Beschreibung
The Alpine Odyssey is an 1000 mile 'ridge lift' route through the heart of the Alps for chilled glider pilots and keen beginners. It's divided into 10 stages that you can tackle one day at a time. Each stage takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on average. You have the choice of 'realism' and 'adventure' weather modes and two wind speeds. Try the 'adventure' 18kt weather first.
If you have never flown a glider before, you can acquire the basic skills with the included practice flights and then learn as you go!
Alpine Odyssey
The Complete User Guide
Updates
- Release 1.3b adjusts the 'adventure' weather
- Release 1.3 offers 'realism' and 'adventure' weather options for different piloting styles
- Release 1.2 restrains the weather to be more in line with soaring safety requirements (as requested)
- Release 1.1 adjusts to the route to allow for Asobo's atmospheric model update causing new and difficult downdrafts
- Release 1.0
Trailer
Contents
- A comprehensive user guide
- Weather presets
- Two practice flight plans
- The complete set of Alpine Odyssey flight plans
- Audio encouragement David Attenborough's AI twin
Other Downloads
Kommentare(34)
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Anmeldenalmost 2 years ago
Notes:
- not all of the airports have tow planes
- tow planes are controlled by Microsoft, not this addon
about 2 years ago
After loading your tasks, why don't I have a tow plane? It keeps disappearing! As soon as I load another flight plan or random airport, my tow plane (Wilga) is there. If the wind direction is correct, I would like to take off with a tow plane, but that doesn't seem possible.....
about 2 years ago
[!! EDIT: it looks like the weather parameters have been altered since this version was uploaded, making the clouds more dense. An updated version is on its way !!]
As for the tow plane, that is out of my hands. This route was created a long time before Microsoft added tow planes into the sim. I tend to use the built in propeller. Microsoft decides if a tow plane will be available at an airport or not, provided that you have enabled a setting for it in the options menu. Mine is enabled but I don't always get the tow plane. If you have a tow plane and you don't want it, you can dismiss it by releasing the tow cable. Unfortunately the tow plan will then turn around and fly through you as it leaves.
The main issue that I was aware of was the rain and cloud over one particular airport. I have been trying to keep light rain in the experience but since the effect varies, some places will have denser clouds and higher rainfall than others. If I adjust the densest areas down then it simultaneously disappears completely from a lot of the other places as well. Its a tricky balance of several factors.
There is no fog but there are low clouds and I agree that's not something a glider would not fly towards on take-off. It might be a different story on landing though. Its obviously not safe, but I thought it might add some interest occasionally if I kept the possibility in play.
As far as snow goes there is no falling snow, but I can check for that. According to online searches: "Gliders are not deterred by the changing seasons. They can fly all year round, from clear blue skies to dodging showers, with snow or ice on the ground, and even in windy conditions".
The safety rules I found for flying a glider concentrated more on the time of day and the amount of cloud coverage than the season. I did a fair amount of research as part of building this route but I'm not an expert.
I understand the general meaning of your message. In combination with all the above, I will try to improve the cloud and rain aspects for better realism.
over 2 years ago
:-)
Edit: i can´t give it another 5-stars, as i already rated it ages ago.
over 2 years ago
over 3 years ago
I thank you very much for this glider route, it has been so exciting. I've been a glider and paraglider pilot, flying on Piedmonts and Lombardy Alps (LILC on Varese Lake as starting airport), but I never did a so long route even if it was in my dreams. Just for information, best months to fly on Alps are April and May, when Southern winds and strong thermals (expecially in the afternoon) allow you to fly for hours.
over 3 years ago
The endorsement of a IRL pilot has to be a good thing :0)
over 3 years ago
What a blast. Did the whole trip in VR and just finished the last leg. I've been flying the AS33Me since it came out and this 1000 miles really works it. You can go fast or slow, but you have to stay high. I love the twists and turns rather than just blasting down big valleys or ridges. Particulary fun in VR. It's a clever and crafty route you have picked Floyd and very scenic. And the weather just makes it, particularly landing in cloud and rain. Thankyou for the time you must have spent putting this flight plan together.
over 3 years ago
I couldn't have wished for a better review of the flight. Your experience of this trip is exactly what I enjoyed myself and its immensely satisfying to know you enjoyed it in the same way. I only use VR myself, its the only way to fly :0)
over 3 years ago
Do I understand correctly that all tasks are flown with the same weather and wind direction?
over 3 years ago
Everything in this pack has been carefully considered and backed by David Attenborough, although to be fair, he doesn't know that. The Alpine Odyssey is a relaxing challenge that can be tacked by enthusiastic beginners or experienced pilots who want a pleasant scenic flight, culminating in an interesting accomplishment.
The purpose of having consistent weather is to eliminate that variable from your ability to complete the challenge. In other words you will not be able to claim that the weather was against you when you crash out of the route - it will only be because you failed to read the terrain and wind properly.
The mathematically precise wind direction will help the less experienced or those without instrumental help to orient themselves for ridge lift using a map display only. From a realism point of view, its not unrealistic to have several days of similar weather in a row, so I don't think that is an issue.
The weather hasn't been ignored, I have spent weeks tuning the cloud cover to heighten the scenic interest by hiding some of the long range views as you go, and that is a lot harder to do than it sounds. It makes a significant difference to the experience even if you don't consciously think or care about it. The clouds also add variety to the peaks and will occasionally will act as a visual obstacle during your flight that you will have to negotiate. If you are unwary when you enter a cloud you may find yourself sliding down a rock face as a result. In addition, the interaction between the clouds and the terrain changes slowly throughout the challenge as you enter and exit the Alps due to altitude of the mountains, providing a subtle change in the flying environment, and that wasn't an accident either.
almost 4 years ago
Floyd, you are a genius, i usually fly the big jets, and this had made me a glider inthusiast, what a lovely way to enjoy MSFS2020. Please please do more. i love you Floyd. i just visited Gloucester with my familiy and enjoyed the loverly views close to Bristol and Gloucester gliding club, watched the real gliders soaring around, just done the same route, and it was amazing. you have changed my whole view on gliding with your Alpine Odysee. I thank you from my heart xxx
almost 4 years ago
Thanks :0)
almost 4 years ago
You made me wanna become a gilder pilot!
I have absolutely no idea of gliders so far, only coming from GAs and a bit bushflying... which glider do you suggest to start with and to maybe also make this trip, as beginner-friendly as can be?
almost 4 years ago
I started the same way, and its actually a lot easier than it seems to stay aloft. Once you get the hang of tracking the wind direction against the slopes you will be doing well and then ready to refine the controls.
If you download the pack you will find two starter trails that you can learn the basics with. The first is simply a long straight ridge. The second is a ridge with steps in it which requires more effort since the steps create dead air zones. When you have conquered that one you are ready to learn as you go with the 1000 mile route from coast to plains!
The route was created using the AS33ME, and although its a racing glider I found it intuitive to use its controls, and I liked its weight. The user guide explains all you need to know, and you can also use its built-in propeller for take-off. It also has a control that shows you the relative wind direction, which is really useful. The only other glider I have used is the Discus 2b, which is now updated to 2c. This one is quite light compared to the AS33Me, and the wind will easily lift it above the peaks where you can stay as long as you like. The AS33Me requires more tactical effort to get to the same position.
You could try out the available gliders on the practice routes to see how you like them, whilst at the same time learning how the controls affect your flight.
almost 4 years ago
Thanks a lot, i have a lot of "homework" to do now...
😍
about 2 years ago
almost 4 years ago
Any chance of updating this to SU9, please :)
almost 4 years ago
Sorry I missed this! They were always compatible with sim update 9, I didn't realise that I'd have to keep that setting up to date. I have checked them and they seem good without modification since they were not very dense in the first place, unlike the Epic Clouds which became gritty looking after SU9.
Floyds Alpine Odyssey
Embark on a 1000-mile ridge lift journey through the Alps with Floyds Alpine Odyssey. Divided into 10 stages, each lasting around 1 hour and 15 minutes, you can choose between realism and adventure weather modes. Whether youre a chilled glider pilot or a keen beginner, this add-on offers a unique flying experience with included practice flights to acquire basic skills.
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More Information
Versionsgeschichte
The 'adventure' weather preset has been modified to improve the appearance and variety of environments that it provides as you traverse the Alps and are forced to go to higher altitudes. Let me know if you have any problems.
over 3 years ago
What a blast. Did the whole trip in VR and just finished the last leg. I've been flying the AS33Me since it came out and this 1000 miles really works it. You can go fast or slow, but you have to stay high. I love the twists and turns rather than just blasting down big valleys or ridges. Particulary fun in VR. It's a clever and crafty route you have picked Floyd and very scenic. And the weather just makes it, particularly landing in cloud and rain. Thankyou for the time you must have spent putting this flight plan together.