November 2015 – Learn how your favorite aircraft and airports get created

Laminar Research: Can you provide a little background on yourself and your interest in aviation?

Javier Rollon: Well, as a flight sim enthusiast, I always tried to fly anything that was possible in any computer, starting from the Spectrum 48k, Amiga (F18 Interceptor was a blast!), and PC. Of course I spent a lot of time in the Microsoft Flight sim series, and finally I arrived at X-Plane 8 and 9. Coming from FS9 I saw how X-Plane was still using 2D cockpits (something I hate. I know lots of users love them….).

After some flights with X-Plane, loving its flight dynamics but not its graphics, I decided to make a 3D cockpit for a plane that I liked which only had a 2D one–the Texan. I used my background as a graphic designer in the games industry, working in titles such as Crysis2 for Crytek in Germany.

LR: Why did you decide to start making aircraft & how long have you been creating X-Plane aircraft?

JR: As I said, I love flying so it was the most natural step when I felt that I wanted to have a better experience with the Texan. I didn’t decide to make a plane, just a 3D cockpit. After that then, when I was successful with it, I decided to make the jump into a plane.

I have been creating X-Plane aircraft since 2008.

LR: What’s the most challenging part about creating aircraft?

JR: For me, programming as I am not a natural programmer. I have had to learn C++ from zero to make some plugins. But if we talk about my part (graphics)– the wheels. Always they are a kick in the (…..) as some of them are very complex in motion… and have to be put on ground correctly. Also the flight dynamics are a headache….

But the most challenging is finishing the plane and trying to convince the rest of the people that “your” plane is worth enough to pay a good amount of money for it. When things are free, the good opinion usually comes easy. But paying is another story.

Read the full interview

Tips and Tricks

We’re finishing our closer look at the new features in X-Plane 10.40 with the “Nearby Air Traffic Controllers” window. This feature allows you to easily and quickly tune your COM1 radio with the click of a mouse. If you are ever uncertain about which ATC controller to contact, it will also suggest the most appropriate one with an asterisk.

To use this feature, open the Special menu and click “Toggle Nearby Air Traffic Controllers Window.” This pops up a window (which you can drag around the screen to wherever is convenient) that displays the various ATC controllers around you, along with their COM radio frequency. Then you can easily tune your COM1 radio by clicking the mouse on the line you wish to contact. Click the [x] or select it from the menu a second time to close the window.

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