ChasePlane, a highly anticipated tool from Parallel 42, promises to revolutionize the flight simulation experience for users of Lockheed Martin and Microsoft Flight Simulators. While the exact release date is yet to be announced, much information has already surfaced about the planned features and optional access models, generating excitement within the flight simulation community.
Optional Community Access Modalities
Parallel 42 plans to offer optional community access modalities for ChasePlane, designed to give users flexibility and control over their experience. After an initial year of Cloud Backup & Community access included with the purchase of ChasePlane, users are expected to have the following options:
- $0: Enjoy ChasePlane without the //42 Cloud.
- $5/year: Extend your access for another year.
- $20 one-time: Get lifetime access, no renewals needed.
These optional modalities are intended to keep the core product price lower and give users a choice. Users will likely be able to back up their settings, groups, and views for quick restores when switching PCs, and browse and share custom views with the community.
Expected Features and Benefits
ChasePlane is anticipated to offer a range of features and benefits, including:
- Cloud Backups: ChasePlane is expected to back up custom views and settings to the cloud, allowing users to restore their setup on new computers or after fresh installs.
- Community Access: ChasePlane is anticipated to provide a searchable library of custom content from users worldwide, with options to browse by aircraft or camera mode, preview live, and import new views.
- Camera Control and Customization: ChasePlane is expected to override the default camera system in Microsoft Flight Simulator, offering powerful camera control, customization, and physics. Users will likely be able to assign camera controls via ChasePlane and customize settings such as mouse functions, control profiles, and cinematic behaviors.
- User Interface and Camera Modes: The ChasePlane UI is expected to include internal, external, and world camera views organized into camera modes, along with access to cinematics mode and a navigation menu. Users will likely be able to switch between camera modes, customize views, and manage camera groups to organize and control camera behavior.