Newsletter - September 2025

 FSG@ Network

Connecting flight simulation enthusiasts across Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois

About Us

The FSG@ Network is a volunteer-driven family of local flight simulation groups. It only takes three simmers to start your own group—and it’s free! Our mission: build home simulators, enhance flight safety and training, and foster camaraderie. Interested? Email us at: flightsimulatorgroupat@gmail.com.

Meeting Highlights

• Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Projects: Discussed the upcoming joint CAP/FSG@ activity: "Aviation STEM", at Discovery World in Milwaukee, WI Sept 21st.  
• Member Build Projects: Discussed new hardware purchases and building issues surrounding the two new member system builds.
• Venue Change - November Meeting: Extreme Flight Simulation (EFS) in Gurnee, Illinois. Details to follow. 
• Four+One Day © Training:  Still Active. No new updates. Volunteers and funding welcome.
• Went to the "Community Hangar" to see how Steve McNeilly was progressing on his DH Comet Simulator Project.  

 STEM Initiatives

• Onarga Academy (OA): Had first meeting in Onarga.  Met all the players. Picked site for the simulator.  Agreed on simulator specification.  Target date rescheduled.

• Shoreland Lutheran High School (SLHS): Meeting with STEM Director Timothy Mielke planned for late-September in Kenosha.

Note: Donations, and volunteers with STEM, CFI or teaching experience welcome. Contact Ken at: flightsimulatorgroupat@gmail.com.

Want to join us to see what we're about?

Our next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 15, 18:30–20:30 at Centurion Hanger. 

• Use Golf entrance
• Time: 18:30 through 20:30
• Bring a folding chair  
• Water and soft drinks on us!

RSVP to Ken Butterly for a one-day entry code if you lack a KRAC pass. 

Have a great Labor Day Weekend, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers!

Kenneth (Ken) Butterly, Founder

Alternate FS2020/X-Plane Autopilots - Elgato Stream Deck Plus vs Octavi IFR1

A couple years ago, I purchased an Elgato Steam Deck Plus to run as an autopilot.

At the same time, I downloaded a "free" profile from a source I can no longer find.  And it worked! 

 Using the Elgato Stream Deck Plus in Microsoft Flight Simulator

More video's like this at twotonemurphy.

Problem is, a few months later, I mucked around with my simulator's configuration - and then it didn't work.  So, in frustration, I put it away.

In the meantime, I stumbled onto another option; the Octavi IFR-1.  And now, I'm reviewing the situation.

Looks kind of interesting and best of all, it's "setup" right out of the box.

Small in Size, BIG in Function - Octavi IFR1 Review | New Autopilot and Navigation Controller

More video's like this at SimHanger Flight Simulation.

Last week I took out the Stream Deck Plus thinking I might sell it.  Then I thought; should I try again?  I mean, they both get the job done.  

Your thoughts?

Kenneth (Ken) Butterly, Founder 

Formation Flying, Floating Planes, and ChatGPT to the Rescue

A couple of us recently tried a little formation flying in X-Plane. 

Sounds simple: spawn at the same airport, taxi out, and take off together. 

In reality, even though our planes were spawned within 100 feet of each other, one would sit higher or lower on the ground. It made lining up at the gate or runway a little frustrating - and a bit comical.

Example:

In frustration, I turned to ChatGPT for some answers. It explained that this is a common X-Plane multiplayer issue caused by tiny differences in scenery and terrain mesh between machines. Even the same airport can have slightly different elevations on each computer. Weather and altimeter settings, as well as differing sim or plugin versions, can add to the mismatch.  

I found out that even MSFS 2020 and FS2024, has this problem.  However, usually it's smaller because terrain and airports stream from a common server - but custom add-ons or mismatched weather can still create floating planes.

Once in the air the issue is moot!

There is however a practical way to minimize but not necessarily eliminate the problem: match scenery packs, confirm sim versions, align weather, and verify plugins.

In the end, we didn’t completely fix the ground-level differences, but we finally understood why it was happening. 

Formation flying may still be tricky, but at least now we know why our planes weren’t lining up on the tarmac. 

Your thoughts?

Kenneth (Ken) Butterly, Founder 

Lionhearts Pacer is Here — A Simmer’s Take

I’ve been flying Lionheart's P3D-based Tri-Pacer in the simulator since 2014, and it’s been a favorite ever since. Now, their PA-20/22 Pacer/Tri-Pacer has joined my FS2020/2024 hangars, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Why Short-Wings Matter

The Short-Wing Piper series started in 1947 with the PA-15 Vagabond, built from leftover Cub parts. Its shorter wingspan cut costs while keeping solid performance—a design that helped Piper bounce back after WWII.

From there came the PA-16 Clipper, PA-20 Pacer, PA-22 Tri-Pacer, and PA-22-108 Colt. Affordable, dependable, and versatile, these planes became favorites for everyday pilots. Many are still flying today, used for family trips and backcountry adventures.

A Community That Keeps Them Flying

In 1978, Tri-Pacer owners formed the Short Wing Piper Club. Today, it’s an international network sharing technical knowledge, hosting conventions, and supporting young aviators through scholarships.

Lionheart’s Pacer in the Sim

Lionheart has been crafting detailed aircraft for over 20 years—from modern jets to vintage classics like the Tri-Pacer. The new Pacer captures the PA-20’s simple, practical handling with multiple variants and cockpit options, making it a joy to fly.

Piper's Short-Wingers in Action

Lionheart Simulations Piper Pacer & Tripacer - First Look Review! - MSFS 2024.

More video's like this at AvAngel.

 The real thing!

The Flight That Changed Me: Lock Haven, 75 Years in the Making

More video's like this at The Flying Stampede.

Flying Lionheart’s Pacer isn’t just about a sim add-on, it’s stepping into history and feeling the charm of Short-Wing Pipers right from my virtual cockpit.

Your thoughts?

Kenneth (Ken) Butterly, Founder