Description :

“Sailors of the Sky” was designed as a training program for gliders lovers. So, real reaction to handling and flight simulation were the main targets of this simulator. Also an important part of the work carried out has been the simulation of lifts that are used by glider pilots as the only engine to keep their planes in the air, covering very long distances.

From the beginning an enormous amount of time has been dedicated to the SotS project. Reengineering was a painful but necessary practice. But finally I can say Gold version has attained the highest standards in the flight simulation market and it has become my favorite one :) . The sim I always dreamed.

Aerodynamics

Stalls, slips, and control feedback, force joystick and sound are carefully modeled. Force feedback joysticks are fully integrated in the simulation. And a lastly addtion from version 5.0 is the possibility to use your webcam to pan your view: cheap and funny!!.

Take off

Three different modes: aerotow, winch and bungee launching ("sandows" in German) are allowed.

Planes

There are two different kind of planes:

1) SotS private format. It is provided a tool to create in a easy and fast way gliders for SotS. It is called Design3D.

2) Microsoft .x format. This is the standard for DirectX technology and will presumably be very extensively used in the near future by many other simulations. There are pluggings for 3DStudio that will allow you to export your models to this format. Good examples of this works are most of the motor planes in SotS, and the glider G103 a fantastic creation of Victor Egorov. Include and select it from the pilot list when you are already qualified (Silver "C").

This .x format is also used for buildings and objects to be included in the scenery. See Terrain3D documentation for details.

Weather model

The model uses two cloud layers: cumulus and stratus. The volume is assured by the use of a sprite model for every cloud. Clouds form and dissipate with time and depending on the weather condition. The

weather model represents atmosphere movement of lows and highs. The fronts are also included in this model.

AI

Aritficial Intelegence. Gliders, motor gliders and birds compete for the air. Leave the sim takes the control and you will feel an expert teaching you.

Terrain engine

LOD technology is used for better result. In particular ROAM “Real-time optimally adapting meshes” approximation gathers accuracy and speed, ideal for flight simulators.

Photo-realistic sceneries can be handled at a good performance and the addition of trees and buildings take out that in other flat impression.

On-line play

Very smooth, no limit to the number of participants. The on-line multiplay option is a must and has been carefully included in SotS. You can easily make new friends in the air.

Set up your sessions in advance or just in time. It will be published if you want allowing others to join you and play your task.

Tasks

From the map you can create your task and use them in your on-line sessions. You can use the real waypoint list supplied by SeeYou team to define them.

Record

NMEA output and IGC formats are available. You can also replay your task in 3D mode at a lower scale for a clearer analisis.

Webcam and Radio Communication

Webcam can be used for panning in internal view.

Voice intercommunication is possible from version 6.0, press Tab key on the keyboard to start recording your voice. Your message will be sent to any other player when Tab key is depressed. Try to be clear and calm. You can change from voice to writting mode pressing Ctrl+Tab. On the configuration window the Voice Intercommunication checkbox has to be checked.