From the SimHQ Q&A:

what a brilliant update for this simulator.
not only does it fix a few things, it also brings new features we've seen in Black Shark.

15 bucks ? no problem
prepare to standby

Thanks Ken - nice to see you. For a non FC owner (primarily because of SF allergy), I'm not clear on just what this implies about the original FC. I assume a person has to first buy FC. If you then install FC in order to next apply the new upgrade, won't this also install the old SF for FC, but then require only an online check for the upgrade? Still means SF for Flaming Cliffs' original install?

Or is it as IvanK suggests above - no FC original install, just a disc verification?

Hey Eugene,

I guess I'm not sure either. As an update to FC, I assumed it would replace the current config, but that's just an assumption without any facts to back it up. It does sound like you need to install FC for this to work, in which case the SF drivers will be installed, even if they are later removed.

I read somewhere that they are going to have a version released later that adds on to a base Lock On install, without Flaming Cliffs, and they say that should be released in spring, if the info I read is accurate.

Thanks Ken - I'll watch for more news on it. Ever since Beach's series of Training essays for FC, I've been interested - but put off by the SF issue. I've always been on the Falcon 4 side of the aisle no matter how many times I've installed and re-installed original LOMAC. But an upgraded FC w/o SF would appeal to my bipartisan nature.

Eugene... I jumped into this forum today to ask the very same question re: the original Flaming Cliff's copy protection. I like the fact that the FAQ says the copy protection for Flaming Cliffs 2 will be same as BlackShark (StarForce on-line activation only) but as I have Lock-on Gold I think that means that I will have to install the Flaming Cliffs version first and hence install the Starforce drivers on my PC.

I'm good with any combination of events that gets Flaming Cliffs 2 on my PC without having to install the original drivers.

Ricob, I guess we will have to wait for more info from users and development. One possibilty - if the version of SF on FC is the kind that only installs its drivers when you launch the sim, AND the upgrade removes the code that forces that install from the existing FC files on your never launched version on your hard drive, then we would be good to go. Those are two big ifs. But if true, you could install your original and be careful to never start it until after applying the upgrade.

LO getting a second wind is great news, fast movers and helicopters in the same sim things just keep getting better!

Waiting to see how this patch works in relation to SF. I've been wanting to get FC, but refuse to have those SF drivers installed on my new rig. If the patch can work around that, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

Please keep us FC fence sitters updated on how the SF problem is handled.

FC 2.0 does not install SF drivers. Please check the FAQ - online activation only is used.