, "doing what I can" just means trying to put out accurate information, good or bad.

We might be on the same team in more ways than one ;-)

In the meantime I have run into a problem on my Bogata to Mexico City flight.  Airplane just does not want to climb, period.  It doesn't matter if it is LNAV, Vertical Speed, Flight Level Change or Tim pulling back on the yoke with the throttle firewalled.  I don't know if it has something to do with starting out at 8000' + on the runway.

I have seen something like this before, and not with the 757.  Sometimes it is almost like FSX gets confused on the pressure altitude and acts like you are at 60,000 feet or something.  The thrust is just not there.

I am going to try it in another airplane and see what happens, then go back for a third try with the 757.  Man, it would suck if this thing were glitchy after all.

Maybe my 757 misses The Rabbit.

Okay, after a reboot the airplane performed flawlessly.  Just one of those things, I guess.  Bogota to Mexico City is a lovely route.  Snowcapped mountains that quickly fall away to the coast.  Right now I can see Panama outside the co-pilot's window (but not the canal, at least not yet).

Tim, I'm glad you had the pleasure of getting rid of the "Wabbit", but I wouldn't know where to begin in getting a family photo to take it's place.  If you get that answer, let me know.

I will also try a departure from Bogata to Mexico City flight and see what happens.  I'll let you know.
Make sure you are loaded lightly.  I would imagine, in a situation of taking off at 8000', you would have to be light since the air is getting thin right from the start.
You figure by the time you climb two or three thousand feet, oxygen is required.
I noticed even with other planes that when reaching over FL370 things started getting a little squirrelly, but I think it is because I still had to much weight in fuel.
I believe you have to burn off some weight before reaching the high altitudes.

Tim Capps wrote on Jun 1^st, 2009 at 2:48am:

Okay, after a reboot the airplane performed flawlessly.  Just one of those things, I guess.  Bogota to Mexico City is a lovely route.  Snowcapped mountains that quickly fall away to the coast.  Right now I can see Panama outside the co-pilot's window (but not the canal, at least not yet).

Keep an eye in your rear-view mirror.  I'll be behind you soon  ;)

SKBO ABL RNG UA323 TBG UA317 LIO UL200 LIB UG436 AUR UA552 MTT UJ5 MEX MMMX

Thank you for support and kind comments!

It was closing in on 2 a.m. when I woke up and noticed I was over Mexico City.  Those Rolls Royce engines tend to put me to sleep.  Close as I was, I was just too tired to try to make a go of the approach.  I'll take an earlier start tonight.

The previous problem was just one of those FS things.  It has happened before with different airplanes.

Captain Sim 2 wrote on Jun 1^st, 2009 at 7:46am:

Thank you for support and kind comments!

Thank you for the great sims that you develope.  Captain Sim is at the top of my favorites.
With the 4.3 upgrade for this 757, it just don't get any better. ;)

Tim Capps wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2009 at 12:09am:

It was closing in on 2 a.m. when I woke up and noticed I was over Mexico City.  Those Rolls Royce engines tend to put me to sleep.  Close as I was, I was just too tired to try to make a go of the approach.  I'll take an earlier start tonight. The previous problem was just one of those FS things.  It has happened before with different airplanes.

I'm glad it got worked out Tim.
If you passengers only knew their captain was sleeping.... :o

This flight has beautiful scenery and I don't mind taking several stabs at it.
I got as far as the Panama Canal and took several screen shots of it.  I may try the full flight this weekend.  Thanks for letting me know about this flight.

Bob

I am using the World's 100 Busiest Airports package.  Does your route actually take you over the canal where you can see it?  I think I get close, but didn't make it out.

My route is SKBO SID ABL UL423 ISEBA UG440 LIB UG436 AUR UA552 MTT UJ5 MEX STAR MMMX.  It's 10:29 p.m. local (real time) and I'm just abeam Managua; about the half-way mark.  Fortunately, nothing pressing at the office tomorrow :-)

Did you see Al's Playboys for the in-flight magazine? lol  Somebody has a lot of time on his hands.  (Must be Hugh Hefner's private 757.)

I don't know if I'll go for the rather complicated approach or just let Radar Contact vector me in.  The weather at Mexico City looked a little challenging when I took off.  I am kind of interested in seeing whether I get the approach sliding back and forth others have talked about with real weather.  So far, this thing is flawless.

I should have known better than to listen to the naysayers that said fuel consumption was off.  I purposefully loaded only 15000 kg (and that's 2000 more than FSX figured).  I am feeling a bit uncomfortable with my choice now.  Looks like I have 6.6 left.  Well, figuring I'll be descending at idle that might do it as long as I don't screw up my approach.  I suppose I ought to be picking out a closer alternate, though  :o

UPDATE:  I landed with 629 lbs of fuel.  Secretly, Avianca applauds my economical planning.   Unfortunately, I'm afraid the authorities will have something to say about cutting it so close.  I'm glad I added that extra 2000 pounds to what FSX said I would need!

So much for the complaints about fuel consumption being off.  And the FMC?  Its prediction was dead on.

I was really not comfortable trying the autoland given the low fuel.  I'll do some testing later.