Air Manager panel to match the Black Square Baron Professional?
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Every year, Altimeter Motives (Ron Sartore) makes a batch of beautiful panel overlays for piston twins, and sells them at FlightSimExpo. Ron calls it a Baron panel, but it is not a close match for the Black Square Baron cockpit. In fact, it is a perfect fit for the Air Manager "Beechcraft Baron 58" panel.
Visible here: https://altimetermotives.com/shop/ols/products/limited-2025-edition-baron-58
The existing Air Manager panel has instruments that are not on the main Black Square panel (e.g. fuel), and lacks others (e.g. radar altimeter). Most other instruments are different versions (e.g. turn coordinator). Sometimes the difference is subtle: fuel flow goes to 30 on one, and 40 on the other. The layout is quite different: the six pack is not in a 3x2 rectangle. The Air Manager site has some instruments that are better matches, but not identical to Black Square’s.
I would love to buy an Altimeter Motives panel that matches the Black Square one. And, if that means I have to make my own Air Manager instruments and panel, then I will. If I did that, I would make my work available for free.
What is Black Square’s position on this sort of thing? Do they actively cooperate, passively allow, actively obstruct, or something in between?
I don’t have specific experience with Air Manager, but I have made some technical animations before, and have watched some YouTube tutorials on creating Air Manager instruments. It looks like it would take a month or two to make something decent.
Or is there already somebody working on this? Or somebody who would like to help?
Ron Stewart
Vancouver, BC -
Every year, Altimeter Motives (Ron Sartore) makes a batch of beautiful panel overlays for piston twins, and sells them at FlightSimExpo. Ron calls it a Baron panel, but it is not a close match for the Black Square Baron cockpit. In fact, it is a perfect fit for the Air Manager "Beechcraft Baron 58" panel.
Visible here: https://altimetermotives.com/shop/ols/products/limited-2025-edition-baron-58
The existing Air Manager panel has instruments that are not on the main Black Square panel (e.g. fuel), and lacks others (e.g. radar altimeter). Most other instruments are different versions (e.g. turn coordinator). Sometimes the difference is subtle: fuel flow goes to 30 on one, and 40 on the other. The layout is quite different: the six pack is not in a 3x2 rectangle. The Air Manager site has some instruments that are better matches, but not identical to Black Square’s.
I would love to buy an Altimeter Motives panel that matches the Black Square one. And, if that means I have to make my own Air Manager instruments and panel, then I will. If I did that, I would make my work available for free.
What is Black Square’s position on this sort of thing? Do they actively cooperate, passively allow, actively obstruct, or something in between?
I don’t have specific experience with Air Manager, but I have made some technical animations before, and have watched some YouTube tutorials on creating Air Manager instruments. It looks like it would take a month or two to make something decent.
Or is there already somebody working on this? Or somebody who would like to help?
Ron Stewart
Vancouver, BC@ronstew said in Air Manager panel to match the Black Square Baron Professional?:
What is Black Square’s position on this sort of thing? Do they actively cooperate, passively allow, actively obstruct, or something in between?
Hi Ron. Broadly, I have nothing to do with any products, mods, or profiles that interface with my aircraft, but I would never actively obstruct anything that improves the simulator experience for even a handful of my users. In the past, I have been contacted by Air Manager for resources and to make modifications to my code to assist the creation of Air Manager profiles. I did everything I could to assist in the process, because I think the Air Manager system is a great way to enjoy my aircraft. I've actually been surprised that I haven't heard much from them regarding my more recent aircraft, but I would always be happy to help.
I hope that answers your question! Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you!
