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Amongst other things, that intrigue me about high fidelity flight sims is why we seem to be 'stuck' in F-16 mode! Given the recent evolution of modern aircraft, I am simply dumbfounded by the lack of forward thinking with regard to capturing these advances within a simulation. Granted, there is much unknown (classified info) about most of these aircraft I am talking about - Typhoon, Gripen, Rafale, Raptor, JSF. However, I feel that there is certainly enough known about them to establish a baseline simulation of their abilities. And, if there was a need to limit the number of aircraft to build a new sim around, then one particular aircraft sticks in my mind for that - JSF. Why? well because it is effectively the replacement for the F-16 (which we have seen create the most successful sim to date as the subject aircraft), and it is set to replace the F-18, also the ageing Joint Harrier Force fleet of both USMC & RAF/RN, the A-10, A-6, Tornados, not to mention one or two other customers. So, as a subject for an all new sim it would also have that broad base of interested fans the way the F-16 does today. Hello Thrustmaster, looking for a new stick to model for your Cougar set-up? Well here is your prime qualifier IMHO! Come on people, the sim fan base are just looking for something new to get their teeth into!

I would really like to see a WELL DONE helo sim, aka a Modern day graphics Longbow 2. The avionics of F4/LB2, the Campaign of EECH, and the graphics of BF2/Lock On. Makes me wonder what Fighter Ops will entail if it ever sees the light of day. Fighter Ops is but a gleam, but for now, we can only dream...

Yeah, Fighter Ops seems to be moving slowly, from an outsider's perspective anyway. Not seeing any of the Area 51 stuff myself, and can only really guess at what's happening behind the scenes. Having said that, we don't know what their timeline is, nor are we aware of what and how they have prioritised as their startpoint. Am sure that most of the stuff can be done in no particular order, hence we are seeing their efforts on the 3D models they intend to employ. I am also sure they would only show us stuff that puts them in good light, and not the stuff they are experiencing difficulties with - you would never showcase problematic areas unless you all but had a solution in your pocket already.
If they handle everything else in the fashion and enthusiasm they appear to have gone at the 3D modelling there, we can expect a very good effort at producing the next generation 'Falcon'. Ultimately, it is Falcon that will be the standard to be measured by, and am sure the FO guys know that already. I personally hope there will the 'other aircraft' support which will allow that expansion of flyables which allowed Falcon to take-off (excuse pun) again. All the talent out there will surely want to get their paws on FO too, and help expand it as they have done before. How that will be handled is anyone's guess, but I look forward to any developement with an open mind. Good luck to them.
And in the meantime, onwards with designing and building my own cockpit.