Condor 3: Two Months of Virtual Soaring Evolution
It’s been two months since the much-anticipated Condor 3 took flight on October 29th, 2024, bringing a new era to the virtual gliding community here at FAI Virtual Gliding. Let’s take a look at how this upgrade has been soaring through our community’s expectations and the skies.
Elevating Virtual Gliding
Condor 3 has introduced a suite of enhancements that have transformed the virtual gliding experience:
Realistic Flight Physics: The community has been raving about the new physics engine, which provides an even more authentic feel of gliding. Pilots have noted better control and response, especially in complex weather scenarios.
Breathtaking Visuals: The upgraded graphics have been a hit, with users praising the detailed landscapes of Slovenia 3 and AA3. The dynamic weather and shadow play have added depth, making each flight visually spectacular.
Interactive Weather: The (up to) five weather zones have been a game-changer, offering diverse and challenging conditions that keep flights unpredictable and exciting.
Community Reactions
Since its release, the feedback from the Condor community has been overwhelmingly positive:
User Satisfaction: Many pilots have expressed their delight on the Condor forum! The weather model, the new instruments (LX9070 & Hawk, Flarm..), the bugwipers, the Multicrew and the FES have been particularly appreciated. The introduction of new gliders, the Scheibe SF28 Motorglider being the latest one, provides fresh experiences for both beginners and experienced pilots. And we know that more exciting gliders are coming very soon…
Multiplayer Engagement: The multiplayer aspect has seen a significant uptick in activity, with pilots enjoying the camaraderie of shared flights thanks to the two-seater improvements, and the thrill of tchin-tchin daily races.
Areas for Growth
While Condor 3 has soared high, the community has voiced some desires for future enhancements:
More Sceneries: There’s a call for additional and varied landscapes to explore. Pilots are eager to fly over new terrains, with requests for maps from different parts of the world.
Performance Tweaks: Some users have noted that while the graphics are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware (especially with very cloudy weather). Optimizations for smoother performance on a broader range of systems is always appreciated, and a big patch update has already helped a lot of AMD CPU users to get a much better ride!
Further Instrument Refinement: Although the new flight computers and instruments are a big step up, there is still a request to get more and more real instruments, and a functionnal FES instrument for E-Glide style races would be appreciated!
VR Headsets: Meta Quest headsets perform exceptionally well with the new simulator, offering a seamless experience with minimal setup. However, pilots using other headsets might encounter some extra steps to get their VR systems working smoothly. Fortunately, a significant VR improvement is expected in an upcoming update, which should enhance compatibility and performance across the board. As for our top pick, the Quest 3 stands out as our all-time favorite—truly plug-and-play and delivering outstanding results. At this point, we can’t recommend a better option!
Esports and Competition: With the foundation laid for realistic competitions, there’s excitement about expanding the esports aspect, and we are looking forward to unveil the 2025 schedule in the coming days or weeks…! We advise competitors to get experience with tchin-tchin races daily on Condor 3, before joining our future events.
Evolution or Revolution?
Condor 3 has indeed evolved the simulation, but the community sees it as a revolution in virtual gliding. Here’s what’s next:
Continuous Updates: The developers have promised regular updates, responding to player feedback to refine and expand features. We have seen 3 patches so far, which is very good! Developers are always trying to fix issues as soon as possible, and aim at improving several areas of the simulator each time.
Community Involvement: The launch of the new simulator has sparked a surge in pilot participation in online unofficial races. The enthusiasm is palpable, and the community is buzzing with excitement. We can’t wait to come together for our next event and share even more thrilling moments in the virtual skies!
Educational Opportunities: With its exceptional realism, Condor 3 holds great potential for broader use in gliding education, including deeper integration into real-world gliding schools for pre-flight training. Already employed in countries like France and the USA, the simulator is proving its value in preparing new pilots. At FAI Virtual Gliding, we believe the introduction of two-seater functionality is a game-changer for the sport’s growth. Experienced pilots can now share a virtual cockpit with beginners, guiding them through the fundamentals of flight—even if they are thousands of miles apart. This ability to collaborate across continents is nothing short of revolutionary!
So, Are We Happy?
Yes, the virtual gliding community is on cloud nine with Condor 3. It has not only met but in many ways exceeded expectations, providing a platform where the art and science of gliding can be explored without leaving home.
As we continue to soar with Condor 3, let’s keep our feedback flowing, our spirits high, and our wings wide open to the possibilities this new chapter brings to FAI Virtual Gliding.
Happy gliding, and here’s to many more adventures in the virtual skies!
For more on Condor 3, revisit:
