PREVIEW -- FSCargo by VistaMare


Yes, we know you have been waiting all Spring and Summer for this one. The bad news is that ... nope, we're not goning to release it prematurely. There are still details to be settled. BUT...... we expect to enter the last Beta Round in the next weeks!

To celebrate that we would like to share some (Beta) screenshots with you, and some background information (read below).

FSaddon's FSCargo was conceived by yours truly.... being an 'old' bush pilot, flying around with EMPTY aicraft in Alaska. The men who made my virtual dream come through are Maurizio Gavioli (the master of FS interaction and author of such wonderful tools as IntelliScene, ViMaCore and many more !!) and Bill Womack (who you may know of the 'MAAM airfield' in Reading, 'our' Antelope Trail Ranch in Misty Fjords and so many other wonderful sceneries).

Maurizio and Bill have come up with two things:
1) the 'functionality' of it all -->> Maurizio
2) the visualization of the idea -->> Bill

So what is FSCargo? Where is it more than a 'load manager' ?

FSCargo is the first interactive system that will allow you to get an assignment (of carrying freight), SHOW you the cargo waiting for you at an airfield, allow you to LOAD it into your plane, fly to somewhere else, DROP it at that destination and actually SEE it again after unloading !!

Sounds simple!? It isn't, really!!
Sounds fun!? IT SURE AS HECK IS !!!!

The way it works (in simple terms) is that you start the FSCargo module (in your menu bar in FS), and ask for an assignment. The system will generate a few possible options (based on WHERE you are). It will provide you with two airfields (the 'from' and 'to') and a type (size, weight) of cargo.
If you like the assignment, you accept it (pressing a Function Key), if you don't you can ask for another.

Once you accept an assignment you will have to fly to the departure airport (in case you are not there yet), FIND the cargo area - which Bill has made visible for you (see the pictures), ride up to the cargo and LOAD it, again by pressing a function key.
It is SO GOOD that you can even see you airplane sag down a bit when the weight of the cargo is added. YES... it ADDS the weight to your aircraft of course !! Making it important to check your fuel and take-off weight !! The cargo is now no longer visible.

When you start taxiing the TIMER starts ticking. We've made it a bit more interesting by calculating a maximum time allowed for the assignment. If you complete it within that time, you get a better rating! But you can ignore that if you like ;-)

When you reach your destination airport you'll have to find the Cargo Area again, taxi up to it and press a key, UNLOADING the cargo. And there it is, sitting safely on the platform.....

That is VERSION numero UNO of FSCargo. Further expansions will follow.. we have many ideas. Some will be free even... some will be additional products, based on the 'engine' we have designed now.

Of one thing we are sure: you will LOVE all of them !!! :-))

If you have questions, PLEASE TALK TO US: We have a special forum for it, at simFlight (where you have to register).... FIND IT HERE !
 

Let's do a quick tour of the Beta Product (things obviously may change in the final release, so please don't hold us to what you see today ;-) )

Here am I in my trusted old default Cessna, ready to pick up a load of stuff from a few trout fishermen, who want to go camping in the bush!
Don't know what the thing on the left is (a notebook??) but I guess they think they'll need it <g>
On this picture you see part of the 'Cargo Area'.
There are different kinds and types.
This one consists of a few light poles (so you can pick up cargo at night too !!), and cones.
Park inside and you'll be able to get the cargo !
The light poles have their own generators of course.
Typically they'll be used in more remote areas. We just put them here on the airfield to show them off ;-)
Notice the text in the transparent window: this is what you see when you park inside the rectangular cargo area.
And this is how you select to load the cargo at hand.
Cargo loaded, and instructions of 'where to go' are visible.
We've also 'programmed' the available time for you.... this will help in giving you a rating at the end.
In flight, you can still call up the Cargo Window of course
Now just sit and relax and enjoy the wonderful Washington landscape..... on the way to Bremerton
Ah yes, there are other cargo areas available as well. One of the extensions will be providing more of these..... with different features !
Here a shot from a Beaver, transporting a barrel (with oil, fish, whisky ???).
You can use ANY aircraft with the Cargo Module!!
The Beaver has found the cargo area... lamp posts and cones, ready to unload.
Different aircraft (your choice!), different types of cargo. Here some barrels !
Or a big box... hmmm.. will this fit through the door !??
Sometimes FINDING the drop-off area can be a bit of a problem. We DO have a help feature built in... ;-)
Ah, there it is ! Hidden between the hangars at Bremerton. Still 21 minutes to spare.... this will result in a good rating !!

That's it folks.. there are many more things we want to tell you, and to show you.... another time....
Like the 'user editor' that Maurizio is working on, allowing you to make your own assignments.
And the extensions we have in mind.... bigger freight, other cargo, cargo areas and destinations.
About FSAddon Cargo going to be an integral part of all our sceneries...
About multi-player FSCargo........ ;-)

Just check back here once in a while.. we'll keep you posted of our progress!


Planned release date of this great utility: November 10th, 2005 !

Last updated November 8th, 2005