New to Airline--Questions about RFP Status

[lcoleman]

"Hi All, First of all, I'd like to introduce myself to you all. I'm a relative newcomer here, but have been involved in flight simulation for many years. My name is Larry Coleman and I'm a 53 year old aerospace engineer who loves airplanes and flying, as I see most of you do as well from scanning the forum here. I had never tried flying cargo, though, and this looked like the place to give it a try. So far I'm enjoying it a lot and look forward to discussions with you on this forum. While sifting through some of the posts here, I read one that said RFP is no longer available. I was really sorry to hear that. I currently fly the PMDG 744F, and while it's a truly great airplane that I thoroughly enjoy flying, the challenge of flying the steam gauge 742 on occasion would also be a lot of fun. After reading this post, I came across a 742 Ready for Pushback package available from Just Flight. So now I'm confused. Is this Just Flight package perhaps an older version or something, or is it not the same airplane at all? And if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what the VIP version is that I have read about on this forum? Sounds like I'm too late to add the 742 to my fleet, but I thought I'd ask those of you who fly her is she really is gone or if this Just Flight package might be the last of the remaining copies. One of the first pieces of payware software I ever purchased was Ralph's DC-9 panel for FS98, so I know he knows how to build a great panel. It would be nice to get a copy of his latest work now that he appears to have moved on to other endeavors. Any information you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Larry GC 1555"

[esurfman]

"As stated in another post: Please do not send any RFP files without Ralph permission. This would be a Copyright violation and would put this web site at risk (I think that Bryan you can also)attest to that. Justin can correct me if I'm wrong but if the download was allowed, it would be available here. I would like to remind you that a VIP Edition is in the work. AGAIN, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ILLEGAL COPIES OF VIP. I know it's not fun but we will try to reach Ralph and see.... Latest news: Go buy it from here: http://simpilot.com/downloadproducts/do ... oducts.htm You can buy it at simpilot. You decide wich version; US or Europe. The add-ons used to be free but it still cheap."

[mlegein]

I saw one copy of RFP 742 on the shelf at Micro Center in the Detroit area a few weeks ago.

[PAC1544]

"I believe the RFP is still being sold all over the web, but it's not being supported, though you will never find more support for it than here or the VIP forums."

[snipe]

"Hi Larry, Great to have you with us here at at Globe Cargo . You'll find a lot of very helpful people here who love flying the 747 as much as you do. To answer your questions, the RFP 747-200 version you saw on JustFlight's website is the latest version (RFPv2) and I would definately recommend getting it. There is no support for it anymore though as Ralph has removed the old RFP site and has moved on to developing a flight planning program referred to as Operations and Performance System. It promises to be an excellent program that will offer the flight simmer a complete flight planning program without the need to use several different programs and websites. Visit it here: http://www.panelshop.com/OPS_Site/index.htm. The only RFP support that IS offered now is through a forum created by one of the developers of the original RFP, Chris Koegler. This can be found here:http://41686.rapidforum.com/. Several of the old FAQ's are available there and you are free to post relevent questions regarding RFP. Regarding the VIP version of RFP, that was a version that was released last spring in limited release. For a small fee, those who purchased this version, which was basically a panel upgrade, were to receive monthly updates and improvements to this panel. Due to it's less than enthusiastic response from the community the project was scrapped. BUT, that's not the end of the story. Chris Koegler, who started the new RFP forum that I mentioned above, is currently working on a new version (yet unnamed) which will be a completely new aircraft and panel. He's basically picked up where RFP VIP left off and has continued development on this project so we're all very hopeful and anxious. The screenshot that I've seen so far of the panel looks awesome though. Also, according to the forum at Ralph's OPS program site, there is another person (Herve Dongmo) that is working towards ANOTHER panel for possibly ANOTHER version of RFP sometime in the future. SO, it looks as though we actually have two 747-200 projects going at the same time. The future does look bright for all of us that love flying 70's vintage, steam gauge aircraft. We'll just have to wait and see! Again, glad to have you with us and look forward to flying with you sometime on our monthly fly-ins. Take care, Mark"

[Brogs]

"Hi Mark Just had a run through of the Demo on the OPs Website, thats one helluva Flight Plan System, definitely going to get one when they are available ! Mike "

[lcoleman]

"Hi All, Thanks for your replies and your answers to my questons. I'm glad to hear that the version I saw for sale at Just Flight is indeed the same version many of you fly. I will definitely be considering a purchase of this product now that you have told me a little more about it. I'll also check out the forum you mentioned so I can stay informed on the development prospects for a future verison. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience with RFP 742 and its history."