I have a new computer from Falcon (very pleased), P3Dv5 (and MSFS, which is... different, but nice) and the CS L1011 II is the first airliner I've chosen to remaster. I'm shocked at how much I've forgotten in just six years. Granted, I'm now 63, and expect a little decline in cognitive ability, but it took me, oh, several hours to figure out how to set the parking brake. (No, I don't like to read the manual, but figure out how things work, and yes, I loved every minute of it, and of course I knew where the handle was, but learning the the way the hydraulics work was great!) Last night I watched the engine start video a couple of times and was able to add that to my accomplishments. I'm still working on the INS, but think I've got it. I remember the more complicated freeware one I used in the past, but think this one hits the sweet spot.

I am very happy with what CS has done with the L1011 II. I started with it because (1) I liked it in FSX, and (2) I want to learn the hard way--the classic SID-by-radio-nav way. (And yes, I do read the manual.) I have the CS 757 III in the hanger for now--it looks beautiful, but first the classic. Huh. If a 1970s airliner is a classic, I guess that makes me vintage, if not Jurassic!

And I wanted to compliment CS also on the company paint for the 757 III. The "bee" livery is so striking I'm not even in a hurry to change it. I think CS is serving the Prepare3D community in a way I don't see any other developer doing. I look forward to a 737 II and 727 II.

MSFS is impressive, and fun for GA flights. I think LM is in for the long haul with P3D, though, and it will be a long time before MSFS will kill it off, if ever. With ORBX Global Base, Vector and LC it doesn't look bad at all, plus I have a few--okay, several--add-on airports in Europe. I made a GA flight from Palermo to NAS Sigonella (near Catania) and Sicily looked much as I remembered it from many flights when I was stationed there.

Weather in P3D still needs improvement, I think, but maybe I'll look into an add-on for that later. And I like the FSX familiarity.

So far, so good, and I have had devs solve every problem I've run into with their scenery--I even got a free Heathrow v5 from Simmarket after explaining I was having trouble with the v4 I didn't even buy through them! They said, "Thanks for being a good customer."

I think despite all the apparent chaos, we're in a good place for the hobby right now. For me, CS has been and continues to be a big part of that. Keep up the good work. Maybe in a week or two I'll actually be able to do an L1011 flight and land at one of those add-on airports I bought!