Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Aerosoft Share Posted March 20, 2012 I just realized that we forgot to mention we got a great partner in this project, André K. Aepfelbach. He knows the Twin Otter really well and is a superb source of information for us. He runs a great website about his Twinotter homecockpit. You really should check that out at www.twinotter.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp623 15 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 nice site, does he have an aersoft forum account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinotter_Pilot 13 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Indeed, he is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverDriver 37 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 So what would be the sales pitch? I mean, for what I see it isn't going to have a Vista Liner version, nor a -400 model, the panel would still be analog? what would be THE set of features that would make any current Twotter X owner say "I need this one too" ? Hmmnn, I've seen a few requests here for the models you have mentioned. I think Finn answered your question very well, but let me respectfully add the following. The Vista-Liner and -400's are extremely rare birds. I'm not sure how many of each are actually out there, but I know in 40 plus years in Aviation I've seen neither. Obviously I've not seen every airplane out there, but I've worked professionally in aviation for that period (with a couple of breaks) and in places where one would see a lot of Twin Otters, Beavers and other bush machines as well as a number of their more "sedate" counterparts (i.e. the Viking Beaver, Twin Otters used for exec transport and airliner missions, etc.). It stands to reason that producing the variants you describe would appeal to an extremely limited market then. Yes, if you live near the Grand Canyon and want to replicate a flight by Scenic Airlines, then yes, you are limited. However, in Googling the Vista Liner, I came up with very, very few results (well, a number of results but only from about 3 airlines in total). That's a pretty small market place. The Viking Twin Otter was really a hot idea for a while, which seems to have cooled off again. It will likely become more prominent later on as the 100 and 300 series age more, but that's still a ways away. Like the Beaver, these airplanes keep "going and going and going". Unlike the Beaver, they already are turbine equipped, which is a huge bonus in very cold climates, so the conversion to the 400 is more for flying in "civilization" than it is in the boonies, and it's primarily the boonies that the Twin Otter was designed for in the first place. So at this point at least, the 400 is also a highly limited market place, as well as being a whole new project as Finn mentioned. As a company, it makes sense for Aerosoft to appeal to the widest audience/market place possible. If they only did the Vista Liner and/or 400, I (and none of my bush flying virtual colleagues) would be in the market for it as neither would be particularly suitable for taking off from a paved runway and landing next on a gravel bar at the mouth of a river in British Columbia, or on a dirt strip high in the Himalayas for example. These are far more common/typical missions for a Twin Otter than sightseeing flights and IFR short range flights from city centre to city centre under the watchful eye of ATC. Of course the latter do happen (otherwise there wouldn't be a Vista Liner or -400), but they are nowhere near as common as serious STOL operations that you see the -100 or -300 doing on a regular basis. As I say, I think Finn answered your question best of all, and I think also Aerosoft is taking the right approach in appealing to the masses here. As for why I will buy the Twin Otter again (and at full price) - again I refer to you Finn's answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbird 1 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Now, I don't particularly care to see the -400 for FSX as the glass panels would complicate the development without adding much value, but I feel like defending the -400 a bit anyway. The way I understand it there has been no "cooling off" as Viking has an estimated order backlog of $350M, with one aircraft delivered each month. It has sold well to places like Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, Nigeria, Chile and Peru, all places that can provide true bush flying. Take the already awesome capabilities of the -300, add lighter materials, upgraded engines, simplified electrics and electronics (a reduction from something like 30 avionics providers down to 3.) and optional de-icing. I'm sure it will do well in the North too when the current ones hit their limits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted March 22, 2012 Author Aerosoft Share Posted March 22, 2012 Gents, it's all a bit of useless discussion as we just are not going to do the 400 models. There is too much difference and they are too rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted March 22, 2012 Author Aerosoft Share Posted March 22, 2012 I dare say there is no better 3d model for the Twin Otter 100 done to date. Antennae are missing at this moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deputy Sheriffs Holgi 2364 Posted March 22, 2012 Deputy Sheriffs Share Posted March 22, 2012 So cool, incredibly beautiful!!! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deputy Sheriffs Eric Bakker 736 Posted March 22, 2012 Deputy Sheriffs Share Posted March 22, 2012 Wow, Hans is doing an incredible job. Amazing! And thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn 873 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Wow, Hans is doing an incredible job. Amazing! And thank you for sharing. errmm.... You mean Stefan !! Finn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deputy Sheriffs Eric Bakker 736 Posted March 22, 2012 Deputy Sheriffs Share Posted March 22, 2012 errmm.... You mean Stefan !! Of course I mean Stefan! (getting old) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosnowboarder_777 21 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Wow looks awesome so far. I noticed the plane you guys photographed had the 4 bladed props. Will you guys be modeling that one too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Hoffmann 4160 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Hi John! The new Twotter project sets focus on correct look of the different models. So you can await for example 4 bladed props and also airstairs on the birds which feature them also in real life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosnowboarder_777 21 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Awesome thanks for the info Stefan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaAlpha 0 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 As someone else mentioned, I also would like to see as an option that all switches are able to be moved even if the systems are not modelled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erikk 7 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 That's very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted March 23, 2012 Author Aerosoft Share Posted March 23, 2012 As someone else mentioned, I also would like to see as an option that all switches are able to be moved even if the systems are not modelled. And that invites a lot of emails from customers who think they found bugs..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmerhead 7 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 And that invites a lot of emails from customers who think they found bugs..... Maybe, but it is still a feature I would like. Worked like a charm on the Aeroworx King Air 200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernie274 0 Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I'd like to see a better load manager that also handles fuel, and panel state (Ex. Start cold and dark). I'm new to the Twin Otter. I just recently purchased it. I'd also like to be able to pull up the B KLN- 90B by itself instead of being part of the radio stack. Thanks, Ernie Proud owner of: Mega Airport Heathrow, Vienna, Paris LFG, Frankfurt, Boston VFR London X, My Traffic X, AES, London Underground, Airbus X, Twin Otter PMDG 747, MD-11, Jetstream (Boxed editions published by Aerosoft) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn 873 Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 For some time ago I also wanted all switches switchable, but like Mathijs says, it really only causes people to send support tickets. Also note that any additional animation will have a negative impact on FPS. I have come to the conclusion that it´s much easier for the enduser to findout what actually works and what not, if only those switches and controls that makes meaning within FSX are animated. The only exception are switches that are important for the correct operational procedures. For the Twin Otter we will take the same approach like we did on the Bronco, everything that can be made operational and actually makes sense in FSX will be operational. We haven´t quite decided what kind of GPS that we be fitted. It´s no promise, but adding the option to put the RXP 430 into then panel is under consideration. The goal for us is to make the Twin Otter extended accesible for all kind of flightsimmers. This means that it can be made ultra realistic, but with options to turn off stuff like engine failures and wear. All systems will be simulated as close to the real thing as possible, but that doeanst mean that it will be any harder to operate than most default FSX aircrafts. What You will see as this project progresses, is a Twin Otter with very high quality textures and modelling . You will also be able to operate it like the real thing. At the same time it´s extreme important for us that FPS is kept as high as possible. I think that the Bronco X has proven that all this can be accomplished and we are sure that the Twin Otter can be done very much to the same high standards and maybe even better. Finn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfw 20 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 We haven´t quite decided what kind of GPS that we be fitted. It´s no promise, but adding the option to put the RXP 430 into then panel is under consideration. and perhaps the RXP 530 with its larger screen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz313th 2 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Hey Finn... Any chance the new Twin Otter will be Capable of shared cockpit? JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted March 27, 2012 Author Aerosoft Share Posted March 27, 2012 Any chance the new Twin Otter will be Capable of shared cockpit? Good chance of that yes. We (or rather Finn) learned a lot about that with the Bronco. Attached the last images, modeling of the 300 model is completed. Texturing starts today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deputy Sheriffs Holgi 2364 Posted March 27, 2012 Deputy Sheriffs Share Posted March 27, 2012 Very nice Mathijs, a big praise to your team! I can not wait to paint this bird ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB 11 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 A question from me - will the mapping be adjusted so that the left rear (if I recall correctly) fuselage is mapped "right way up" for the bump mapping? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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