My main mod-work I've done for the MSFS series is creating a few skins and missions for CFS2 - IOW; not much at all. I'm constantly amazed and delighted at the excellent work people do on these simulators.
I have a couple of questions regarding the process; if you don't mind.
First; though I went on and got my private lisence; my first love has always been gliding - power pilots never realize how limiting that big noisy mill out front is. Flying a sailplane is real flight; soaring - literally - with the birds. (We often use seagulls and other birds as lift indicators; and enter a thermal in the same direction as they do; to limit any potential collisions. We fly quite above them; but still the effect is wonderful.)
Too bad gliding has been removed from the stock sim; while it has the venerable S2-32; it lacks any sort of lift - annoying! Fortunately others agree; and have created quite few excellent aircraft and thermalling addons.
My first question is this: I'd like to create thermal scenery for my local area; Southern Ontario, in the same fashion of the excellent Arizona and Banff thermalling scenery I have downloaded right now. Were I to attempt this; what programs/applications would I need to accomplish it? And of course; are they payware; freeware, bought in stores, etc.
My second question: The problem with gliding in FS9 is getting to altitude. While it's not possible to create a towplane that'll take you up to 2000'; would it be possible to create a new 'airplane' model comprising a towplane (say a Pawnee or a Citab) towing a glider (say the S2-32)? I mean; to have the pair as a single visual model; so that the pilot could either change planes at the release; or find some way of making the front half (the towplane) 'go away'.
Given the magnificent work shown here; from conventional planes to cars to wild flights of fancy; I can't imagine why not.
Again; what programs/applications would I need for that?
Thanx.
)