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A new release (Beta 1.27) of the Freeflight Experience is available. Please review the release notes for a summary of changes. If you are getting started with the program, be sure to check out the Quick Start Guide for step by step instructions and tips.

Recently, I have added what might be the most important feature yet for improving accessibility of "The Freeflight Experience". As you know, it has been my hope that a realistic portrayal of hang gliding in a simulator would attract new pilots to the sport. As I have exposed more and more people to the game, I have observed consistent patterns of difficulty, both with pilots and non pilots. The lack of feedback from the glider in the form of control force, and the somewhat less than full visual field of view make it difficult to adapt to flying the sim, and have been a barrier to its broader introduction.

You all have probably seen there are "AI" piloted gliders in the game, and these use an algorithm to control speed and heading, while seeking out thermals, following you around, and coring up when they find lift. I have now added this same algorithm to your piloted glider. Mapping the trigger of the right controller, you can allow this algorithm to have 100% control, you can have 100% control, and by partially depressing the trigger, can choose any intermediate blend of algorithm-assisted piloting. Mostly this is useful for recovering from pitch oscillations, or roll PIO. It is great for people new to the sim to see where the bar should be positioned for proper speed, and then to allow them to position the controllers so that when they take over, it matches.

I am aware that after losing control in the game, it can ruin your stomach for a while, so this should allow those who have yet to master the flying of the glider to avoid this unfortunate circumstance.

What’s coming next? I’m thinking about allowing you to enable or disable (separately) each visual helper, like LZ markers, turn point markers, thermal particles and spheres.

Now, you can choose the type of thermal rendering you like in the options, and can toggle it on and off, along with all other “cheats” using “A & B” buttons on the controller or keyboard shortcuts. You can also override your selected preference temporarily, using “s” and “S” to hide and show spheres, and “p” and “P” to hide and show particles, regardless of how you have set your options.

I’m also considering adding a slider to allow you to adjust the amount of cloud coverage when using the automatic cloud mode. Right now, coverage increases as cloud thickness increases, but there are times when you have lots of coverage, even with a cloud layer that is not that deep. I could probably adjust the factor automatically based on the level of atmospheric stability, but first, I’ll probably let you tweak it with a slider.

Thank you all for your patience while waiting for the Open Beta release of the "Freeflight Experience". If you would like to joint the Open Beta test team, you can buy a license and download the software today!

Just go to the the menu at the top left corner of the start page, and select "Shop".

The game is continuously being improved with more flying sites, hang glider models, and launch methods.