Released, and available though the Apple App Store, though I recall
hearing that boxed retail versions may also be available soon. What
follows are some comprehensive observations from running the sim on my
systems so far - I'm running version 1.0.2, the current release.
System 1: Intel iMac 24' 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo with 4 Gig of RAM installed
and OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard). Began with FAF version 1.0.1 on this
system, running 1.0.2 presently.
System 2: an Mac Mini 2.7 GHz Dual Core i7 with 4 Gig of RAM installed,
250 G SSD and 750 G HD; OS X 10.7.2 (Lion) and using a Samsung 8000
series LED TV as a monitor connected via HDMI. Running FAF version
1.0.2 on this system.
Controllers: CH Products Pro Throttle (which I later discovered has a
bad pot), Fighter Stick USB, Pro Pedals USB, and Thrustmaster USB MFD
bezels, and a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar stick/throttle. All all are
recognized by System Profiler and the sim.
ControllerMate Utility for Mac: A very powerful software implemented
hardware interfacing utility for Mac which has solved a few of the below
issues for me - allows direct programming/assignment of keystrokes (and
even scripts) to buttons/switch inputs of HID compliant controllers.
Highly recommended for Mac gamers/cockpit/sim building.
http://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate/
General comments for System 2 - using the big screen and SSD make huge
improvements in sim response and graphics presentation, as expected -
the presentation is near life size (maybe slightly larger, but not
problematically so) with this setup and the presentation is very
immersive, though black-barred (sides fill) vise actual full 16:9 as
indicated in the Graphics Setup selection - I suppose this is as
expected at present? Overall response of the sim is also greatly
improved over System 1 setup.
General Comments for use with HOTAS Cougar - the sim seems to work the
same for Mac as it does for the Windows version when using HOTAS Cougar.
Similar issues with using the mini joystick on both Win and Mac
systems, however, ControllerMate can be used by Mac users in lieu of the
PC only Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T, Foxy, and/or the Cougar Control Panel
to make HOTAS Cougar functional for Mac users; Controller Mate works
similar to Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T and Foxy combined. Mac users need
to use a PC and the Cougar Control Panel to return HOTAS Cougar to
default setting initially, and/or no-op the Cougar's rudder functions
unless they are being used. Still trying to figure out how to get the
mini joystick to work for cursor control.
Controller issues:
1) All of the Thrustmaster OBD buttons are assignable and function
correctly, but only rocker switch button 21 is assignable on the MFD;
other rocker switch positions are not assignable for either MFD. The
MFD actually have 28 buttons; 1-20 are OSB buttons and 21-28 are the
four two/twin button rockers which should also be available for key
assignments as left/right. Can be resolved by using ControllerMate.
2) CH Pro Pedals work as rudder pedals, but cannot assign Wheel Brakes
to the toe axes. Can be resolved by using ControllerMate.
3) The start up splash screen does not retain selection to show the full
screen or windowed presentation only if the user holds down the option
key at start up.
4) It takes three activations of the Mode button on my CH Fighter Stick
USB to toggle NWS from on to off and/or off to on. May need to allow
multiple assignment of functions for such a controller case, as this
button can register as button 17, 18, or 19 as it cycles through the
LEDs on the stick base. Can be resolved by using ControllerMate.
5) Sim Exit dialog randomly registers input device commands. Clicking
the End or Resume button in the graphical Exit dialog box randomly
does/does not register the selection using either of an Apple Magic
Trackpad or Kensington Orbit USB trackball input devices. Selecting E
or R on the keyboard always works.
Simulation/Interface issues:
1) Nozzle position and oil pressure indications are erratic and not
realistic.
2) Fuel flow indication does not stabilize once afterburner is selected.
Initial spike to far beyond realistic flow rate, then it slowly rolls
back down after an extended selection. Unclear what this means with
respect to actual flying time in the sim. Fuel flow does seem realistic
during part power selection.
3) Some keystroke references in the Keys Setup do not match the
references in the manual. The Keys Setup screen entries appear to be
correct.
4) ATC airfield traffic calls are inconsistent; sometimes tower will
call 'left base' setup when all turns are to the runway are to the right
- notable in landing pattern at end of Takeoff mission. ICAO standard
is that 'left hand traffic' means all left hand turns in the traffic
pattern, 'right hand traffic' means all left hand turns in the traffic
pattern - in accord with both what I have been taught as a civilian
pilot, and USAF and international airfield operations standard procedure.
5) Airspeed goes to zero (000) in HUD on landing rollout instead of
pegging to a minimum of 60 KCAS as it says in the manual.
6) Keyboard cntrl+e command for Eject does not command ejection. The
ejection 'clack' sounds repeatedly as long as the key is held, but no
ejection occurs for the key combination. Eject does happen if I click
and hold the ejection handle in the cockpit graphic. Eject does not
happen as it should for a single cntrl+e key activation.
7) Chaff and Flare count do not decrement in accordance with actual
Chaff/Flare expenditure. On selecting 'Drop Chaff' the Chaff count
decrements, but on selecting 'Drop Flare' the Chaff count decrements and
the Flare count does nothing - Flare count never decrements.
8) Cockpit canopy frame/rail graphic does not move with canopy
open/close when canopy is actuated. Can see canopy movement in exterior
camera views, but in cockpit interior view the canopy frame does not
move and appears to remain in the closed position.
9) With HDMI/TV setup, exiting the sim leaves does not return the System
to default user selected screen resolution - sim is not returning
display to System starting state on exit. User has to reselect Display
resolution to restore user selected operation for Hot Corners, etc.
General - highly recommended for both fans of Falcon and fans of high
fidelity flight simulators. Using ControllerMate can also aid in using
various controllers with this and other games - also a highly
recommended utility. Hopefully this sim will be updated and improved
over time and not left to languish as it has been all this time.
FIGHT'S ON, Mac users!!!
--
- Rufus