by Kurt Giesselman

  When I read there was going to be a flight sim convention, almost in my own back yard (just across the channel), I thought it was a great excuse for me to visit with a few of my online flying buddies and check out some new sim stuff. I didn't know what to expect at a flight sim convention.

Would the latest releases of flight sim software be offered? Would there be any bargains on older software? Would there be any hardware manufactures to ask about their latest developments in HOTAS and flight sim accessories? Would the hardware manufacturers have any of those 'show specials' on a hot HOTAS? Would any of the big name producers (Microsoft, Microprose, DI, SSi) be showcasing their newest simulations and those under development?

Can you say, "All of the above and more?"

The minute my buddies and I walked in the main entrance to the show we knew we had come to the right place.

There were piles of equipment and software everywhere. I could see FS2000 and Flanker 2.0 up and running on hands-on-demos. We looked to the right and saw a huge display by Abacus showcasing their huge selection of add-ons for Microsoft's FS98, FS2000, and Combat Flight Simulator.

Ahead of us was the CH Products display with a full assortment of HOTAS and yokes. We hadn't even made it two feet inside the convention. There was even more in the next room where F/A-18 was up and running right next to the Suncom display with prices too good to be true. In the center of the room Microprose was running B-17 II and Gunship III. We frankly didn't know where to start.

I couldn't help but notice the prices Suncom was offering on their F-15E Talon and their SFS Flight Controller and SFS Throttle. John Sage of Suncom told me that they had really rolled out their best prices for the show. I asked him what was coming down the pike from Suncom for the new Millenium.

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John told me that they were working hard to bring out their new USB line. He told COMBATSIM.COM™ that the new USB SFS throttle would have both game and USB ports. They are working on the new USB F-15E Talon. Suncom's product development is still on target for both these products to be released in the early half of 2000. The split throttle really is coming into its own with the release of simulations like F/A-18 from Digital Integration.

Right next to the Suncom display was Digital Integration running their new simulation F/A-18 in all its glory, with its fully clickable cockpit, beautiful graphics, twin engine, and carrier landings.

F/A-18 was set up with a Suncom rig to take advantage of the split throttles. I picked up a box and read "As used by the U. S. Navy," written across the top. I asked, "What the heck does this mean?" I was told that a specially modified version of DI's F/A-18 is used in early pilot testing by the Navy. Incredibly, the only change required by the Navy was modifying the software to split up the normal view to drive three monitors positioned to give the future Navy aviator a more panoramic view than us poor sods with only one monitor.

Our next stop was the Abacus table that was groaning under its load of Microsoft Flight Simulator (98 and 2000) and Combat Flight Simulator (CFS) add-ons. The recently released Wings over China was clearly the hot seller.

Go to Part II.